CONSUMER FORUM

Bank’s web redesign is killing even more trees

FURTHER to your “Sunday Snarl” of December 14 2014: Standard Bank’s new internet site has also changed the format for printing statements. The heading section has gone from about 8cm to about 16cm, resulting in the first page accommodating only seven lines of transactions. Statements printed from the old site could accommodate well over 20 lines of transactions. The change means that just about every customer will now use an extra page every time they print out statements. How many more trees is Standard Bank cutting down? — Mike

Tait, by e-mail

Apologise to me, DStv

I USED to pay my DStv subscription annually in advance. When the renewal date came up, the reminder was sent to my TV, not to me. I seldom watch TV (my kids watch more than I), so they cut me off without contacting me. I have complained to MultiChoice about this, but it can see nothing wrong with what it did. The company is an unpleasant monopoly that clearly doesn’t care about its customers. On principle I will not reconnect until it apologises and gives me a credit. — Terence Matzdorff, Cape Town MultiChoice responds: We have contacted Mr Matzdorff and are looking into the matter further. We will be in touch with him once the internal inquiry has been concluded. THE two columns of complaints about DStv on December 21 is an example of why I get irritated about the limp-wristed middle class. Continuous complaints about DStv’s high premiums, repeats, et cetera, when customers have simple alternatives — cancel subscriptions or shut up — are typical. They’re aware of the terms and conditions, but they religiously renew their subscriptions every month. We don’t have DStv, and from the time I’ve spent with friends who have the full package, I’ve struggled to find something that holds my attention. DStv customers need to get out, see the world, read a book, join a club, work in the garden, become involved in any activity, rather than subjecting columns such as yours to endless, pointless whining. DStv subscribers don’t get involved in the major events happening in our communities; they are selfishly engrossed in the box and complaining about the service. — Thomas Johnson, Cape Town IT is so disappointing to see that, once again, the public has to contend with higher prices for lower weight. A bar of soap has gone from 200g to 180g, oil from five litres to four. And the same with chocolates. A Cadbury slab went from 180g to 150g but still costs R19.99. The packaging has remained the same. At this time of the year people don’t really check weight and it’s the ideal time

to dupe the public. — A

Nanabhai, by e-mail Cadbury manufacturer Mondelez SA responds: When faced with significant price increases on all ingredients, you are faced with three options: increase the price; change the recipe (use flavouring instead of real cocoa, use dairy substitutes and so on); or reduce the size of the product to hit an affordable price point. We did not go with option one because affordability is key to South African consumers and it would have meant a significant price increase. Option two would have changed the age-old recipe that Cadbury consumers love. The decision was therefore to resize, with the same quality ingredients we have always used.

Getting less for more

Carp -- and don’t pay