We bought a paper shredder on June 15, 2004, from Associated Marketing Limited in Qormi. When we first asked for some information about this shredder before purchasing it, the salesperson informed us that with the shredder, model 2400 IDEA, we can shred 12 papers at one go and we can shred them with staples as well because it is a heavy duty machine, so we decided to purchase it and it was delivered to our company.
The machine was purchased for Lm230.10, including Vat. Initially we used to shred only 10 papers at a go and we always removed all the staples to ensure that we did not damage the machine.
During the guarantee period a fault occurred. The blades were stuck together and the gear was broken. They replaced the part. We didn't pay any charges since it was still under the full guarantee. Since then, we continued using the shredder but this time shredding around seven to eight sheets of paper at one go and always removing the staples.
Last October the same fault occurred again. This time the guarantee had expired and we called them again to repair it. The delivery man collected our machine and after two weeks we received a phone call from one of their staff saying that the charge is going to be Lm15 for labour and Lm20 for parts. We informed our company director and he gave us the go-ahead to repair it.
On November 21 it was delivered back again. From the date it was delivered till December 26 we did not use the machine because we left the shredding to be done after Christmas. On December 27 we started using the machine. This time we could shred only three papers at one go instead of 12. It did not last long because, all of a sudden, it started making a strange noise, the blades were stuck again, and the machine stopped working.
Please note that this machine was bought for company office use. Before it was bought we made it clear enough to Associated Marketing Ltd that we wanted a heavy duty shredder. As outlined above one can deduce that this machine is not heavy duty at all.
Therefore we would like our machine to be replaced with a heavy duty machine because we can no longer be without a working shredder.
For further information do not hesitate to contact me on 2182-1814/5 or e-mail marcellacalleia@mambra.com. (Marcella Calleja)
On January 7 I asked Associated Marketing Ltd for their comments, to no avail. On March 3 I sent them another copy and reminder with a request for their comments, still to no avail.
Subsequently, on May 31, I sent them another copy and request for their comments, still to no avail. On July 7 I sent Associated Marketing yet another copy and reminder with a request for their comments, still to no avail.
At this point I have no alternative but to ask Associated Marketing for their comments through our column.