danny-cleese s.

M&S an institution or in an institution!

Marks and Spencers was once called an institution but now more of in an institution, a true shame that they seem so lost.

On a recent internet expedition into the depths of Marks and Spencers I ordered some hi-ball glasses. These glasses cost £7.50 for four. At a later visit to Asda I came across the exact same glasses for £2.40 for four, you should have shopped around I hear you say. How very true. My point is though, if they continually overcharge customers on their wares, in the end the customer goes elsewhere.

Following on with the same hi-ball glasses, Marks and Spencers asked me to review them. I pressed the link supplied and hey presto, a nearly blank web page stating that "this site is not supported". See what I mean! If they can't link web pages what can they do.

Just a few days ago I had another poor experience with M&S. I wanted to buy a gift card for someone; what card shall I get, I thought! I know (a spark of genius) an M&S one (bad mistake). Chose the card and value, went to the online checkout, got ready to pay; hang on a minute! Delivery charge! Yes they wanted £3.50 to deliver a gift card. I tell you, M&S have definitely lost the proverbial plot, no wonder their market share is going down. COME ON MARKS AND SPENCERS, THINK ABOUT WHAT AND HOW YOU SELL YOUR PRODUCTS ONLINE!

I really hope they can get there corporate act together, for look whats coming... NEXT.

I never ever thought that I would be sitting here writing a good review about BT. I am about to, so here goes.
After a tumultuous, torrid and trustless time of being a BT customer I once again had to contact them due to poor broadband speeds ( one of the little rural living probs). Instead of the normal Indian Call Centre run around, I contacted the directorate office ( they had helped, yes really helped on a previous problem) and explained my problem to a very nice man named John ( the name has been changed to protect the innocent!). He telephoned me in a couple of hours and offered me a deal for "superfast fibre" at a price less than my old slowwwwww broadband. This new broadband is indeed super, with my speeds increased fifteen fold, and touchwood ( tap tap) a really reliable service. John the protected was polite, helpful, professional and a credit to BT, if only they could clone him and put him throughout customer service.

I'm sure that many of you will agree with me, when I say that more and more businesses are letting us, the customer down. They all want our custom and actively seek to impress us before we buy. All goes well until we the customer have a problem or just want to ask a simple question, then the bottom falls out of their glossy world and we are left annoyed, stressed and in some cases, out of pocket. I know there are companies around that do go the extra 1500 metres, (good old metrication) when things go wrong but they seem to be the exception, not the norm. This is where review sites and especially Trustpilot can really help, for the one thing a business hates is a really bad factual review. Consumer reviews hit them where it proverbially hurts, their profit margin, for we all read and are influenced by a well written review.

The Trustpilot review site gives us the consumer, the means to be noticed by businesses big and small; furthermore, a Trustpilot review shows us the companies that we can trust. Trustpilot uses software to monitor, as they say "coarse language"and so keep us the reviewer in check when writing, shall we say, a heartfelt review. This I found out when trying to express a term in the vernacular, I had to settle for the term "hen up", surprisingly they wouldn't allow me to use the male of the species. This review site really does work, only the other week I was let down badly by a supplier of garden furniture, I won't mention their name, as they say; to protect their guilty. Anyway, after the "protected ones" had failed to deliver twice! Had failed to answer several emails and phone calls, I signed up with Trustpilot, then put it all in scathing, detailed print. A few hours after it went live the company was on the phone to me, I got a good discount and the furniture. REMEMBER, never underestimate the power of the review and never underestimate the power of a TRUSTPILOT REVIEW..

