Product samples not on display
Q: I went to two shops to buy a printer to use with my newly-acquired computer and, in both cases, was unable to look at the actual printer and touch it.
I could only look at the box in which the printer was packed. I could see a picture of the printer and read its specifications, measurements and other information, but the actual printer was sealed and beyond my reach.
This is not done overseas. If the store has six types of printers, one is surely open, and the printer is there on a shelf for customers to have a look at and examine.
According to 'How much it costs?' (The Sunday Times, February 15), this is what should happen in Malta as well. Can you confirm this?
A: The article in question refers to Price Indication Regulations, which specifically regulate samples on display only in relation to price indication.
According to the Consumer Affairs Act, traders are obliged to deliver goods which 'comply with the description given by the trader and possess the characteristics, features and qualites of the goods promised by the trader or otherwise held out to the consumer as a sample or model'.
In other words, what is obligatory by law is that the goods sold match the description and specifications promised by the trader.
The trader is to deliver what he promises. If this is not the case, the consumer is entitled to one of the remedies provided by law, that is, repair or replacement, or part or full refund.
Popular Stories
In Discussion
2 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
C.Galea
Mar 15th 2009, 23:58
A couple of years ago I went to buy a 22" LCD monitor for my computer. I had chosen the model, it was on display.
However prior to paying I asked the retailer if he could open it and plug it to a computer for me to check for obvious defects i.e. see whether it was broken, whether it functioned correctly (colour-wise and everything) and whether it had any dead pixels. They said no. The reason was because they had a "5 dead pixel policy" and obviously if I noticed one or 2 dead pixels I would choose not to buy!
Obviously I didn't buy just because of their stubborn refusal, and made my purchase elsewhere!!
Paul Barrett
Mar 15th 2009, 12:03
Although obviously an inconvenience, if you are interested in purchasing a printer (or anything else of that nature) and one is not open on display, all you have to do is ask to see the item.
If the shop is interested in selling the item, they will show you what the article looks like. If they do not, then don't buy it and they make no sale.
Even if an article is on display and you decide to buy it, it is worth opening up (even a properly sealed package) and checking the article that you are actually paying for is what you expect and in visually good condition, has the right three pin plug (or an adapter to three pin) and if practical, test the item to see if it actually works.
The more checks you do before paying your money across for the goods the less chance of ending up with problems which can be difficult, expensive and time consuming to sort out later.