BEST & WORST

KUDOS TO SOME HARDWORKING KIWIS – AND WHAT MAKES KEV SHUDDER

Who do I think most deserves a bouquet for consumer focus in 2017?

My bouquet would go to the hard-working entrepreneurs who run our fabulous restaurants and cafés. I’m talking the real good ones, of course. Can there be a more competitive industry in New Zealand? Great eating places are everywhere. And it’s not that these entrepreneurs make a fortune. It’s all about passion and talent. What I particularly like about New Zealand restaurants and cafés is their dedication to fresh, local food – and I love the way the bloke from up the road supplies one of my local restaurants with his perfect, homegrown parsley. And don’t our top-line waiting staff do casual to perfection? Not casual “I don’t care” – but casual “You’re here to enjoy yourself. Let’s make that happen.”

Looking back over the past year, what consumer issue has irritated you the most? I’ve mentioned this before

– the cost of ink cartridges. These companies must have such astronomical volume of sales worldwide, they could sell their cartridges for a dollar and still make heaps. But no, I pay around $36. Every time I pay out, I shudder. Yes, I know, it’s cheaper to buy online. And there are the refill deals if you’re prepared to be constantly informed you’re not using the real deal and your warrantee may be compromised. But the fact is, I usually run out of ink in the middle of a work assignment. I need ink immediately – and at the nearest shop. So I’m disorganised. But $36 for a cartridge of ink is still ludicrous. The second most irritating is being asked to pay to select a seat on a plane.