Muhammad Izzat says the company refunded RM5,500 to him only after receiving a letter from his lawyer.
AN engineer thought he was getting a good deal after hiring a company to instal kitchen cabinets at his new house after visiting a home decor exhibition at a shopping mall in Johor Baru.
Muhammad Izzat Ismail, 29, transferred RM1,000 on Jan 7, as the company was giving a 10% rebate to customers who bought items or booked its services at the event.
“I went to the company’s office in Permas Jaya on Feb 3, to further discuss the kitchen cabinet designs,” he said when met outside the Johor Consumer Claims Tribunal at Menara Ansar.
Initially, the claimant wanted to have top, bottom and tall cabinets as well as the accessories but this exceeded the RM20,000 that he was willing to pay.
“The company suggested to do away with the top cabinets and only do the bottom and tall cabinets,” he said.
Muhammad Izzat said the company agreed to instal the cabinets with the accessories at RM20,000.
He transferred RM6,000 as deposit and received an invoice on Feb 3.
The company’s workers went to his home in Sebana Cove, Kota Tinggi on Feb 20, to take measurements in his kitchen.
“They promised to give me the 3D drawings of the cabinet in a few days time but I only got them three weeks later on March 14,” he said.
Muhammad Izzat went to the company office on March 22, to further discuss the choice of colours, designs and details of the accessories.
The claimant said the company promised to get back to him with the final designs on April 3, but failed to do so.
“I gave them until April 18, to submit the final designs but they claimed they were overseas and could not finish it,” he said.
Muhammad Izzat said on April 24, the company issued a new invoice to him with the additional cost of RM13,746 for the accessories bringing the total cost of the cabinet to RM32,166.
He was dissatisfied and demanded for the company to refund the RM7,000 deposit.
However, the company reimbursed RM5,500 after receiving a letter from his lawyer.
“At the same time, the company issued an invoice of RM1,500 which they said was for their administrative charges and processing fees of the 3D drawings,” said Muhammad Izzat.
The claimant filed the case at the Tribunal and demanded the company to refund the balance of RM1,500.
Tribunal president Hafez Zalkapli ordered the respondent who did not attend the hearing to refund RM1,500 to the claimant within two weeks.
Those needing assistance with regard to Tribunal matters can call 07-227 1755/1766.
