Consumeradvice

Consumer Protection

Overboard on Overdrafts: Changes for Consumers Coming Soon

With the FCA announcing changes to regulations around overdraft fees and charges, consumers should (in practice) be able to more easily compare the true costs of an overdraft. However, questions still remain regarding whether these changes will benefit consumers or cost them more in the long run. In April 2020 FCA regulations will tighten, meaning …

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Safety In Numbers – Protecting Your Hard-Earned Cash

As confusion surrounded the potential administration of airline Flybe last week, many consumers understandably found themselves panicking about the security of their bookings and hard-earned money. Although the Government intervened and assisted the airline before it was too late, many will undoubtedly remain cautious when booking holidays in the near future. With that in mind, …

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Gym Memberships & Not Overdoing It – Physically or Financially

I did it! I finally made it past the induction and first stint on my own at the gym. The apprehension was awful. The walk to my first session was nerve-wracking, but nevertheless I did it! For the last two years, I’ve been trying to decide whether to commit to an annual membership or whether …

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“New Year New Me” – Getting Over the Festive Pinch: How to Gain a Steadier Footing Moving into the New Year

We all do it. Well, I know I do. We make that list in the week between Christmas and New Year of all the things that we promise ourselves that we will do over the course of the next 12 months that will fix our lives, make us more financially stable and let us save …

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Sunshine Saturday: Making the Most of Your Rainy-Day Funds When Booking a Holiday

First, we had Black Friday, then Cyber Monday and now Sunshine Saturday? If you’re anything like me, you’ll struggle to simply ascertain what day of the week it is over the festive period! While ‘Take-the-day-off Tuesdays’ has a certain ring to it (although I’m sure my boss would disagree), the next ‘double-barrelled day’ on the …

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Boxing for a Bargain – Boxing Day and January Sales: Avoiding ‘Binge Buying’ and Fighting in the Aisles

In 2018 it was estimated that on Boxing Day alone, UK consumers spent approximately £8.8 million a minute on sales which offered up to 90% off the regular ‘day-to-day’ prices. The enticement of the massive reduction in the regular price of items for consumers can mean that many make purchases that are not entirely necessary. …

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“Waste not want not” – Avoiding Food waste – Food Planning for Christmas Day and Making the Most of Leftovers

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and unfortunately the most wasteful in terms of the amount of food that is bought, cooked and ultimately disposed of. Christmas is a costly time for the majority of consumers, with last year’s average spend on food, drink and festive treats stacking up to a gigantic estimate …

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Whirlpool – Hotpoint / Indesit Washing Machine Recall

Over 500,000 Hotpoint and Indesit brands of washing machine have been recalled by Whirlpool today. There have been an estimated 79 fires in the UK caused by a fault which develops over time. This most recent recall accounts for around 20% of the washing machines sold since 2014.  consumeradvice.scot have put together the top Frequently Asked Questions in relation to this recall, and information on what consumers who think that they have …

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A Counterfeit Toy Story: Choking Hazards, Age Restrictions and Safety

In our article covering counterfeit goods back in June (Available HERE), we looked at the impact of fake goods on the UK economy and the detrimental effect that such products can have upon consumers. Recent research from the Anti-Counterfeiting Forum estimates that the proliferation of counterfeit goods has resulted in a cost of £30bn (or the equivalent …

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“Doing It for the Kids” – The Impact of Consumerism on Teenagers and Young Adults

As an adult, I cringe when I think about the (questionable) decisions made in my youth to dress in baggy jeans, with stainless steel chains looped from belt to pocket. My hair was black with an ‘electric-blue’ tint and I could often be found clad in a hooded sweatshirt with my favourite band plastered on …

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