Consumer Magazine

Issue 497 letters

The latest letters from our subscribers, as featured in the November issue of Consumer (#497).

Missing music

In late July I ordered a DVD from an internet site called Maorimusic.com. My credit card was charged but I have yet to receive the DVD. I have emailed five times explaining that I haven’t received the goods I paid for and asking what has happened to them. I am yet to receive a reply.
Helen Ngapo

We suggest you contact your bank and ask about getting a chargeback. A chargeback is often available when goods are paid for by credit card and then not supplied. You should do this immediately as a chargeback is usually only available for two months from the date of transaction (depending on your bank).

Tinting charges

I purchased five litres of paint with a sticker price of $68.90 from a hardware store. I couldn’t find the colour required and the assistant told me it needed to be tinted. After paying at the checkout I noticed I had been charged an additional “tinting charge” of $6.25. I queried it and was told the cost of the tint needed to be passed on. Nowhere was there a sign indicating this extra charge and the assistant didn’t tell me about it. Is this standard practice and is it legal?
Lesley Brennan

Charging extra for tinting is standard practice. The price displayed is usually for white paint only and should be advertised and displayed as such. The assistant should have told you there was a tinting charge before they tinted the paint. If you weren’t told of this, or if there was no signage about the tinting charge, you may want to write to the store manager. The $6.25 charge is reasonable for tinting five litres of paint but it should be made clear that it’s an extra charge.

I spy

I would like to have an image of my property removed from Google Street View. Is this possible?
A member

If you’re concerned about an image on Street View, you can ask for it to be removed by using the “report a concern” function on the bottom right corner of the screen when looking at the Street View image.

Conflict of interest

I visited my GP while ill with a severe case of the flu. He recommended I buy a box of vitamin C from him for $50 to assist my recovery. What is Consumer’s view on doctors selling non-prescription medicines?
A member

We don’t think it’s acceptable for a GP to try and sell you vitamin C – it’s a conflict of interest.

Money owed

My father received a letter from a company called Prime Recovery Ltd telling him he had unrecovered funds owed to him. It asked him for identification, his IRD number and asked him to sign an authority-to-release form so it could recover his money for a 20 percent fee. When we phoned, the firm wouldn’t tell us where the money was from.
A member

Prime Recovery is trying to charge you for something you can do yourself for free. Check the unclaimed money register on the Inland Revenue website (www.ird.govt.nz). If your father is on the register, he can claim any money owed by emailing his name, address, IRD number and proof of identity to unclaimed.monies@ird.govt.nz or posting the information to Unclaimed Money, Inland Revenue, PO Box 38222, Wellington Mail Centre 5045.

Write to us

If you have a question about your rights, or a useful experience to share with other consumers, drop us a line at:

Letters to the Editor
Private Bag 6996
Marion Square
Wellington 6141

Or email: editor@consumer.org.nz

Disclaimer: Our published answers to members' queries are often abbreviated and general responses to complex legal situations. They are not intended as specific legal advice.