This is a comment piece that ran in the Sun on Sunday on 19th May. ‘STOP TAKING US FOR FUELS’ By Richard Lloyd, Which? executive director Another week, another big business scandal. This time it’s the allegations of price fixing by major oil companies. It’s early days in the investigation but it’s unbelievably outrageous if [...]
In response to Bank of Ireland reversal of mortgage rate hike for 1,200 customers, Which? executive director Richard Lloyd said: “These customers should not have been subject to the price hike in the first place and this announcement just shows that Bank of Ireland did not properly review who it could be applied to. “Bank [...]
Some high street pharmacies are giving customers poor advice and independent pharmacies fall behind the big chains and supermarkets. Which? sent trained undercover mystery shoppers into 122 pharmacies across the UK and our expert panel of three experienced pharmacists rated the advice they received. We found that some pharmacies are giving out advice without asking [...]
A new Which? survey has revealed that it still pays to think carefully about whether a Green Deal loan is right for you, if you’re looking to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Our results indicate that prospective home buyers are wary of buying a property that has a Green Deal loan attached to [...]
Which? executive director Richard Lloyd said: “We’re keeping a close eye on this to check that companies are adhering to the ban on excessive card charges that came in after our campaign. We’re pleased there has been progress but Trading Standards or the regulators should crack down on any company who still hasn’t complied or is failing to act in the [...]
Which? puts infuriating call centre phone systems to the test to find the best way to get through to a real person. Call centre menus, known as Interactive Voice Response systems (IVR), are designed to channel calls to the correct department, but they often leave consumers baffled and frustrated. Consumers have told us they have [...]
A Which? investigation has revealed that travel insurance policies have failed to move with the times, providing inadequate cover for the full costs of lost or stolen valuables abroad and potentially leaving holidaymakers hundreds of pounds out of pocket. Our research shows that many travel insurers have not updated their policies for years leaving cover [...]
In response to the announcement from Ofcom on nuisance calls and the OFT & ICO on personalised pricing, Which? executive director Richard Lloyd said: “Ofcom’s shocking findings reflect our own research and show just how many of us are being bombarded by the menace of unwanted calls and texts “Today we see three of the regulators starting to [...]
The Apple Store tops the 2013 Which? high street shops survey for the first time, as more than 11,000 consumers rate the shops they love and hate. Consumers liked the Apple store’s ‘unique look and feel’ and praised its ‘great customer service’. ‘Messy’ and ‘expensive’ WH Smith is in last place. The fashion chain Bon [...]
The Consumer Finance Association (CFA) today called on MPs not to class all their customers as “vulnerable”. In response, Which? executive director Richard Lloyd said: “Our research shows that many households are increasingly reliant on high-cost credit to clear existing debts or to pay for essentials like food. “Poor affordability checks and excessive charges are [...]