Report 66 Business Practices Committee

The following purported benefits of joining Omega were set out by Omega.

The cardholder/member has access to "...highly competitive insurance rates", as well as a rebate of 25 per cent of the risk premium after three years should the member not have lodged a claim for three years running.

Omega contracted a firm of attorneys to give members legal advice at R100 for the first half hour of the first consultation and at a discounted rate of 22 per cent on legal services following the first consultation.

Members could call a "one stop" helpline to have access to leisure accommodation, far example hotels, game lodges, guesthouses and resorts such as Aventura. Negotiations are under way to contract discounted airline and cat hire rates for members.

Members have access to second hand motor vehicles at competitive discounted prices. These "... at or below Mid-Auto Dealers Guide Book prices Approximately between retail & wholesale price based on the industry standard, the Auto Dealers Guide of car prices".

Members with motor insurance claims have access to "Motor Claim Assistance". This facility makes for a "speedy and professional" completion of the claim. Members further have access to "Fleet management".

To qualify for these discounts on a continuous basis, members need to pay an annual subscription fee of R180. Members could obtain discounts from various contracted retailers by showing their membership cards. A national pharmacy group, for example, offers Omega members discounts of up to 30 per cent. Other retailers and service providers include building and hardware supplies, business services, such as advertising services, office automation, office furniture, office supplies and stationary, butcheries, computer services, electricians, gearlock fitment, liquor stores, motor repair services, motor spare parts, motor trailers, pool services, plumbers, restaurants, tire and mag wheel sales and transport services.

vR said that Omega is currently (December 1998) negotiating inter alia a national grocery chain store and an international tour group representing 10 000 tour operators worldwide to secure more discounts for members.

In the agreement with Omega the suppliers agree on the following:

"The agreement is hereby placed on record that the percentage preferential discount as described above are afforded the Cardholder of Omega trust for an indefinite period by the product/service supplier above. The Preferential Discount agreed upon can only be retracted, reduced or changed by the service/product supplier by giving a written notice of 6(six) calender months to Omega Trust. Preferential Discounts offered to the cardholders of Omega Trust will be based on normal retail prices, i.e. not on prices loaded for the purpose of discount. Omega Trust undertakes not to charge the product/service supplier a fee for the advertising of such products or services. Omega Trust further undertakes to advertise/promote the product/service provider's product or service in its cardholder's Service and Discount Guide".

The contracted retailers does not include the major retailers in South Africa such as OK, Pick 'n Pay, Shoprite, Spar and Woolworths.

PAID is the acronym for "Professional Automated Information Directory". This is allegedly the first application of its kind anywhere in the world. This telephone information retrieval system ensures the "quick and efficient" retrieval of information available to Omega members. Any obsolete information could be deleted within seconds. New information could also be added within seconds. The system is in the implementation stage and is not fully operative.

Omega has allegedly spent large amounts to ensure an efficient mode of payment at the point of sale. A benefit of this system is that a card holder/member will "automatically" receive a discount from the relevant store.