Friday Market … choice for low income earners – Some products sold could be dangerous: expat

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KUWAIT CITY, May 7: Has the Friday Market in Al-Rai area become the place where earners of limited income go to for buying their necessities at low prices? Does every product sold at Friday Market, especially the cosmetics and perfumes, pose a threat to the health of consumers?

Several people who frequent the Friday Market were asked the above mentioned questions and many others.

In response, most of them explained that they have no choice but to buy used clothes and other products from the Friday Market because of their low income. Some others said there are first hand products that are sold at very low prices compared to those sold in commercial complexes.

However, they lack guarantee or warranty. One of the visitors to the Friday Market, Ahmad Adel explained that he prefers buying clothes for his children from the Friday Market because clothes sold at commercial complexes are expensive.

For example, he can buy a dress for his daughter for 500 fils at Friday Market but he would have to pay KD 5 to buy a similar dress in a commercial complex. His economic situation does not permit him to shop from commercial complexes. Umm Ayman said she sometimes buys used clothes and donate them to the needy in her country. She indicated that a cloth piece sometimes does not cost more than 250 fi ls and even her own children at times wear used clothes if they are in good condition.

Another visitor Burhan Khaleel revealed that he bought used shoes in Friday Market for 750 fils, as he would have to pay more than KD 5 for a new one, adding that all his children wear only used clothes and shoes. He indicated that a significant number of expatriates suffer from financial difficulties and the Friday Market is the place they resort to for buying necessities.

Khaleel stressed that the financial burdens of expatriates are increasing due to the increasing rents, hiked school fees and even higher charges for renewal of residence permits, adding that all of these expenses imposes a heavy burden on his financial situation.

Concerning cosmetics sold in Friday Market, one of the cosmetic dealers explained that he sells cosmetic products of many international brands that are found in the commercial complexes. In the latter, products cost KD 2 and above but in the Friday Market, similar brands can be obtained at much cheaper costs, due to which many costumers prefer to buy from the Friday Market.

Expiring
He admitted, “Some of these products are on the verge of expiring but we always inform the customers about that fact”. Mamdouh Jaber came to Friday market to buy curtains for his apartment. He revealed that curtains that are sold in Friday Market cost KD 5 while those sold in the commercial centers cost KD 20 and above. He indicated that he only buys new items from Friday Market because he is afraid that the used items could be contaminated by dangerous materials.

Sayed Fatehi came to Friday market to buy a used refrigerator for KD 20 because his income does not enable him to buy a refrigerator at KD 100 or above. He revealed that Friday Market has new and used products of all types including new electronic items, but the problem is the lack of guarantee or warranty. Fatehi explained that he once bought an air conditioner for KD 40 but he was later shocked to discover that it was not working at all. He went back to the seller but the latter refused to exchange it. After he went to the administration of Friday market, the seller was forced to replace it.

Hassan Ibrahim indicated that there are products sold in Friday Market that could be dangerous to the health of children and adults. He revealed that he has been urging the authority in charge of the Friday Market to examine and remove products that pose health hazards such as expired products, low-quality or expired cosmetics and used perfumes. Ibrahim explained that the low income earners are forced to buy used goods due to necessity and lack of choice but the health hazard they face is huge. Therefore, the concerned authorities must do something to prevent such risks, as it is the least effort they could make in this regard.

By Najeh Bilal Al-Seyassah Staff

This news has been read 6917 times!