Q: Two weeks ago we returned our TV to the seller to have it repaired. The set is still under guarantee.

When we asked when the repair will be done, the company’s representative told us we would receive a call when it is ready.

Two weeks have passed and the TV is still not ready. We have called and e-mailed the company on this matter and the only reply we got was that they could provide us with a replacement until the repair work is carried out.

I feel that the replacement should have been offered to us on the day we took the TV to be repaired and that we should have been informed that the repair work was going to take long.

How much time does the law allow sellers to repair defective products? Should this time be added to the guarantee’s expiry date?

A: The Consumer Affairs Act does not specify the amount of time a trader may take to repair a defective product.

What this legislation says is that the remedy should not cause a significant inconvenience to the consumer. Since the trader is offering you a replacement, this minimises the inconvenience. This means you should accept it and allow more time to the seller.

Yes, the amount of days the trader takes to repair your TV should be added to the guarantee’s expiry date.