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A Page For Consumer Problems
This page is for Consumer problems which I have been projecting for a long time, but for which solutions are yet to be found:
1.Woes of Telephone Users in Multi-storey buildings
It is the practice in Chennai and other cities for builders of multi-storey residential buildings to wire all flats for telephones and terminate such wiring at a 'Distribution Box' near the gate.The Telephone Department terminates its connections at the DB.With this arrangement in the installation charges a rebate is allowed.The Telephone Dept does not accept any responsibility for faults in wiring in the building.This often results in problems for the subscriber to get faults rectified.He finds it very difficult to get a competent technician to rectify the wiring.(In the case of the reputed builder-M/sAlacrity Housing- there is no problem as the builder provides expert life-long service at reasonable cost).
My suggestion is that the Telephone Dept should lay down standards for such wiring, inspect the wiring and thereafter accept responsibility for maintenance of the wiring.No rebate need be allowed in installation charges.For existing buildings also on payment of a reasonable monthly charge the Telephone Department should accept responsibility for maintenance of the wiring.This practice is in vogue in the USA.
This is a fit subject for Consumer organizations to pursue.
2. Unfair Service Contracts
It is now standard practice for users of consumer durables like air conditioners, washing machines, computers, fax machines etc to enter into Annual Comprehensive Service Contracts for such equiment.The contracts offered by a number of manufacturers and vendors are one-sided.No stipulation regarding time limit for rectification of defects or penalties for abnormal delays are stipulated.
My suggestion is that the trade associations and Consumer organizations should jointly draft model service contracts fair to both sides.The Government must also step in and make such fair contracts mandatory under the Consumer Protection Act.
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