Smart balance wheels, also called hoverboards, continue to be sold in many hypermarkets and shops across Doha despite Qatar authorities having reportedly issued a directive, banning the sale of such items.
A supervisor at a shop in one of the major malls in the country told Gulf Times that they had yet to receive a copy of the directive.
“Yes we are still selling these items,” he said, referring to dozens of smart balance wheels spread out in two areas of the shop.
Prices vary depending on the brand. A lower priced hoverboard can be bought for about QR 900. Almost all airlines have banned hoverboards on board.
In one of the leading hypermarkets in Qatar, about 15 items (different brands) were on display on Wednesday. Officials stressed that they had not received any communication from any ministry until late afternoon.
Demand for smart balance wheels remains high. But the shop supervisor said they will immediately remove them after they are notified by authorities either verbally or through a written order.
“But for now, we will continue selling these products in all our branches to our valued customers,” he added.
In another hypermarket along Airport Road, a supervisor said they have started removing the items on display.
Asked if they have received a missive from Qatar authorities, he said the management had only seen a report online about the ban and asked him to keep the "scooters" in the stock room.
A customer service representative at a major hypermarket in Doha told Gulf Times that they had stopped selling the items since last week.
“As far as I know, shops can still sell their remaining stocks but it happens that we have already run out of stock and we did not order anymore,” she said.
Like the hypermarkets, a number of stores (including toy shops) in different malls in Doha also confirmed they have not received any instructions to stop displaying or selling such products.
But some malls had banned the use of smart balance wheels and similar items inside their premises to prevent any accident that may hurt both the users and mall visitors.
However, some, particularly children, use the boards on streets, raising safety concerns.
Besides malls in Qatar, business establishments in the UAE have also banned the use of the two-wheeled battery-powered hoverboards inside their premises.