http://www.ecr.co.za Wendy Knowler is arguably South Africa’s most experienced consumer journalist. She’s helped more consumers over her 20 year career in consumer journalism than she could count. But while known as a champion of consumer rights, Wendy is also known and respected by corporates for her fair, accurate and balanced reporting. Want to be a more sussed consumer or corporate? Listen to Wendy's episodes here. Leisure en Fri, 30 Aug 2013 13:27:09 +0200 Thu, 09 Dec 2021 09:43:34 +0200 30 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss iono.fm 2.5.2.0 East Coast Radio - Catch Up no Wendy Knowler Weekly feeds@iono.fm (Feed Manager) https://cdn.iono.fm/files/p151/logo_1613_20250910_215156_1400.jpeg http://www.ecr.co.za Wendy Knowler is arguably South Africa’s most experienced consumer journalist. East Coast Radio - Catch Up episodic East Coast Radio - Catch Up rss+151+1613@iono.fm false ZA https://iono.fm/e/1135572 https://iono.fm/e/1135572 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 09 Dec 2021 09:41:00 +0200 0 0 Bank fraudsters get F2F with pensioners - in their homes! 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 7:55 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1132978 https://iono.fm/e/1132978 That would mean cancellations for everything one might have prepared whether it be going out of SA or coming in.
Take a listen as Wendy Knowler shares an important feature on AirbBnB that will come in handy for times like these. ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 02 Dec 2021 10:30:00 +0200 0 0 How to deal with Fourth Wave related cancellations 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 6:07 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1130348 https://iono.fm/e/1130348 Consumer journalist, Wendy Knowler shares some valuable information regarding ways to stay safe financially during Black Friday.
Do it all correctly. Take a listen how that's done. ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 25 Nov 2021 09:43:00 +0200 0 0 This is how to NOT do Black Friday 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 3:27 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1127764 https://iono.fm/e/1127764 Is the people who bride and his husband or the photographer?
Take a listen as Wendy Knowler explains this ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 18 Nov 2021 09:27:00 +0200 0 0 What if your wedding photographer sells your pictures as stock footage? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 9:15 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1125087 https://iono.fm/e/1125087 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 11 Nov 2021 09:38:00 +0200 0 0 What’s to stop teenagers from having booze delivered to them, via an app? - Wendy Knowler 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 8:55 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1122548 https://iono.fm/e/1122548 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 04 Nov 2021 09:33:00 +0200 0 0 Got a Kulula or British Airways credit? End of November, use it or lose it 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 7:16 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1120082 https://iono.fm/e/1120082 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 28 Oct 2021 11:04:00 +0200 0 0 All about the “confirm your Telkom directory listing" scam 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 8:11 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1115719 https://iono.fm/e/1115719 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 21 Oct 2021 09:40:00 +0200 0 0 What if your shop was looted and you thought you had SASRIA cover, but you didn’t? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 8:01 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1112777 https://iono.fm/e/1112777 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 14 Oct 2021 09:41:00 +0200 0 0 What's the story with the Woolworths rotten juice boxes? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 7:58 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1106980 https://iono.fm/e/1106980 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 30 Sep 2021 09:30:00 +0200 0 0 Can a company refuse to compensate you for loss or injury? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 8:19 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1104195 https://iono.fm/e/1104195 The asking price may seem like a good deal, but given that it’s a pretend pup which a fraudster is dangling as a lure, it’s can turn out to be very expensive indeed.
Take a listen as she shares how to demand back some of the money from these scams. ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 23 Sep 2021 09:19:00 +0200 0 0 Beware the non existent puppy scam, says Consumerwatch’s Wendy Knowler 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 8:38 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1098128 https://iono.fm/e/1098128
Pat Pontack of Cape Town contacted me last week to say she’d lost more than R20,000 to a Durban-based company called Big O Trading, cc. She wanted to buy a Thermomix TM6, a do-it-all wonder kitchen appliance that does slow-cooking, food processing, steaming, mixing, and more.

Take a listen as Wendy Knowler helps a victim of being scammed online.
She also shares how to avoid it further. ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 09 Sep 2021 09:30:00 +0200 0 0 How to avoid being scammed - Wendy Knowler 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 9:24 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1096554 https://iono.fm/e/1096554 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 02 Sep 2021 14:40:00 +0200 0 0 Uber and their cancellation penalty 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 8:33 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1091398 https://iono.fm/e/1091398 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 26 Aug 2021 09:27:00 +0200 0 0 Not all the appliances which were stolen from shops were new, some were in for repairs. 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 8:32 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1088310 https://iono.fm/e/1088310
It affects the insurer’s direct book of business - that’s policies taken out over the phone and policies sold under the Kaizer Chiefs brand, but excludes any business sourced from partners such as Edgars and Jet.

Phumi’s policy document reads:

“Hollard may increase the benefit premiums from time to time by giving you 30 (thirty) days’ written notice of such increase.”

“Unfortunately,” Hollard said, “the combined effect of the re-rating and the increase have resulted in a substantial overall increase. We realise that policyholders may be facing financial challenges in these tough times, and fully understand if anyone wishes to decrease cover in order to lower premiums.

Take a listen as Wendy Knolwer thoroughly explains the importance of checking you funeral policy documents: ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 19 Aug 2021 09:30:00 +0200 0 0 Are funeral policy increases killing your budget? Wendy Knowler advises 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 7:49 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1084763 https://iono.fm/e/1084763 “Capitec does not currently offer business accounts, therefore people should not believe a business that states it has one,” the bank said.
"Should consumers fall victim to fraud – or even if they don’t fall victim to the attempt – it is important to contact the bank to report the incident.”
Capitec’s 24-hour call centre on 0860 10 20 43.
It’s the same story with African Bank - the bank only has personal accounts, not business ones.

