Shops fined for not having coins

The Ministry of Commerce said it carried out 800 inspections and imposed fines on 100 stores that did not abide by its instructions to have coins available to give as change to customers.
The ministry began enforcing its instructions last Saturday in a campaign entitled "Claim Your Change." It aims to ensure that customers get money back instead of chewing gum or a box of tissues in return for amounts below one riyal.
The Ministry’s Consumer Complaint Center received over 160 customers’ reports since the start of inspections. Most reports were filed from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Abha. The ministry added that most stores were compliant.
Inspections began after the ministry made sure that the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) had provided sufficient coins to commercial banks, which would be penalized by SAMA in case of failing to provide shops with coins.
The newly introduced regulations have been welcomed by consumers.
One shopper told Arab News, “We hope this newly enforced regulation and round of inspections will also go beyond grocery shops and local stores. Gas stations are also in need of inspection by the ministry. I almost never get my change back when I fill up my tank. Instead, the worker takes the liberty of rounding up the amount I owe. Sometimes the change owed is significant and should be given back to the customer regardless.”
Another consumer told Arab News, “This move will discourage local supermarkets from asking their customers to place their change in the small ‘donation box’ set up next to the cashier. It should be up to the customer to donate however much they like.”
Others brushed off the inspection for change as unnecessary and asked the ministry to inspect more pressing issues plaguing retail outlets, such as over-pricing and pricing inconsistencies.
The ministry calls on residents to report violations by calling 8001241616.