Its chairman, Wan Rufaidah Wan Omar, in a Radio Bernama programme “Dalam Radar” here, stressed that it was incumbent on consumers to take the necessary steps to avoid being cheated.
Consumers, she said, should insist on a quotation from the operator of the workshop prior to any job being done on their vehicle, and also the amount they have to fork out for labour cost or spare parts replacement.
“Consumers have the right to ask for information on what is wrong with their vehicle before agreeing to let the workshop carry out any repair.
“Consumers also have the right to get a full explanation on the components that had been replaced. The workshop must inform the vehicle owners whether the spare parts are original, new, second-hand or reconditioned,” she said.
Meanwhile, Wan Rufaidah said the tribunal would accept all cases involving authorised service centres or private workshops.
“However, the tribunal will only accept cases seeking compensation for goods and services that do not exceed RM25,000 and the cases must not exceed three years from the date of the initial complaint,” she added.
The tribunal is an independent body established under Section 85, Part XII of the Consumer Protection Act 1999. It operates under the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry.
The tribunal’s primary objective is to provide an alternative forum for consumers to file compensatory claims in a simple, inexpensive and speedy manner.