Take a listen to how to avoid this scam. ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 12 Aug 2021 09:25:00 +0200 0 0 Scammers using Capitec bank accounts as so-called business accounts 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 6:12 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1079184 https://iono.fm/e/1079184 On Monday the SAA subsidiary announced that it was going to go into business rescue and the next morning hundreds of would-be passengers were left stranded at Joburg’s OR Tambo and Cape Town international airports.
In the case of the flight departing from Cape Town at 10:15, bound for Durban, Mango only notified the queuing passengers shortly before 9, via SMS, that the flight had been suspended.
That was more than an hour after Mango had expected them to be at the airport! Totally unforgivable.
As is not posting a few Mango personnel at the airport to deal with distraught passengers.
One Durban family of five is only flying back to Durban this afternoon, having been unable to book seats on other flights on Tuesday or Wednesday.
LISTEN here for the full story… ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 29 Jul 2021 10:26:00 +0200 0 0 Flights suspended and Mango communications is vrot, says Consumerwatch’s WENDY KNOWLER 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 8:10 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1076179 https://iono.fm/e/1076179
As the people of this province know all too well, last week’s extraordinary looting of not only supermarkets but their distribution centres, too, led to chronic food shortages, and in some cases, crazy prices.
I had people emailing me about tomatoes selling for R200 a pocket, toilet paper R180 for a six-pack, bread loaves selling for twice the normal price and more.
Without till receipts as proof of current prices versus previous prices there can be no investigation, and that’s what the KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs will require if you lodge a price gouging complaint.
“Where wrongdoing is found we will not hesitate to take action which may include fines against those businesses,” said MEC Ravi Pillay.

“This cannot be a time for profit-making. Excessive profiteers are warned that the law provides for severe punishment. We will also publish offenders with the consequence of reputational risk.”

The National COnsumer Commission has also expressed its outrage at such allegations, because the Consumer Protection Act makes it a prohibited conduct for a supplier to increase their prices unconscionably, in a way "that does not correlate to an equivalent expense in the cost of providing that service or product".
A supplier who contravenes these regulations can face a fine of up to R1million or up to 10% of a firm’s annual turnover, or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months.
Take a listen to what is considered "wrongdoing" in this instance. ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 22 Jul 2021 09:00:00 +0200 0 0 Is there an unreasonable increase on the prices of goods after the looting in KZN? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 8:50 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1073242 https://iono.fm/e/1073242 The good news is while Sasria’s (the South African Special Risks Insurance Association) policy wording states that looting in itself is not considered to be a Sasria event, Sasria accepts that it falls under civil commotion so all related losses are covered.
More good news is that Sasria MD Cedric Masondo says they have enough capital to cover what he currently estimates to be claims of between R3.5billion to R7billion.
About 85% of all commercial properties and government buildings in South Africa have Sasria cover, along with all privately mortgaged properties, and all insured cars. The two thirds of cars on our roads which aren’t insured, don’t have this civil commotion cover.
But there’s something you need to check about your household contents cover. Take a listen… ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 15 Jul 2021 09:28:00 +0200 0 0 How to - Insurance after looting 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 8:49 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1070238 https://iono.fm/e/1070238
When buying goods on line you always run the risk of being unpleasantly surprised when they are delivered.
Going by photos and descriptions can never come close to being able to see and interact with a product physically.
That’s why you get a “cooling off” period in terms of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act when you buy something online.
That means you have a week, from date of delivery, to change your mind and send it back (at your expense, if the company chooses not to absorb that cost) for a refund.
It doesn’t have to be defective in any way, and legally you don’t have to provide a reason - you just say, within 7 days, that you don’t want it.
You don’t have that “out” when you buy something in a shop. Only if it breaks in some way, within 6 months of purchase, through no fault of yours, do you have the right to return it for a refund - or replacement or repair; your choice.
Tessa bought a few items from Weylandts Umhlanga recently - including a table, which was discounted in price to around R10 000 due to scratches.
She was happy with all the items when they were delivered to her, except for the table - it was smaller than she’d thought it would be.
Turns out the table wasn’t in the store the day she’d bought it - the store assistant showed it to her online.
ssentially an online one.

Take a listen to this lesson learnt ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 08 Jul 2021 09:28:00 +0200 0 0 Critical online shopping advice by Wendy Knowler 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 7:51 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1067237 https://iono.fm/e/1067237 And that means those who paid deposits for events that now cannot legally take place are legally entitled to a FULL refund - the CPA’s “reasonable cancelation penalty” no longer applies.
Ideally, as we keep saying, the consumer should consider accepting a postponement, but in the case of many wedding cancellations, the couple, exhausted from all the on-off uncertainty, and the impossibility of knowing whether guests, especially those travelling from overseas, will be able to attend, have given up on the idea of a wedding and have just had very small private marriage ceremonies.

So a postponement is not appropriate.

So what about “Force Majeure” - uncontrollable events such as war, political unrest, strikes, acts of God, national lockdowns?

Can companies play that card to avoid paying refunds for events that now can’t happen because of government restriction?
LISTEN here to find out… ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 01 Jul 2021 10:01:00 +0200 0 0 Get your full refund back as events are cancelled in alert level 4 lockdown 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 7:18 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1063849 https://iono.fm/e/1063849 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 24 Jun 2021 12:42:00 +0200 0 0 Event cancellations often lead to conflict between consumers and service providers 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 4:32 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1057211 https://iono.fm/e/1057211 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Fri, 18 Jun 2021 04:03:00 +0200 0 0 Your insurance policy does not get invalidated once you get vaccinated 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 6:21 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1053443 https://iono.fm/e/1053443
In last week’s Consumerwatch we talked about the many Edgars account holders who’ve been battling for quite some time to close their accounts - in some cases those accounts suddenly came to life again last year with amounts for club membership, and service fees, when the account holders thought the account had been closed quite some time ago.
The account chaos is the result of a whole lot of dramatic change for the 92-year-old iconic South African retailer, behind the scenes.
Edgars has been sold by Edcon, which is currently in business rescue, to the Durban-based Retailability group, and its accounts management has been outsourced to RCS. As if that wasn’t enough fragmentation, Hollard underwrites the insurance policies which Edgars has sold many of its account holders, their monthly premiums being paid via their monthly accounts. All in all, for many accountholders, settling the amount owing in order to close their accounts seems like an impossible task.
That’s mainly because those extra monthly charges, which get added to their account whether they buy goods or not - service fee, club fee, insurance premiums - keep being added for as many months as it takes for the company to process their cancellation request. Many just don’t have the time or the energy to get to the closed account stage, and for many, especially the elderly, the stress and aggravation is dramatically affecting their quality of life.

