Sorting out one guarantee from another

There are two types of guarantees: legal and commercial. The legal guarantee is obligatory and is valid for two years. The commercial guarantee is not. Traders are not legally obliged to offer one. The concept of the commercial guarantee is to encourage traders to compete with other traders by offering a better service to consumers.

Unlike the legal guarantee, which is valid for two years, the validity period of the commercial guarantee is determined by the trader. It was hoped there would be traders who would offer commercial guarantees valid for more than two years. However, there are traders who offer a commercial guarantee valid for six months, misleading consumers by telling them that it is the only guarantee. I stress that the legal guarantee is valid for two years, no matter what.

As readers know, we have a list of five suppliers who actually offer commercial guarantees. Traders mentioned in this list offer parts and labour for the full duration of the guarantee period, during which they will also not charge a callout fee.

I had meetings with the relevant suppliers in our list to ensure that they comply with these conditions before resuming regular publication of the list. However, I've added some more conditions which suppliers had to adhere to if they still wanted a mention in the list. It proved to be a drawn-out, laborious task but well worth the effort even though some companies had to be removed from the list.

Consumers who take their custom to suppliers in our list get 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 this issue, the law only obliges suppliers to inform buyers whether the guarantee is transferable or not. In cases where suppliers do not inform consumers that the guarantee is not transferable, clients can assume that it is. However, suppliers in our list must agree to make their guarantee transferable.

As to to bulky appliances, if customers of suppliers in our list come up against faults or breakdowns during the guarantee period, they can call the suppliers. Should it not be possible to sort out the problem by phone, the suppliers will call personally and there will be no call-out fee.

Another important aspect of guarantees offered by the 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, write to me. Here is the list:

Aplan Ltd: Managing director Alex A. Mizzi; general manager Lino Apap; head office (and outlet): Aplan Centre, Birkirkara Bypass 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.