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Home / New Zealand

<i>Sideswipe:</i> Agents need to get real

Ana Samways
By Ana Samways
Sideswipe - ana.samways@nzherald.co.nz·NZ Herald·
25 Oct, 2009 03:00 PM3 mins to read

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For the guys with nearly everything.

For the guys with nearly everything.

Ana Samways
Opinion by Ana SamwaysLearn more

Following the real estate agent's nifty power line/life line analogy last week, a reader writes: "Some enterprising real estate agent describes a basement flat in central Wellington for sale on Trade Me as a Reverse Penthouse."

* * *

Tony Baker from Hamilton writes: "Knocking on 80, I had my
creaky, wrinkly status confirmed the other day. A friend asked me to check out a water leak in her bathroom and this required the mains to be turned off from a tap in the footpath outside her house. Having turned off the water, I was struggling to get to my feet but the body was not responding. I was like a cast cockroach. My friend tried hard pulling on my arm but that didn't work. Then along the road came a nice Mercedes car, which swung into the drive. Out stepped a young, attractive woman who put her arms around my ancient waist and I was on my feet in a second. I was delighted that she had a car that matched her so well and told her that I may not have accepted her offer of help had she arrived in an ordinary old Holden!"

* * *

Bernie found himself with a two-hour delay on his flight to Auckland. "With all the spare time in the Christchurch terminal, I made use of the free wireless broadband to email a complaint to Jetstar. The 'Contact Us' page on its website was of no use - all it contains are telephone numbers. I finally found the 'Customer feedback' form, with more mandatory fields than seem necessary, but the real kicker is at the end, where you are told: "You are required to print this form and post to Jetstar Customer Care."

* * *

One reader was amused to read the piece about the ASB being an Australian bank. "The impression I get is that the ASB bank is a USA bank because of those two American 'bankers' who have been in the adverts for years."

* * *

Andrew writes: "Gary Stewart is opening a can of worms with his comments about ASB. What is 'Kiwi' these days? A third of the All Blacks were born in Polynesia, our best netballer is South African, David Tua says he's 100 per cent Samoan, two All Whites played for England and Scotland at junior level, Canterbury of New Zealand is UK-owned, and lots of us have an immigrant past."

* * *

View today's Herald cartoon

* * *

Today's Webpick: Ultimate parking FAIL - was after the brake ends up with the accelerator. Go here and make a comment.

Follow Ana Samways on Twitter


Sideswipe, the book – buy it now

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