RIYADH: Traders of car spare parts and accessories have exploited the price-hike trend to raise their prices by more than 20 percent, claiming that the prices were jacked up by the manufacturing countries. Prices rose slightly by not more than four percent at the beginning of the year but rose by 30 percent a month ago, shoppers have complained. Shopkeepers said they are awaiting another round of price increases across the world. They acknowledged facing complaints from citizens who have accused the traders of price-fixing. A Saudi national said he has gone to several shops to buy car tires but he found out that the price for the brand he was using differed from one shop to another. Sa'eed Mabrouk, a member of the Car Maintenance Committee at Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), said the prices abroad have not risen at all. He suspects that some local companies have jacked up their prices sharply to make a good profit. “If I'm the sole distributor and fix the price I want, the consumer will just accept it,” he said.
