A Fine is Imposed and the Ruling is Published in Local Newspapers
The Ministry of Commerce and Investment has issued a judgment against an Auto company for violating the Commercial Agencies Law, Maintenance Provisions, delay of spare parts and warranty of quality. Upon violating the Commercial Agencies Law and its Implementing Regulations, the company was condemned of delaying the requested parts by one consumer for more than 29 days. Therefore, a decision has been taken by the Administrative Court in Riyadh, to impose a fine and to publish the ruling in a local newspaper at the expense of the involved company .
The details go back when a citizen lodged a complaint against the defendant company, due to the delay in providing the requested spare parts for his vehicle within the stipulated period.
In accordance with Article 6 provisions, subject of providing maintenance, spare parts and warranty of quality, which modified article 3 of the Implementing Regulations of the Commercial Agencies Law, the agent shall ensure providing the spare parts that are normally requested by consumers, and make them always available at reasonable prices. If the spare parts are rarely requested, then the agent should provide these parts, with reasonable prices, within a period not exceeding 14 days from the date of the consumer's request, except for those parts that are manufactured specifically for the consumer or the ones that have high technical specifications, then the agent shall agree with the consumer, in writing, to a reasonable period for the supply of such spare parts.
It is worth mentioning that MCI has already detected violations against a number of companies and agencies that are not committed to providing after-sales services to consumers. Therefore, the legal penalties had been applied against them according to Rules & Regulations.
This comes as part of the Ministry's ongoing efforts to protect consumers and impose penalties on enterprises violating the provisions of the Commercial Agencies Law and its Implementing Regulations.
The Ministry of Commerce and Investment stresses the need for agencies and auto companies to guarantee providing spare parts and maintenance to consumers in accordance with the contracts concluded therein.
MCI also emphasizes that it will follow-up the commitment of the agencies to the Implementing Regulations of Commercial Agencies Law, which aim to regulate the relationship between agents or distributors with the consumers in the Kingdom, in line with the relevant provisions, taking into account the rights of all parties.
MCI calls on all consumers to lodge their complaints through Consumer Call Center (1900) or through the application of a Commercial Violation Report, or via the Ministry's official website.