Guarantee conditions

At this stage it is well worth highlighting some of these conditions. First of all, the current law only obliges suppliers to inform buyers whether the guarantee is transferable or not.

They can choose not to make it transferable as long as they inform the buyer accordingly. However, suppliers in our list must agree to make their guarantee transferable.

With regard to bulky appliances, if their customers come up against faults or breakdowns during the guarantee period, they can inform the respective suppliers on the telephone. Should it not be possible to sort out the problem on the telephone, these suppliers will call at their customer's address and there will be no 'call-out' fee charged.

Another important aspect of their guarantees is that these suppliers offer coverage for "Parts, labour and transport" for the full duration of the guarantee period.

Therefore, if you do have a problem with them on the guarantee terms and conditions, as outlined above, write to me. I have discussed the above issues with the managing directors/general managers listed below and I maintain a meaningful dialogue with them.

With such suppliers offering such guarantees, I see no reason why we should accept inferior guarantees. While encouraging you to make the most of the situation, I urge more suppliers to offer full guarantees as outlined above. They are invited to write to me.

However, at this point, I must inform suppliers who may be interested in joining the list that it is our intention to impose a limit as on how many companies we can have in our list with a view to retaining the prestige aspect of being in the list. Here is our current list (in alphabetical order), including details of the relevant suppliers:

Aplan Ltd: managing director: Alex A. Mizzi; general manager: Lino Apap. Head office (and outlet): Aplan Centre, Birkirkara Bypass, Birkirkara BKR14. Tel: 2148-0590, 2148-0593; fax: 2148-0598; e-mail: admin@aplan.com.mt.

Centro Casalinga: managing director: Jacques Scerri, Mba, B.Com. (Hons.). Head office: J.J. Scerri Co. Ltd, Quarries Street, St Venera. Tel: 2125-0980/1/2; fax: 2123-5942; e-mail: sales@jjscerri.com.

Delta Homecentres: managing director: Maurice Mizzi. Head office: The Lyric, Antonio Bosio Street, Msida. Tel: 2133-1071/2; fax: 2138-3920; e-mail: mfmizzi@mhl. mizzi.com.mt.

Forestals (Appliances) Ltd: managing director: Tancred Tabone. Head office: 110, The Strand, Sliema. Tel: 2134-4700/7; fax 2134-4709; e-mail: info@forestals.com. Website: www.forestals.com .

Oxford House Ltd: managing director: John Galea. Head office (and outlet): Notabile Road, Mriehel. Tel: 2144-2334; fax: 2148-8656; e-mail: info@oxfordhouse.com.mt. Website: www.oxfordhouse.com.mt .

The Phoenix Group: 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 .

I conclude this article by repeating that, if you do have a problem with the above companies on their guarantee terms and conditions as outlined above, you can write to me.