The issues include:

Account was closed in store or via email, but not actioned

Club fee memberships not being cancelled, despite requests

Long delays in responding to account closure requests, with the result that the “value adds” keep on being added to their accounts”

Being sent “from pillar to post” in trying to get closure

So at the end of last week’s show, after recounting a particular bad case of an elderly woman who had been handed over to debt collectors for an Edgars account she closed at a store. ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 10 Jun 2021 09:31:00 +0200 0 0 Edgars accounts' chaos: A 'how to' checklist for the closure procedure 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 8:41 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1052180 https://iono.fm/e/1052180
I decided to share some more insight on how to deal with these problems. I also planned to host a Masterclass on retail accounts on the next Consumerwatch on Thursday, June 10 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Tue, 08 Jun 2021 11:35:00 +0200 0 0 Masterclass on retail accounts by Wendy Knowler - An invitation to tune in on Darren, Keri and Sky 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 5:40 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1049935 https://iono.fm/e/1049935 I continue to get a steady stream of complaints from Edgars customers, most about battling to close their accounts, and some about battling to stop the extra charges or interest being applied to their “six months’ interest free” accounts.
The Edgars accounts story is such a sad, complicated one, the bottom line being that for many, settling the amount owing in order to close their accounts seems like an impossible task.
That’s mainly because those extra monthly charges, which get added to their account whether they buy goods or not - service fee, club fee, insurance premiums - keep being added for as many months as it takes for the company to process their cancellation request.
Many just don’t have the time or the energy to get to the closed account stage, so I hear from quite a few sons and daughters of accountholders, or mothers of people too busy in their jobs for the time they need to devote to closing their accounts or settling a dispute.
A quick recap - Edgars has been sold by Edcon, currently in business rescue, to the Durban-based Retailabilty group, and its accounts management has been outsourced to RCS.
And Hollard underwrites the insurance policies which Edgars has sold many of its account holders, their monthly premiums being paid via their monthly accounts.
Sayon Pather wrote to me about this 79-year-old mother’s Edgars’ drama.
“She has always maintained an impeccable financial track record,” he began.
“At this stage in her life she should not have to deal with the stressful harassment proffered by Edgars, and now the debt collectors they have handed her over to, for R511,11, which in fact she should not owe.
“My mother's Edgars account was made paid-up in full and the account closed in January 2020. This was confirmed by the cashier and witnessed by family. ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 03 Jun 2021 11:20:00 +0200 0 0 Edgars accountholders are among SA’s most frustrated consumers right now, says Wendy Knowler 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 9:38 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1042595 https://iono.fm/e/1042595
That’s provided you’re depositing larger amounts - R1200 or more. For smaller amounts, your bank’s ATM deposit fee will probably be less than the supermarket’s standard R19,95 fee.

The Shoprite group has followed Pick n Pay in making it possible for customers to deposit cash directly into their own bank accounts at till points of its Shoprite, Checkers and USave stores.
All you need is your card and the cash, plus a transaction fee of R19,95 - the identical amount Pick n Pay charges for the service at its grocery, clothing and Boxer stores.
It’s a safer, more convenient cash deposit option than using a bank ATM - especially for those who get paid in cash and live in rural areas where ATMs are relatively scarce.
Shoprite caps its till-deposit amount at R3000, while PnP allows customers to deposit up to R5000 cash, still for that flat fee of R19,95.
I asked Pick n Pay how shoppers had responded to the service offering and what their average deposit amount is.
“Customers are absolutely loving it,” I was told. “We have seen a jump of 159% in the number of deposits from level 5 lockdown to level 1.”
The average deposit amount in the last financial year was R1600, so clearly most have cottoned on to the fee issue.

You pressed the lock button on your remote, but is your car really locked?
Are you in the habit of locking your car by pressing a button on your remote while walking away from your car parked in at a shopping mall?

Criminals use signal-blocking technology to effectively blocks a vehicle from locking properly - as you press that button on your remote, so they press their’s and the result is your car isn’t locked and they can help themselves to what you have stashed in your boot - often a laptop.
It’s not a new scam, but it’s still very prevalent. ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 20 May 2021 13:06:00 +0200 0 0 Easier cash deposits and all about car jamming. 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 7:41 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1038894 https://iono.fm/e/1038894
The Ombudsman for Banking Services of SA released its 2020 annual report yesterday, revealing that fraud cases dominated the five top complaints categories: current accounts, internet banking, personal loans, credit cards and ATMs.
Current account cases increased by a dramatic 7% from 2019, with complaints relating to fraud, bank fees and charges and banks not giving notice of account closures account for 80% of current account complaints.
The report features 15 case studies and they make for very compelling reading indeed.
“These cases are more relatable and engaging than a list of statistics,” Steyn said. “It’s in the telling of the stories that we succeed in our consumer awareness efforts and in changing banking practices, from time to time.”
Several case studies had the same theme - the bank’s failure to tell their customer about a very real risk of fraud.
In one of them, a bank customer complained to her bank that she wasn’t receiving SMS notifications regarding credit card payments.
She was told there had been a technical issue, but that her SMS notification system was operating again. Cool, she thought, all sorted.
When fraudulent transactions totalling R200 000 went through on her account, without her being notified, the bank told her that because her account had been accessed via her banking app, no SMS notifications were sent to her. That’s because she had failed to register specifically for banking app notifications.
Can you believe it??
The OBS said it was a reasonable assumption that the notifications applied to all notifications on her account - it was unreasonable for the bank to expect customers to explicitly request notifications on their banking app.
And so it was that the bank accepted responsibility for that R200 000.
Pity the bank isn’t named, but the story serves as a strong warning to make sure that your bank sends you SMS notifications about all activity on your account no matter what ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 13 May 2021 09:49:00 +0200 0 0 Bank notification SMS: How to know when it's a scam 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 7:13 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1035436 https://iono.fm/e/1035436
IT’S ILLEGAL!

