Repair A/C for free or pay fine, suppliers told

Ras Al Khaimah - Ras Al Khaimah residents allege A/C suppliers charging them for repairing the device during warranty period

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Published: Sat 28 May 2016, 3:21 PM

Last updated: Sat 28 May 2016, 5:42 PM

Suppliers of air conditioners were warned of charging for maintenance works of the device during the warranty period.
An informed source with the Consumer Protection Department at the Ministry of Economy, said they received several complaints against suppliers who charged fees for repairing.

Report violations
Residents of Ras Al Khaimah were urged to report any illegal practices to the ministry help line 8001222 or 07-2278000. The public can also reach out to the Consumer Protection Call Centre at 600522225.
"This is an utter violation of law, and accordingly whatever company proved to be flouting the terms of maintenance contracts sealed with customers will be slapped with hefty fines."
All the A/C faulty parts shall be replaced with new ones for free as long as the device is still under warranty, he added.
"A/C suppliers must show full observance to the terms of the maintenance contract."
Saeed Salem, an Emirati, said the A/C company has asked him to pay Dh400 to replace him a faulty compressor of an air conditioner he only bought one year back from them. "As the A/C was under a five-year warranty, I refused to pay and approached the Consumer Protection Department which told them to do the needful for free."
The same happened to Mohammed Salem, an Emirati national, who was also asked to pay Dh400 to the company staff technician to fix a glitch with his six-month-old air conditioner.
"I refused and sought help from a local A/C technician who fixed the power connection failure against only Dh30," he said.
Bakhit Musabih, an Emirati national, said more A/C devices need regular maintenance during the scorching summer temperatures.
"Some companies turn deaf ears to the obligatory maintenance due within the three to five year warranty though."
Urging cooperation, the same source asked the public to report any such illegal practices to the ministry help line (8001222) during working hours from 7am to 2.30pm from Sunday to Thursday.
"The ministry office in Ras Al Khaimah is also reachable during the same working hours at (07-2278000) whereas the Consumer Protection Call Centre (600522225) is all set to respond to customers complaints."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

Published: Sat 28 May 2016, 3:21 PM

Last updated: Sat 28 May 2016, 5:42 PM

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