(1)(a) If a new assistive device or demonstrator does not conform to an applicable express warranty and the consumer reports the nonconformity to the manufacturer, the dealer who sold or leased the device or any authorized dealer and makes the assistive device available for repair before one year after first delivery of the device to the consumer, the nonconformity shall be repaired at no charge to the consumer. If the consumer notifies the manufacturer, the manufacturer is jointly obligated together with any of its authorized dealers.
(b) A repair for purposes of this subsection includes a repair that must take place after the expiration of one year after first delivery of the assistive device to the consumer, provided that the defect occurred prior to the expiration of the warranty period and the consumer notified the manufacturer within 30 days after expiration of the period.
(2)(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this subsection, each manufacturer of an assistive device sold or leased in this state shall:
(A) Maintain or cause to be maintained in this state sufficient service and repair facilities to carry out the terms of the warranty described in ORS 646A.462; and
(B) At the time of the sale or lease, provide the consumer with the names, addresses and telephone numbers of all such service and repair facilities and of all authorized dealers.
(b) If the manufacturer does not provide service and repair facilities in this state, the consumer may return the nonconforming assistive device to the dealer who sold or leased the device or to any authorized dealer for replacement, service or repair in accordance with the terms and conditions of the express warranty. The replacement, service or repair shall be at the option of the dealer to whom the device is returned. If that dealer does not replace the nonconforming device or does not effect the service or repair of the device in accordance with the warranty, the dealer shall reimburse the consumer in an amount equal to the purchase or lease price paid, less a reasonable allowance for use by the consumer.
(c) Each manufacturer who, with respect to a new assistive device sold within this state, does not provide a service or repair facility within this state is liable for the following amounts to any dealer who incurs obligations in giving effect to the express warranty described in ORS 646A.462:
(A) In the event of replacement, in an amount equal to the cost to the dealer of the replaced assistive device and any cost of transporting the device, plus a reasonable handling charge;
(B) In the event of service or repair, in an amount equal to that which would ordinarily be received by the dealer for rendering such service or repair, including actual and reasonable costs of the service or repair and the costs of transporting the assistive device, if such costs are incurred, plus a reasonable profit; or
(C) In the event of reimbursement under paragraph (b) of this subsection, in an amount equal to that reimbursed to the consumer plus a reasonable handling or service charge.
(3) For purposes of this section, a consumer reports a nonconformity when the consumer:
(a) Makes any communication, written or oral, that describes the problem with the assistive device, or that may be reasonably understood as an expression of dissatisfaction with any aspect of the operation of the device. The communication need only indicate in some way the nature of the problem, such as an indication of the functions that the device is not performing or performing unsatisfactorily for the consumer, and need not be in technical language nor attempt to state the cause of the problem; and
(b) Does not refuse to make the assistive device available to the manufacturer, the dealer who sold or leased the device or any authorized dealer for repair.
(4)(a) It shall be presumed that the consumer has made the assistive device available to the manufacturer, the dealer who sold or leased the device or an authorized dealer for repair if the consumer allows the manufacturer or dealer to take the device from the consumer’s residence or other location where the user customarily uses the device.
(b) The consumer shall be required to deliver the device to another location only upon a showing that it would be a substantially greater hardship for the manufacturer, the dealer who sold or leased the device or any authorized dealer to take the device from the consumer’s residence or other location where the user customarily uses the device than for the consumer to deliver the device.
(c) If the consumer must deliver the device to another location in order to enable the manufacturer to repair the device, the manufacturer shall reimburse the consumer for the costs of the delivery.
(5)(a) A person required to repair an assistive device under this section shall provide the consumer a loaner if the absence of a loaner would be a threat to the safety of the user or if the assistive device is out of service for more than seven calendar days.
(b) Paragraph (a) of this subsection applies whether or not the rights of the consumer provided by ORS 646A.466 (1) or (2) have arisen and in addition to the remedies relating to collateral costs provided by ORS 646A.460 to 646A.476. [Formerly 646.486]
Section: Previous 646A.444 646A.446 646A.448 646A.450 646A.452 646A.460 646A.462 646A.464 646A.466 646A.468 646A.470 646A.472 646A.474 646A.476 646A.500 NextLast modified: August 7, 2008