Wendy also shares:
What your car colour choice tells your insurer about you
Did you know that the colour of your car has an impact on your insurance premium? ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 06 May 2021 10:38:00 +0200 0 0 "Minimum card swipe is a lie", Wendy Knowler explains why 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 7:17 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1031846 https://iono.fm/e/1031846 Forget what you were told at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic - you are actually very, very unlikely to contract the coronavirus from touching surfaces. The US’s Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has this month confirmed what scientists have been saying for many months - the chance of getting the virus from surfaces is around 1 in 10 000 contacts.
So you don’t need to be wiping down your groceries when you get back from the supermarket, and if you’re a school or business you don’t need to spend a fortune on routine professional sanitising or fogging or electrospraying… that’s only necessary if you’ve had a Covid-positive in the past 24 hours.Wash your hands, wear your mask and VENTILATE.. that’s how you slash your chances of getting Covid. So what will it take for the sanitisation industry to stop exploiting consumers’ fears?

Is hailing an Uber costing you extra in bank fees?
Capitec bank is getting a hammering on social media for the international credit card processing fee it introduced last month.
That’s because it doesn’t only apply when you’re shopping overseas - every time a Capitec customer hails an Uber or Bolt, or buys something on iTunes or from Netflix - in fact any purchase from any company they get charged a R3 processing fee.“Definitely not cool, Capitec,” said Ceeces Travel on Twitter. “This is literally for every Uber or Bolt online payment, it’s insane..”
Capitec responded: “This is a fee (R3) charged for international purchases both successful and unsuccessful transactions, whether it was initiated cross-border from outside SA or locally from within SA. “This includes your Bolt and Uber rides and Netflix payments.”

So what are the other banks doing? ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 29 Apr 2021 09:35:00 +0200 0 0 Which industries are exploiting you right now? Wendy Knowler shares this classified information. 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 8:56 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1028515 https://iono.fm/e/1028515 Learn all about this and more on this podcast below: ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 22 Apr 2021 09:45:00 +0200 0 0 Beauty products looking way too high for you? Wendy Knowler advices on this and shares more about car purchases. 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 10:16 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1024793 https://iono.fm/e/1024793 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 15 Apr 2021 07:44:00 +0200 0 0 Buying a bed? Don’t be caught napping, says Wendy Knowler 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 9:20 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1021206 https://iono.fm/e/1021206
Choose the wrong beneficiary or transpose an account number and your money will end up as an unintentional gift in someone’s account.
That someone may well choose not to give it back, and the bank can’t compel them to, leaving lengthy, costly legal action as your only option.

Just last night I got an email from a woman who transferred R60 000 to what she thought was a friend’s Standard Bank account from her FNB account. “Now the recipient is refusing to reverse the funds and the bank cannot help,” she wrote. It’s a story I hear so often.

But Joseph Slater alerted me to another problem area: like many others, he pays his utility account at his local retailer, and in such cases it’s the till operator you rely on to key in the right numbers.

But what if they don’t?

That’s what happened to Joseph nine months ago - his R980 went into the wrong municipal account nine months ago, and he’s and he only got his money back this week - after I took up the case.

For the full story and key advice if you pay your utility at your local supermarket, listen now. ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 08 Apr 2021 02:23:00 +0200 0 0 Paying your utility bill at a supermarket? Best you check the numbers says Wendy Knowler 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 7:19 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1018742 https://iono.fm/e/1018742
In late January, the dealership told her she’d be paid that day.

That never happened. By early March, the dealership verbally offered to pay her back in monthly R25,000 installments, but when Keryn accepted via email and repeatedly asked for an acknowledgment, she was met with silence.

Finally, this week, after she approached Consumerwatch for help, she received a payment of R25,000.

Sound familiar? Take a listen to hear what advice Wendy has to offer. ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 01 Apr 2021 03:48:00 +0200 0 0 Wendy Knowler explains what could go wrong when selling your car on consignment 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 8:20 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1015262 https://iono.fm/e/1015262 If you’ve got electronics - cellphone, laptop - or a generator to sell, it is sure to be snapped up by a buyer on Gumtree or OLX.

The trouble is. many of those supposed buyers are crooks, their aim being to get their hands on your laptop or bicycle.
A few months ago, Roland placed an ad on Gumtree for PC parts and ended up gifting them to a thief. “In hindsight, I now realise all the suspicion markers were there.
But men posed as church members said they needed my pc parts urgently, had someone come around and pick up the goods, sent fake proof of payment routed through some SMS portal, and of course, money never came through.”

In Laché Pretorius’s case, it was a keyboard, which she advertised for sale on Gumtree just last week for R12 000.

As a first-time seller on Gumtree, she missed all the red flags.

