The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating car rental firms that advertise low prices on the internet and then stiff their customers with hidden fees when they collect the vehicles. The CMA says that if the deal is signed in the UK the customer should be covered by the Consumer Protection Act, which requires firms to clearly display their charges.
The CMA is happy to take evidence of wrongdoing – tel: 020 3738 6000.
Cex, purveyors of second-hand computer and office equipment and CD/DVDs may need to rethink their latest marketing.
Till earlier this year those ordering CDs or DVDs to be posted from the Cex shops where they were in stock paid a reasonable flat rate of £2.50 total postage and packing costs for up to 10 items, any size/weight sent, or 25 pence per item.
Now, however the price has soared to £1.50 per item, a rise of 500%, meaning that the cost of sending 10 items has climbed from £2.50 to £15.
Cex branch staff claim that their firm was “losing a fortune” on the old deal but the hike has left some customers wondering if a middle road couldn’t have been found, say a total of £5 or £7.50. After all Cex, who pay 1 pence for DVDs they sell for 50 pence are not exactly losing a fortune on the product itself.
Children eating more healthily could be a vain hope, given the number of ads for junk food they see.
This amounts to up to 1,000 every year, according to researchers in Australia. During peak viewing times the number of ads for healthy foods is half the number for junk stuff.
Liverpool University revealed last year that British children can see as many as 12 ads for junk food every hour during family shows like The Voice.
A MODERN CURSE? Is social media, which we have all been told we should be enthusiastically embracing, on the way out? Certainly the continued posting of racial …
THE SMELL WORSENS Another Liverpool couple have been caught out trying to defraud a travel company with false claims of holiday food poisoning, and this time …
MORE VENETIAN RIP-OFFS Another case of visitors to Venice being grossly overcharged for food in restaurants around St Marks Square has emerged …
THEFTS FROM EVENTS BUSINESS An event supplier specialised in providing cocktail and bartending expertise was robbed late last month. Two thieves broke into …
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Is social media, which we have all been told we should be enthusiastically embracing, on the way out?
Certainly the continued posting of racial hatred material and the worrying abuse of confidential customer data hasn’t helped the social media cause. And the recent blaming of the culture for causing a mental health crisis amongst young people desperate to maintain a perfect profile, said to be a factor in seven student suicides at Bristol University, the suing of Facebook for running scam ads that defraud and the fact that the down-to-earth businssman, Tim Martin of pub chain Wetherspoons has just closed all his company’s Facebook and Twitter accounts and expects his business to improve as a result have to be three more damaging nails in the social media coffin. Continue reading
Another Liverpool couple have been caught out trying to defraud a travel company with false claims of holiday food poisoning, and this time the doctor and solicitor who supported and brought the claim are also being investigated.
Chelsea Devine, 21, and Jamie Melling, 22, were ordered by Liverpool County Court to pay operator Tui £15,000 after finding them “fundamentally dishonest” for trying to claim £2,500 each for their fictional sickness. In this case Tui also discovered that the pair’s doctor who gave evidence supporting their claim, Zuber Bux is married to Sebana Bux, who is a partner in AMS Solicitors of Preston, who brought the case to court.
Accordingly Tui have reported the doctor to the General Medical Council and the solicitor to the Solicitors Regulation Authority and await their responses.
Another case of visitors to Venice being grossly overcharged for food in restaurants around St Marks Square has emerged.
Four Japanese students were charged a total of £970 for three steak suppers, some mineral water and a plate of fried fish, excluding alcoholic drinks, at the Osteria da Luca. The mayor of Venice is said to be “outraged” and “investigating” this latest of a string of similar cases in the city. For some it might be more constructive if he oversaw the publication of a blacklist of places to avoid, and released it to the international tourist media.
Or would that be a dog biting the hand that feeds it?
An event supplier specialised in providing cocktail and bartending expertise was robbed late last month.
Two thieves broke into the Kensal Green, London offices of Home Hire Bartender and stole bottles of champagne, cameras and business equipment before trashing the place. CEO and founder Lucio Marino is hopeful the pair can be caught as one of them walked past a CCTV camera without wearing his mask.
Liverpool will be able to handle the huge floating blocks of flats that these days pass for modern super liners with a new £50 million cruise terminal bring built on its waterfront from October this year (The Business Desk).
Last year the City welcomed 120,000 passengers and crew from 60 vessels to its current terminal, which generated £7 million for its local economy.
A sleeper mini-coach that can carry 12 passengers lying down has been launched for those travelling 300 miles or more.
The berths on the coach come equipped with draw curtains, night lights, charger sockets magazine racks and morning facial wipes, and the concept is said to be ideal for groups attending events 300+ miles away since the combined travel and accommodation package could save on train or plane costs, and hotel nights.