Consumer Protection Act signed into law

So everything now comes with at least a six month guarantee (section 25). Cool. I think I'm going to like this act. And it doesn't seem as badly written as most of the garbage the government has spat out over the past few years; not many loopholes.

Edit: No more Sony shop riots. (Bait marketing regulated in S 36.)
I don't think SAA (and Highveld Stereo?) are going to like S 40.
And timeshare sellers aren't going to like S 42.
And importers of Chinese crap (and Monochoice) are going to hate S 60 and 61.
Ahhh, S 68 is the one that's got suppliers ***ing themselves. The first case in terms of that section should be entertaining.

Yip, this act should prove interesting.
 
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So, If i'm unhappy with a service provided, eg: Neotel, and the many disconnects gets me all irked, I can cancel on the basis that the quality of their product and service is not what they advertised or promised, and not pay the device fee for the remainder of the contract ??
 
Well it is about time that an act such as this comes to life. To think how many people are duped in to a 12 or 24 month contract and get ***tty service because the company believes you to be contractually obligated to stick to it and that they then can abuse your consumer rights as they please b cause no matter what they force you to pay by means of all sorts of threats and and and.

Well hopefully this changes service delivery to new hights so that companies can actually start to work for their money and stop bull****ting people.

Uhmmmmmm ya

What impact will the bill have on the business industry?

Consumers will have the right to hold the manufacturer, or even the supplier who gave the flawed material to the manufacturer liable for their actions, where they previously only had the right to hold the seller of a value add product responsible. This may make suppliers, manufacturers and sellers re-evaluate the way they do business and the level of quality they are willing to accept.

The bill will also apply to every business transaction in SA, ranging from the supply of goods or services to even advertisements. This may have an enormous impact on the cost of goods and the way a business will supply its goods. Businesses may have to make provision for this in their supply costs. To cover overheads, businesses might transfer these cost to the consumer throughout the whole value chain.

In certain instances, the bill will also have retrospective application and may apply to agreements entered into before the Bill is disseminated.

How will the bill benefit the consumer?

Consumers will have more rights available than ever before and will be able to hold companies accountable for their unfair actions and quality management. Even though businesses may shift the overall cost to the consumer, consumers will be getting better quality goods and services. Consumer rights will include equality in the consumer market; privacy; consumer choice; disclosure of information; fair and responsible marketing; honest dealing and fair agreements; fair value, good quality and safety; and the right of the consumer to hold the supplier accountable for its actions.

The overall aim of the bill is to establish a sustainable market by prohibiting unfair practices. No longer will consumers not have a say, but suppliers will have to listen and take accountability in the cacophony of unfair practises.

Direction of the Bill

The bill has been voted in on the 23 of September 2008 and is now in wait for the president to sign it off and have it enacted. After enactment a National Consumer Commission is to be created to protect the consumer and to ensure that consistent enforcement measures are adopted. Consumer protection groups will have the duty to educate the public, conduct research, promote consumer interest, promote alternate dispute resolutions and participate in national and international activities for the protection of the consumer. The National Consumer Commission will be empowered to investigate complaints by the public, issue compliance notices and refer matters to the Tribunal or to alternative dispute resolution forums.

Certain amendments have been made where certain institutions such as credit providers are excluded from this act as they are governed by the NCA, which already protects consumers significantly. Businesses and consumers must keep in mind that where two acts come into play and where the industry will be governed by both, the most weight will be given to the act protecting the consumer the most.
 
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Hmmmm.

So, I can form a group called "Potholes Hurt" that does nothing else but obtain refunds from municipalities to members of those municipalities for the failure by the municipality to fix potholes. Interesting.

I wonder if the "unfair practices by unscrupulous businesses" line can be stretched far enough so that I can demand that the government stop charging me money for improvements that I make to land that I own, which is, beyond any doubt, the most unfair practice I have ever seen. If they want to tax the land, then fine, tax it, but, the buildings on the land does not belong to government and government had absolutely nothing to do with them.

This is going to be fun, because, as we all know, we are mostly being ripped off by the government. Government makes "unscrupulous businesses" look a bunch of kids.
 
Fantastic!!! Does this mean we can chop and change our cell contracts at will now with out incuring penalities!?

Where can one find the bill?
 
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where can i download this act? could i please have a link
 
Ohhh - this will be fun - wonder if it'll actually work. So sick of MTNs lack of delivery - maybe this will give me a way out of the last three months - going to ask a lawyer friend first thing on Monday.
 
So can we all return our HDPVR decoders to Multichoice ?
 
hmm... i like... so if i don't like that eskom have been giving me less than good power i can refuse to pay them??

Same with the Municipality...
 
It is another eyeblind and will be run by the same people that can be bribed with a free cellphone. There is only one organisation in SA that nails people for not delivering and that is who?

SOUTH AFRICAN REVENUE SERVICES (SARS)!!

Still can't find it.
 
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Trust that somebody who actually cares at Neotel (if that's possible) will study this act real well. With all the frequent data disconnects, erratic appalling data response times and useless "[email protected]" facility Neotel may just get some surprises not planned for.
 
xrapidx said:
From The Citizen, it looks like it could take 2yrs to implement :(
Click to expand...

Yip, Not going to be happening anytime soon, but it is definatly on the way!

SMS aubscription serivice on ETV, R10/day (R300/month) someones getting ripped off!!!
 
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