Avoiding unwarranted costs

Various letters have been appearing in the media highlighting problems that might crop up as a result of consumers changing their mobile telephone service provider but keeping their original number.

This situation could entail unwarranted costs for customers, especially in those cases where free calls are allowed when a consumer calls a number serviced by his/her same provider.

This could come about because the number s/he might be phoning would appear to be the same service provider, but in fact is not, and thus s/he will be charged for such phone calls.

The Consumer Affairs Council recently held a meeting with the Malta Communications Authority to discuss possible ways to ameliorate the situation for the benefit of consumers. Various options were discussed which the MCA will be looking into.

In the meantime the council would like to point out that a very efficient service exists whereby consumers can phone up freephone 180 or else send an SMS to 180 indicating the mobile number they wish to contact so as to find out who the service provider of that particular number is.

Should consumers require further information, they are kindly requested to send an e-mail to [email protected] or write to the Consumer Affairs Council, Office for Fair Trading, Cannon Road, Sta Venera SVR 1411. Marcel Pizzuto, Chairman Consumer Affairs Council)

On behalf our readers I thank Mr Pizzuto for sending us the above important information.

Smoking – a filthy

deadly habit

No matter how many articles we write against this filthy, deadly, habit, there are smokers who will never give it up – no matter what. It is also well known that cigarettes are addictive. Unfortunately, we also have selfish smokers who, apart from not being interested in their own health, think they have the right to smoke in the presence of non-smokers.

Cigarettes and other tobacco products are often difficult to eliminate from your life once the addiction has been established. However, the physical, social, and financial reasons to quit are so many in number that few smokers haven’t tried to quit at one point or another. But it is possible to quit successfully with a few well-supported steps as follows:

1.) Create a plan and choose a date. If you are taking an antidepressant to help you quit, most doctors recommend that you start taking the medicine two weeks before quitting.

2.) Tell all your friends that you are going to quit and on what day. This will give them fair warning if you don’t seem yourself immediately after you quit, and it will encourage you to keep your word.

3.) Get as much support as you can. Try to convince your spouse or partner or a friend to quit with you. Join a support group online or find one in your area.

4.) Remove all smoking paraphernalia on your quit day. Throw away any leftover cigarettes, ashtrays and lighters.

5.) Keep yourself occupied at all times for the first few days. Go to restaurants where smoking is not allowed, play a sport, work on hobbies. Remember that the cravings will be frequent, but they do not last that long.

6.) Celebrate quitting milestones. Promise yourself something new if you can go two days, a week, a month without smoking. Use the money you would have otherwise spent on cigarettes.

7.) Focus your attention on quitting smoking not maintaining your weight. Diet before or after you have quit, but not for the first three months. Allow yourself the few extra pounds. They are healthier than cigarettes.

The “Quit Smoking Today” programme helps you quit smoking in as little as 38 minutes and 13 seconds from now. I guarantee that you will achieve success without any of the associated burdens.

You will not have to spend money buying medication and pills;

You will not suffer from anxiety when you quit;

You will not need to set a “quit date”;

You will not have to avoid social occasions for fear of a relapse;

You will not have to follow any special diet or take any supplements;

You will not need to do any preparatory work;

You will not have to chew gum or wear any patches;

You will not have to exercise any more than you normally do;

You will not need any so-called “will power”;

You will not suffer any sense of loss;

You will not crave those evil cancer sticks any more.

Your rights on prices of items for sale

What price information should be displayed on goods for sale?

Prices of all goods for sale must be clearly displayed in bold print or written on the price label or the price mark on the shelf. It must be easily identifiable and clearly legible. Moreover, it must include VAT and any other taxes or charges.

Can I insist that the goods are sold at the indicated

selling price?

Yes, the goods must be sold to you at the price stated on the price label or the price marked on the shelf. You should never be asked to pay more than the indicated price. Indeed it would an offence for a trader to indicate false or misleading prices.

Ways to save money

This month’s Which? magazine includes ways to save money worth sharing with all consumers:

Price-comparison websites:

If you are planning to buy items like digital cameras or televisions, use price comparison websites to shop around. A bit of checking means you will pay less.

Energy labels:

Make sure you read the energy labels on domestic appliances, because the wrong product will cost you extra money in running costs. An A-rated washer-drier costs less in electricity and you will also be helping the environment.

Car insurance renewal:

Don’t just accept your renewal quote. You can save money by shopping around and if you are not satisfied you can switch your car insurance accordingly.

Turn down the thermostat:

Lowering your thermostat by one degree can reduce heating bills by 10 per cent.

Tyre pressure:

Having the right tyre

pressure means that you can save money on petrol. If your car has under-inflated tyres you end up paying more for petrol. Check your tyres’ pressure regularly.

Use low-energy light bulbs:

They are kinder to the environment and you save money.

Time your buying:

Buy audiovisual products in spring or early summer when lines are finishing. You could save 10 per cent.

Turn appliances off when not in use

Turning electrical appliances off, rather than leaving them on standby, really does save money on your electricity bills.

How to use this column

Send your letters by ordinary mail to The Customer Service Column, The Malta Independent on Sunday, Standard House, Birkirkara Hill, St Julian's STJ 1149 or by e-mail to [email protected], including your and the respective trader's/supplier's full name and address, outlining your grievance and copy in the respective trader/supplier.

Complainants must be prepared to have their full personal details disclosed to traders/suppliers, their case published, and their name featured in full. It is up to the complainant to chase the progress of his/her case with the supplier by ordinary mail or e-mail while also copying me in.

We follow up all letters of complaint by asking suppliers/ traders for their comments. Since we have cases where traders/suppliers refuse to communicate, complainants are kindly requested to inform us if their case has been positively resolved. It is regretted that advice on personal complaints cannot always be given.

Unfortunately, we often have consumers who refer their case to this column and, when their case is positively concluded, they ask us not to feature the case.

Therefore, we must stress that LETTERS, ONCE SENT, CANNOT BE WITHDRAWN AND ALL CASES ARE SUBJECT TO PUBLICATION. Readers are kindly requested not to phone The Malta Independent offices in connection with the column. They must put their queries in writing.