Consumer Right No. 3

What does this mean for the ordinary consumer?

Your right to select the supplier of your choice:

Consumers have the right to shop around for the best prices, goods and services.
Consumers are not obliged to enter into additional agreements with suppliers from whom they purchased goods or services (bundling).
Suppliers are not permitted to force consumers to enter into agreements with third-parties, unless the suppliers can prove the benefits of these additional goods or services.

Your right to cancel or renew a fixed-term agreement:

Consumers have the right to cancel fixed-term agreements upon expiry of the contract period, without penalty or charge.
Consumers are obliged to provide suppliers with 20 business days’ notice, in writing or other recorded means, of cancellation of fixed-term agreements. Reasonable penalties may apply.
Suppliers must extend fixed-term agreements on a month-to-month basis, if the consumers failed to request the cancellation of such agreements.

Your right to request pre-authorisation for repairs or maintenance services:

Consumers have the right to request written cost estimates/quotations from suppliers, prior to the suppliers executing any repairs or maintenance services.
Suppliers are not permitted to charge consumers for drawing up any cost estimates/quotations.
Consumers have the right to pre-authorise or refuse any additional repairs or maintenance services.
Consumers are not liable to pay for repairs or maintenance services done without their prior approval.
Suppliers are not permitted to charge consumers for any diagnostic work/inspections required in compiling cost estimates/quotations unless there was prior agreement.

Your right to cancel direct marketing contracts within the cooling-off period:

Suppliers are required to include a ‘cooling-off period’ in direct marketing transactions – cooling-off periods generally span five (5) business days.
Consumers have the right to cancel agreements within the cooling-off period, without providing reasons or incurring penalties for doing so.
Suppliers are required to return payments received from consumers, within 15 business days of receiving the cancellation notice.

Your right to cancel advance reservations, bookings or order:

Consumers have the right to cancel any advance reservations, bookings or orders.
Suppliers are entitled to request a reasonable, advance deposit for reservations, bookings or orders, depending on the nature of the business and specific circumstances.
Suppliers are entitled to impose a reasonable charge for the cancellation of reservations, bookings or orders, depending on the nature of the business and specific circumstances.

Your right to choose or examine goods, even after purchase and delivery:

Suppliers have the right to charge consumers for loss or damage of property/goods, if this resulted from gross negligence, recklessness or deliberate actions.
Consumers have the right to refuse display items or opened goods, and request unopened/new goods.
Consumers are entitled to reject goods if they do not correspond with pre-approved samples.
Suppliers are required to provide consumers with reasonable opportunity to examine goods purchased or delivered.

Your right to return goods and seek redress for unsatisfactory services:

Consumers have the right to return unsafe or defective goods and request a full refund for such goods, provided this is done within a reasonable period.
Consumers have the right to return goods that were not pre-examined prior to delivery.

Your right to retain and not pay for unsolicited goods or services:

Consumers have the right to return unsolicited goods or services, at the risk and expense of the suppliers.
Consumers are entitled to retain unsolicited goods or services after 20 business days.