Every Dirham counts
Every Dirham counts: A change in attitude is needed!
Tough legal action will be taken against shopping outlets and merchants that do not hand back the exact change to their customers, a senior official said.
Dr Hashim Al Nuaimi, director of the Consumer Protection Department at the UAE Ministry of Economy, said consumers must play a proactive role to stop the growing practice of ignoring coins of smaller denominations.
"It is an illegal practice and the money that is collected every day in this way, which is worth thousands, is also illicit," he said.
Retailers and outlets who don't tender the exact change to the consumer, even if it is one fils, would face penalties, Al Nuami added.
In case of violations, he urged consumers to contact the ministry on the toll-free number 600522225 to register their complaints.
No shortage
"Shops, supermarkets and commercial outlets dealing with small transactions sometimes pretend they have no small change to return, but this is not the case, because such small coins can be ordered from banks which said that they did not have shortages in supplying shops with small coins," one banker said.
Retailers will face penalties
The UAE Ministry of Economy has warned of tough action against business establishments that deny customers their rightful change, while the head of Dubai's consumer protection agency has suggested that the creation of a charity fund could better account for the small change that is often neglected during transactions.
Ministry directive
The UAE Ministry of Economy has urged all consumers to be aware of their rights and to demand the change due to them irrespective of the amount.
In case of violations, consumers are urged to contact the ministry on the toll-free number 6005225 to register their complaints.
ask the cashier if they would accept the gum as 50 dirhams next time u want to buy something .. i did that in Mega Mart and got my 50 dirhams
Twice I have asked at banks in Doha, "Can I buy some coins please?" only to be met with looks and tones of total surprise. "Coins? I don't think that we have any. Do we? (to neighbouring teller). No, sorry."
In the supermarket give the cashier three options:
(1) Give the correct change.
(2) Round down to the Riyal below.
(3) Call the manager.
You might be surprised at how quickly they find that small hidden compartment in their cash drawer that is full of 50Dh and 25Dh pieces. (You are unlikely to see the smaller bronze coins)
I am sorry if it affects their income (many are paid only a pittance) but I dislike being given chewing gum in place of change.
Incidentally, a similar announcement to that of UAE was made in Qatar some time ago but has been quickly forgotten.
what do u mean they say out of stock? ask them to make new ones quickly ;)
if bank dont hav money..who will hav then?
leading banks in doha are very rude when we ask for coins they never give coins when we request simpely say out of stock
ya i hav faced this many a times and often leaving change to the cashier in al meera- Wakhra.. and najma areas..
It's already working. I went to Carrefour yesterday and normally they never have any change at all (hard to even get a Dirham coin from them) and yesterday they had all of it.
Wish they did something like this here as well.