193 days ago

Poll: No more card payment surcharges – but who should be covering the cost? 💸

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Government says it's scrapping those annoying card surcharges – and it’s happening next year.

Consumer NZ is stoked, saying these sneaky surcharges cost Kiwis around $65 million a year and should’ve been gone ages ago.

But not everyone’s convinced it’s a win. Labour and Hospitality NZ are worried the costs won’t just disappear. Labour MP Arena Williams put it simply: there should not be surcharges for customers at all. But she points out that the Government’s plan does not deal with banks and merchants “who still scoop a big fee”.

Many of our community are rocked by the recent announcement. Retailers warn card surcharge ban could lead to higher prices - the unfortunatel reality is that small businesses are feeling the squeeze along with their customers. In comparison, large retailers pay significantly lower banking fees and ultimately have more leverage at the negotiation table.

💸 So someone still pays – but who?

We want to know: Who should be covering this cost?
Share your thoughts in the comments!

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No more card payment surcharges – but who should be covering the cost? 💸
  • 5.7% Retailers need to absorb the cost
    5.7% Complete
  • 88.7% The banks are the problem - the cost should not sit with consumers or retailers
    88.7% Complete
  • 4.2% I do not mind paying a surcharge - I just want everything to be transparent
    4.2% Complete
  • 1.4% It is more complicated - I will share below
    1.4% Complete
2839 votes
More messages from your neighbours
J
5 days ago

Hastings Community Patrol

James and Julie from Hastings Central

YOUR HASTINGS COMMUNITY PATROL
The Hastings District Community Patrol is a team of local, self-funded, volunteers that play a key role in keeping our local communities safe.
We are a group of dedicated volunteers who patrol the Hastings, Flaxmere, Havelock North and Cape Coast central, urban, and rural areas, focusing on crime prevention. We support the police by acting as extra 'eyes and ears', noting anything that could be suspicious and informing police of incidents requiring urgent attention.

We also work closely with the Local District Councils and other organizations sharing a similar interest in community safety.
Quote from the local police “Community Patrols are invaluable to Police; they keep an eye on neighbourhoods and provide valuable intelligence to Police who cannot be everywhere at once”
We carry out day and night patrols in our dedicated patrol vehicles with sign written liveries that are easily identified by the community.
Our patrol members receive full training and guidance according to the National Community Patrols of NZ protocols and police standards. All applicants are fully vetted by the police on applying.
Volunteering with your local Community Patrol is a great way to make our local community safer and offers an ideal way of being part of a local volunteer team. We would like to encourage other like-minded community members to join our highly committed team. You just need to be keen to learn, have keen eyes and ears, be friendly, honest and be over the age of 18. Being a member of a community patrol could put you on a pathway to a career with the police.
We are a diverse group of the community, and so, if you have the time, commitment and want to put something back into your local community, Community Patrols are seeking new members.
Getting started: Your first step is to express your interest by contacting our recruitment website cpnz.org.nz/join-cpnz. Alternatively, you can contact the Hastings patrols on hastings@cpnz.org.nz
We invite you to join us and be part of your local volunteer group of community patrollers.

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21 days ago

Poll: As a customer, what do you think about automation?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Press investigates the growing reliance on your unpaid labour.

Automation (or the “unpaid shift”) is often described as efficient ... but it tends to benefit employers more than consumers.

We want to know: What do you think about automation?
Are you for, or against?

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As a customer, what do you think about automation?
  • 9.4% For. Self-service is less frustrating and convenient.
    9.4% Complete
  • 43.6% I want to be able to choose.
    43.6% Complete
  • 47.1% Against. I want to deal with people.
    47.1% Complete
2422 votes
1 day ago

Advice please

Julie Neighbourly Lead from Havelock North

My Ozito garden shredder worked perfectly until I lent it to someone. Now it only works for about a minute before it shuts off. I’ve pulled it apart, cleaned it out, greased and siliconed what needed it, and checked everything I know, but it’s still not staying working properly.
Has anyone else had this problem and found a solution?
I need it sorted ASAP, so I can get the garden sorted before I move in 2 weeks.

It’s not under warranty, being 5 years old now. Sadly, it still would have been had I tried to use it after it was returned. I haven’t for a few years. Now it’s too late.