To find out what they were, and what Gumtree’s doing to protect its users from fraudsters, and how to spot them when posting something for sale, take a listen... ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 25 Mar 2021 06:14:00 +0200 0 0 How can you tell if that Gumtree buyer is actually a crook? Wendy Knowler has the details 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 5:18 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1012133 https://iono.fm/e/1012133 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 18 Mar 2021 08:21:00 +0200 0 0 The new normal is…there is no normal 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 5:59 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1008685 https://iono.fm/e/1008685 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 11 Mar 2021 04:32:00 +0200 0 0 The big Salt and Vinegar tease 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 5:05 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1005219 https://iono.fm/e/1005219 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 04 Mar 2021 08:50:00 +0200 0 0 Nil by Mouth (except water): Wendy Knowler explains why food on flights is done 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 3:43 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1001755 https://iono.fm/e/1001755 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 25 Feb 2021 08:16:00 +0200 0 0 Wendy Knowler delves into why the cruise industry is sinking 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 3:22 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/1001746 https://iono.fm/e/1001746 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 25 Feb 2021 04:20:00 +0200 0 0 Identity theft is up by a massive 337% and Wendy Knowler explains why 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 3:27 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/998271 https://iono.fm/e/998271 The contract might seem like the best option, but it really isn’t. One individual who reached out to Wendy Knowler shares the tragic story of how her contract has led to her facing legal action. ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 18 Feb 2021 08:57:00 +0200 0 0 Car Payments: Are you keeping track? Wendy Knowler weighs in 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 8:24 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/994712 https://iono.fm/e/994712 For example, she recently received an email from a mom whose daughter has returned to SA from a 10-year-stint in the US. Now she’s battling to get credit because of her lack of credit activity in SA all those years. Take a listen as Wendy shares her advice on this type of situation and tries to dig deeper to help find a possible solution. ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 11 Feb 2021 08:48:00 +0200 0 0 Proudly Durban company, PayJustNow, is here to help you with your credit dilemma! 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 4:58 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/994718 https://iono.fm/e/994718 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 11 Feb 2021 07:53:00 +0200 0 0 Travel operators have made some big changes to their penalty fees! 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 4:44 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/991300 https://iono.fm/e/991300
Jan Van Der Putten, who is Hilton’s Vice President Operations - Africa and the Indian Ocean, told me that it’s a temporary closure and that the hotel will re-open, but that doesn’t help those who’ve made bookings for events in the meantime.

People like Tracy, who booked a Hilton Durban function room for her February 13 wedding for 80 guests, and paid the hotel R28,690.

Take a listen to find out what Wendy has to say about this type of situation and where you should start in an attempt to get your hard-earned cash back. ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 04 Feb 2021 08:12:00 +0200 0 0 Booked your wedding but now the venue is closing? Wendy has some advice to help you out 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 4:02 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/991256 https://iono.fm/e/991256
On this Consumerwatch episode, Wendy Knowler breaks it all down and goes into further detail explaining exactly how, when, where and why these businesses will be shutting their door permanently. ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 04 Feb 2021 03:12:00 +0200 0 0 Wendy Knowler on why bigger local instituitions like Greyhound are having to close 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 4:24 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/987878 https://iono.fm/e/987878
She wrote: "I have had numerous calls from Edgars/RCS agents since last year regarding non-payment on my account. During these calls, I indicated that I wished to close my account after paying the outstanding balance. The procedure, I was told, is for the customer to request a settlement letter which would be emailed. I made several requests telephonically but to date, no email has been sent to me.
Every enquiry is met with the same rehearsed script: “You need to request a settlement letter after which an email will be sent…”
So, many months later, no settlement letter has been sent by Edgars/RCS in spite of continuous efforts on my side and in the meantime, interest and fees on the account are added monthly!
"I have attached some screen grabs from Twitter, in which other customers have voiced similar complaints.
“Something is very wrong, hence I believe this matter is worth investigating.”

Wendy Knowler took up the issue with Regan Adams, CEO of the company RCS, which handles Edgars’ accounts. Listen to the podcast to find out the outcome. ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:33:00 +0200 0 0 Battling to close your Edgars account? Wendy Knowler says you're not alone 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 4:13 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/987844 https://iono.fm/e/987844 Wendy took a long hard look at his last Report - his 30th! - released exactly three months ago - to find the most ridiculously expensive parts (compared with their competitors) and ask one of the manufacturers if they’ve adjusted their out-of-whack prices since the release of the report.
He and his wife Jill usually collect prices - directly from dealerships in the greater Durban area, to simulate the consumer experience - in May/June but last year that was the height of restricted travel and social distancing with many dealerships on light duty. So they delayed the massive job until September.
His approach was slightly different, too - along with personal visits to dealerships, he approached a few manufacturers to supply their retail prices, including VAT – which he then randomly checked at dealerships. ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:23:00 +0200 0 0 Wendy Knowler pays tribute to Durban man who exposed the cost of cars' spare parts 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 5:03 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/984415 https://iono.fm/e/984415 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 21 Jan 2021 09:41:00 +0200 0 0 Skyrocketing ginger prices & special tenant rights 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 10:17 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/972240 https://iono.fm/e/972240
With President Ramapahosa's recent address, resulting in beach closures due to the second wave, you want to cancel your holiday. Can you demand a full refund? Listen to the podcast for Wendy's advice. ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 17 Dec 2020 09:32:00 +0200 0 0 Students' safety compromised and trip cancellations - Wendy Knowler investigates 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 10:04 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/969252 https://iono.fm/e/969252 In today's ECR Consumerwatch, Wendy Knowler gives advice about what to do in a situation like this, as well as what to do if you get a call from your bank’s fraud department. ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 10 Dec 2020 09:29:00 +0200 0 0 Dealership fees & other extras mandatory on your car deal? Nonsense! 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 10:43 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/965640 https://iono.fm/e/965640 Following Keri's story about being slapped with a hefty electricity bill by the Municipality, many other people came forward with their own stories.

Whether it’s a computer glitch, a water leak, or the result of your meter finally being read after months of estimated consumption, getting unexpectedly high water or electricity bill from the municipality is a terrifying experience, especially this year, when so many of us are battling financially.
Listen to the podcast as Consumer Journalist, Wendy Knowler, decided to prioritise the matter by investigating the issue further and offering some solutions. ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 03 Dec 2020 09:10:00 +0200 0 0 Wendy Knowler offers solutions to Keri Miller’s municipal bill issues 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 5:25 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/965662 https://iono.fm/e/965662 Wendy Knowler spoke to Peter Nkhuna, senior assistant ombudsman at the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance and he has some advise.
“Roofs are exposed to natural elements, so they take a hammering, especially in hot, humid areas such as Durban. When you start seeing streak stains on the wall and discolouration on your ceilings, don’t do nothing - get it checked out.”
Listen to the full podcast for solutions. ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 03 Dec 2020 09:06:00 +0200 0 0 It never rains but it pours - best you get your roof checked out! 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 5:28 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/962022 https://iono.fm/e/962022
The bad news, says Wendy Knowler, is that while Kulula planes take to the skies again from December 1 and BA planes from December 9, Comair they’re only taking fresh money during the peak festive season.

