Q: This year, my mother bought a new television set. A few months later, in August, the TV developed some faults and stopped functioning. The TV set has been at the supplier’s store for repair since August. So my mother has been without a TV for over two months. The seller did not offer her another TV set she could watch while hers was being repaired.

When we called the seller and ask­ed why the repair is taking so long, we were told they are waiting for parts from abroad. We would like to know what our rights are. Can we ask for the faulty television to be replaced?

A: Since the new TV is defective, your mother is legally entitled to free repair or replacement. The seller can actually opt for a repair, but the law clearly stipulates that the remedy opted for should not cause a significant inconvenience to the consumer.

Since your mother was left without a TV set for such a long time and she wasn’t even offered one while hers was being repaired, she may argue that the repair, which is taking so long, is causing her a significant inconvenience and hence may ask for the faulty TV to be replaced.

When such a replacement occurs or if, in the meantime, the TV is repaired and returned to your mother, do not forget to have the original guarantee extended for the period of time your mother was without the TV.

This is important because even though the TV has been replaced with a new one, it is the original guarantee that continues to apply.

If your mother does not manage to reach an amicable solution with the seller, she may file a complaint with the Office for Consumer Affairs.

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