Department of Consumer Affairs Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair

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Bureau of Electronic & Appliance Repair Regulations

Article 3 - Invoices, Estimates and Records

2720. Invoices and Estimates-False or Misleading Records
No service dealer shall, in filling out an estimate or an invoice, withhold therefrom or insert therein any statement or information where the tendency or effect thereby is to mislead or deceive customers, prospective customers, or the consuming public.

2721. Sets or Appliances Received for Repair: Receipt Required
Any service dealer who removes a set or an appliance from a home, home office, or private motor vehicle or accepts a set or an appliance for repair at his place of business, shall give to the owner thereof a receipt or claim check in which is stated all of the following:

  1. (a) The name and registration number of the service dealer and the address and telephone number of the location where the set or appliance will be repaired.
  2. (b) The date the set or appliance was accepted or received by the service dealer.
  3. (c) A description of the set or appliance including model and serial number.
  4. (d) A summary of the customer's description of the problem associated with the set or appliance.
  5. (e) The name and address of the customer.
  6. (f) The complete and legible signature or employee number of the person accepting or removing a set or appliance.
  7. (g) There shall be printed on the receipt in prominent type the following statement:
    "An estimate as required (Section 9844 of the California Business and Professions Code) for repairs shall be given to the customer by the service dealer in writing, and the service dealer may not charge for work done or parts supplied in excess of the estimate without prior consent of the customer. Where provided in writing, the service dealer may charge a reasonable fee for services provided in determining the nature of the malfunction in preparation of a written estimate for repair. For information contact the Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair, Department of Consumer Affairs, Sacramento 95814."
  8. (h) Removal and reinstallation charge, if any.
  9. (i) When the personal property accepted or received by the service dealer is intended for personal, family, household or home office use, the service dealer's receipt shall include a statement, if such is the case, that such deposited property is not insured or protected to the amount of the actual cash value thereof against loss occasioned by theft, fire, and vandalism while such property remains with the service dealer or his representative, pursuant to the provisions of Section 1858.1 of the Civil Code.

NOTE: Authority cited: Section 9814, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Section 9842, 9844, and 9847, Business and Professions Code and Section 2858.1 Civil Code.

2722. Written Estimate
A written estimate for cost of repair shall include all costs for parts and labor and the initial service call if provided. The written estimate shall not be described with a minimum estimate amount.

  1. (a) No service dealer shall charge for work done or parts supplied in excess of the written estimate without the prior oral or written consent of the customer, and if such consent is oral, the service dealer shall make a notation on the invoice of the date, time, name of person authorizing the additional repairs, telephone number called, if any, name of the person receiving such oral consent, conditions of such consent, if any, together with a specification of the additional parts and labor and the total additional cost.
  2. (b) Sales tax and other applicable taxes shall not be considered part of the written estimate.
  3. (c) Where a written estimate for the cost of repair is provided in the residence, the estimate shall include as part of the labor charge, all transportation and travel charges, including the initial service call.

NOTE: Authority cited: Section 9814, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 9841 and 9844, Business and Professions Code.

2722.5. Diagnosis Fee
A diagnosis fee is the fee for determining the nature of the malfunction in preparation of a written estimate for repair and may be charged by the service dealer.

Except for equipment received by a service dealer from public carrier, the diagnosis fee shall include all transportation and travel costs made in conjunction with the diagnosis.

NOTE: Authority cited: Section 9814, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Section 9844, Business and Professions Code.

2722.6. Unusual Circumstances; Authorization Required
Where the customer's equipment is received by public carrier for the purpose of repair, or where a service call is made to the customer's residence without the customer being present, the service dealer shall not undertake the repair of, or remove from the residence, home office, or private motor vehicle, such equipment unless the dealer has complied with the following conditions:

  1. (a) Where the service dealer intends to charge a diagnosis fee for preparing a written estimate, the service dealer shall, by telephone or other means, provide the cost of the diagnosis fee, including any transportation costs, to the customer for approval.
  2. (b) Where the diagnosis fee is rejected by the customer, the service dealer may assess the customer for only the initial service call or the shipping costs necessary for the return of the customer's equipment.
  3. (c) Where the diagnosis fee has been approved by the customer, or where no diagnosis fee is to be charged, the dealer shall prepare a written estimate for the total cost of repair, which shall include service call, parts, labor, and any transportation costs and provide to the customer for approval by telephone or other means, the estimate of repair.
  4. (d) Where the customer has received an oral estimate of repair, the service dealer shall include on the service invoice to be provided to the customer, the date and time the customer was contacted, the amount of the estimate of repair, any diagnosis fee and transportation costs quoted the customer for unrepaired equipment, the person authorizing or rejecting the diagnosis fee or estimate and the signature of the service dealer or his or her representative.
  5. (e) Where the estimate of repair is rejected, the service dealer may assess the customer only that the amount authorized by the customer for the diagnosis fee plus shipping charges and for in the residence or home office transactions, the diagnosis fee and the initial service call.

