AGCM

PRESS RELEASE

VENDOR GUARANTEES: THE MAIN CONSUMER ELECTRONICS AND HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE RETAIL CHAINS PLEDGE COMMITMENTS TO THE ANTITRUST AUTHORITY. FREE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS FOR 24 MONTHS AND WITHIN SET TIME LIMITS. CLEAR INFORMATION IN THE MORE THAN 700 SALES OUTLETS CONCERNING PURCHASER RIGHTS AND THE DISTICTION BETWEEN LEGAL GUARANTEES AND OTHER SERVICES PROVIDED ON A PER-CHARGE BASIS

Investigations concluded into Mediamarket (Mediaworld trade name), Unieuro, SGM Distribuzione (MarcoPoloExpert trade name), Euronics and Nova (Euronics trade name), DPS Group and DML (Trony trade name), GRE and Estendo.

Reasonable, set time limits to obtain the repair or replacement of a defective product by the vendor under a 24-month legal guarantee effective as of the date of purchase and obligation to take remedial action within 2 months from the appearance of the defect. Clear information concerning the distinction between legal guarantees and accessory services and related consumer rights. Simpler procedures for the right to cancel on-line purchases. These are the commitments submitted by the major consumer electronics and household appliance retail chains Mediamarket (Mediaworld trade name), Unieuro, SGM Distribuzione (MarcoPoloExpert trade name), Euronics and Nova (Euronics trade name), DPS Group and DML (Trony trade name), GRE and Estendo, and which the Antitrust Authority has made binding
The decision thus brings to a close the five investigations launched in January this year into nine companies following a large number of complaints, some of which were reported to the Antitrust Authority’s call centre, pointing to discrepancies in the overall application of the new regulations on vendor guarantees to the detriment of consumers.
The action taken by the Authority resulted in commitments by the large retail chains and clarified the new regulations of which there was scant awareness and lack of application.
In the more than 700 sales outlets targeted by the investigation, clear and detailed information will be made available via various means (brochures, signs, leaflets, on-receipt) concerning the conformity requirements - as provided for under legal guarantees - of products that prove defective after purchase, maximum time limits for repairs or replacement and the obligation of the vendor to take direct receipt of the defective product. The companies have also committed to simplifying and speeding up on-line purchase cancellations (e.g. via e-mail or fax) and to provide appropriate instructions on their websites.
In their advertising and promotional communications the companies will provide better information as to the use and terms of “additional” after-sales services, specifying that such services, which are supplied at a charge, in no way limit the scope of the 24-month legal guarantee but supplement and run concurrently with, and possibly beyond, the duration of the legal guarantee.  
The Antitrust authority will continue to monitor all companies to ensure they provide consumers with a legal guarantee of conformity and correctly observe and apply the related regulations set out in the Consumer Code.

Rome, 9 August 2010