Q: Less than a year ago I bought a printer with a two-year commercial guarantee on parts and labour.

Recently this printer stopped working and so I took it to the supplier’s servicing department. After inspecting it, the seller informed me the fault was due to an electricity surge.

The company’s service manager said the guarantee does not cover this kind of fault. Is it true that such faults can be excluded from the guarantee?

Do I have the right to demand that the printer is fixed or replaced free of charge?

A: Unfortunately, faults caused by an electricity surge can be excluded in a commercial guarantee and are also not covered by the Consumer Affairs Act, as they cannot be classified as latent defects.

If the fault was really caused by an electricity surge, you have no other option but to pay for the repair. If, on the other hand, you are not convinced by this technical report, before accepting to pay for the repair, you can take your printer to an independent technician to confirm that the cause of the fault was an electrical surge.

If your technician’s report provides a different explanation and it transpires that the printer’s fault is due to an inherent defect, then the law entitles you to claim free repair or replacement from the seller.

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:
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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