Business | Economy
Price of bottled water increases
Residents have complained that salesmen of a bottled drinking water company have increased the price for a five gallon bottle although the Ministry of Economy has rejected companies' request to raise prices.
- By Binsal Abdul Kader, Staff Reporter
- Published: 21:16 August 1, 2007
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
- A resident said salesmen of Oasis water asked her to pay Dh 2 more for a five gallon bottle. Picture for illustrative purposes only.
Abu Dhabi: Residents have complained that salesmen of a bottled drinking water company have increased the price for a five-gallon bottle although the Ministry of Economy has rejected companies' request to raise prices.
A resident said salesmen of Oasis water asked her to pay Dh2 more for a five-gallon bottle.
"When I refused to pay, the salesmen asked me to contact their Abu Dhabi office. An official told me it was a management decision to increase the price. When I mentioned newspaper reports on the ministry's decision to reject the price rise, no proper answer was given. I wonder whether the law of the land is not applicable to them," said the Emirati woman.
"I used to purchase five or six bottles a week. The Dh2 increase per bottle is too much for me and it will affect my budget," she said.
Cheryl Almeida, an Indian said, "I was charged Dh9 for a five-gallon bottle. An official said it was management's decision to raise the price."
Rajesh T.V., an Indian engineer, said he was charged Dh9 instead of Dh7 for a five-gallon bottle. An official at the Dubai office of Oasis replied affirmatively when Gulf News asked whether the management had decided to increase the price. She confirmed the complaints from customers but asked Gulf News to send an e-mail for further comments.
The official confirmed the receipt of the e-mail from Gulf News but there was no further response even after several reminders. Later, Oasis sent a statement by e-mail to Gulf News.
The Ministry of Economy's Consumer protection Unit had rejected request to increase prices of locally bottled water, on Monday.
In a statement, Dr Hashim Al Nuaimi, Director of the ministry's Consumer Protection Unit, said the ministry had asked water bottling companies and factories to provide it with detailed data about their budgets and production costs to asses the demand for a price hike.
Oasis statement
"Oasis Water would like to re-assure you that it is working to ensure that the price adjustment of its five-gallon bottle does not create any discomfort to you, our valued customer.
"We would like to highlight that Oasis is extremely committed to ensuring a soft transition to cushion the adjustment of our prices to the level of our competition. With that in mind, Oasis Water would like to remind you that the price will only be increased by seven per cent - from its original Dh7 to Dh7.50 - through the value added coupon books."
Your comments
I am a consumer of Oasis and consume 3 bottles per week. Since the ministry has rejected rise in price, stern action should be taken for the violation.
VRUNDA
DUBAI,U.A.E.
Posted: August 02, 2007, 11:31
Do residents have to put up with this attitude even after paying a premium price? The Government needs to act immediately and put a stop to this type of low class behavior, as it's ruining the good image created by the rulers.
Ralston
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2007, 11:29
If the price of bottle drinking water is increased, it really affects a lot, especially during this hot season, the consumption of water is more, accordingly they will consume pipe line water and obviously the water companies will lose their customers.
Sharan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2007, 11:12
So does this mean that the Ministry will interfere? What price must Oasis customers pay now? Maybe Oasis' descision to overlook the Minstry's rule should give people one more reason to switch suppliers.
Noura
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2007, 10:53
It isn't the price-hike that bothers me but the audacity the company has; to rasie prices even though it has been clearly rejected by the consumer protection unit. Furthermore, Oasis Water seems to have provided some sort of a short-term quick-fix with their value added coupons.
Komail
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2007, 10:37
Other companies are selling 5 gallons of water for 6 dirhams, while Oasis selling price is 7 dirhams, when we call them on the morning for delivery they will arrive when our company is about to close or the next day.
Natz
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2007, 10:10
Please don't try to increase the drinking water price. If so, people will go for normal pipe line water and will cause health problems also. For drinking water companies, there is no production cost increased. So price hike is not acceptable.
Thomas
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2007, 09:09
From my point of view, the price has to be unchanged.
Bipin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2007, 08:15
The offer is a dose to keep the customers silent. Once it is done they will lift the offer thus the price will automatically go to 9 Dhs. So this shouldn't be accepted othewise the minsitry is not approved their price hike demand.
Sunithakumari
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2007, 06:55
The best country in the whole world is Dubai. Everything increases including the exchange rate but our salary stull remains the same.
Mhd
Dubai,dubai
Posted: August 02, 2007, 06:39
More from Economy
More from Business
Business Editor's choice
-
China breaks West's solar monopoly
Some countries in the world, especially Germany and the United States, have made considerable efforts to invest in developing solar energy cells
-
Burberry store spree will cut profit
Trenchcoat maker forges ahead with investment strategy targeting emerging markets
-
Laws needed to spur region bond markets
UAE Central Bank calls for creation of a centralised Sharia board to facilitate the sale of sukuk
