Editorial Radio Panama. A total of 156 reclamations were received by the Authority for Consumer Protection and Defense of Competition (Acodeco), from January to November of this year, for the purchase of electrical appliances, of which 128 were processed for breach of guarantee, for a total amount of B /. 95,461.73.
Acodeco explained that non-compliance with the guarantee is the main reason for complaints in the field of household appliances presented by consumers, so it is important that the terms and conditions are clearly and precisely written, even when the purchase is in line. It is very important to keep the bill of sale or receipt.
Other reasons addressed in household appliances correspond to lack of information, return of money, breach of contract, breach of service, veracity of advertising, defective merchandise, among others.
Faced with these complaints, Acodeco provided the following recommendations to consumers:
The manufacturer, importer, distributor and supplier, are obliged to respond for the guarantee of a good to the respective client. In addition, the consumer may directly demand the guarantee from the manufacturer or any of the intermediaries. The provider may not evade the obligation to grant the guarantee granted to the consumer, under the pretext of delegating it to the intermediary or manufacturer (art. 55 of Law 45 of 2007).
The legal guarantee will be three months, in the case of new goods, without prejudice to the fact that a lower guarantee is agreed depending on the nature and price of the good. In any case, it will be computed from the delivery, with the parties agreeing on a longer guarantee period, depending on the value or complexity of the good (articles 20 to 31 of Executive Decree No. 46 of June 23, 2009). .
There are 3 response mechanisms for suppliers regarding their obligations under the guarantee, which are: repair, replacement and refund of the amount paid.
It corresponds to the repair of the good under guarantee, at no cost to the consumer, within the term of the same. In the case of large artifacts, the withdrawal for transfer to the authorized workshop is free of charge for the consumer, from the place where the good was delivered at the time of purchase (depending on the analysis of each case).
The replacement of a good occurs when it is verified that the consumer has not been able to use it from the beginning; in case of irreparable damage to the property; made several repairs to the product (each case is analyzed); and when the provider exceeds the term of 30 days, to deliver the good to the consumer duly repaired.
The refund of the amount paid is given when it is not possible to replace the good under guarantee, and when the term of 30 days to respond to the consumer is exceeded, by replacing the product. Everything indicated will depend on the particular situation of each complaint submitted to Acodeco, by virtue of the provisions of Law 45 of October 31, 2007.
Consumers are urged to report any irregularity they find in the marketing of products to Sindi (Institutional Information and Complaint System), through WhatsApp and Telegram 6330-3333, the AcodecoPma social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and the website.