Wendy also looks at what’s happened to the Durban - Cape Town route, as Durbanites wanting to fly to Cape Town are not exactly spoilt for choice at the moment - the route is currently very “underserved” by domestic airlines. LISTEN to Wendy Knowler explaining why… ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 26 Nov 2020 09:29:00 +0200 0 0 Paid then, fly later... much later 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 8:14 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/958376 https://iono.fm/e/958376
Meanwhile, with Christmas - the season of all things sparkly just around the corner, it’s a good time for a fresh warning about cake glitter and sparkly glitter balls. Listen to the podcast to get the lowdown. ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 19 Nov 2020 10:00:00 +0200 0 0 Refunds for cancelled trips & a warning about bling cake décor: Wendy Knowler has some advice 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 9:54 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/954771 https://iono.fm/e/954771 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 12 Nov 2020 09:18:00 +0200 0 0 Companies - get your own (throwaways) back! 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 12:25 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/951232 https://iono.fm/e/951232 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 05 Nov 2020 09:19:00 +0200 0 0 Road Accidents - what’s driving them? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 13:53 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/947567 https://iono.fm/e/947567 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 29 Oct 2020 09:45:00 +0200 0 0 About those extra costs on your store account... 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 9:22 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/943885 https://iono.fm/e/943885 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 22 Oct 2020 09:03:00 +0200 0 0 KEEPING SAFE - wise up to credit card fraud via phone & don’t wear a “no point” face mask 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 9:20 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/940244 https://iono.fm/e/940244 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 15 Oct 2020 09:22:00 +0200 0 0 Edgars: this week’s drama for accountholders is an interest-related bill shock 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 12:13 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/936581 https://iono.fm/e/936581 She also investigated what’s up with another iconic brand - Johnson & Johnson - and its current batch of foul-smelling baby wipes. ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 08 Oct 2020 10:06:00 +0200 0 0 New Edgars owners feel the heat + what is up with J&J’s baby wipes? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 10:23 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/929688 https://iono.fm/e/929688 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 24 Sep 2020 09:00:00 +0200 0 0 FlySafair adopts zero tolerance re mask dodgers 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 11:43 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/926030 https://iono.fm/e/926030 With borders set to open soon, and local flying already in full swing, Wendy also gives consumers some flying tips. ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 17 Sep 2020 09:25:00 +0200 0 0 Dos and don'ts when flying & a follow up on the gym debacle 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 8:57 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/922246 https://iono.fm/e/922246 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 10 Sep 2020 10:00:00 +0200 0 0 Drink on this - it wasn’t glass after all 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 9:23 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/918509 https://iono.fm/e/918509 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 03 Sep 2020 09:16:00 +0200 0 0 Social distancing on the plane & gym contract disputes: KZN asks Wendy Knowler 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 11:44 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/914819 https://iono.fm/e/914819 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 27 Aug 2020 09:18:00 +0200 0 0 Non-paying tenant and mounting interest on a debt - Wendy Knowler wades in 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 13:29 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/911071 https://iono.fm/e/911071 Wendy Knowler answered this question and more. ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 20 Aug 2020 09:54:00 +0200 0 0 Can you be charged for early settlement of your loan? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 11:31 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/907479 https://iono.fm/e/907479 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 13 Aug 2020 09:31:00 +0200 0 0 You might be paying decade-old cellphone insurance! Wendy Knowler can help 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 7:38 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/903720 https://iono.fm/e/903720 These are among the issues listeners raised with Wendy Knowler in this week’s Consumerwatch. ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 06 Aug 2020 09:24:00 +0200 0 0 Electricity bills and rental disputes - Wendy Knowler gives her advice 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 10:11 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/900138 https://iono.fm/e/900138
Where does that leave those customers? Our consumer journalist Wendy Knowler shed some light on those scenarios, and others, in this week’s Consumerwatch. ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 30 Jul 2020 09:13:00 +0200 0 0 Companies behaving badly - Wendy Knowler weighs in 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 13:38 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/896456 https://iono.fm/e/896456 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 23 Jul 2020 08:47:00 +0200 0 0 Pricey pineapples, expiring licences and provident funds 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 14:53 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/892669 https://iono.fm/e/892669 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Fri, 17 Jul 2020 08:19:00 +0200 0 0 Why are Clover milk bottles blue all of a sudden? KZN asks Wendy Knowler 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 18:42 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/888584 https://iono.fm/e/888584 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 09 Jul 2020 10:20:00 +0200 0 0 Can a landlord kick you out during lockdown? Wendy Knowler weighs in 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 18:47 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/885125 https://iono.fm/e/885125 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 02 Jul 2020 08:49:00 +0200 0 0 Wendy Knowler investigates business interruption insurance claim rejections 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 22:48 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/881738 https://iono.fm/e/881738 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 25 Jun 2020 10:11:00 +0200 0 0 Consumerwatch: How to avoid a scam when buying or selling online - Part 1 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 3:43 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/881686 https://iono.fm/e/881686 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 25 Jun 2020 09:15:00 +0200 0 0 Consumerwatch: How to avoid a scam when buying or selling online Part 2 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 4:55 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/877895 https://iono.fm/e/877895 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 18 Jun 2020 07:16:00 +0200 0 0 Why are those bags so rubbish? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 14:44 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/874481 https://iono.fm/e/874481 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 11 Jun 2020 09:35:00 +0200 0 0 Online buying and deliveries 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 13:58 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/870729 https://iono.fm/e/870729 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 04 Jun 2020 06:50:00 +0200 0 0 The truth about disinfect tunnels 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 14:19 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/867131 https://iono.fm/e/867131 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 28 May 2020 09:07:00 +0200 0 0 Churches reopening and over sanitizing 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 13:29 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/863659 https://iono.fm/e/863659 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 21 May 2020 07:41:00 +0200 0 0 Returning items during the lockdown period 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 12:22 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/860256 https://iono.fm/e/860256 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 14 May 2020 09:31:00 +0200 0 0 Shopping for specific items in lockdown explained 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 15:35 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/856575 https://iono.fm/e/856575 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 07 May 2020 10:01:00 +0200 0 0 Clothing, fees, and selling and buying cars 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 22:05 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/853314 https://iono.fm/e/853314 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 30 Apr 2020 09:39:00 +0200 0 0 "Can I move on Friday?" 