Consumeradvice

Christmas / Seasonal

How to identify a genuine energy company call and protect yourself from scams

How to identify a genuine energy company call and protect yourself from scams

Receiving a cold call from an energy company can be unsettling, especially if you’re unsure whether it’s legitimate. Scammers often pose as representatives from well-known companies to trick you into giving up personal information or agreeing to fraudulent deals. Here are some simple steps you can take to ensure the call is genuine and protect yourself from potential scams.

Navigating Safety Concerns: E-Scooters and E-Bikes as Christmas Presents

As the festive season approaches, the popularity of e-scooters and e-bikes as Christmas presents has soared, offering a convenient and eco-friendly alternative for many Scots. However, consumers must be vigilant about potential safety hazards associated with these products. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has released a crucial safety advisory, emphasizing the necessary …

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Festive Sales & Purchases: Returns & Refund Rights

With many products and services being more expensive than in previous years, it’s important to ensure that things we buy meet the required standards and we are getting what we paid for. But what happens if they don’t? How can we ensure our consumer rights are being upheld and we are making the most of …

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I have made the mistake of overspending at the post-Christmas sales in previous years and worry that I am going to do this again. I already have debts that I am struggling with and don’t want to make it any worse, but there are things that I need. Can you help?

Post-festive and new year sales can be a good time to pick up a bargain, both online and on the high street. However, it is important to take into consideration whether we really need items, especially when money is tighter. Think about how much money you can afford to spend during the sales before you …

I have made the mistake of overspending at the post-Christmas sales in previous years and worry that I am going to do this again. I already have debts that I am struggling with and don’t want to make it any worse, but there are things that I need. Can you help? Read More »

I have been waiting on the delivery of gifts for my family that I ordered online. This has been going on for some time, and I am starting to wonder if I can just cancel them to buy elsewhere in case they don’t come in time for Christmas. Can you help?

There are various things that could be causing the delays, but your statutory rights are the same, regardless of the reason(s) for delay supplied by the retailer. If an online retailer has advised that you should have received items within a particular timeframe, then you should have received them within this period. This year, it …

I have been waiting on the delivery of gifts for my family that I ordered online. This has been going on for some time, and I am starting to wonder if I can just cancel them to buy elsewhere in case they don’t come in time for Christmas. Can you help? Read More »

Food Waste, Avoiding Overspending, and Sources of Support this Festive Season

Many of us are seeing increases in our food shopping bills at the till, and this will be no different moving into the festive season. Ten pence here, and twenty pence there quickly adds up to pounds at the checkout, and with many budgets tighter this year, understanding how to make the most of our …

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Christmas Shopping Online: Avoiding Payment Pitfalls and Knowing Our Rights

The way we interact with retailers and other traders has changed considerably over the course of the last few years. With many of us turning to online shopping out of necessity during the pandemic, and continuing to do so now, many high street retailers have reduced the number of physical stores they have as a …

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January Sales – Making Most of our Money at the Start of the new year

January can traditionally be a tough month for managing finances, but the knock-on effect of the coronavirus pandemic means that it may be even more difficult for some people to make their final pay of the year last to the end of January. In our recent Boxing Day article, we looked at increases to consumer …

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I’m planning to hit the January sales but have been known to overspend considerably in previous years. Can you offer any advice before I go shopping??

The January sales can be a good time to pick up a bargain, both online and on the high street. There are different things that we can do as consumers to make sure that we avoid living beyond our means. Create a Budget The simplest way to prevent an accidental overspend is to create a …

I’m planning to hit the January sales but have been known to overspend considerably in previous years. Can you offer any advice before I go shopping?? Read More »

Boxing Day Sales 2021 – Saving Money and Avoiding the Scams

The Boxing Day sales are the perfect time to pick up a bargain, whether it’s a treat for ourselves, or forward-thinking to gifts for next year. With the sales falling on a Sunday this year, it is predicted that shoppers will be out in force with many online and in-store events taking place. With several …

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