Consumer Claims Tribunal decisions not honoured

With the co-operation of Marcel Pizzuto, director-general, Consumer and Competition Division, we have lists of traders who, after being approached and asked by the division, still refuse to honour the tribunal's decisions. Here follow the details of the cases in question:

Trader: Dario Azzopardi, Stephy, 105, Triq Birbal, Balzan;

Consumer's claim: Refund of Lm500, the price of computer which developed faults;

Tribunal's decision: Trader ordered to pay Lm500 back to consumer. Computer to become property of trader, except keyboard, monitor and cordless mouse.

Trader: Christals Services Ltd., 123, Naxxar Road, Birkirkara;

Consumer's claim: Refund of Lm200 being deposit on four air-conditioners, which were not same power as agreed;

Tribunal's decision: Trader ordered to pay Lm200 plus expenses.

Trader: Millenium Enterprises Ltd (Nadine Theuma), Serene, Good Shepherd Avenue, Balzan;

Consumer's claim: Refund of Lm535, the price of a computer which was not operating properly and moral damages;

Tribunal's decision: Trader ordered to pay Lm500 and expenses. Moral damages refused.

Trader: Mobile Phone Centre, Independence Avenue, Mosta;

Consumer's claim: Refund of Lm164, the price of a mobile phone which was defective after six months;

Tribunal's decision: Trader ordered to pay Lm150 plus expenses. Mobile phone to be returned to trader after settlement.

Trader: Mobile Phone Centre, Independence Avenue, Mosta;

Consumer's claim: Refund of Lm120, the price of a mobile phone which developed a fault during the guarantee period and could not be used;

Tribunal's decision: Trader ordered to pay Lm120 plus expenses. Mobile phone to be returned to trader after settlement.

Trader: Martin Computer Centre, 117, Palm Street, Paola;

Consumer's claim: Damages of Lm47, representing faults on computer after being upgraded;

Tribunal's decision: Trader ordered to pay Lm47 plus expenses.

It is in the interest of traders mentioned who have honoured the arbiter's decision to inform us accordingly. In response to the publication of the list on February 9, we received notification from Dr Edward Zammit-Lewis o/b/o Francis Spiteri of Tal-Karmnu Construction Ltd, Black Pearl, St Paul Street, Zurrieq, to inform us that, in this case, the Consumer Claims Tribunal decision was honoured and payment to the consumer, Elaine Meli, was made by cheque dated January 27.

Since Dr Zammit felt the need to quote the date of the cheque, it is pertinent to point out that the tribunal decision regarding this case was made on September 10, 2002. Moreover, when I submitted the February 9 column with the list in question I had not been informed about the cheque.

I appeal to traders who have not honoured the Consumer Claims Tribunal decisions to do so and to inform me accordingly so that we can remove their names from the list in future columns.