Consumer Protection Bill

Well I'm supportive of business's objection to the strict liability clauses regarding damages caused by goods, if that is where it ends.

As far as the rest of it goes, it is long overdue in this country.

/OPINION
For far to long the consumer has been treated by *many* business's with a degree of contempt beyond comprehension.
 
The Life Offices Association, South African Insurance Association and Linked Investment Services Providers Association all pleaded for the exclusion of the financial services sector from the ambit of the bill, saying consumer protection was already covered in a raft of sectoral legislation.
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Typical!

Trade and industry deputy director-general Zodwa Ntuli insisted, however, that the department was unwilling to grant up-front exemptions from the bill, but said they could be granted after investigations.
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Methinks Zodwa is way ahead of them and will probably motion for the changes to be removed from the "raft of sectoral legislation" mentioned above.

*applause*

Now ... when does the education of the consumer regarding their newfangled rights begin?

Do we finally get rid of the till slip as a proof of guarantee?

Can I sue my bank for charging me R35 for an electronic transaction yet?
 
I think this will give much more balance to the relationship between retailer and consumer. There might be detail that needs to be reviewed but the principle is good. And it is the retailers that brought this on them selves to a certain degree. Huge profits and no effort to self regulate.

And I agree with kb's opinion.
 
I hope it covers protection for the elderly from being preyed on by unscrupulous call centres.

This is long overdue in this country.
 
have been at the public hearing in parliament on this for the last two days. the portfolio committee are most definitely hell-bent on getting this through and i doubt there will be terribly much change to the current draft

this thing is huge and very scary (for most lawyers anway) because it changes the rules of the game dramatically. agree with kb - for the most part bring it on.
 
Some of the provisions will just drive the prices up another notch or two. I read in another article about the 'change of mind' period which apparently means that you can e.g. buy a car, drive it for a week, and then give it back saying that you changed your mind. Not sure whether this implies that one can get the money back or just swap for another color or model.

How are software suppliers affected by this "clause providing for strict liability for any damage caused by goods"?
 
risingtide said:
How are software suppliers affected by this "clause providing for strict liability for any damage caused by goods"?
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How does that work? If I buy a bottle of acid and drop it on my wood floors is the hardware store liable for the damage caused by their goods?

If so, then WTF? :eek:
 
The strict liability for damages clause is the one area where I feel it has taken things a bit far.

However it is hopefully intended to protect consumers from damages resulting from the sale of poor quality, faulty or dangerous products.

Where one relies on the supposed expert advice of a vendor and a product is sold for an innapropriate use there is a certain level of liability on the vendors part. Things get a little murkier here and so I'll leave it to the legal experts.:)

I do believe that there is a duty on the consumer to ensure the suitability of a product for a particular purpose and to take due care in the use of any product.

My 2c.
 
FSB said:
Makro gave the example of buying a computer that is incompatible with Vista. The dealer shouldn't be liable for it.
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If the buyer relied on the dealers advice as to the suitability of the computer?
 
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