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Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNew ... 15817.html
"Dec 20, 2010
PROPOSED CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS
'Lemon-aid' for consumers
By Jessica Lim
"A PROPOSED law will make it compulsory for retailers to either repair or replace the faulty item. This is provided that they are found guilty for having sold 'lemons', the colloquial term for defective goods.
Presently, no such lemon laws exist here. This means that consumers who take the retailer to the Small Claims Tribunal or sues him, are not guaranteed a repair or replacement.
The outcome in such cases, said executive director Seah Seng Choon of Case (Singapore's consumer watchdog), depends on the discretion of the arbitrator.
Some retailers, for instance, blame their suppliers for the faulty goods. Others refuse a refund or exchange, and repeatedly refer customers to repair centres.
The same law, which will be a provision under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act, will also extend to hire purchase agreements.
Case received 1,785 complaint cases on sales of defective goods from January to November this year. Last year, 1,877 cases were received, down from 2,224 in 2008.
Read the full report in Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times."
