Section 16-634. ORAL COMMUNICATION OF WRITTEN ESTIMATES

 

634.1If the customer chooses, the customer may modify the right to receive a written estimate prior to authorizing repairs by signing the separate waiver provision on the written estimate form.

 

634.2The waiver of written estimate provision shall be in a form required by the Department and shall provide the customer with the option to authorize repair on the basis of the consumer goods repair dealer's oral communication of the estimated repair cost and the other information required on the written estimate.

 

634.3The customer shall exercise the option by signing his or her name and the date in the space provided for waiver option.

 

634.4It shall be the responsibility of the customer who signs a waiver to contact the consumer goods repair dealer or supervisory inspector for oral communication of the estimate.

 

634.5The waiver of written estimate shall also contain the following:

 

(a)On the top in bold letters the following statement: YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE A WRITTEN ESTIMATE WHICH IS SIGNED BY YOU AND THE DEALER BEFORE REPAIR SERVICES ARE AUTHORIZED AND BEGUN;

 

(b)A statement of any charges which will be made in the event that the customer, upon receiving the estimate orally, elects not to proceed with the repairs;

 

(c)An instruction to the customer to indicate, on the appropriate space on the written estimate form or waiver form, whether he or she does or does not wish to receive the replaced parts; and

 

(d)The date and time after which storage charges will be imposed if the customer fails to contact the consumer goods repair dealer for oral communication of the estimate.

 

634.6Oral communication of the information required on the written estimate shall in no way be considered a substitute for a written estimate.

 

634.7If a customer chooses to authorize repairs on the basis of an oral communication, the written estimate required by § 633 shall be completed by the dealer at the time of the oral communication and presented to the customer along with the final bill.

 

634.8If a customer chooses to authorize repairs on the basis of an oral communication of the information contained on the written estimate, the customer's oral consent shall be sufficient authorization to initiate repairs; Provided, that the date, time, and manner in which the oral consent was received shall be recorded on the written estimate and a copy of the written estimate shall be given to the customer along with the final bill.