Consumer Affairs – Glenda Thompson

If more than one price is displayed:

A reader recently sent in a mail regarding pricing: “I had two scenarios, one in Ballito (big chain store) and a small store in Stanger, where the price that was advertised was different from the price charged. Luckily I was vigilant and brought this to the attention of the cashier. In both instances, they were oblivious.”

The Consumer Act (Section 23 (6)) clearly states that if two prices are displayed or advertised, a supplier cannot ask a consumer to pay the higher of the two prices on display. You can insist on paying the lower of the displayed prices. If this does not bring about the desired result, you can report the matter to the Consumer Commission.

Tourist upgrades:

Tourism is what brings cash into the local coffers and if we don’t get tourists coming through, business in general in and around the North Coast will suffer – and so will we.

It was great to see the Enterprise ILembe team at the recent Durban Travel Indaba. Cheryl Peters, who was in charge of the stand, was particularly up-beat about the number of enquiries that she had had from potential foreign investors, all keen on finding out more about the area. Our beaches and the the airport are obvious draw cards.

So, it stands to reason that our tourist facilities should be pristine. The beach is the main attraction and we want people to enjoy their beach experience with us so they come back for more. If the beaches are full of rubbish and the general state of the car parks and toilets is not maintained, then we are going to lose tourists.

Is there funding in the municipal coffers for general beach upgrades? Apparently not. A reader tells me about a meeting he attended (that was very poorly advertised) for Ballito ward 6 residents.

The meeting was held to discuss the 2016/17 KwaDukuza municipality annual budget. Two members of the public attended the meeting – and there were 40 KDM officials and councillors present. According to the report, an insignificant amount of money has been allocated to road maintenance, a portion to the skate board park and the majority to salaries, but absolutely nothing is to go towards maintaining the very popular Ballito Boardwalk, the toilets and the beach generally.

If meetings of this magnitude are to be held in future, the municipal officials need to send out an SMS to all residents to inform them – surely?

As consumers and residents in Ballito, we need to have every scrap of information about what is going on in our little town. We need to agree on where our money is being allocated.

Do you have consumer related issues? Drop me a mail on gjthomo@gmail.com.

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