Consumer Fair Online is brought to you monthly by the National Consumer Forum, publishers of Consumer Fair newspaper.
In this Edition:
LOCAL
Raise standard of business support to help SA recover
The recession may officially be over but, with another million citizens unemployed, South Africa needs to get better at helping people start and run small businesses, according to the National Consumer Forum.
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NCF slams idea of extra TV ‘tax’
Taking up to 1% of our taxes instead of a television license is yet another trick to extract more from consumers’ pockets without having to work for it, according to the National Consumer Forum.
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GLOBAL
EU consumers say they are willing to pay more to ensure workers are paid fairly
International consumer rights federation Consumers International reports back on its survey to find out just what consumers in Europe have to say about socially responsible procurement by supermarkets.
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Australia struggles to develop website to compare supermarket prices online
The Australian consumer group Choice is thinking of going it alone to develop a website where consumers can compare prices at different supermarkets – after the government backed down on its promise to develop the website itself; government said earlier this year that the task was impossible, but Choice accuses the supermarkets of being deliberately obstructive.
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CONSUMER TIPS
5 tips for surviving the credit crunch
The National Credit Regulator (NCR) controls the banks and other lenders, using the National Credit Act to prevent consumer abuse. But there are things that you should be doing on your own to manage your debt in the economic downturn.
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Don’t get caught by card skimmers
The ‘skimming’ of credit and debit cards by fraudsters is nothing new, but the problem is not going away. Read this article to understand what it’s all about, and to avoid becoming a victim.
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USEFUL RESOURCE
What does a ‘free’ cellphone REALLY cost?
Everyone knows a free cellphone is not really free, but it has always seemed impossible to figure out what you are really paying. Until now, that is. A new guide to cellular phones and contracts promises to guide consumers through the traps and tricks of the industry. “How to Buy a Cellphone in South Africa”, by Arthur Goldstuck and Steven Ambrose, was released this month by Double Storey.
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NCF news
The NCF is also invited by radio and television stations, as well as print media, to comment on consumer-related issues. Here are some recent broadcasts or articles you can download:
The NCF is an independent non-governmental organisation working for a consumer-friendly South Africa – where the rights of consumers are respected and enforced. To become a member of the NCF, click here. For more information, visit www.ncf.org.za.
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© National Consumer Forum 2009