Mayor Harris: New Car Warranty Issue - Preeceville's Main Street with the Mayor Garth Harris for Thursday September 12th 2019 8:35 am

Working Draft for:

Preeceville's Main Street with the Mayor Garth Harris for Thursday September 12th 2019 8:35 am

With GX94's Craig Wallebeck > see him @ http://www.gx94radio.com/craig-Wallebeck

This week we focus on: New Car Warranty Issue

Struggling With A Manufacturing Defect Or A New Car Warranty Issue?

Released on September 11, 2019

The Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority (FCAA) of Saskatchewan and the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP) want to remind consumers about CAMVAP’s program and what they can offer Saskatchewan vehicle owners.

About CAMVAP

CAMVAP is a cross-Canada program that you can use to resolve disputes with a manufacturer about alleged defects in your vehicle’s assembly or materials, or how the manufacturer is applying or administering its new vehicle warranty. Disputes are resolved through binding arbitration. CAMVAP covers most domestic and imported passenger cars, light trucks, sport utility vehicles, vans and multi-purpose passenger vehicles purchased or leased in Canada, as long as the vehicle is the current model year or one of four previous model year

Qualifying for CAMVAP

There are several requirements to qualify for CAMVAP’s assistance, including that the consumer:

has already attempted to resolve the situation with the manufacturer;
has given the manufacturer a reasonable amount of time to resolve the situation;
confirms that the vehicle in question is from the current or one of the four previous model years;
confirms that the vehicle in question is used primarily for personal use;
confirms the vehicle in question has less than 160,000 kilometres; and
confirms the vehicle in question weighs under 4,536 kilograms.

For the complete list of qualifications, visit CAMVAP’s website at https://www.camvap.ca/about/.

Contact CAMVAP

For more information or if you have questions about CAMVAP, visit www.camvap.ca or contact the CAMVAP Provincial Administrator at 1-800-207-0685.

For more information about vehicle purchases and repairs, visit https://fcaa.gov.sk.ca/consumers-investors-pension-plan-members/consumers/consumers-of-goods-and-services/purchasing-and-repairing-a-vehicle/purchase-and-repair-tips or contact the Consumer Protection Division at 1-877-880-5550 or consumerprotection@gov.sk.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Shannon McMillan, Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority, Regina
Phone: 306-798-4160 Email: shannon.mcmillan@gov.sk.ca

https://fcaa.gov.sk.ca/consumers-investors-pension-plan-members/consumers/consumers-of-goods-and-services/purchasing-and-repairing-a-vehicle/purchase-and-repair-tips

Purchase and repair tips

FCAA's Consumer Protection Division offers free, car-buying seminars throughout the province. If you are interested in a seminar within your organization or community, contact the FCAA at consumerprotection@gov.sk.ca.

For information about purchasing and repairing vehicles select from the options below.

Buying privately

"Buyer beware" applies to consumers who purchase vehicles in private deals. The Consumer Protection and Business Practices Act does not apply to private sales. The seller and buyer can write terms into the contract, including warranties. The contract may be verbal or partly verbal. Verbal claims that the seller makes may give rise to legal rights if something goes wrong. If the vendor claims that the car has a new engine when it does not, for example, the buyer may have the right to rescind the contract or to claim damages.

Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself in a private deal:

Check to ensure you are obtaining clear title to the car. Contact Information Services Corporation toll free at 1-866-275-4721 or by email at ask@isc.ca for a lien (debt) search through the Saskatchewan Personal Property Registry (SPPR). There is a nominal fee for the service.
A lien is a legal claim (debt) against property or goods. If there is a lien against the car, it may be seized to pay off the previous owner's debt. It is the buyer’s responsibility to use the Personal Property Registry to check for liens. If there is a lien registered against the title of the vehicle, go with the seller to the creditor to pay off the amount of the lien or make the cheque payable to the seller and the lien holder. Ask the lien holder to issue a letter indicating the lien has been lifted from the title of the vehicle.
Have Saskatchewan Government Insurance, or another licence issuer, do a search to ensure that the vehicle has been previously registered in the province. There is a nominal fee for the service. If a vehicle has not been previously registered in Saskatchewan, you will be required to have a Vehicle Safety Inspection completed to ensure the vehicle is roadworthy and meets the minimum vehicle safety standards. The search will also tell you if the vehicle has been a previous total loss vehicle (TLV). In order for a TLV to be re-registered, it must pass the safety inspection. Questions can be directed to SGI Vehicle Standards and Inspection at 775-6188 or toll free at 1-800-667-8015, ext. 6188.
Take the car for a test drive to see how it performs.
Open all doors, windows, the hood, and the trunk to ensure they are in working order.
Take the car to a mechanic to have it checked for mechanical and safety problems.

New car disputes

The Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan is a program where disputes between consumers and vehicle manufacturers about alleged manufacturing defects or new vehicle warranty issues can be put before a neutral third party (arbitrator) for resolution.

Repair services

In Saskatchewan, consumers rely upon their motor vehicles. Unfortunately, all mechanical devices will require repair at some point. Automobile problems can be both frustrating and costly. The following tips may help avoid some of the pitfalls that consumers can experience.

Finding the right repair shop

It is recommended that you look for a mechanic before your actually need one. Ask for recommendations and request references. Question the mechanic’s reputation and qualifications. Certain repairs may require the expertise of a technician who has been trained to repair a specific brand of vehicle or who may have specialized diagnostic equipment.

Repair estimates

It is always recommended that you request services in writing. A repair shop should prepare a work order detailing the services you require. A written estimate is also recommended and should include details about the problem, required parts, and labour costs. Confirm the repair shop's hourly labour rate. Ask if the shop charges a flat rate for labour based upon a published rate or if labour charges are charged on the basis of actual time.

Give the repair shop clear instructions concerning the repairs you require. Describe the symptoms simply and indicate any unusual sounds or performance issues. Do not simply ask the mechanic to "fix the vehicle."

An expensive or complicated repair should be subjected to a second opinion. There may, however, be a charge for diagnostic services, as diagnosing certain problems requires more time and effort than actually correcting them. You may also ask the mechanic if there are alternatives to using new parts, as remanufactured and salvage parts may reduce repair costs. Request that the shop return replaced parts to you.

When the repair is completed

Review the repair invoice and confirm that it corresponds with your request and estimate. If a warranty is applicable to the repair parts or services, obtain a copy in writing. Road test the vehicle to establish if the defect has been resolved and promptly return to the shop if you identify a service problem.

If you are dissatisfied with the repair, discuss your concerns with the manager or shop owner. If your concerns remain unresolved, contact the Consumer Protection Division for further information concerning your consumer rights.

Events:

Bingo 606 Harvard Preeceville Air Cadets Squadron Sponsoring Committee BINGO. Every Thursday at Club 60. Doors open at 7pm, first game starts at 8pm.

Culture Days The Preeceville Recreation Board is pleased to once again be doing a Culture Days event September 27, 2019. If you are interested in showing your culture, activities, entertainment and/or food please contact Andrea at 306-547-2810.