Consumer activism in SA

[rpm]

Hi Stoke

I only read your previous posting regarding MyADSL’s success now. Excellent summary of why the site works! I tried to say exactly what you did already

Regards,

RPM

 

[kb]

At this stage I see the need for two tiers of consumer activism efforts.

Generalized quick fix forum - i.e. hellopeter
Strategically focused forum - i.e MyADSL

The two rather than competing are complimentary. The generalized quick fix forum would be the entry point for the consumer. On the strategic forum I don't believe they should be set up for the sake of having an industry specific forum.

One should only set up this type of forum in response to a bigger picture issue where long term change is the only solution. MyADSL and poor, overpriced telecoms services is a perfect example.

The first tier would focus on individual consumer complaints. Some level of analysis on the complaints received here should be done to establish any long term trend. This would identify the need to establish a more strategic forum.

Stoke and others have pretty much identified the important criteria required to make this type of forum a success. It would then be up to experts and other interested parties in the particular industry to set up and run the forum much as rpm and other excellent people have done for MyADSL.

What I would like to see is active promotion of the strategic forums on the generalized complaints type forum. Active analysis of the trends to identify the bigger picture issues. Attempt to set up specific forums in response to the established trends.

Does this make sense?

 

[Gooku]

Monopoly & cartel tends to treat its customers more like "hostages"

Consumer activism is our last resort as a measure of "self-defence" against unreasonable profiteering

and the predicament of "toothless Watchdog" and the lack of antitrust regulations.

 

[RealXchange]

Consumer Choices

Greetings all.

Talking specifically about broadband offerings and consumer choice, does anyone remember the days when small private businesses were trying to set up wireless internet within small suburbs. I had someone climbing up a ladder to see if the top of a building I could see in the distance (and swore was their transmitter tower) was in fact what I claimed. The guy and his partner (who apparently were trying to deliver a professional service) told me they would drive off in the direction of that block of flats and would let me know if my hopes were to be dashed or not. They were obviously too busy and didnt come back to me....and I had to wait for Telkom to launch ADSL. The issue behind consumer choice, especially around broadband offerings, is that although today there are now more players in the market, thus giving consumers the freedom to choose alternatives, I still believe we arent at the point where the competition to Telkom is as good as Telkom, unfortunately. We see new players like iBurst and sad stories like Sentech. The question then is, how can consumers use their power of choice when the choices are made difficult by competitors who havent yet got down the road of service delivery. When they do, there wont be a need for a central comsumer voice. We will simply sign up with someone else....which is always the loudest consumer voice of all.



just my two cents worth.

Dean
www.realxchange.co.za/resellerplan.html

 

[Gooku]

It take 2 days to send money from SA to Switzerland.


Why does it also take 2 days to send money from ABSA to Standard bank? (often in the same building or even right next door)


Banks are holding our money hostage for 2 days to force comsumers opening accounts in all banks.


SAbanks must respect consumer rights .and get their acts together.


Can the regulators please look into this ?