East Coast Radio - Catch Up ECR Consumerwatch

ECR Consumerwatch

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.
Weekly English South Africa Leisure · Business
239 Episodes
64 – 84

Non-paying tenant and mounting interest on a debt - Wendy Knowler wades in

Banks are morally required to be sympathetic towards vulnerable customers which are; financially illiterate, old or sick. But what happens when you are unemployed because of COVID-19 and even though you are paying a small fee, your bank charges you more interest than you can afford? Wendy Knowler has all…
27 Aug 2020 13 min

Can you be charged for early settlement of your loan?

The scathing truth is that although we are advised to pay off our debt earlier than our agreement with our lender, some of us will incur penalties for settling our debt early, which forces us to maintain a substantial debt. But is this legal? Wendy Knowler answered this question and…
20 Aug 2020 11 min

You might be paying decade-old cellphone insurance! Wendy Knowler can help

This week Wendy Knowler took the opportunity to cover some of the most asked questions she received on social media. Many consumers are unaware that they are paying insurance on cellphones they haven't used in a decade, fly-by-night companies are scamming innocent lay-bye customers and what is the policy on…
13 Aug 2020 7 min

Electricity bills and rental disputes - Wendy Knowler gives her advice

Can the municipality demand full immediate payment for electricity usage they neglected to bill for during the previous two years? Can landlords and rental agents insist on a two-month notice period, and when are landlords entitled to withhold deposits? These are among the issues listeners raised with Wendy Knowler in…
6 Aug 2020 10 min

Companies behaving badly - Wendy Knowler weighs in

Gyms that are still debiting members’ bank accounts while gyms remain closed during lockdown; a cruise company refuses to refund a family for their cruise which the company was forced to cancel because of Covid-19, and instead has unilaterally re-booked them on a specific cruise next year; the multi-branch paving…
30 Jul 2020 13 min

Pricey pineapples, expiring licences and provident funds

With the many financial changes that have been brought about by the Coronavirus pandemic, employees have had their eyes opened to the corruption that their employers have been involved in. Wendy Knowler sheds light on the topic - as well as on other questions asked by you.
23 Jul 2020 14 min

Can a landlord kick you out during lockdown? Wendy Knowler weighs in

This week on ECR Consumerwatch we gave you the opportunity to ask Wendy Knowler any consumer questions you may have. As the expert, she gives advice on landlord and tenant disputes; the no-return and no-refund policy as a result of COVID-19, and many other related issues.
9 Jul 2020 18 min

Why are those bags so rubbish?

How is it that Durban homeowners are being saddled with black refuse bags which are poor quality to the point of ripping and/or the wrong size? Wendy Knowler tried to find out.
18 Jun 2020 14 min

The truth about disinfect tunnels

Tunnel vision - disinfectant tunnels continue to be erected in transport hubs, schools and residential estates, despite growing warnings - from very high places - that they are ineffective and unsafe.
4 Jun 2020 14 min

Clothing, fees, and selling and buying cars

So you can buy winter clothing now, but you can’t try anything on first - is that legal? Your daughter’s ballet teacher is demanding full payment of her fees, 40 days into lockdown - what are your rights? When will you be able to buy or sell a car again?
7 May 2020 22 min

"Can I move on Friday?"

Friday is the 1st of the month, traditional moving day, May 1 is also Worker’s Day, marked this year by milions of workers being unable to work, and, of course it’s the day we move from level 5 lockdown to level 4.
30 Apr 2020 13 min

Pay now, enjoy later

Missing your local restaurant, pub or neighbourhood business and wondering how if they going to survive lockdown? There’s a way to help, says Wendy Knowler
23 Apr 2020 9 min
64 – 84