Talk of the Town

Wendy Knowler

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Law enforcement can give the towing operator at the scene a lawful instruction to remove the vehicle off the roadway to the side of the road at no cost. Once moved, it is your choice to decide who tows the vehicle.Image: RUSA

Navigating body corporates, tow trucks and paying for old car ‘add ons’

In this weekly segment of bite-sized chunks of useful information, consumer journalist Wendy Knowler summarises news you can use: Don’t get suckered into paying a new price for an old car “add on” Did you know that none of the extras you…

Beware ‘phone upgrade’ and ‘free gym’ contracts

Consumer journalist Wendy Knowler’s ‘Watch-outs of the week’ In this weekly segment of bite-sized chunks of useful information, consumer journalist Wendy Knowler summarises news you can use: ’Tis the season for gyms to lure the “shape up…

You need to know how to de-link your banking app in case your device gets stolen, potentially leaving you vulnerable to banking fraud.Image: Picture: 123RF/SAM74100

How to de-link a bank app if your phone is stolen

In this weekly segment of bite-sized chunks of useful information, consumer journalist Wendy Knowler summarises news you can use: Phone stolen? Make the right call The sad reality is that there’s a very good chance that your cellphone…

Many South Africans who ordered items on China-based e-retailer wish.com during the course of 2020 have not received their orders because airlines are no longer flying to and from China.Image: Daniil Peshkov/ 123rf.com

Consumer journalist Wendy Knowler puts Wish to the test

In this weekly segment of bite-sized chunks of useful information, consumer journalist Wendy Knowler summarises news you can use. Wish customers – hold back on those orders “I guess it’s called Wish for a reason. All you ever do is wish…

No matter what your bank SMS says, if the cashier’s card machine can produce a slip saying “transaction failed” or something similar, your payment didn’t actually go through. PICTURED: Social-grant beneficiaries queue at a Postbank branch to receive their grants.Image: Randell Roskruge

When you’re entitled to a store refund & reversed bank payments explained

Consumer journalist Wendy Knowler’s “Watch-outs of the week” In this weekly segment of bite-sized chunks of useful information, consumer journalist Wendy Knowler summarises news you can use: No, the CPA doesn’t necessarily entitle you to…

Even small car accidents can be traumatic so print out a checklist of what you need to do (see story) and keep it in the car, along with a notebook and pen.Image: Supplied by Netcare 911.

In an accident, or missed an insurance payment? Here’s what you need to know

Consumer ‘watch-outs of the week’ In this weekly segment of bite-sized chunks of useful information, consumer journalist Wendy Knowler summarises news you can use. Today’s warnings all relate to cars. Is your car’s tracking device…

The government has amended travel rules to help protect the R82.5bn tourism industry.Image: 123RF / Travnikovstudio

Watch-outs of the week: travel pains, bank fraudsters and a false sense of security with warranties

In this weekly segment of bite-sized chunks of useful information, consumer journalist Wendy Knowler summarises news you can use. Making a travel booking? Always check which website you’ve landed on Adele wanted to book a flight from…

Teaching your almost-adult children how to read contracts and check the most important bits – contract term, monthly payments and early cancellation penalty – is an essential life skill.Image: 123rf/ bacho12345

From car insurance to your teen signing a contract, these are Wendy Knowler’s ‘watch-outs of the week’

In this weekly segment of bite-sized chunks of useful information, consumer journalist Wendy Knowler summarises news you can use. Can you afford not to insure your car? If you’re not to blame for the damage caused to your car by another…

FlySafair is currently operating 22 to 24 flights a day – still drastically down on pre-lockdown operations of about 84 flights daily.Image: Facebook/FlySafair

Physical distancing is imperative, but this is why planes can be 100% full

“No social distancing as advertised and promised … Don’t overbook the flights!” Suria Engelbrecht tweeted on Sunday evening, along with a photo of a very full plane, shortly after her FlySafair flight from Durban landed at Cape Town…

How to swat auto subscriptions & why overseas orders are arriving so slowly

Watch outs of the week In this new weekly segment of bite-sized chunks of useful information, consumer journalist Wendy Knowler summarises news you can use: Wishing online purchase would arrive from overseas? I’ve had quite a few…

If you are buying a second-hand car, be aware that due to stringent Covid-19 protocols, roadworthy certificates are now more expensive and you need to incorporate that into your budgeting. Image: Masi Losi

How to handle online returns‚ new airport rules & be aware of price hikes

Consumer journalist Wendy Knowler’s “Watch-outs of the week” In this new weekly segment of bite-sized chunks of useful information‚ consumer journalist Wendy Knowler summarises news you can use: Now that roadworthy certificate will cost…