A new poll conducted by the Energy Saving Trust has found that 84 per cent of tradespeople want to give householders advice they can trust. But only one in six has confidence in tradespeople’s green guidance.
Just one in six British householders would trust a tradesperson’s green guidance but eight in 10 tradespeople would like to [...]
Consumer News
Builders Green Advice Not Trusted
Barclaycard reduces balance transfer fee
Barclaycard has announced that it is reducing the balance transfer fee on its 0% for 12 months Barclaycard Platinum balance transfer deal with immediate effect.
The change means that the current balance transfer fee on the Barclaycard Platinum card has been reduced to 2.5% of the amount transferred from the previous level of 3%. This offer [...]
Google and Ebay Profiting from Sale of Illegal Goods
Fires caused by children playing with novelty lighters costs lives, but Google and ebay continue to allow these items to be advertised on their web sites.
Since March 11th 2008 retailers have been prohibited from selling novelty lighters. Novelty lighters are defined as being appealing to children in terms of their shape e.g. toys, [...]
Identity Theft Credit Rating Damage to Double
A new report* released by LV= (Liverpool Victoria) shows that the number of Brits whose credit rating has been badly damaged by identity theft is likely to almost double within the next five years, with up to 240 people a day being affected.
The new research by home insurer LV= shows that nearly half of all [...]
Kitchen Innovation Competition
World-leading chef and culinary innovator, Heston Blumenthal, launches a nationwide search for the British innovator of the future on behalf of leaders in dishwashing innovation, Finish, as he heads up the expert judging panel of the Finish Diamond Standard Innovation Challenge.
The competition, launched by Finish – innovator of Finish Quantum dishwasher tablets, the ultimate product [...]
Lamb’s Navy Rum Turns 160
To celebrate the 160th anniversary of Lamb’s Navy Rum, veterans across the country have been remembering their sailing days and the sayings borne of the sea that have now become part of our everyday lives.
A nationwide poll has revealed our top three most famous naval sayings and it appears we are a united nation [...]
Direct Marketing and Your Rights
Direct Marketing – What does it mean for you?
If you were to ask the average person in the street about their view of direct marketing, it is likely that you would draw no response. For many people, the term, ‘direct marketing’ tends to be associated with stories about so called ‘junk mail’ or other examples [...]
Paypal Consumer Protection Inadequate
Astute UK consumers shouldn’t rely on the Paypal’s Protection for Buyers. This includes Paypal Buyer Protection for eligible ebay sales and their Buyer Complaint Policy.
A quick search of the internet will confirm that Paypal has a tendency to close disputes for reasons only known to themselves. In addition, their Protection for Buyers [...]
Protect Yourself When Using Paypal
What Consumer recommends that you only use Paypal when absolutely necessary due to Paypal Buyer Protection limitations .
Where possible use a Credit Card for items over £100 to ensure the transaction is protected by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. This makes the credit card company equally liable if there is a problem. [...]
Washing Hair Thing of the Past
A new product “Shampowder” has been launched in the UK to allow you to “wash” your hair without water. It is ideal for the lazy student or busy mum, but does it actually work? Is it April 1st already?
The Shampowder contains mineral pigments in natural tones that blend in [...]
Flying Car Lands
Terrafugia announced today the first flight of its Transition® Roadable Aircraft Proof of Concept. Often referred to as a “flying car”, the Transition® is a two-seat aircraft designed to take off and land at local airports and drive on any road. Transforming from plane to car takes the pilot less than 30 seconds.
A historic milestone [...]
Five-Step Financial Health Check
NS&I has launched , The Five Questions, with Sir Alan Sugar, to help the British public to give their personal finances a health check.
Research from NS&I has revealed that 40 per cent of us have no long-term financial plan and 17 per cent don’t seek information on managing our money because it is too confusing. [...]
Buying Broadband Top Tips
It has never been more important to get expert advice prior to signing a broadband contract.
The Daily Mail reported this week on the story of Will Pierce who took his son on a skiing trip for five days and came home to a £22,000 mobile broadband bill from Vodafone. He had used [...]
How to avoid being scammed?
This short guide has been produced to help people avoid being scammed and to help carers protect the elderly and vulnerable.
OFT Scam Video – Tricks of the Trade
This section is presented by Angela Rippon who warns consumers about lottery scams. Scammers tend to target the vulnerable such as the elderly, but not exclusively – [...]
February 27th, 2009 | Tony | Comments Off | Continued
Phones 4U caught mis-selling
Phones 4 U has been in the news again – for all the wrong reasons. They have been under investigation by Ofcom for the last 6 months, in response to the high number of consumer complaints regarding hidden charges, mis-selling and poor customer service.
The telecoms regulator found them guilty of engaging in the following practices [...]
