本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛我们修车时碰到的很多棘手问题实际都是车行的商业欺诈行为。
Tough repair laws in works
By Robin Harvey
Ontario aims to clamp down on auto repair shops that defraud consumers.
Under new laws to be introduced this fall, all auto shops will be forced to provide detailed, written estimates before any repairs are done.
"Most (repair firms) are reputable. But (there are) unscrupulous dealers who take advantage," said Consumer and Business Services Minister Tim Hudak while announcing the laws last week.
The changes will be part of a set of proposed legislation called CP-21 — Consumer Protection for the 21st Century, which will cover a range of consumer issues.
The new legislation would also extend the time the government can prosecute car repair frauds from six to 24 months, making it easier for investigators to get convictions, Hudak said.
He offered a list of tips for consumers to fight repair scams, including getting references before selecting a shop, insisting on a written estimate before work begins and refusing to allow work without specific authorization.
Consumers should also make sure the repair shop posts its labour rates so they can compare the costs of parts and labour. They should ask for used car parts to be returned in a clean container, and check the invoice to make sure all costs are spelled out.
Hudak also said customers should ask about any warranties and be aware that, under law, all car repairs are guaranteed for 90 days or 5,000 kilometres, whichever comes first.
He warned people to be on the alert for auto repair fraud, which is fourth among the top five consumer scams identified by the ministry. New laws will also address other top scams.
The number-one fraud is telemarketers who offer loans in exchange for fees but don't come through with the loan.
The number-two scam is credit repair firms that offer to improve a credit rating in exchange for money.
Number three is home repair, where deposits are taken and the firm either disappears or never completes the work.
Number five are scams involving moving companies, such as firms that hold a customer's belongings hostage while charging much more than the original estimate.
Hudak said Ontario's consumer protection laws have not been updated in decades, and his new legislation, if passed, will better address modern day scams and frauds involving e-commerce and the Internet.
The laws would also give people who buy time-share vacation properties a "10-day cooling off period" to back out of a deal. And the rules would have more teeth to fight false or fraudulent advertising.
Contact Consumer Watch through e-mail at conwatch@thestar.ca, by fax at 416-945-8611 or through http://www.thestar.com/conwatch. Include your name, address, a day phone number, documents and details of your problem.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net
Tough repair laws in works
By Robin Harvey
Ontario aims to clamp down on auto repair shops that defraud consumers.
Under new laws to be introduced this fall, all auto shops will be forced to provide detailed, written estimates before any repairs are done.
"Most (repair firms) are reputable. But (there are) unscrupulous dealers who take advantage," said Consumer and Business Services Minister Tim Hudak while announcing the laws last week.
The changes will be part of a set of proposed legislation called CP-21 — Consumer Protection for the 21st Century, which will cover a range of consumer issues.
The new legislation would also extend the time the government can prosecute car repair frauds from six to 24 months, making it easier for investigators to get convictions, Hudak said.
He offered a list of tips for consumers to fight repair scams, including getting references before selecting a shop, insisting on a written estimate before work begins and refusing to allow work without specific authorization.
Consumers should also make sure the repair shop posts its labour rates so they can compare the costs of parts and labour. They should ask for used car parts to be returned in a clean container, and check the invoice to make sure all costs are spelled out.
Hudak also said customers should ask about any warranties and be aware that, under law, all car repairs are guaranteed for 90 days or 5,000 kilometres, whichever comes first.
He warned people to be on the alert for auto repair fraud, which is fourth among the top five consumer scams identified by the ministry. New laws will also address other top scams.
The number-one fraud is telemarketers who offer loans in exchange for fees but don't come through with the loan.
The number-two scam is credit repair firms that offer to improve a credit rating in exchange for money.
Number three is home repair, where deposits are taken and the firm either disappears or never completes the work.
Number five are scams involving moving companies, such as firms that hold a customer's belongings hostage while charging much more than the original estimate.
Hudak said Ontario's consumer protection laws have not been updated in decades, and his new legislation, if passed, will better address modern day scams and frauds involving e-commerce and the Internet.
The laws would also give people who buy time-share vacation properties a "10-day cooling off period" to back out of a deal. And the rules would have more teeth to fight false or fraudulent advertising.
Contact Consumer Watch through e-mail at conwatch@thestar.ca, by fax at 416-945-8611 or through http://www.thestar.com/conwatch. Include your name, address, a day phone number, documents and details of your problem.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net