Consumers could soon have more protection when it comes to receiving the service they asked for, under the Consumer Protection Amendment Act 2011.The amendment act protects people who put their vehicles in for a service expecting to pay one price, only to have it returned and told they owe another sum because additional services were completed.All service providers will have to get permission first before completing a service that was not part of the original transaction.It states that service providers will also have to make a full, or appropriate, refund within 30 days of the consumer making a request if they have not completed the services they were paid for.The Act also includes punitive damages where appropriate when service providers use threatening behaviour or swear at the consumer.Opposition Senate Leader Jeanne Atherden supported the amendments, but said the public should be made more aware of the information that protects them as consumers.Independent Senator Joan Dillas-Wright said she was in support of the changes and said: “I am very, very happy to see this amendment to the legislation. I have been on the receiving end on more occasions than I can recall right now.“I am very happy to see it and I want to compliment their Consumer Department for their work, and hopefully this legislation when it is passed will be widely publicised so people will know what is in the act and know there is recourse for them.”Opposition Senator Suzann Roberts Holshouzer asked whether service providers, in instances where they have to order products overseas, would be required under the new amendments to tell consumers what car parts needed to be ordered.She said if given the part number some consumers might be able to order it themselves online or find it on eBay for a cheaper price.Government Senate Leader Kim Wilson said this information was usually not withheld and said it was discouraged as the consumer could order a wrong part.After the debate in the House of Assembly, some amendments were made and agreed to by both sides of the Senate. It will now go back to the House of Assembly for final approval.