Everyone is seeing the cost of household bills and shopping increase. Whilst some are preparing to weather the storm, for many, the choice between heating and eating is becoming a stark reality. There are things we can do to reduce our outgoings and help stretch our money that little bit further. As part of Advice …
Making the Most of our Money as Consumers – #simplifyspending Read More »
Research carried out by The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) and Vouchercodes.co.uk suggests that in 2019, the average UK household spent over £450 in the December and Boxing Day sales. With stores already slashing their prices in advance of Boxing Day 2020, it is easy to find yourself caught up in the excitement of bagging …
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are set to be more popular than ever this year, with many retailers offering early and extended sales on the must-have items for Christmas. Cyber Monday presents an opportunity to pick up the latest gadgets and electrical equipment, including the newest releases of games consoles. With the genuine retailers out …
Cyber Monday: Avoiding Counterfeit Electronics and Issues with Games Consoles Read More »
We all like to feel like we are getting value-for-money in anything we purchase, but sometimes a bargain can leave us feeling cheaper than expected when it turns out to be a counterfeit, sub-standard imitation of the real thing. Questions are raised about the multiple perspectives involved in the operation of the movement of these …
Counterfeit Goods: Impacts on Consumers and the Economy Read More »
Unfair delivery charges, specifically increased costs for those living in what many would classify as ‘remote or rural’ areas, continues to be an ongoing issue for many Scottish consumers. This can take the form of small-print delivery information that is missed at the point of purchase, with consumers facing payment for additional charges post-purchase in the …
Shopping Online – Avoiding Hidden & Unfair Delivery Charges Read More »
Online shopping means easier access to purchase the things that we want, with delivery straight to our doors. With many offers available, and clever online and email marketing directed towards consumers, understanding the tricks of the trade that are used to convince us to make purchases are important in ensuring we avoid the pitfalls, and …
Online Shopping – Understanding the Gimmicks and Making the Most of Your Money Read More »
In yesterday’s article, we looked at consumer rights in relation to delays on deliveries, but what rights do consumers have in situations where items simply don’t arrive, or orders are incorrect or damaged? The way in which the process of deliveries is handled has changed in response to the coronavirus pandemic to limit the amount of …
Delivery Issues: Incorrect, Damaged or Stolen – What Are Our Rights? Read More »
There are considerations for consumers when making purchases online at any time, but care should be taken during online events to ensure your purchases are safe and provide value-for-money. The impulse to purchase something straight away when we see a bargain is all too familiar for most of us. To ensure that our expectations are …
Throughout the public health crisis and resulting lockdown restrictions, consumeradvice.scot has received a significant increase in the number of cases relating to faulty goods and safety concerns. Between April and July this year, we have seen faulty goods cases increase by nearly 110%. Since March, Scottish consumers have witnessed a seismic change in how they interact with, and …
Advice Direct Scotland has conducted a nationwide Survation Poll assessing public opinion on a number of issues which have compounded by the public health crisis, including employment and travel. In light of the easing of lockdown restrictions in Scotland, we also sought to assess citizens’ feelings on returning to pre-lockdown activities, such as visiting bars …