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 13:48 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/850138 https://iono.fm/e/850138 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 23 Apr 2020 09:31:00 +0200 0 0 Pay now, enjoy later 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 9:21 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/846352 https://iono.fm/e/846352 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 16 Apr 2020 10:11:00 +0200 0 0 What if your warranty expires during lockdown? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 19:13 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/843466 https://iono.fm/e/843466 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 09 Apr 2020 09:35:00 +0200 0 0 Paying your bills, but there's no income 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 21:24 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/839853 https://iono.fm/e/839853 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Wed, 01 Apr 2020 18:43:00 +0200 0 0 Coronavirus: Essential services during the lockdown 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 6:39 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/826377 https://iono.fm/e/826377 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 05 Mar 2020 10:07:00 +0200 0 0 COVID-19 - are you covered if you want to cancel your overseas trip? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 9:10 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/819913 https://iono.fm/e/819913 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 20 Feb 2020 08:53:00 +0200 0 0 How prepared are you for when the lights come back on? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 6:56 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/815376 https://iono.fm/e/815376 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 13 Feb 2020 09:29:00 +0200 0 0 What if your Valentine's Day flowers are delivered late? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 4:13 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/812199 https://iono.fm/e/812199 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 06 Feb 2020 09:24:00 +0200 0 0 Cracked TV: Who is responsible? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 6:07 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/808827 https://iono.fm/e/808827 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 30 Jan 2020 09:25:00 +0200 0 0 What to do with an excessive municipal bill? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 9:02 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/805506 https://iono.fm/e/805506 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 23 Jan 2020 09:20:00 +0200 0 0 How dare you? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 10:47 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/800246 https://iono.fm/e/800246 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 09 Jan 2020 09:49:00 +0200 0 0 Return of the original Rice Krispies 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 7:08 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/793467 https://iono.fm/e/793467 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 19 Dec 2019 13:23:00 +0200 0 0 Got a garnishee? You’ve been overpaying, says Wendy 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 9:36 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/791034 https://iono.fm/e/791034 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 12 Dec 2019 09:22:00 +0200 0 0 Credit Card agreements during the festive season 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 10:07 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/787804 https://iono.fm/e/787804 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 05 Dec 2019 09:11:00 +0200 0 0 How big was that saving really? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 8:29 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/784430 https://iono.fm/e/784430 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 28 Nov 2019 10:21:00 +0200 0 0 Surviving Black Friday 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 8:55 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/779526 https://iono.fm/e/779526 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 21 Nov 2019 09:14:00 +0200 0 0 There’s a body in the passage 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 7:17 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/775851 https://iono.fm/e/775851 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 14 Nov 2019 08:40:00 +0200 0 0 If the cap doesn’t fit, you have no right of return at all 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 7:03 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/769474 https://iono.fm/e/769474 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 07 Nov 2019 09:05:00 +0200 0 0 No more free ride for your golf clubs on SAA 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 6:19 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/762113 https://iono.fm/e/762113 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Fri, 25 Oct 2019 09:17:00 +0200 0 0 Wendy Knowler on Vodacom data scam WhatsApp alert 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 2:16 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/761641 https://iono.fm/e/761641 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 24 Oct 2019 11:21:00 +0200 0 0 Want to whinge about a company on social media? Here’s what not to do 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 6:17 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/759238 https://iono.fm/e/759238 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 17 Oct 2019 12:58:00 +0200 0 0 What if you don't get your visa? Wendy Knowler investigates 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 6:49 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/755618 https://iono.fm/e/755618 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 10 Oct 2019 09:36:00 +0200 0 0 Watch out: no service, no warranty 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 8:34 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/752858 https://iono.fm/e/752858 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 03 Oct 2019 12:06:00 +0200 0 0 Wendy looks at Vodacom cell contracts + shares two personal bugbears 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 6:19 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/747420 https://iono.fm/e/747420 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 19 Sep 2019 10:30:00 +0200 0 0 You have no legal right to return clothes that don’t fit you 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 6:50 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/747528 https://iono.fm/e/747528 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 12 Sep 2019 12:40:00 +0200 0 0 Finger Trouble at Woolies + Social Media advice for businesses 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 4:48 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/741290 https://iono.fm/e/741290 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 05 Sep 2019 10:17:00 +0200 0 0 Are you on shaky ground with your house insurance? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 7:08 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/738353 https://iono.fm/e/738353 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 29 Aug 2019 10:40:00 +0200 0 0 Spare a thought when buying a car 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 5:23 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/735421 https://iono.fm/e/735421 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 22 Aug 2019 12:11:00 +0200 0 0 Update edition: gift vouchers and insurance claims for flood damaged walls 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 7:19 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/732171 https://iono.fm/e/732171 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 15 Aug 2019 09:30:00 +0200 0 0 Flood damage? You could well be on your own 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 11:21 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/729405 https://iono.fm/e/729405 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 08 Aug 2019 11:45:00 +0200 0 0 A business closed, but what happens to your vouchers? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 6:17 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/726461 https://iono.fm/e/726461 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 01 Aug 2019 11:16:00 +0200 0 0 Is it still stealing if you didn’t mean to? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 10:05 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/722832 https://iono.fm/e/722832 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 25 Jul 2019 10:27:00 +0200 0 0 So you've said no to the straw. Now what? