(AFP, Dubai) - Asians obtain the best prices through their bargaining skills while Westerners pay the most in the United Arab Emirates, which sells itself as a shoppers' paradise, a local consumer group has found.
The Emirates Society for Consumer Protection has studied local practices and is calling for new regulations to force all shops to display clearly a single price for all goods.
"Western people pay the most, UAE nationals and those from Gulf countries pay slightly less, Arabs from places like Syria and Egypt pay less still and Asian people pay the least," society chairman Ali Abdooli told Wednesday's Gulf News.
"Often the Western consumers can end up paying three times as much as the Asian customer for exactly the same product," he said. Abdooli quoted the case of an Emirati who complained to the society after being offered a suit for $700. He was advised to go back dressed like an Egyptian and was offered the same suit for $550 dollars.
The society suggested he return dressed as a Pakistani and he was duly offered the suit for $325. When he asked for discount the final price fell to $275, Abdooli said.
He urged shoppers in the Emirates to haggle, always ask for a discount and to shop around for bargains.
© Agence France Presse 2000
© 2000 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