They say you can't judge a book by its cover, well the same is true for energy suppliers. At first Together Energy seemed good, good price, good switching and a fairly good website. All was good for the 12 month term of my contract but when I switched from Together Energy to another supplier things went wrong, yep not good. The switch was going good, the new supplier was doing, well good and I was waiting for my final bill and my refund of credit accrued from Together Energy. I waited, not good but they did take another monthly DD payment in the meantime; again, not good, though after I emailed them they did refund it. I waited for my bill etc, NOT GOOD. Six weeks came and went, yep; NOT GOOD, so I emailed again but no response. I then did what we all should do, I emailed the CEO ( *******@togetherenergy.co.uk) and a day or so later... brrrriing, brrrriing (that's the phone ringing) I got a call from Together Energy. Very quickly the final bill was created, my credit returned and a small token of compensation happily received. I left Together Energy, eventually happy, even thinking that I may use them again( idiot!) Right, fast forward a few months and an email drops on my virtual desk. An email from Together Energy's debt collection agency OPOS. They informed me that I was £60.00 odd pounds in debt, what! DEBT, they had to give ME money back. The next day I receive a threatening SMS text from OPOS stating, call us IMMEDIATELY; well what do you do, you call 'em, don't you. They stated that Together Energy had recalled the DEBT; the what! DEBT. Later I receive a cut 'n' paste email from Together Energy, which stated that a 'bad' file had gone to the debt agency and not to worry about it; that's ####* easy for them to say. So... I emailed him at the top and him replied at record speed. He stated; please give me a week and I will get things sorted; so I did. A few days later brrriing, brrriing (in case you forget; that's the phone ringing) I receive a call from a nice polite lady from Together Energy who apologised for their failings and when pressed, offered a paltry £10.00 in compensation. I pressed for a reasonable amount but she and her Senior Management were, feeling tight. I accepted the paltry amount, well they have to be penalised for having such slap dash systems don't they.

It is up to you if you want to deal with this company, I definitely wouldn't again, especially a company that can send a finalised (four odd months ago) customer's file to a debt collecting agency; if they can do that, what else can they do. You can take the chance but I won't.

Really well oiled

My neighbour introduced me to the oil-club a couple of years ago. I thought at the time, well I doubt that they will be able to reduce my oil cost much but I couldn't have been more wrong. Yes, there you go, I admit it; I WAS WRONG. The oil-club.co.uk are what they say, a club, like minded individuals in the same area pool their oil (I wouldn't like to swim in that pool) requirements and get the considerable benefits of the bulk purchase. The oil-club price is anything from 3-10 pence per litre cheaper than your local oil supplier, funnily it may well be delivered by your local oil supplier. The oil-club website is easy to use and an email informs you of the next order in the area.

I would without hesitation recommend www.oil-club.co.uk.

Danke Deuba

Don't worry, you haven't accidently stumbled upon a German review site, however if you are German; "Es tut mir Leid für meinen Mangel an deutschen". So in english, and on with the review... A few weeks ago I ordered a folding wooden garden side table from Deuba via their Ebay site. The table arrived in about four days, quite good going from their German base. The quality of the table is very good, especially as it cost under £18.00, so good in fact that I ordered a second one. This one cost under £16.00, so even better value and just as good as the first. If my first two sorties in to the world of Deuba are anything to go by, l will be using them in the future.

The only thing I have left to say is danke Deuba!

Justlinen, just brilliant

Justlinen.co.uk is an on-line arm of Dawsons Department Stores and sells, as you might expect linen. Yes, bedding and towels etc; not the most exotic subject for a review but they do deserve a review and a good one at that. This is the second time I have purchased from Justlinen.co.uk, I am sure there will be a third, more than likely a fourth, and who knows a fifth; I could go on for ever here, no you say, ok back to the review. Once again the whole ordering process was straightforward and simple, even paying seemed less of a wrench than usual. The items arrived in a few days and as with my first order the quality was second to none. Yes top notch quality items but not with a top notch price tag.

I would definitely recommend Justlinen.co.uk.

An Ebay beginner's, beginners guide to Ebay

Yes, a site to find everything you need, everything you don't need and everything you didn't know you didn't need. I've used it for a little while now but am still on a learning curve; god how I hate that term!

Ebay is a wonderful institution but before we gaze lovingly in awe at its wonders, lets get the grey matter set. I have found exceptional bargains and not just by bidding but also in "buy now"(a phillips 920 shaver for £40.00, rrp about £160.00). Bidding for items indiscriminately can lead to disappointment, anger, less money and looking a pratt when your friends and loved ones find out. Do your research, check the cheapest price you can buy an item for. Set your maximum price and stick to it, if you lose that one, there's usually another around the proverbial corner; I've seen a "used" (one careful owner, used by a bread-hating little old lady type) breadmaker sell for a good deal more than the exact same new one would cost. Also, think postage! Sad I know but we must all think postage at sometime in our lives.

And finally, ever wondered what Ebay stands for? Go on you secretly have, haven't you. Anyway originally Echo Bay Technologies but the web name Echo Bay was taken, so second choice Ebay. Go on admit it you really wanted to know that.