NOTE: Authority cited: Section 9814, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Section 9844, Business and Professions Code.

2723. Invoice-Copy to Customer
A legible original or a legible copy of the invoice shall be given to the customer for repairs performed and parts installed, regardless of whether a charge(s) is levied (i.e. warranty repairs). There shall be printed on the invoice in prominent type the following statement:
"An estimate as required (Section 9844 of the California Business and Professions Code) for repairs shall be given to the customer by the service dealer in writing, and the service dealer may not charge for work done or parts supplied in excess of the estimate without prior consent of the customer. Where provided in writing, the service dealer may charge a reasonable fee for services provided in determining the nature of the malfunction in preparation of a written estimate for repair. For information contact the Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair, Department of Consumer Affairs, Sacramento 95814."

NOTE: Authority cited: Section 9814, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 9842 and 9844, Business and Professions Code.

2723.5. Installation of Equipment-Invoice
A legible invoice for the installation of equipment as provided in the Act, shall be provided to the customer.

  1. (a) The invoice for installation of shall include a description of the equipment installed by make, model, and an itemization of labor and parts used in the installation, indicating the charges levied for each.

NOTE: Authority cited: Section 9814, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 9801 and 9842, Business and Professions Code.

2725. Invoice-Contents
Each customer shall be given a legible invoice, not a checklist-type invoice, and all such invoices shall clearly set forth the following:

  1. (a) Business name, address, and telephone number of service dealer.
  2. (b) Service dealer's state registration number(s), and indicated as such.
  3. (c) Date of invoice.
  4. (d) If the set or appliance is removed from the home, home office or private motor vehicle, the address of the location where the set or appliance was repaired, and the state registration number of the service dealer.
  5. (e) Name and address of the customer.
  6. (f) A description of the set or appliance repaired or serviced, including make, model number and serial number.
  7. (g) A summary of the customer's description of the problem associated with the set or appliance.
  8. (h) A statement of total charges.
  9. (i) Itemization of each part placed in the set or appliance including a description by class and type where possible, indicating any part within warranty that was replaced, and the charge levied for any part or parts not covered by warranty.
  10. (j) Itemization and description of labor or technical services performed within warranty or for which a charge was levied.
  11. (k) An itemization and description of all other charges.
  12. (l) If any used or exchange parts, including, but not limited to, modules or panels, are supplied, the invoice shall state that fact, indicating which parts are used or exchanged and the charge levied for each part. If a picture tube is installed, the description of such replacement picture tube shall conform to the requirements as hereinafter provided.
  13. (m) Complete and legible signature, or employee's number, of person filling out the invoice and indicated as such.
  14. (n) Complete and legible signature or employee's number of the person performing the actual repair on the set or appliance and indicated as such.

NOTE: Authority cited: Section 9814, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Section 9842, Business and Professions Code.

2727. Picture Tube Replacement-Invoice Disclosure

  1. (a) Where a picture tube is installed, the invoice shall set forth the make, type, serial number and component description of such tube.
  2. (b) Description of the picture tube by new and used components shall be indicated by either of two methods:

METHOD ONE.
Setting forth on the invoice the particular verbatim description as selected from Regulation 2728 which applies to the installed tube. (Reference to grade not necessary.) The particular verbatim description as selected from Regulation 2728 shall be furnished the customer by printing, stamping or writing the same on the invoice, or by attaching to the invoice a sheet which contains the same.

METHOD TWO.
Indicating on the invoice the grade of such tube and furnishing the customer with the entire verbatim contents of Regulation 2728. The verbatim contents of Regulation 2728 shall be furnished the customer by printing, stamping or writing the same on the invoice, or by attaching to the invoice a sheet which contains the same.

NOTE: Authority cited: Section 9814, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 9842, Business and Professions Code.