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 6:07 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/716959 https://iono.fm/e/716959 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 11 Jul 2019 09:33:00 +0200 0 0 A Drone Moan 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 10:07 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/713572 https://iono.fm/e/713572 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 04 Jul 2019 09:23:00 +0200 0 0 High Court outlaws banks’ controversial money grabbing 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 13:16 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/710859 https://iono.fm/e/710859 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 27 Jun 2019 09:00:00 +0200 0 0 Scam Tenders - a cautionary tale 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 11:15 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/701828 https://iono.fm/e/701828 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 20 Jun 2019 09:44:00 +0200 0 0 How costly are your car’s parts? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 11:27 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/699530 https://iono.fm/e/699530 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 13 Jun 2019 09:37:00 +0200 0 0 Flooded then flogged as flawless 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 10:27 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/696736 https://iono.fm/e/696736 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 06 Jun 2019 08:13:00 +0200 0 0 Do you know your three green R’s? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 7:36 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/694113 https://iono.fm/e/694113 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 30 May 2019 09:38:00 +0200 0 0 How safe is your child strapped into a car seat in the back? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 14:05 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/691436 https://iono.fm/e/691436 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 23 May 2019 08:58:00 +0200 0 0 Holiday cancellations last minute, should you get your refund? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 6:32 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/688843 https://iono.fm/e/688843 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 16 May 2019 09:00:00 +0200 0 0 You break it, your waiter pays for it 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 10:28 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/685905 https://iono.fm/e/685905 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 09 May 2019 09:46:00 +0200 0 0 Forget phishing; 'vishing' is the new bank fraud threat 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 6:22 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/683425 https://iono.fm/e/683425 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 02 May 2019 09:54:00 +0200 0 0 Ombud warns consumers about 5 online retailers 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 10:17 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/680829 https://iono.fm/e/680829 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 25 Apr 2019 10:50:00 +0200 0 0 If things fall apart - are you covered? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 9:16 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/678093 https://iono.fm/e/678093 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 18 Apr 2019 09:22:00 +0200 0 0 What’s your data privacy worth to you? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 7:55 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/675744 https://iono.fm/e/675744 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 11 Apr 2019 11:41:00 +0200 0 0 On-the-road fees - what are they costing you? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 6:36 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/665528 https://iono.fm/e/665528 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 14 Mar 2019 09:34:00 +0200 0 0 World Consumer Rights Day - Do we have cause for celebration in SA? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 9:24 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/663026 https://iono.fm/e/663026 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 07 Mar 2019 09:56:00 +0200 0 0 Extended warranty - sign up or lose out 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 7:23 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/660604 https://iono.fm/e/660604 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 28 Feb 2019 11:31:00 +0200 0 0 The new cellphone data regulations in a nutshell 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 7:43 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/657715 https://iono.fm/e/657715 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 21 Feb 2019 09:53:00 +0200 0 0 Yay or nay to eating food past its best before date? 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 7:00 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/655107 https://iono.fm/e/655107 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 14 Feb 2019 09:11:00 +0200 0 0 Sold your house for a bomb 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 9:17 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/652583 https://iono.fm/e/652583 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 07 Feb 2019 12:00:00 +0200 0 0 You call it forgetfulness; they call it theft 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 9:36 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/649739 https://iono.fm/e/649739 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 31 Jan 2019 09:41:00 +0200 0 0 Cheep Trick: Local supermarket fakes expiry date on fresh chickens 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 6:51 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/647255 https://iono.fm/e/647255 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 24 Jan 2019 10:04:00 +0200 0 0 Love me, love my privacy 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 8:11 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/636410 https://iono.fm/e/636410 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 13 Dec 2018 10:34:00 +0200 0 0 Wow service! Now for the fun stuff on Consumerwatch 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 10:30 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/634063 https://iono.fm/e/634063 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 06 Dec 2018 15:46:00 +0200 0 0 That “free” thing will cost you lots 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 6:56 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/631440 https://iono.fm/e/631440 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 29 Nov 2018 13:22:00 +0200 0 0 Open lines on ECR Consumerwatch 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 10:28 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/628697 https://iono.fm/e/628697 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 22 Nov 2018 08:34:00 +0200 0 0 How to make Black Friday work for you 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 11:03 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/626030 https://iono.fm/e/626030 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 15 Nov 2018 11:49:00 +0200 0 0 Salmonella cases in KZN: update 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 8:29 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/623421 https://iono.fm/e/623421 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 08 Nov 2018 15:31:00 +0200 0 0 Forget what the car ads say - the truth is in the crash test 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 10:43 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/620575 https://iono.fm/e/620575 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 01 Nov 2018 08:24:00 +0200 0 0 Flight delays: How South African airlines compare 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 11:07 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/618662 https://iono.fm/e/618662 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 25 Oct 2018 12:13:00 +0200 0 0 Laying down the lay-by law 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 6:38 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/615607 https://iono.fm/e/615607 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 18 Oct 2018 09:30:00 +0200 0 0 The contract that won’t let you go 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 8:34 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/613069 https://iono.fm/e/613069 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 11 Oct 2018 11:33:00 +0200 0 0 South Africa’s listeriosis story - the plot thickens 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 7:09 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/610528 https://iono.fm/e/610528 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 04 Oct 2018 08:40:00 +0200 0 0 Orange bags: Best you buy your own 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 6:37 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/607752 https://iono.fm/e/607752 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 27 Sep 2018 09:55:00 +0200 0 0 Adding fuel to the fake fire - Part 2 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 0:13 ECR Consumerwatch https://iono.fm/e/607751 https://iono.fm/e/607751 ECR Consumerwatch]]> Leisure Thu, 27 Sep 2018 09:51:00 +0200 0 0 Adding fuel to the fake fire - Part 1 0 0 Wendy Knowler full 0:09 ECR Consumerwatch