HI Team

I hope you are well and safe at this difficult time.

My issue is with the relationship between Harvey Norman and Latitude finance. There so-called interest-free periods that they offer on a regular basis eg. 6 months interest-free to pay. The finance is offered by Latitude finance and with my credit rating, I was worried I wouldn't be able to afford a new $218 monitor but I was approved within 6 hours.

They don't tell you that you are automatically pre-approved for a $2000 GO/Latitude credit card with the highest interest rate possible and a high monthly charge.

I had no idea of the card when purchasing the monitor until the card arrived. I am permanently mentally disabled and have been on the disability pension for 18 years.

This is clearly a fishing expedition by Latitude finance, sending $2000 Credit to the poor and seeing if they will spend the money and be locked in forever in their repayments cycle. You only pay $5 off the principle with the minimum payment each month which is over $50. and is all this is actively supported by Australia's biggest retailer of homewares and electrical goods, Harvey Norman

If you send enough cards out, the desperate will end up spending them on food, rent, and school payments, etc rather than have their children starve.

I understand that we are responsible for our own actions and I did spend the money but what could I do? Starve? Go without my medicines that keep me sane? All of a sudden being magically cured and able to manage my money?

This is a total scam in anyone's books and purely a fishing mission by the worst financial company (you know how Latitude/Go/ GE money treat people in the USA) and is actively supported by Australia's biggest retailer of homewares and electrical goods.

I would love a reply and would love to discuss my personal experiences and the lies I was told by the sales team to sign me up for this scam especially if this has happened to you too.

Regards,

Craig Franklin

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I am 78 and use the Internet to contact friends and family overseas. Telstra is the service provider and since connecting to the NBN the line rental discount for seniors is not provided anymore. Previously I used ADSL for my Internet and it was more economical. I am paying $80.00 plus additional cost of calls. Telstra has even insisted that the monthly phone bills be paperless meaning it wants to use my Internet connection but not offer any discount for the use. What can I do to reduce cost of the Internet connection? I am fed up of subsidising big companies which pretend they are actually helping me. I am sure they are others who feel the same. Seniors are encourage to keep contact with family but no financial incentives provided by anybody. I do not have a mobile phone due to the extra costs.

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I strongly recommend talking to the licensee about this, surely there was some form of documentation at the time, although that was a long time ago now.

Secondly, agreed with Paul that moving away from cash and deposits means trying to improve your returns to at least keep pace with life, deeming rates, and inflation.

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I do not understand why people have to buy something which they cannot afford? I have my last TV for 15 years and inherit the current one from one of my friend. You have to responsible for your own spending and only buy something within your means. There is nothing wrong to have 2nd hand things and or go to Op shop.

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Hi Mary, sadly I don't believe there is much you can do. The senior/pensioner discount on ADSL is a government initiative so until, they make it available on the NBN, providers won't offer it. You're best bet is to look for a cheaper plan with another provider. Personally I'd recommend iiNet or Internode as they continue to win international awards for customer service and network performance, you can compare NBN plans here https://www.whistleout.com.au/Broadband

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