Trade

Goodwill/Increasing the Price of the Shop Fittings

Q: I am aware that in Shari’ah, it is not permissible to charge anything for goodwill. However, I was told that if you attribute the same excess to the ‘shop fittings’ figure for example, it will now become permissible. Is this true? How can it be permissible when the purchaser, seller and the receiver are fully aware that this inflated figure is not a true reflection of the shop fittings figure?

Buyer receiving the wrong item and refunding

Q: Person B sees advert of person A, and a successful transaction takes place. Upon person B receiving the goods, he notices that the contents do not match what was advertised. After querying from person A and requesting a refund, person A claims to have been scammed by person A's supplier (who has since disappeared) and refuses to refund person B. Who is responsible and who should suffer a loss? Keeping in mind that person A had failed to check the contents after receiving it from his supplier.

Extended warranty

Q: I intend to purchase a car that has a warranty. The dealer offered to extend the warranty by 5 years for an additional amount of R3000. The warranty covers towing and fixing if the car breaks down and replacement of parts. I notice that the policy is with an insurance company. Is this acceptable?

Copyright

Q: Kindly provide a ruling for the following:

Zayd gives a book to publisher A for publishing and gives him the copyright. The book is printed in 4 parts, but not printed to a very good standard and quality. Zayd now wants to publish the book with much better quality. He makes changes to the book, changes the name and produces it in one volume. Can he now give the book to publisher B to have it published by the new publisher?