Francis D'Agostino writes:

'What is a legal guarantee? Does it cover all purchases? Can an item purchased be replaced rather than fixed? When an item is being returned to the shop/ factory to be fixed, does the guarantee end there and continue when the item is received.

'An item bought in a shop is sometimes covered by only a year's guarantee, while on the box it says two or more years. Who is right? Do I have the right to complain to the overseas parent company about a product bought in Malta and the outlet I bought it from?

'What are my legal rights?'

We are receiving so many queries on guarantees that we need to feature a complete explanation. On July 1, 2002, the provisions of Part VIII of the Consumer Affairs Act, entitled 'Sale of Goods to Consumers', came into force. In Malta, these provisions provide consumers with the right to a remedy when they purchase goods that are not in conformity with the contract of sale.

They also specify certain information which should be included in commercial guarantees.