CONSUMER

When is the right time to make some noise about a “silent” kettle not being so silent anymore? Also, what is Fairtrade and what exactly do they do? Fair deals!

Kevin Milne CONSUMER

Do you have a question for Kevin? Email nzww@ bauermedia.co.nz (Subject line: Consumer) or post to: NZWW, Bauer Media, Private Bag 92512, Auckland 1036.

Loud & clear

You have a baby in your open-plan house and decided to buy a “silent” kettle. The demo model was fairly quiet in the shop, and so was your kettle for the first month. But now it’s as noisy as any other jug you’ve had. Can you demand a replacement? I once bought a silent kettle that did the same thing. I suspect if you read the instructions you’re advised to regularly clean the inside of the kettle with a descaler. Apparently, dissolved minerals can build up and make the “silencer” less effective. If you haven’t been cleaning it, then you’ve probably run foul of the warranty. If you have been cleaning it, then return the goods. Of course, no kettle is going to be literally silent so you can’t be silly about it. But if your silent kettle isn’t quieter than any other jug, you’ve been misled and that’s a breach of consumer law. I’ve read that you get fewer dissolved mineral issues if you don’t let the jug sit with water in it. Another option is to fill up a large thermos for later use when you first boil the jug in the morning. I can’t say that either of those options appeal to me, but then I don’t have a baby in the house. IF YOUR KETTLE’S TOO NOISY IT MAY NEED A CLEAN

What exactly is Fairtrade? Is it anything to do with the Fair Trading Act? No. Fairtrade is nothing to do with the Fair Trading Act. Worldwide, Fairtrade advocates for decent working conditions in overseas factories that grossly underpay their workers. I’m reliably informed that if you buy a cheap $10 T-shirt made at one of these sweatshops, typically only three cents of that $10 will go to the machinist who made it. Fairtrade also advocates for farmers who supply the raw materials to those factories and they push for sustainable practices and protection of the environment. Fairtrade New Zealand and Australia oversees which products can be given the Fairtrade Mark in line with international Fairtrade practices. Well-known organisations that are Fairtrade partners include Trade Aid and Oxfam. But products with the Fairtrade Mark are sold in a wide range of shops here from major supermarkets to coffee carts. These goods are guaranteed to have come from manufacturers who pay their workers and suppliers fairly.

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