Oh how so Trueshopping

I stumbled upon the Trueshopping website a few years ago when I ordered a cordless garden strimmer and before you ask, yes it is still working very well. Anyway a few months or so ago I ordered a tall bathroom cabinet from them. The price was reasonable and the extra 10% discount from an online voucher made it even more so. The website made paying easy, well the hardest part was getting the card out of my wallet, such a wrench and the moths hate it! The order was processed and after a day or so I received a delivery notification. The cabinet was duly delivered as promised; there arrived before me a large cardboard wrapped package and looking somewhat like a coffin on end. Was it the bathroon cabinet, or had the wife got a little surprise for me; only kidding. The cabinet was (as mentioned in other reviews) extremely well protected and arrived in perfect condition. The quality of the cabinet is exceptional, I would quite happily pay twice as much for it, well maybe not I've gotta think of the moths you know.

I could have written this review some time ago but I wanted to make sure that the cabinet would remain of exceptional quality after it had had a few months use. Yes it has passed with flying colours, the doors and drawer still open effortlessly, the shelves are as strong as ever ( even with the bulk buy of shower gel and deodorant on them) and the gloss white finish is still pristine. Yes, Trueshopping receives a 10 out of 10 from me, and never a more true(shopping) word spoken.

They "ASDA" right attitude for me.

Having read through the various bad reviews for ASDA, I think I must be shopping in a parallel ASDA internet world. Ah! Maybe I am, or is it the £3.00(yes £3.00) a bottle ASDA red wine I hear you cry. Anyway, I have regularly ordered my groceries online and have found the service & quality to be excellent. They almost always deliver on time, well two late deliveries in three years ain't bad and one of them was due to the amount of snow but ASDA still delivered. The items I receive are nearly always of good quality and well within their use-by-dates. On the very odd occasion that an item of food is either poor quality or missing from the order, I phone the customer services and they issue a refund with no questions asked. The ASDA delivery drivers are without exception helpful and polite, the pickers (no not the country and western type!) seem to take care and choose fresh items well. What about substitutes I hear you say. Well, footballs not really... Oh, sorry I see what you mean. Yes, we all get substituted from time to time, and generally ASDA substitutes are spot on. Invariably they will substitute with a more expensive item but only charge for the original item ordered. If though, a substituted item is not wanted; just send it back, also the driver will refund you there and then.

I would have no hesitation in recommending asda.com for online grocery shopping or their Kendal store for making the delivery happen.

Justlinen.co.uk is an on-line arm of Dawsons Department Stores and sells, as you might expect linen. Yes, bedding and towels etc; not the most exotic subject for a review but they do deserve a review and a good one at that. This is the second time I have purchased from Justlinen.co.uk, I am sure there will be a third, more than likely a fourth, and who knows a fifth; I could go on for ever here, no you say, ok back to the review. Once again the whole ordering process was straightforward and simple, even paying seemed less of a wrench than usual. The items arrived in a few days and as with my first order the quality was second to none. Yes top notch quality items but not with a top notch price tag.

I would definitely recommend Justlinen.co.uk.

OVO=Operates Very (h)Onestly-I know its poetic licence!

It's makes a change to be able to write a good review, so often this is not the case. Anyway, I have been an OVO customer for a couple of years, despite my annual check for cheaper suppliers. Yes, OVO have always been cheaper but in this case cheaper isn't poorer, in fact they are the best electricity supplier I've found. They give me a discount for managing my account online, and they give me 3% interest if my account is in credit; well until the regulator OFGEM got involved. OFGEM reckons that OVO has breached regulations by offering three customer discounts, yes discounts that benefit the customer. All I can say is #^÷OFgem. Sorry but I needed that little moan! OVO keeps me informed of changes etc, and have an easy to use website. Well done OVO

IMPORTANT UPDATED REVIEW I originally posted a three star review of Teakwarehouse in June 2014, in which I said I would submit an update on how the furniture faired through the winter. Well! It's April, the sun is shining (at the moment) and the furniture is out. So here is the update...

The table and four chairs spent their winter in the shed, they were oiled prior to going in and came out in the same condition. Joints sound and no warping. The bench spent winter in the same place it spent summer, on the patio. It too was oiled at the end of the season and as expected, has faded throughout the winter. Even though it had been rained on, hailed on, snowed on, (Ah! The wilds of Cumbria) and became frozen on several occasion, it survived with flying colours. Just like the table and chairs the joints are all sound and there is no sign of wood warp. So I must say well done Teakwarehouse, your teak furniture is exceptional value for money. I just hope you've sorted your customer service problems.

