Despite talk of a return to economic stability, wages continue to fall behind the rising cost of living, which means that we are all on the lookout for a saving here or price cut there. Although there are some genuine bargains around, there are other ways to save as supermarkets and stores offer loyalty cards, … Continue reading
Tag Archives: Consumer
I’ve started so I’ll finish: planning your social media strategy
It is no secret that businesses can benefit from using social media effectively. National and international brands have managed their social media presence so well that new customers have come to them to share in the fun and old customers have remained loyal. But if at first you don’t succeed, should you give up and move on or … Continue reading
High definition – behind the scenes at ITV
I won’t be too upset if you haven’t seen me already, but I have recently become a bit of a TV star. Well, ‘star’ is perhaps pushing it slightly: I’ve been on The Alan Titchmarsh Show. Yes, he’s the gardener who sells apples for Waitrose. I didn’t realise he had a daytime show either -don’t … Continue reading
Rough copy – conned by counterfeit goods
At the start of National Consumer week and with Christmas around the corner, The Alan Titchmarsh Show consumer ‘Dream Team’ turned its attention to the multi-billion pound industry in counterfeit goods. We take a look at how you can avoid being caught out and how to seek redress if you are. Fake Ugg boots, copycat … Continue reading
Consumer clinic – update and Q&A
On The Alan Titchmarsh Show this week, we invited viewers to contact us with questions and comments arising from what we have discussed over the past couple of months, or something we haven’t covered yet. We received a whole variety of questions, but here are just a few that we had time for. Parking tickets … Continue reading
A winter’s tale: fuel poverty is a reality for millions
Fuel poverty has been in the news recently, with both the Labour and Conservative parties speaking out against rising prices. In 2011, there were estimated to be 4.5 million fuel poor households in the UK, representing 17% of the population, and this figure is expected to have risen since then. Fuel poverty is a … Continue reading
Beware the wonga: breaking the pay day loan cycle
Approximately two million adults in the UK have taken out a pay day loan in the past year and demand continues to rocket, providing lenders with headline making profits. The amount of money being borrowed by cash-strapped workers is reported to have tripled over the last 18 months to an average of £660. Pay day loans aren’t illegal. … Continue reading
What’s your right to complain?
Week 2 on The Alan Titchmarsh Show and we’re already complaining. Faulty goods, poor service, bad food. We’ve all had reason to complain and some people seem to do it more than most, but what are our rights when we are dissatisfied? There are some things you should know and some basic rules to follow. … Continue reading
Our survey says
The Legal Services Board (the LSB) started its work on 1 January 2010. After a few days off, they soon got to work on the 4 January. You may have seen the results of their first commissioned YouGov survey which determined that more than two-thirds of consumers have ‘little or no knowledge’ of what lawyers … Continue reading