New dispositions on the OPC Law are in effect as of today in Quebec. They oblige merchants to display the total cost of the good or service offered. They also serve to protect consumers against certain associated excesses such as the sale of complementary goods and services (extended warranties, for example) and unilateral modifications made to contracts.
An “all-inclusive” price
Article 224 of this Law has been modified to state that the announced price must now include all charges that the consumer must pay in exchange for the good or service. However, the price cannot include the QST (Quebec sales tax) or the GST. The announced price must clearly stand from the breakdown of the total.
In other words, a manufacturer or an automotive dealership must now clearly display the total price of a vehicle just before taxes. The price must include the freight and delivery charges as well as any other charge added by the seller.
Defining the warranties that already exist
The law also forces merchants that offer extended warranties to explain to customers, “orally and in writing”, the details of the warranties that already cover the good or service.
This includes manufacturer-backed warranties, but also the protections included under the OPC Law.
Contract modification
Finally, changes to the Law foresee that a merchant cannot unilaterally modify a contract without advising the customer at least 30 days before the effective date of the modification.
The merchant must also send a written notice of its intention that exclusively includes the new clause or modified clause, as well as the previous one. The notice must also include the effective date and the customer’s rights.
Upon reception of this notice, the customer can deny this modification or, in the case of an “automatic” renewal, break the contract without any charges, penalties or cancellation fees by sending a notice back to the merchant at least 30 days prior to the date of effect of the modification.
The Complete Bill No. 60, which amends the Consumer Protection Act, can be accessed from this link.
An “all-inclusive” price
Article 224 of this Law has been modified to state that the announced price must now include all charges that the consumer must pay in exchange for the good or service. However, the price cannot include the QST (Quebec sales tax) or the GST. The announced price must clearly stand from the breakdown of the total.
In other words, a manufacturer or an automotive dealership must now clearly display the total price of a vehicle just before taxes. The price must include the freight and delivery charges as well as any other charge added by the seller.
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| Photo: Thinkstock |
Defining the warranties that already exist
The law also forces merchants that offer extended warranties to explain to customers, “orally and in writing”, the details of the warranties that already cover the good or service.
This includes manufacturer-backed warranties, but also the protections included under the OPC Law.
Contract modification
Finally, changes to the Law foresee that a merchant cannot unilaterally modify a contract without advising the customer at least 30 days before the effective date of the modification.
The merchant must also send a written notice of its intention that exclusively includes the new clause or modified clause, as well as the previous one. The notice must also include the effective date and the customer’s rights.
Upon reception of this notice, the customer can deny this modification or, in the case of an “automatic” renewal, break the contract without any charges, penalties or cancellation fees by sending a notice back to the merchant at least 30 days prior to the date of effect of the modification.
The Complete Bill No. 60, which amends the Consumer Protection Act, can be accessed from this link.