back to menuPublic perceptions of how untrustworthy certain groups of people are have been researched by the aptly named Institute of Food Research. This table shows the percentages of respondents distrusting various groups!
53% Tabloid Newspapers
49% Members of Parliament
48% Government Ministers
43% Government Inquiries
42% Your Friends
41% Environmental Groups
40% Supermarket leaflets
38% the Food Industry
35% Quality Newspapers
32% TV Broadcasts
This table appeared in ExCHECKER, the magazine of the Exeter and District Consumer Group:
An embedded chip seems to be the favourite security device for fighting fraud in bank ATM's (automatic teller machines in case you have forgotten).
Other devices such as retina scanners and fingerprint readers have proved too costly or unreliable.
Most organised frauds, other than theft of individual cards involve the manufacture of duplicate cards.
A recent scam involved fitting a fake key pad over the original and a fake card reader. The equipment then records the card number and the PIN (personal identification number) so that counterfeit cards can be made.
The Theft Act 1968 did not allow for the misuse of credit/debit cards which were then unknown. A person must be deceived to reach a successful prosecution, hence getting tickets or other benefits from automatic machines does not qualify.
It has been proposed that the law will be amended so proof is only required to show that the fraudster has obtained a service without the permission of the person providing it.
Qualitas has kindly invited us to visit them this Autumn. Qualitas is the furnishing industry’s totally independent standards body. If a consumer and retailer cannot resolve a complaint Qualitas provides impartial conciliation, and if that fails, adjudication. It is bound never to take sides until it has fairly and meticulously examined the problem. In about half the cases examined in 1998, the retailer was found to be in the wrong or the decision was split.
‘[he premises are in Maxwell Road, Stevenage, close to the railway station and easy of access from the A1(M) motorway, junctions 7 or 8 depending on which way you are travelling. We will go round the testing and research facilities and, as they themselves put it, "see, feel and smell furniture problems". That is intriguing, particularly if you have any floor coverings, furniture or furniture trade concerns or complaints to raise yourselves. We expect a 10.45 am start and the visit will finish at about 3.45 pm to allow for travelling. ‘l’ea and coffee will be provided and a light sandwich lunch. This is one of those rare opportunities for Individual Members to meet each other and perhaps renew acquaintances following our York conference.
Please tell Margaret Williams (14 Gospelgate, Louth, LN11 9JX - tel/fax 01507 601 055) by 20th September, latest, if you want to attend. "Honestly!", she says, "numbers are limited".
There seems to be a lot going on. One interesting initiative is to compare the prices of items in TESCO supermarkets in Northern Ireland, the rest of Britain and the Irish Republic. The parties to this exercise are the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, NfCG and the Consumers’ Association of Ireland. This will not be a "shopping basket" exercise but purely a comparison of prices.
At present discussions are proceeding as to which items are to be included, and the questionnaire is being drawn up. It seems that the exercise will be conducted during a specific week in October and our Secretary, Stella Walsh, would like to hear from anyone who would be able to help.
Have you noticed how much space is now devoted to men’s toiletries and cosmetics in chemists’ shops? A lot more than used to be the case. Now Boots the Chemist has decided to take the next logical step and are to open two shops later this year, devoted entirely to men’s requirements. One will be in Bristol, the other in Edinburgh.
When writing about the "Consumers First!" awards, I did not spot that Mr. Martin Bailey of Currys Ltd, Rotherham (part of the Dixons Group plc, NfCG Corporate Associates) was nominated by a very satisfied customer for his knowledge and patience in helping her choose the right computer for her son, and for his ‘aftercare’ service. He was presented with a "Consumers First!" award for ‘Outstanding Customer Service’ by Dr. Kim Howells, the Consumer Affairs Minister.
It is with deep regret that I have to tell you that Maeve Robertson died suddenly on Saturday 7th August. Our deepest sympathies go out to her husband, Alan, her four children and her grandchildren to whom this sudden loss must be a terrible shock.
Maeve has been involved with NfCG for as long as I can remember. She was a long standing member of the Legislation Committee and very much involved in food matters and very knowledgeable in both areas.
She will be greatly missed in Edinburgh and throughout the consumer movement. She had intended coming to the Annual Conference in York and we shall feel a little lost without her.
Regular readers will know that she contributed many articles to Consumer News, ferreting out unusual angles that no-one else had thought about. In fact I was expecting her to contribute to the next issue.
I think that the cover of the Annual Report is a triumph for designer, Roy Bisson.
Its use of a picture of Earth from space reflects the forward looking stance NfCG is taking and is the same image as used on our new recruitment exhibition stand.
Our printer explained that the recycled paper we use can present a problem with big areas of solid ink in pictures like the one used on the front and back cover, in that small white flecks sometimes appear.
In this case they might even be an advantage, adding to the starry atmosphere!
Please keep sending them. My request for comments about metrication has brought results! There are many and conflicting views about genetic modification in foods and seeds. Your views do not need to coincide with those of NfCG for them to be published.
I look forward to meeting as many readers as possible at the Conference in York, so, if you have not booked yet, do it now!
As ever, send contributions to me, John Brown, at No. 6 Priory Gardens, Dartford. DAI 2BE, or fax then to 01322 280673 (no change) or e-mail me on john.brown6@virgin.net. Deadline for the October issue is 15th September.
The material contained in Consumer News may only be reproduced by federated groups unless otherwise indicated. The articles do not necessarily represent the views of the National Federation of Consumer Groups, its Groups or its members. ©1999 NfCG
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