The quarrel was about the selling of what appears a rotten or expired package of cucumbers.

The two-minute video footage that appears to have been uploaded less than a few days ago have sparked a debate over consumer protection among shoppers, as filing a simple complaint still remains elusive. “I have seen this video, and now that it went viral, I hope it will make the statement that enough is enough in regards to protecting consumers from greedy and inconsiderate business owners,” Jeddah resident Khalid Yamani said. He thought this was especially important when it came to food products.

The father of two added, "It is unclear as to which authority a consumer should approach with complaints about businesses. Sometimes we are told to go to the municipality, and at other times it’s the Ministry of Commerce and Industry or the Consumer Protection Association. I guess no one knows."

On Sunday, Reshod Al-Shagrawi of the Saudi Consumer Protection Association told Alarabiya news channel: “There are proper methods and channels for accepting consumer complaints about particular services or products sold in the market. However, the method displayed on the video is not encouraged."

Al-Shagrawi said that regular inspections of supermarkets and shops by the responsible authorities should aid in protecting consumers from greedy sellers. 

Umm Omar, a 39-year-old mother of three, told Arab News, “I had a similar situation in Jeddah at a local supermarket, where I snapped at store staff due to damaged produce sold and uncooperative staff. You would think that the consumer is always right, since they are the ones paying for these products and services. That seems, however, not to be always the case, as consumers at times are held to be at fault.”