What makes a pack of mince “extra lean”?
What makes a pack of mince “extra lean”? Find out in the latest Consumer Hacks with Wendy Knowler.
Who decides whether a pack of mince is lean or extra lean? Is it the butcher’s random decision or do they have to comply with regulations? It’s the latter - SA’s food labeling regulations require lean minced meat to have less than 10% total fat. And if it’s labeled extra lean, it must have less than 5% total fat content.
2. Are you still paying fees on ancient, dormant fuel cards?
If you once had a fuel card or an “extra” credit card that you haven't used for years, but never actually cancelled, chances are that you are unwittingly still paying service fees on that card. In the case of Standard Bank’s Garage Card, the line on your credit card statement will just be “service fee”, meaning you won’t realise which card it relates to. So interrogate that - you may be in line for a saving - and a refund!3. Don’t assume all online retailers play by the rules
Don’t assume all online retailers play by the rules Because many
of them don’t. The big advantage of buying online is that you get to change your mind, send it
back and get your money back. Yes, thanks to the Electronic Communications and
Transactions Act, you have a 7-day cooling-off period to inform them that
you want to cancel. You have to pay to send it back, but the retailer is legally obliged to refund
you in full. So check out online retailers’ Ts and Cs and if they intend to
charge you some kind of handling or admin fee, AVOID!
4. Social media drama
Can a company refuse to deliver what you’ve paid them for unless you remove a negative social media post? Absolutely not. Those are just bullying tactics. If what you post on a public platform is true and in the public interest, it’s not defamatory. Report them to the Ombudsman for Consumer Goods and Services.
5. It was their mistake - they should pay for it
Can you force a retailer to sell you something at a price they claim was a mistake? No, not if it’s what the Consumer Protection Act terms an “obvious error”. They must remove the wrong listing immediately, but if you’ve paid online, they get to cancel and refund you.
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Contact Wendy Knowler:
Get in touch with Wendy via her website or her Facebook page. Please note that Wendy is not able to personally respond to every email she receives. If she is able to take up your case, she will contact you directly. Here are other avenues for you to consider.