No-nonsense guarantees

Traders mentioned in this list offer coverage of both parts and labour for the full duration of the guarantee period, during which they will also not charge a call-out fee.

Recently, in view of the amendments to the law on commercial guarantees, we suspended the regular inclusion of this list to ensure that their guarantees conformed to eight legal conditions. The law stipulates that commercial guarantees must:

1. Be formulated in at least one of the official languages of Malta;

2. Set out the name and address of the guarantor, and clearly state the permanent address of the place of trade or business;

3. Clearly state the contents of the guarantee and the duration of the guarantee from the date of purchase;

4. Clearly specify the manner how a consumer is to proceed to make a claim and to obtain execution of the commercial guarantee;

5. Clearly state whether the commercial guarantee may be transferred to others. Unless stated that it may not, this guarantee may be transferred;

6. Provide a clear description of the goods or services covered by the commercial guarantee;

7. Clearly stipulate what the guarantor undertakes to do if there is a defect in the goods or if the services are not properly carried out;

8. State that the consumer enjoys rights at law, which are not adversely affected by the guarantee.

We had meetings with the suppliers in our list to ensure that they comply with these conditions before resuming regular publication of the list. However, over and above these conditions, we added some more which suppliers had to adhere to if they wanted to be included in our list. It proved to be a laborious task but well worth the effort even though, in the process, some companies were removed from the list, which was reduced from nine to five.

However, in the prevailing scenario, consumers who take their custom to suppliers in our list got a better deal. For example, the law allows suppliers to choose not to make the guarantee transferable as long as they inform the buyers. In fact regarding the issue as to whether the guarantee is transferable or not, the current law only obliges suppliers to inform buyers accordingly. In cases wherein suppliers do not inform consumers that the guarantee is not transferable, it can be assumed that it is transferable. However, suppliers who want to be included in our list must agree to make their guarantee transferable.

With regard to bulky appliances, if the customers of suppliers in our list come up against faults or breakdowns during the guarantee period, they can call the suppliers on the telephone. If the problem cannot be sorted out on the telephone, these suppliers will call at their customer's address without charging a call-out fee.

Another important aspect of the guarantees of suppliers in our list is that they offer coverage for parts, labour, and transport for the full guarantee period. If you have a problem with these suppliers about their guarantee terms and conditions, as outlined above, write to me. We have a meaningful dialogue with the managing directors/general managers of these companies and we will be able to sort out any problems and/or misunderstandings.

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; head office: J.J. Scerri Co. Ltd, Quarries Street, St Venera; tel: 2125-0980/1/2; fax: 2123 5942; e-mail: sales@jjscerri.com

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

The Phoenix Group: Managing director Steve Petroni; head office (and outlet): Old Railway Track, St Venera; tel: 2385-2200; servicing department: 2385-2300; fax: 2144-9216; e-mail: info@phoenixgroupmalta. com Website: www.phoenixgroupmalta.com