Q: I recenlty went through an unfortunate experience with a high-up truck rental company. On the day the high-up truck was rented, only the driver of the truck turned up and so there was no one to help me load the stuff on the high-up.

In the past, whenever I rented such trucks, I was always provided with help. Since there was no one who could help me load the stuff, I had no other option but to ask the driver to help out.

Meanwhile, he did not specify the price for the help and charged me €35 for the rental and another €25 for helping me load the stuff on the high-up. He did not give me a receipt for the money I paid.

I would like to know what the normal prices for such services are. Obviously, next time round, I will be more forthcoming with questions before I hire such services as I felt I was treated unfairly.

A: If when you called the company to rent the high-up you only asked for a quotation for the truck, then the company was not obliged to provide you with help to load the stuff on it.

In such situations, it is your responsibility to clearly specify what you need and to check what the costs involve. This means that if you did not contract the company to help you load the high-up, then they could charge you for this extra service.

As to whether there are laws that regulate prices, the answer is no. Traders and suppliers operate in a free market economy and are free to set their own prices and profits. This means that consumers may find different prices for the same products or services. It is your responsibility to shop around and find the best prices that give you good value for your money.

As to the receipt issue, it is your right and responsibility to request a receipt as proof of the amount paid for the services rendered.

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

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