Firms offering commercial guarantees

As regular readers know, we have a list of five suppliers who actually offer no-nonsense commercial guarantees. Traders mentioned in this list offer coverage for parts and labour for the full duration of the guarantee period, during which they will also not charge a call-out fee.

Before resuming regular publication of the list, I held meetings with these suppliers to ensure that they comply with these conditions. Over and above, I added some more conditions which suppliers had to adhere to if they wanted to continue being included in the list. It proved to be a drawn-out 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.

Consumers who take their custom to suppliers in our list will get a better deal.

For example, the law allows suppliers to choose not to make the guarantee transferable as long as they inform buyers. In cases whereby suppliers do not inform consumers that the guarantee is not transferable, it can be assumed that it is transferable. 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, and it not be possible to sort the problem out over the telephone, these suppliers undertake to call at the customer's address and there will be no 'call-out' fee charged.

Another important aspect of the guarantees of suppliers in our list is that they offer coverage for parts, labour, and transport for the full duration of the guarantee period.

If you have a problem with these suppliers regarding their guarantee terms and conditions as outlined above, write to me and, if it that they are not in conformity, they will be removed from the list.

The five suppliers in question are:

• 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.uk .

• Centro Casalinga: Managing director: Jacques Scerri; Head office: J.J. Scerri Co. Ltd, Quarries Street, Sta Venera; Tel: 2125 0980/1/2; Fax: 2123 5942; e-mail: sales@jjscerri.com.

• Forestals (Appliances) Ltd: Managing director: Tancred Tab-one; 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: Notabile Road, Mrieħel; Tel: 2144 2334; Fax: 2148 8656; e-mail: info@oxfordhouse.com.mt. Outlet: Notabile Road, Mrieħel.

• The Phoenix Group: Managing director: Steve Petroni; Head office (and outlet): Old Railway Track, Sta Venera; Tel: 2385 2200; Servicing dept: 2385 2300; Fax: 2144 9216; e-mail: info@phoenixgroupmalta.com. Website: www.phoenixgroupmalta.com .