Just in case anybody would like to read the original review, then I have added it in it's entirety below. For those of you who don't, then stop reading now...

Yes! The teak garden furniture has finally arrived and it is very, very, very good. The problems of getting it here are the only thing that sour the milk. I didn't realise that when they said free delivery, they mean't the amount of attempts it would take to deliver! Anyway moan over (possibly) and back to the review. I had given up on it coming and then at 8pm, the doorbell rings. There stands Kevin from Teakwarehouse, tired, his last delivery and the best part of three hundred miles from home. He was polite, helpful and a credit to the company, Mark (Teakwarehouse boss), give him a pay rise, he deserves it. The furniture was offloaded, the bill paid and Kevin duly parted on his long journey to Essex.

Why, you may ask did I give a three star review. Well, I reply, I gave a star for each of the following: Quality, the teak furniture looks, as I said before; very, very, very good. Price, (even without discounts) better than the competitors. Kevin, shows that someone knows how to deal with customers. The two other stars would have been given for ease of contact and customer care.

Teakwarehouse have an excellent product but appear to be swamped by demand. I believe that their success maybe their biggest failure. So come on Teakwarehouse, get someone to answer the phone and reply to emails.

Finally, I have read reviews that raise doubts about Teakwarehouse being a reputable company because they only accept payment by bank transfer or COD. I can say 100%, that they are 100% GENUINE but if you are still unsure, pay by cash on delivery as I did.

And even more finally; I will update this review, same time next year and let you know how the furniture does over time.

Yes! The teak garden furniture has finally arrived and it is very, very, very good. The problems of getting it here are the only thing that sour the milk. I didn't realise that when they said free delivery, they mean't the amount of delivery promises it would take to deliver! Anyway moan over (possibly) and back to the review. I had given up on it coming yet again and then at 8pm, the doorbell rings. There stands Kevin from Teakwarehouse, tired, his last delivery and the best part of three hundred miles from home. He was polite, helpful and a credit to the company, Mark (Teakwarehouse boss), give him a pay rise, he deserves it. The furniture was offloaded, the bill paid and Kevin duly parted on his long journey to Essex.

Why, you may ask did I give a three star review. Well, I reply, I gave a star for each of the following:
Quality, the teak furniture looks, as I said before; very, very, very good.
Price, (even without discounts) better than the competitors.
Kevin, shows that someone knows how to deal with customers.
The two other stars would have been given for ease of contact and customer care.

Teakwarehouse have an excellent product but appear to be swamped by demand. I believe that their success may be their biggest failure. So come on Teakwarehouse, get someone to answer the phone and reply to emails.

Finally, I have read reviews that raise doubts about Teakwarehouse being a reputable company because they only accept payment by bank transfer or COD. I can say 100%, that they are 100% GENUINE but if you are still unsure, pay by cash on delivery as I did.

And even more finally; I will update this review, same time next year and let you know how the furniture does over time. (See updated review above).

British Home Stores, or BHS as they are trendily (nearly) known have been around for, as we know, a long, long time. Yes, ages, just like them that begin with 'M', you know two names. Unlike 'M' with two names, BHS seem to know where they are going, also where they have been. They offer good products at reasonable prices, which seem more reasonable than 'M' with two names. My wife purchased some jumpers in the BHS sale, which were very well made, good to size and at a good price. Even better there was an extra 24% off and that was on top of sale prices. Brilliant value.

BHS? Yes, would recommend.

Sportsdirect can help you stay HEALTHY and WEALTHY.

We all like a bargain, don't we? We all like a good quality bargain, yes? Well I've shopped at Sportsdirect a few times now and have found their prices second to none. Now some of you will say. Ah! Sportsdirect is only for youngsters, it is all trainers and them tracksuit thingies. You know them stripey (druggy) trousers. Yes they do do them and they also do do the stripey tops to match, if that's what floats your boat. They also do (or do do, if you prefer) a whole range of apparel, yes good clothes for everyone from eighteen to eighty, or even nineteen to ninety, and those among us who are, walkers, joggers, runners, cyclists, swimmers, skiers, boxers, etc, etc, etc...

