CONSUMER FORUM

Hike hurts seniors

WE would like to add our complaints to that of Michael Stevenson (Sunday Snarl, March 23) on the hike of monthly rates imposed by DStv.

As senior citizens, my husband and I enjoy TV and like to watch all the sport, series, and so forth. But the price of enjoying it is becoming somewhat of an issue these days as the cost of living soars. And DStv is now offering such rubbish and repeats. We are considering doing without it again. — John & Arline Elliott, Somerset West

We don’t need them

WE are better off without #Martinengo et al on the #DStv #F1 broadcasts. But rather take the host broadcaster in toto. — Rob Charlton @zeddarcee, on Twitter

Guarantee query

I BOUGHT a Russell Hobbs multipurpose stick blender at Boardmans in Canal Walk in September 2013 and returned it in February 2014 because it was not working.

It was sent in for repairs and I was subsequently called and asked to collect a replacement one because mine could not be fixed. However, when I collected it, I was not given a new slip. Apparently the “guarantee continues from the original purchase date”.

Is this legal? — Lauren Cohen, by email

Power Report: Yes, it is permitted under the Consumer Protection Act when defective items are repaired or replaced.

MTN’s empty boast

I WRITE to register my disgust with the open letter to Cell C from MTN (March 16) claiming all the glory for customer care.

I am not defending Cell C. I have been with MTN for more than 16 years. I stay in Pimville, Zone 6, Soweto. We hardly receive a full signal from MTN in my area. My neighbour switched to Vodacom. My friend, a businesswoman in Maponya Mall, can hardly receive calls on her MTN mobile — and it is a business line.

I phoned the call centre and the response was that the MTN tower is in Devland, next to the Golden Highway, and there is nothing wrong with it.

MTN’s “Everywhere you go” slogan does not apply in Pimville. — Mbulelo Ketye, by e-mail

‘Use-by’ cover-up

I BOUGHT a pack of chilled macaroni cheese at Checkers in Kloof Nek marked down to R16. It did not look too good when opened, so I looked for the use-by date without success. I found it had been covered by the reduced-price sticker and was two days past the use-by date. Surely this is illegal and unethical? — Malcolm McGregor, by e-mail