Two-pin/three-pin plugs

This is now one of those issues which we highlight regularly and I accordingly urge consumers to insist on a three-pin plug. If the seller refuses to co-operate we have the right to maximise on "market forces" (il-ligi tas-suq) by taking our custom to those shops/outlets who are willing to fulfil our expectations accordingly.

Last Sunday I wrote about this issue and I am very encouraged by the prompt and constructive response from Aplan Ltd, which I must feature straight away:

I refer to your article on plugs last Sunday and we wish to express our complete agreement with your views on the matter in general and in particular with your views on consumers' safety, which is paramount.

For the past 30-odd years Aplan Ltd has always ensured that its own installers replaced all European-type two-pin plugs with the British-type 13-amp plug that is used in Malta on installation of all major domestic appliances (i.e. hobs, ovens, cookers, hoods, dishwashers, refrigerators and freezers, as well as washing machines and tumble dryers). Committed as our company is to customer service and safety, this has been standard company policy for a very long time and has always been one of the reasons why Aplan Ltd has always insisted on having the installation of its major domestic appliances carried out by Aplan installers. In this area therefore it is business as usual.

The same applies for small domestic appliances (SDAs) like smoothing irons, toasters, grills, etc. Aplan Ltd has always ensured that the two-pin plug is replaced by its own employees at point of sale. The one drawback here is that changing to a three-pin plug is a rather fiddly job that can be frustrating to the sales representatives, the customer currently being served and to other customers in the showroom who are waiting to be attended to. In view of this (especially during busy periods) customers have been asked whether they were capable of replacing the plug and, if the customer replied in the affirmative, the three-pin plug was supplied with but not fitted to the product.

To achieve a higher standard of customer safety, and to do away with the negative aspects of replacing a plug at point of sale or relying on the consumer to replace the plug, we are in the process of ensuring that all SDAs having a two-pin plug are fitted with special three-pin adapters that will be fitted on the existing two-pin plug. We have in fact already placed orders for these adapters with our supplier and we are currently awaiting delivery.

These adapters will be fused and earthed where necessary (as some appliances are double insulated and have no Earth connection) and will be secured to the original two-pin plug by means of two screws. Thus, the adapter will become an integral part of the product and we can eliminate the possibility of anyone using the product without the adapter unless the user actually unscrews the adapter from the appliance.

We are confident that this will safely and conveniently eliminate most of the problems associated with the two-pin/three-pin issue. We would also like to thank you for the opportunity to express our views on this matter. We would also like to congratulate you and the people working at the Consumer Affairs Division and the Consumers' Association on maintaining this sense of co-operation and dialogue which is in the best interest of consumers and traders alike. (Lino Apap, general manager, Aplan Ltd).

Subsequently I had a meeting with Mr Apap, who showed me the special three-pin adapters he refers to. I invite other traders/suppliers who are willing and prepared to follow Aplan's and Phoenix's example with a view to being included in our list. This is yet another opportunity to maximise on market forces - more aptly termed in Maltese as il-ligi tas-suq. I must encourage suppliers who can offer this service to write to me. At this point we have two suppliers as follows:

The Phoenix Group supply all electrical products with a British-type three-pin plug. Managing director: Steve Petroni; head office (and outlet): Old Railway Track, St Venera; tel: 2385-2200; Servicing Dept: 2385-2300; fax: 2144-9216; e-mail: info@phoenixgroupmalta.com. Website: www.phoenixgroupmalta.com.

Aplan Ltd currently supply all electrical products with a three-pin plug. Regarding domestic appliances which come with a two-pin plug, Aplan currently replace all European-type two-pin plugs with the British-type 13-amp plug used in Malta on installation. Managing director: Alex A. Mizzi; general manager: Lino Apap; head office and outlet, Aplan Centre, Birkirkara Bypass, Birkirkara BKR 14; tel: 2148- 0590; Servicing Department: 2148-0594; fax: 2148-0598; e-mail: sales@aplan.com.mt or service@aplan.com.mt

In due course small appliances which come with a two-pin plug will be fitted with an adapter as seen below.

I appeal to suppliers of white goods and electrical products willing to co-operate on this issue to contact me.