CONSUMER FORUM: 01 September 2013

It all comes out in the wash

REGARDING the Omo advert mentioned by reader Robyn Taylor (August 11) with the woman being slapped. If this doesn't make you laugh, nothing ever will. All of us older white women have learned all we know about cleaning (especially washing powders) from our black counterparts, whether at the office or in our homes. "Hai! Umum!" is done so well (slap slap) on TV and radio that it makes all of us laugh.

It has nothing to do with aggression. It's just funny that the housekeeper is training the madam how to get the best wash. I'll buy the extra Omo that Robyn Taylor doesn't buy! - Dorothy Milne, Northwold

Give credit where credit is due

I WAS in debt counselling for about two years and concluded the process successfully towards the end of 2011. My credit bureau check was all clear. When I asked FNB this year for an overdraft or credit card to make provision for those unforeseen events, it took a few months for them to admit that I couldn't access any type of credit because I am on a "watch list" for five years.

So I tried Nedbank. It updated my status to clear the debt-counselling history, kept in constant touch during the application process and made me feel like a valued customer, not a financial terrorist on a watch list.

So, FNB's "How can we help you?" isn't really applicable to us awful people who got into debt because of life circumstances, is it? - Appalled