Consumer Ninja: When customers talk back, companies go quiet

Stephen Grootes speaks to consumer ninja Wendy Knowler, about why companies invest heavily in talking to customers through advertising and marketing but fall short when it comes to building meaningful channels that allow customers to engage them on real problems. The Money Show is a podcast hosted…

Consumer Ninja: When online orders go wrong - Why fixes matter more than mistakes

Motheo Khoaripe speaks to consumer ninja, Wendy Knowler, about why online order mistakes are almost inevitable in South Africa’s booming e‑commerce market, and why big retailers should be judged squarely on how fast, frictionless and consumer‑focused their fixes are when things do go wrong. The Mo…

Consumer Ninja: When Google search results cost small businesses customers

Stephen Grootes speaks to consumer ninja Wendy Knowler about how a Durban North florist was left devastated after a customer unknowingly placed an order with Netflorist, mistaking a top Google search result for her small independent business, Flowers on Kensington. The Money Show is a podcast host…

Consumer Ninja: Cartrack fined and ordered to refund consumers in NCC settlement

Stephen Grootes speaks to consumer ninja Wendy Knowler about the National Consumer Tribunal confirming a settlement between the NCC and Cartrack. It includes a R5 million administrative fine, refunds of more than R5.1 million to affected consumers, the cancellation of contracts without penalty, and…

Consumer Ninja: After a two-year battle, Standard Insurance finally pays up

Stephen Grootes speaks to Consumer Ninja, Wendy Knowler, about Standard Insurance’s U‑turn after two‑and‑a‑half years of dispute, finally paying the R111 000 owed to a Cape Town woman whose storm‑damaged heritage home became the centre of an ombud battle the insurer insisted it could still appeal. …

Consumer Ninja: Homeowner wins insurance battle, but still no payout after tribunal ruling

Stephen Grootes speaks to Consumer Ninja, Wendy Knowler, about a Cape Town homeowner whose Woodstock heritage home was severely damaged in a storm — sparking a two‑and‑a‑half‑year battle with Standard Insurance, a long fight through the National Financial Ombud, and the ongoing frustration of still…

Consumer Ninja: When one wrong detail leaves you uninsured 

Stephen Grootes speaks to Consumer Ninja, Wendy Knowler about why one wrong detail on your insurance application can leave you completely unprotected when disaster strikes. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest econ…

The fine line between search marketing and misleading consumers

Stephen Grootes speaks to consumer ninja Wendy Knowler about how companies can buy certain search terms, but only up to the point where it doesn’t mislead consumers into thinking they’re dealing with a different business. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presen…

Consumer Ninja: Romance scams hit overdrive this Valentine’s week

Stephen Grootes speaks to consumer ninja Wendy Knowler about why romance scams surge around Valentine’s Day, how scammers weaponise emotional vulnerability, and what the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service is warning consumers to look out for. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known…

Consumer Ninja: Paying for the Past - The hidden cost of forgotten fees and subscriptions

Stephen Grootes speaks to Consumer Ninja, Wendy Knowler about the all-too-common shock of discovering long‑forgotten or unauthorised fees on your bank statements, from obscure bundled charges like garage cards to clearly disclosed subscriptions people simply stopped noticing because they weren’t in…