In my last and fairly recent order I purchased several "Slazenger" brand T shirts, these were priced at between £2.00 to £3.00 each. The quality of these is excellent, made of a good material and they fit like a glove. No, no, they fit like a well tailored T shirt. Phew! That was close, you want gloves to fit like, er gloves, and I expect the ones they sell do, or even do do.

The only negative points I would raise about Sportsdirect are, online delivery is charged at £3.99 on orders under £100.00 (would be nice if they could offer free delivery to one's (posh eh!) nearest store). Also their stores are so full of stock, you can struggle to find what you want but apart from that they are, very, very good.

One, two, THREE but I'll give it FIVE!

I write this review on behalf of all those, "not so young" phone users, who want a "pay-as-you-go" service but without that "pay-through-the-nose" call cost.

I recently got a new smartphone, yes I can use a smartphone, even at my great age of 58. I tend to use mobile phones for "emergencies" (the last time i topped up my old mobile was 2008) and the landline for the rest. My old mobile charged 30pence a minute and average signal coverage. I changed to three and now get 3pence per minute+good signal coverage+150mb of data free each time I top up. I have used the phone more in the last month, than I did in the last two years.

Three was easy to set up, a good signal coverage (and I live in the wilds of Cumbria), had a free sim and a call rate a lot cheaper than even a landline. If you are looking for a call provider and don't want to get ripped off on pay as you go, then give three a go.

Update 23/05/2016 I have been with 3three for about eighteen months and am still 100% happy with them. A good signal, very cheap calls, texts and data. An easy to use website, which makes topping up a breeze. Yes, I still say if you want cheap easy pay as you go, then give 3three a go.

E (Exceptional, Excellent) Buyer

We all love a bargain don't we? Go on you do? Admit it; yes? I'm glad we all agree. You also want, good service, a good and easy to use website and reasonable or free (but fast) delivery. Yes, yes, then stop reading this drivel and go to the Ebuyer website. Still here, then I will carry on...

I was looking for a new printer and decided on a brother 84-in-one (not really just a 4-in-one) multi functional (plays the violin) printer. As I looked for the best price I came upon Ebuyer and soon discovered that their price was by far the best. Their website was easy to use and delivery (it's all part of the cost of the goods) was free. The printer was duly ordered, paid for, a confirmation received and very quickly delivered. So there you go. Why are you still reading this twaddle? I told you before, go to the Ebuyer website and see for yourself...

Amazon = Above Average Service but Badly Below Buisness Scruples

You may be forgiven for thinking with a name like Amazon, their websites going to be a bit of a jungle; where as in fact nothing could be further from the truth. Then you'll say with Amazons record on UK Corporation tax payments, that their waters run very muddy, and that is very close to the truth. Anyway that has got the analogies out the way, so on with the review. I have used Amazon for many years and have always had good service from them and their market place. Prices are always competitive but I always check with other sites to be sure I get the best deal. Delivery times are usually adequate, even with the free super saver offers.

I must admit that I don't use Amazon as much as I used too, that old Corporation tax business kinda grates.

A choice for gardening, naturally!

Want to grow vegetables without pesticides? Then this is the site for you. Gardening Naturally is my choice for mesh, netting and insect barriers. My last order for veggiemesh among other bits was dealt with efficiently and delivered in a timely fashion (as they used to say). Prices were very competitive and product even better. The veggiemesh insect netting has been in place for the past few months and is: a) very well made. B) showing no signs of wear or deterioration. And more importantly. C) not letting any of those pesky insects in, touch wood.

Greats values, easys and simples

It is all too easy in this day and age, to find something poor to say about a company and I have, once or twice. So reviewing my various dealings with comparethemarket.com makes a refreshing change. The whole process from start to finish is quick, easy and of course, once its set up your next quote is even easier. I know that several companies state that they are cheaper than price comparison sites but I've yet to find their statement true; in fact by using comparethemarket.com I have never had home or car insurance so cheap (home b+c £86.00 & car £150.00 fc). Now you're saying to yourself; aren't they the meerkat lot, yes you are quite correct! And I expect you now want me to mention, I know, I know but it has to be said; the cuddly free meerkat toy. Sad I know but we all feel better with it out in the open, don't you.

And lastly, I would, without hesitation recommend anyone reading this review to try comparethemarket.com, well you've got nothing to loose, its SIMPLES... qwerk!.