WHAT IS A DISCOUNT?

My son was recently interested in buying a vacuum cleaner advertised on the Internet as having a very big discount. He paid for it with his credit card and went to pick it up himself. Fortunately, he insisted on opening the box on the spot before taking delivery. To his surprise, he found that there was neither a guarantee form nor an instruction leaflet for usage of the vacuum cleaner, as advertised. After two more boxes were opened, and in each case something was found to be missing – he insisted on being refunded. He was promised a refund to his credit card. Best to check everything carefully before taking it home.

BEWARE

Beware of insufficient information! I hold a YOU card for the Mega in the City chain of stores. A year ago I was persuaded by my local Mega store to take on YOU's credit card, with the understanding that this card did not carry any commission charges whatsoever, and that I would receive an extra 5% discount on many items when using their credit card. They filled in the form for me on the spot. Upon receiving the card, I decided to double check the information I had received from the branch and was advised that it was correct regarding no monthly commission charge, but only on condition that I spent a minimum of NIS 800 per month. I cancelled the credit card before using it, but was still charged for two months' commission at NIS12.80 per month.

Again, these last few weeks the Mega branches have been pressing customers to take out their credit cards and advising that they carry no commission, even after one year. I have checked this information out with Mega tel: 1-800-570-870 and the situation is the same as it was previously – for the first year only there is no commission, provided you spend a minimum of NIS800 per month.

WASHING MACHINES

This is the information I received from the technician who came to repair my washing machine.

1. Do not use softeners – they cause an accumulation of residue in the machine.

2. Occasionally do a complete washing cycle with an empty machine using, instead of soap, a bottle of plain vinegar, a cup of baking soda powder or a cup of citric acid powder.

ORDERING THEATER TICKETS

Two experiences with ordering tickets for theater performances over the phone: at the Mishkan in Raanana, for a performance in English, I was told that there were only three side seats left towards the back of the theater, which I turned down. I happened to be in the same area the next day and went into the theater and, "lo and behold", they had plenty of seats for sale!

 I wanted to take my two grandchildren to a dance performance during Chanukah at the Suzanne Dellal Center. Similarly, when I phoned, I was offered three side seats in the two back rows. This time I asked if there were any other seats at all available, to which the reply was "no". I then asked, "What about the balcony?" and, "lo and behold", they answered that they had three seats in the second row in the middle. But these had not been offered to me, and if I had not remembered that the Suzanne Dellal Center had a balcony I would not have had tickets for the performance. I am wondering when these tickets would have been put on the market. I have sent a complaint to them.