Q: We are buying kitchen appliances of a very reputable brand directly from a foreign supplier operating in a EU member state. The brand is represented here in Malta by a local agent. However, we found better prices and better terms of service from this foreign supplier.
We would like to know what we should look out for when buying goods from a foreign supplier? How can we make sure that the items are covered by an international warranty? Is such warranty enough or should we ask for another kind of protection?
What are the obligations of the local agent vis-a-vis our purchase from a foreign supplier? Is the local agent obliged in terms of law to treat us in the same way as he would treat a customer who has bought directly from him?
A: As a European consumer you should be aware that products bought from an EU member state are covered by the two-year legal guarantee.
This means that the European seller is obliged to provide a remedy, as stipulated in the legal guarantee if the product purchased results defective or does not conform to the contract of sale.
If the European seller is also offering you a commercial guarantee, it is important that you check with the foreign seller that the local agent is authorised to honour the obligations of the guarantee. Ideally, the details of the local seller are listed in the commercial guarantee’s documents.
It is also important that you check whether there are any extra charges you have to pay to execute the commercial warranty through the local agent.
Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority
Office for Consumer Affairs
Mizzi House,
National Road,
Blata l-Bajda
HMR 9010
Freephone: 8007 4400
Tel: 2395 2000
Enquiries: info@mccaa.org.mt
Consumer complaints: fair.trading@mccaa.org.mt
Website: www.mccaa.org.mt
MCCAA office hours for the public:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8.30am to 12.30pm
Wednesday from 8.30am to 4pm
European Consumer Centre Malta
(For complaints against traders in other EU states)
47A, South Street,
Valletta.
VLT 1101
Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 3pm.
Tel: 2122 1901
E-mail: ecc.malta@gov.mt