Wendy Knowler is the Consumer Ninja

Consumer Ninja, Wendy Knowler, joins Stephen Grootes to discuss why checking the start date of your warranty and service plan is crucial when buying a new car. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business developments, investment opportunities, and personal finance strategies. Each episode feature...

Motheo Khoaripe speaks to consumer ninja Wendy Knowler about why some bank apps default to costly instant payments and what that means for consumers who didn’t intend to pay extra. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business developments, investment opportunities, and personal finance strat...

Consumer ninja Wendy Knowler joins Stephen Grootes to reflect on four dealerships that have had their appeals thrown out by different High Courts, in the past three months. These dealerships have been ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of rands back to consumers, plus hefty fines. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the la...

Stephen Grootes speaks to Wendy Knowler about the uncertainty surrounding electric vehicle sales in South Africa, noting that while Naamsa reports 3,251 units sold over the past five years, 1,257 of them last year, Chinese manufacturer BYD does not disclose its figures, and questioning whether it’s reasonable to expect local manufacturers to keep battery components in stock to avoid long del...

Stephen Grootes speaks to consumer ninja Wendy Knowler about a hidden risk many motorists overlook — paying car insurance premiums each month, assuming they are covered, when in reality they may have no chance of a successful claim. Knowler explains how common oversights can invalidate cover, such as listing yourself as the main driver when your teenager or young adult child is the one behin...

Stephen Grootes speaks to Consumer ninja Wendy Knowler about Takealot’s expansion of its Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) offerings, following up on last week’s discussion about the appeal of interest-free payments and the risks of late fees, as the platform adds PayJustNow alongside its existing PayFlex option. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, S...

Stephen Grootes speaks to Consumer Ninja Wendy Knowler about what she’s calling the “Buy Now, Broke Later” crisis - a growing trend of South Africans turning to credit and pay-later options to fund everyday purchases. Knowler unpacks how the surge in instant credit platforms and deferred payment schemes is luring consumers into dangerous debt traps, often disguised as convenient...

Stephen Grootes speaks to consumer ninja Wendy Knowler about FNB’s latest overhaul of its eBucks programme — once hailed for its simplicity and generosity, now leaving loyal customers questioning whether the rewards are still worth the effort. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, busine...

Stephen Grootes speaks to consumer advocate Wendy Knowler about Just Money’s 2025 survey on South Africans’ relationship with money. The survey, conducted in September among 5,500 people, reveals that while many are feeling intense financial pressure, a growing number are finding ways to supplement their income. About 36% of respondents have side hustles, though many aspiring entrepren...

Stephen Grootes speaks to Consumer Ninja, Wendy Knowler, about the troubling trend of people signing contracts without reading them, and the role commission-driven salespeople and their employers play in exploiting that blind trust. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business developments, invest...

Stephen Grootes speaks to consumer ninja Wendy Knowler about whether you can get a full refund if you cancel a travel booking because a family member falls ill. The Consumer Protection Act allows refunds on cancelled advance bookings, but the amount depends on how early you cancel and the company’s chances of filling your spot.. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and...

Stephen Grootes speaks to Consumer Ninja, Wendy Knowler, about what South Africans are buying on the car market, which models are most in demand on the second-hand lot, how people are financing their vehicles, and how our motoring choices have shifted over the past decade. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest econo...

Stephen Grootes speaks to consumer ninja Wendy Knowler about the alarming rise of Business Email Compromise (BEC), a devastating scam that continues to cost victims millions—most recently affecting a man from a small village in the Western Cape. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business d...

Stephen Grootes speaks to consumer ninja Wendy Knowler about the growing concern over surprise step-payment loan plans and what consumers need to watch out for. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business developments, investment opportunities, and personal finance strategies. Each episode featur...

Stephen Grootes speaks to consumer expert Wendy Knowler about a critical phone security risk, where criminals can access One Time Pins sent via SMS even if they can't unlock the phone - that's if the phone's settings allow SMSs to appear on the lock screen.  The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends...

Stephen Grootes speaks to consumer ninja Wendy Knowler about misleading grocery SMSes from lenders. In March, an Absa message led thousands of customers to believe that simply changing their payment method would secure them a R500 Pick n Pay voucher. The catch? Only 10 000 vouchers were actually available, leaving many disappointed customers empty-handed. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well...

Stephen Grootes speaks to consumer ninja Wendy Knowler about how increasingly sophisticated fraudsters are running circles around watchdogs, exploiting loopholes, outpacing enforcement, and leaving consumers more vulnerable than ever The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business developments, inves...

Stephen Grootes speaks to Consumer Ninja, Wendy Knowler, about the growing trend of South Africans relying on food delivery apps, highlighting the potential financial pitfalls of this convenience-driven habit, which can erode savings and leave individuals vulnerable to unexpected expenses. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores...

Stephen Grootes speaks to Consumer ninja, Wendy Knowler, about a shocking scam where fraudsters have created a fake National Credit Regulator website, targeting individuals who are already struggling with debt, and tricking them into handing over sensitive personal information. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest...

Stephen Grootes speaks to Consumer ninja, Wendy Knowler, about the frustration of a letting agent delaying the return of a tenant's deposit after vacating a Rosebank apartment, highlighting a less-discussed aspect of landlord-tenant interactions. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business develo...

Stephen Grootes speaks to Consumer ninja Wendy Knowler, about the scenario where an insurer rejects a claim due to non-compliance with instructions that the broker cannot prove were communicated to the policyholder, potentially leading to the broker being liable to compensate the policyholder for the loss.  The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Steph...

Stephen Grootes speaks to Consumer ninja, Wendy Knowler, about the potential pitfalls of cellphone contracts, particularly the steep penalties for early cancellation and the significant price hikes that can occur after the initial contract period ends, leaving customers facing much higher monthly subscription fees. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, St...

Stephen Grootes  speaks to Consumer Ninja Wendy Knowler about the issue of banks selling repossessed homes at sheriff's auctions for extremely low prices, leaving former homeowners with significant debt despite losing their properties. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business developments...

Stephen Grootes speaks to Consumer Ninja Wendy Knowler about how technology enhances everyday communication and convenience - but she warns that when companies rely too heavily on bots and auto-responses, it can turn tech from a helpful tool into a frustrating barrier for consumers. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the la...

Stephen Grootes speaks to Consumer Ninja Wendy Knowler about Standard Bank's inaugural Youth Barometer Report, which reveals insights into the car buying and financing trends among South African youth aged 18 to 35, offering a glimpse into their financial management habits and preference. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores...