Italy’s competition and market authority has charged the local unit of smartphone vendor Xiaomi €3.2 million for alleged violations of warranty rules for repair of electronic devices.
In a statement, the regulator outlined claims several of Xiaomi’s policies for fixing defects broke consumer rules in the country.
Among the grievances raised were Xiaomi apparently refusing repairs it was obliged to make in the presence of minor defects not covered by the warranty, such as small scratches.
The Italian regulator noted this made “the warranty service subject to the repair of out-of-warranty damage”.
Other issues claimed include Xiaomi “repeatedly depriving the consumer of the purchased good[s]” by conducting repairs rather than replacing faulty items.
The regulator noted there was a requirement for repairs to be done promptly, which Xiaomi violated.
It also accused Xiaomi of charging users shipping and verification fees in the event no issues it was liable for were found.
“It is up to Xiaomi to verify the possible existence of the reported lack of conformity [problem] without charging any verification or shipping costs,” the regulator added.
Ghana
Sometimes when you read of how regulators elsewhere are holding companies in check in the interest of the people, you ask yourself who speaks for the Ghanaian consumers when companies shortchange us.
I have seen the warrant policy of some brands in this country and they virtually absolve themselves from all the possible causes of damage to the devices they sell, yet they claim there is one to five years warranty.
So, if the warranty does not cover such a wide range of damages, what does it cover? All these companies are operating in Ghana and regulators don’t even care to familiarize themselves with their warrant policies to protect the public.
