When can you file a complaint?Record the violationContacting the mayor office “Akimat” (for socially significant goods)Seller’s Responsibility

How to complain about unjustified price increases?

Введение

Citizens of Kazakhstan have the right to report unjustified price increases for goods and services. The state regulates prices for socially important food products, monitors the operations of retail chains, and prevents price collusion.

This life situation explains how to properly file a complaint and where to go.

Regulatory framework

  1. Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Trade Activity Regulation"
  2. The Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Kazakhstan : responsibility for violation of trade regulations and price gouging
  3. List of socially significant food products
  4. Regional resolutions of mayor offices “akimats” on maximum prices for SSG

When can you file a complaint?

A citizen may file a complaint if:

  • the price of the goods is higher than the maximum price set by the mayor office “akimat”;
  • the store inflates the price of socially significant goods;
  • the price at the checkout differs from the price tag;
  • the seller deliberately inflates the price due to high demand;
  • The seller violates trade rules or deceives the consumer.

Seller’s Responsibility

According to the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Kazakhstan , the following fines are provided for price gouging and violation of trade rules:

  • administrative fines;
  • suspension of activity;
  • recovery of illegally obtained income.

Record the violation

Collect the evidence:

  • photo of the price tag;
  • photo of the product;
  • photo of the cash receipt;
  • store address;
  • date and time of purchase.

Contacting the mayor office “Akimat” (for socially significant goods)

If the violation is related to the goods from the list of SSG (sugar, flour, eggs, butter):

the mayor offices “Akimats” monitor the compliance with the price caps.