Who is on your side?

CONSUMERS had mixed blessings this year, highlighted by the establishment of the Consumer Commissioner, and some service providers defying the new Consumer Protection Act. Some service providers treated consumers as if the Act affected only those who did business with them. But let's face it the Consumer Protection Act is here to stay and it affects us all. And in many ways the Act wants your business to be successful.

The motor industry has been problematic this year. Consumers complained that they were sold defective cars, and service providers refused to exchange the cars for new ones after failing to repair them as required by the Act. Mercedes-Benz disappointed a customer when it refused to service a car that had clocked 120000km.

The car had only exceeded the serviceable kilometres by 671km and the customer knew that he was allowed a leeway of 1500km to benefit from the motor plan. He almost parted with R21385, but after Consumer Line's intervention, the luxury car dealership reconsidered its decision and serviced the vehicle at no cost. In an extreme case, an official at the Rosebank dealership was accused of assaulting a client, Jolin Majmin, who complained about poor service after paying R17000. Majmin also claimed that his car was damaged after the dealership drove it for more than 70km while it was in their care. Mercedes-Benz SA is still investigating the complaint.

Thanks to Absa for refunding pensioner Nikki Diale her R116000 investment that was fraudulently withdrawn from her account in January. Diale was refunded after Consumer Line intervened.

A first-time car buyer, Ayanda Vumazonke, who cancelled her contract to purchase within the 10-day cooling off period, was refunded her R80000, also thanks to intervention by Consumer Line. The director of Velocity Cars in Canal Walk in Athlone, Cape Town, wanted to charge Vumazonke a cancellation fee of R6000 and additional fees of R3000 for a broken windscreen and radio even though they had not been fitted.

Another Consumer Line success yielded a R1-million handover to a road accident victim. Jabulile Mathebula was awarded R1464385 in June last year after a four-year legal battle. Her second hurdle was to get the money from her attorney, who had invested it without notifying her parents or passing it on to the curator of Mathebula's fund.

In another success, FNB refunded Jacky Nkohla his R3000 after initially refusing to do so, claiming it was a phishing scam.

To consumers, stick to your budgets, read your contracts before signing, and those fortunate enough to receive a bonus this December, you should consider putting a portion of your 13th cheque towards paying off your debts before indulging in festive season spending.

From Consumer Line we wish you a warm and joy-filled Christmas and Happy New Year. This Consumer service will re-open on January 11 2012.

Source: Mail & Guardian