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Salesmen come under scanner in Oman [Times of Oman](Times of Oman Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Muscat: Public Authority of Consumer Protection (PACP) has warned businessmen selling electronic devices against carrying out door-to-door marketing, according to a reliable source at the agency. "Many companies selling electronic devices target families and individuals by visiting their houses," said the official, while adding that such companies provide various offers to consumers, especially to low-income families. PACP has received numerous complaints from local residents and expatriates about home visits made by the marketing staff of various companies, including female salespeople. "A primary court in Buraimi has ordered a number of electronic devices sellers, who were found marketing products outside their shops or companies, to remain closed for six months and has ordered the confiscation of their products," said the official source. He added that the companies were also fined OM3000. In one of the cases investigated by PACP, a family complained of receiving a phone call from a company marketing electronic devices to inform them that they had won a prize, with a request for permission to visit their house, according to the source. "After reaching their house, the company's sales team began giving a demonstration of a vacuum cleaner to the family," said the source. He added that even though the family refused to buy the product, the sales team tried to lure them with offers, such as purchasing the vacuum machine in instalments. After the family turned down the offers, the company's sales team insisted that the family would be given a day's time to reconsider their decision and the team would return the next day. "The family directly complained to the PACP in Buraimi," said the source, adding that the company's marketing team members were arrested when they arrived at the family's house the next day and the case was referred to the Public Prosecution. The official explained that selling electronic devices outside a retail store or headquarters is illegal, according to the Consumer Protection Law issued by the Royal Decree No. 81/2000, regulation No. 49/2007 and Law No. 17/2010. PACP has called upon citizens and residents to directly report such cases to the authorities, as some of these cases were often criminal in nature. To get in touch: [email protected] (c) 2014 Muscat Press and Publishing House SAOC Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info). |