§ 6A-2-329. Servicing of warranties. (1) Definition of terms.

(a) "Consumer sale" means a sale of new goods, or as regards an express warranty, any goods, purchased primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, and not for agricultural or business purposes.

(b) "New goods" means those goods which are purchased for the first time other than for purposes of resale.

(2) Implied warranties.

(a) Unless disclaimed in the manner prescribed in subsection (2)(b) of this section, every consumer sale in this state shall be accompanied by an implied warranty that the goods are merchantable, and, in a consumer sale where the seller has reason to know that the goods are required for a particular purpose and the buyer is relying on the seller's skill or judgment to select or furnish suitable goods, an implied warranty of fitness.

(b) Disclaimer. No consumer sale on an "as is" or "with all faults" basis shall be effective to disclaim the implied warranty of merchantability, or, where applicable, the implied warranty of fitness, unless a conspicuous writing clearly informs the buyer, prior to the sale, in simple and concise language each of the following:

(i) The goods are being sold on an "as is" or "with all faults" basis; and

(ii) The entire risk as to the quality and performance of the goods is with the buyer.

(c) In the event of a consumer sale by means of a mail order catalog, the catalog may contain the required writing in lieu of the notification in writing.

(3) Express warranties.

(a) Disclaimers. No express warranty arising out of a consumer sale of new goods shall disclaim implied warranties of merchantability, or, where applicable, of fitness.

(b) Honoring of express warranties. The maker of an express warranty arising out of a consumer sale in this state shall designate a representative in the United States to provide services or repairs under the warranty. In a consumer sale, the manufacturer shall honor an express warranty made by the manufacturer; the distributor shall honor an express warranty made by the distributor; and the retail seller shall honor an express warranty made by the retail seller.

(c) Liability of manufacturer. Every manufacturer, whether domestic or foreign, who makes an express warranty pursuant to a consumer sale shall designate a representative within the state to provide services or repairs under the terms of the express warranty. Further, the manufacturer must make parts available to the representative within thirty (30) days of receipt of the order by the manufacturer. Provided, however, delay caused by conditions beyond the control of the manufacturer such as, by way of example but not limited to, labor disputes, act of God, or transit strike shall serve to extend this thirty (30) day requirement. Where such delays arise, conforming goods shall be tendered to the representative as soon as possible following termination of the condition giving rise to the delay.

(d) Liability of manufacturers. Every manufacturer, and in the case of any distributor of marine engines, boats and accessories thereto who makes an express warranty pursuant to a consumer sale, and who designates a representative within this state to provide sale and service under the terms of the express warranty, shall be liable to the representative in the amount equal to that which is charged by the representative for like service and repairs rendered to retail consumers who are not entitled to warranty protection. This equality of charges shall apply both to labor and parts used.

(e) Service information and parts availability. Any manufacturer whether domestic or foreign selling in this state must have adequate service information and replacement parts available to service facilities to effect repair, and restore to operating condition. Manufacturers will have such service information and parts available from distributors.

(f) Liability of the designated representative to the consumer and manufacturer. Every designated representative who performs service or makes repairs to a product under the terms of the express warranty, shall provide services or make repairs in a manner fully consistent with that service or repair which would be made if the consumer were not entitled to warranty protection. The representative or service repairperson who performs the service shall do so within thirty (30) days of receipt of the item to be repaired, if in fact, the representative or service repairperson has the part in stock. In the event the representative or service repairperson does not have the part available then he or she must so notify the consumer of this fact and must order the part within two (2) days of receipt of the item to be repaired, and upon receipt of the part from the manufacturer must complete the repairs within ten (10) days thereafter, unless the buyer agrees to the contrary. Delays caused by conditions beyond the control of the representative or service repairman such as by way of example, but not limited to, labor disputes, acts of God, or transit strikes shall serve to extend the aforementioned time limits. Where such delays arise the repairs shall be performed as soon as possible following termination of the conditions giving rise to the delay.

(4) Facilities.

(a) Wherever competent repair or service facilities are available within the state of Rhode Island, the maker of an express warranty shall provide for means of the warranty repair or service performed within the state of Rhode Island.

(b) This shall not be construed to exclude use of facilities outside the state of Rhode Island where acceptable to all parties.

(5) Service information and parts availability. Any manufacturer selling in this state must have adequate service information and replacement parts available to warranty stations and independent service facilities, to effect repair and restore to operating condition. The service information and parts availability shall continue for a period of not less than four (4) years from the date of last sale of any given model or type. The service information and parts shall be available within the state of Rhode Island.

(6) Penalties. Any person, firm, or corporation failing to comply with any provision of this section shall be liable for a fine of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) a day for every day of noncompliance and/or be liable to the consumer for replacement of the item to be repaired. Prosecution under the provisions of this section shall be brought by the attorney general's department in the appropriate division of the district court of the state of Rhode Island.

(7) Severability of provisions. If any provision of this section, or application thereof to any person or circumstances, is held unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the remaining provisions of this section and the application of the provisions to other persons or circumstances, other than those to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected thereby.

History of Section. (P.L. 1977, ch. 148, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 150, § 7; P.L. 2011, ch. 329, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 360, § 1.)