Q: Towards the end of last year I purchased a hand blender from a store in Italy. Lately it has stopped working. I have the receipt given to me by the trader I bought it from and the international guarantee, which is two years. There is a local agent representing the brand.
Do I have the right to claim a remedy from the local agent? Or shall I contact the foreign seller first?
A: If the international guarantee mentions the local agent as the person responsible for providing a remedy, then you can go to him, present the guarantee and ask to have the blender repaired or replaced.
If the local agent refuses to acknowledge the guarantee, you can lodge a complaint with the MCCAA.
If the local firm is not the authorised agent, you will need to communicate with the foreign seller and ask what the procedure to have the blender repaired or replaced is.
Should you not manage to reach an amicable understanding with the Italian seller, your next step is to file a complaint with the European Consumer Centre Malta, which is the local office that deals with cross-border complaints.