In addition to the well-known three “Rs” of sustainability – reduce, reuse and recycle – there is also another one you should bear in mind: repair. This is essential for reducing the volume of waste but very difficult to apply, because the market dictates that it is cheaper to buy a new product than to repair an old one. In view of this problem, the repair of products such as home appliances must be encouraged. By continuing to use them instead of discarding them, we are looking after the environment. 

In Barcelona, there are appliance repair services that will come to your home. However, make sure you find out the price before you hire the service and that you ask for a written quote. Check whether any possible surcharges or supplements are included, the parts that need to be changed, travel and labour. If they are not included, the company must inform you of any new items that may emerge during the provision of the service. For example, there may be surcharges for working at night or on bank holidays, and you can never be charged both surcharges at the same time. You may not be charged a supplement for urgency or immediate availability.

If the repair has to be carried out outside your home, you have six months to collect the appliance from the company’s premises. The company must have given you a ticket proving that you left your appliance with them. The repair is covered by a warranty of half a year from completion.

If you are not satisfied with the service you have received, you can ask the company for the official claim form or record your claim using its web form or by phone, stating the incident number. If you do not receive a response within 30 days, you can make a claim on the Municipal Consumer Information Office website.