2728. Picture Tube Grading and Component Description Schedule
Black and White Picture Tubes

  1. Grade AA-Description-All new components and materials including new glass envelope.
  2. Grade A-Description-Used glass envelope, all other components and materials are new.
  3. Grade B-Description-Used glass envelope, used phosphorescent viewing screen, used aluminization, used internal conductive coating, all other components and materials are new.
  4. Grade C-Description-Used picture tube for resale, all significant components and materials are used.

Color Picture Tubes

  1. Grade AA-Description-All new components and materials, including new glass envelope.
  2. Grade A-Description-Used glass envelope, new or used shadow mask, all other components and materials are new.
  3. Grade B-Description-New electron gun, all other components and materials are used.
  4. Grade C-Description-Used picture tube for resale, all significant components and materials are used.

2729. Grade C Tube

  1. (a) The fact that a used picture tube which is installed in the television set has also been rejuvenated, or has a new or used brightener attached to it, or has fresh paint or coating on the outside, or any combination of the above, shall not change its status or description as a Grade C picture tube.
  2. (b) Where a Grade C picture tube is installed, the serial number need not be indicated if such number cannot be ascertained after a reasonable examination of such tube.

2730. Picture Tube-Seconds
Where a picture tube is installed which might otherwise be classified by component description as Grade AA, Grade A, or Grade B, where such tube is also a "second" within the meaning of Regulation 2702(q), such tube shall be designated on the invoice as a "second" to the exclusion of any other grade designation or grade description, and the following additional notation shall appear verbatim on the invoice:

"This picture tube is a manufacturers reject or second line quality tube but is capable of giving satisfactory performance."

NOTE: Authority cited: Section 9814, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 9841 and 9842, Business and Professions Code.

2731. Television Tuners
Where cleaners or lubricants have been applied to a television tuner or any part thereof, the invoice shall describe such activity as cleaning and/or lubricating, whatever is applicable. The term "rebuilt" or "reconditioned" or words of like import shall not be used to describe such activity.

2732. Consent to Rejuvenation or Restoration
An oral or written consent shall be obtained from the customer prior to rejuvenation or restoration of a picture tube. If such consent is oral, the service dealer shall make a notation on the invoice of the date, time, and name of person authorizing the rejuvenation or restoration, telephone number called, name of person receiving consent, and conditions of consent.

NOTE: Authority cited: Section 9814, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 9841 and 9842 and 9847, Business and Professions Code.

2733. Picture Tube Brightener
Prior to installing a picture tube brightener on a customer's picture tube the service dealer shall inform the customer that the brightener is a temporary repair. This information shall also be noted legibly on the customer's copy of the invoice. The brightener shall be itemized as a part on said invoice in conformity with Regulation 2725(h). The service dealer shall not use the words "rebuilt", "rejuvenated" or "reconditioned" or words of similar import to describe the picture tube brightener or to describe its effect.

NOTE: Authority cited: Section 9814, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 9841 and 9842 and 9846, Business and Professions Code.

2734. Color Television High Voltage
After any repair or adjustment is made to the circuit of a color television set which could change the set's high voltage above manufacturer's specifications, the high voltage reading shall be measured, adjusted or repaired to the manufacturer's specifications, and recorded on the invoice.

NOTE: Authority cited: Section 9814, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 9841 and 9842, and 9847, Business and Professions Code.

2735. Warranty of Picture Tube
Where a picture tube is installed, the warranty card covering such tube, if any, shall be delivered to the customer by attaching the warranty card to the invoice.

2736. Guarantee of Repair or Installation
"Guarantee" or words of like import used in conjunction with the repair or installation of equipment as provided in the Act shall be provided the customer in writing and shall include disclosure of:

  1. (a) The nature and extent of the guarantee as to parts and/or labor.
  2. (b) The identity of the guarantor.
  3. (c) Where no guarantee is provided by the service dealer on his or her repair, or part thereof, or installation of equipment as provided in the Act, or part thereof, the invoice shall contain a written statement indicating repair parts or labor, or both parts and labor, which are not covered by the service dealer guarantee.
  4. (d) Where no guarantee is provided by the service dealer on his or her repair and the service dealer has failed to comply with subsection (c) of this section, the service dealer shall be deemed to have provided a 30-day labor and a 90-day parts guarantee on the repair.
  5. (e) The provisions of subsection (d) of this section shall not void or reduce any applicable guarantees or apply to a repair made under a manufacturer's guarantee or a service contract.

NOTE: Authority cited: Section 9814, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 9841 and 9846, Business and Professions Code.