Planning to invest but don’t know where to start? Read on to find out where to go, who to see and what you can do to lower your risk. And know your rights when it comes to careless contractors.
Q. There are a couple of New Zealand companies I’d like to invest in. I don’t have much to invest but I see it as a more interesting option than sticking money in the bank. What do first-time investors need to do?
A. I would ring a sharebroker from one of the better known broking houses, tell him/her what firms you want to invest in and how much you want to invest. Ask what they would charge for their services in your case.
Given you already know what you want to invest in, you may just need what’s known as a “non-advisory” broker. Such brokers offer no recommendations or advice about the shares you have decided to buy, so their fees are lower than what are known as “full service” brokers.
Full service brokers make recommendations, provide research and compile personalised investment plans. If you are confident enough to run with a non-advisory broker, you may be able to complete all your transactions by internet or telephone.
But take care – you may well be advised, given your inexperience, to pay more and take some basic guidance from a full-service broker. Your call.
Q. I was walking down the street and had to take a detour around some men doing road works. While walking within the designated area, some concrete was splashed on me and nearly ruined my silk dress. I tried to talk to the contractor but he didn’t seem to care. Am I within my rights to ask for their company to cover the cost of my dry-cleaning?
A. Absolutely, you are. What is the point of these chumps directing you to walk in a certain place, then splashing concrete on you? Not only have they been careless but they don’t seem to give a hoot about it.Hopefully, they will give this matter further thought.
You need to get the address of the contractor and write a brief, to-the-point letter to the owner explaining what happened and demanding they pay your dry-cleaning bill. Remind them you raised this matter with them at the time but to no avail. Tell them if they don’t refund you, you will write a letter to your local newspaper telling them what happened and naming their company. You might also mention that you will copy that letter to Fair Go. It is probably best that you send them a copy of your dry-cleaning bill so they have an idea what they’re up for.
I’m sure they will pay out when they realise that their doing the decent thing won’t break the bank. Actually, I’d say they’re lucky not to be up for buying you a new silk dress.
Image credit: ACP Photographic Staff/ bauersyndication.com.au
