Many customers have complained of long delays in delivery of parcels and poor service by some local cargo companies.
These firms, particularly the small operators, are known to make tall promises while wooing customers. They also come up with special offers and refer to well-known people and organisations whom they claim to have served in the recent past.
However, the customers say these cargo firms fail to fulfil the promises they make.
Many of the customers have urged the authorities to make cargo the companies comply with consumer protection laws and penalise those who fail to do so.
More than two months ago, a former Doha resident who cancelled his residence permit sent 11 parcels to his hometown in Kerala through a cargo firm located on Matar Qadeem Street. That was the last time he heard about his parcels.
“Every time I contact the firm, they give excuses that are lame and far from convincing. They also give new dates for delivery whenever I call the office. However, until now, the bags have not reached their destination,” said his friend who is following up on the case on behalf of the former Doha resident.
He said the company staff have no clue about when the consignment would reach the customer’s address. Also, when the company took possession of the parcels from the customer, it had given an assurance that the consignment would reach his home in less than 25 days.
Another resident narrated a similar experience. “Fortunately, I lost only one (piece of) cargo,” said the expatriate, who had sent a consignment through the same agency.
Efforts were made to contact the cargo company, but there was no response.
More than a year ago, another cargo firm in Doha was made to pay a hefty compensation to a customer after some of the parcels he had sent to his home in Coimbatore failed to reach. The goods lost included electronic gadgets and expensive crockery, among others.
Customers feel the enforcement of stringent consumer protection laws would make cargo firms more accountable and provide better services. At present, many customers feel they are helpless and can do little to deal with problems such as delayed or non-delivery of parcels.
A cargo firm said they were aware of the complaints. “However, most of these issues are due to factors beyond our control,” an official of the company said.