The recent unprecedented rise in the cost of postage has hit businesses hard, but pensioners and other vulnerable groups even harder, courtesy of the industry lapdog, Ofcom.
Those buying second-class stamps now have to pay 50 pence each for them, a rise of 39% from the previous 36 pence. Those with franking machines now pay a minimum second-class rate of 31 pence, up 11% from 28 pence. Continue reading
Following close behind the bankers on the hate list are energy companies, which are currently coming across as very customer-unfriendly.
o NPower is to raise prices to 3.3 million cash-strapped and captive customers, despite the company already showing impressive profits so far this year. The company has also been identified by Ofcom as using the much-hated automatic dialling systems that leave the line silent, leave marketing messages or hang up.
o British Gas has been fined £2.5 million by regulator Ofgen for its poor handling of customer complaints. The regulator is now looking into the complaints procedures of a number of other energy firms.
o MPs are calling for a ban on cold calling, doorstepping and “Del-Boy tricks” by energy firms after Ofgen found that 40% of users who switched ended up paying more, not less.