"No monopoly" on adjustment of cash registers

The GRTU, Association of Retailers and Traders, said yesterday that businesses were not obliged to have their cash registers adjusted by the registers' agents for exaggerated fees.

Businesses could engage a registered qualified technician to made the adjustment and pay a more suitable fee.

The adjustments are necessary in view of the change in the VAT rate from 15 to18 per cent. The GRTU said no one had a monopoly over the adjustment of cash registers and therefore no one should be obliged to pay a price which was considered to be unjust.

The association said that it had the assurance of the Finance Ministry that no such monopoly existed.

An agreement was announced recently by the VAT Department over the maximum fees to be charged by suppliers of fiscal cash registers to make the necessary adjustments.

The VAT Department said not more than Lm12, inclusive of VAT, should be charged if the register is taken to the supplier's premises and not more than Lm18, inclusive of VAT, if the adjustment is made at the trader's business location.