Shops with a 'money back' policy

This is a very important issue and we must encourage suppliers who adopt a 'Money Back Policy' by giving them our custom. After having bought a product or a service, consumers for various reasons - ranging from faulty products to dissatisfaction - often ask for a refund.

When it comes to dealing with such situations, there is a significant difference in policy between local suppliers and suppliers in Europe or the United States.

Generally, once local shops/suppliers get hold of your hard-earned cash, they tend to hang on to it no matter what. Moreover in situations when the consumer is justified in expecting a refund, at best some suppliers may offer a credit note sometimes with an expiry date.

However we have a list, albeit short, of local suppliers who do have a 'Money Back' policy. Of course these are subject to specific conditions. The companies in our list are:

Borg Barthet Home & Hardware of Guardamangia, tel: 2125-1666 under the following conditions:

1. The goods have to be returned within a week from date of purchase with the fiscal receipt.

2. The goods have to be in their original packaging and in a sellable condition. Care has to be observed when removing the product from its packaging. No part of the packaging should be torn or discarded. Care has to be taken to open blister packs and, if in doubt, ask the salesperson at the time of purchase.

3. This policy does not apply to special orders of specific items which have been imported for the customer, and paint mixed to a specific shade as requested by the customer.

4. These terms are not applicable to key cutting services.

E. Maistre Stationers & Rubber Stamp Manufacturers 162, Melita Street, Valletta, tel: 2122-4888, 2123-1621 under the following conditions:

1. Return of fiscal receipt.

2. Goods returned have to be in a sellable condition.

In the meantime, suppliers who adopt a money-back policy and wish to be included in this list are invited to write to me. We hope to be in a position to add more outlets to our list aimed at sharing information with consumers.