Businessman issues warning as scammers target vulnerable online shoppers looking for appliance bargains this Christmas

A businessman who runs one of the UK’s top appliance reuse networks has called for more to be done to protect people buying electrical goods online this Christmas.

James Farmer, who is a director of The Appliance Recycling Group, based in Tipton, in the West Midlands, said vulnerable people looking for low-priced second-hand goods and appliances amid the cost-of-living crisis were being ripped off and left out of pocket by unscrupulous traders.

“Appliance poverty is a real issue, and the cost-of-living crisis means people are often forced to find new ways to save money,” he said. “When their washing machine or fridge breaks, especially at this time of year, they have no choice but to look for a quick and cheap replacement online.

“But they're in a vulnerable position. Scammers posing as individuals may take cash and leave them with a faulty appliance or one that doesn’t work at all, which makes a bad thing worse.

“Scammers are everywhere, especially at this time of year, and people should take extra care when they are looking to buy second-hand goods online. The companies that run these online buying and selling sites should also take more care to protect those involved.”

James said sites like eBay had systems in place to protect buyers, but others weren't so robust.

James points out that Facebook Marketplace in particular is a huge draw for people looking for bargains. It does have measures in place for users to report scammers and fraudulent posts, but people are still falling victims to unscrupulous sellers.

James went on to say: “Some people pose as homeowners saying they need to sell an item due to a house move or redecoration. Some of them actually have dozens of fake profiles that they set up to sell hundreds of items online.

“They sometimes offer to deliver the item and ask for cash so you can be left with an item that doesn’t work, having handed over cash and you don't even have an address to trace it back to.

“You could even then be left with a £25 fee to have the item taken away.”

James added: “Reuse is more important than ever now, and more and more people are looking to buy second-hand appliances. We're seeing an increase in the number of people buying reuse appliances, but if they’re buying from an individual online seller, they should take extra care as there's no right of warranty.”

James added where possible people should buy from authorised reuse facilities, as The Appliance Recycling Group, which is based in George Henry Road, Tipton. 

“We supply items with a 90-day warranty, and we test 55,000 products annually across our network. We comply with the strictest environmental standards, which govern the reuse of electrical goods, so buyers have complete peace of mind,” he added.

“It might be a few pounds more than those so-called online bargain, but it's almost like an insurance policy. It’s worth paying that little extra to know you're getting an item that works and is safe to use.”

James said people should follow the following tips to stay safe when buying online:

Always look for a picture of the item in situ. If it’s a fridge or washing machine it should be pictured in a kitchen or utility room. Pictures of the item outside or in a garage should ring alarm bells as it can be a sign the item hasn't been in use in a home.

Don't buy an appliance based on a photo; ask to see the appliance on a video call. A photo cannot indicate whether that appliance is capable of working.

Don't fall for an offer of free delivery. A buyer could drop it off, take your cash and leave you with a faulty or broken item. Ask to collect the item, even if you are unable to. By engaging the seller, you have an address (you can let them know that a delivery would help after, if you are satisfied). When engaged, scammers will often tell you that the item is sold once you press for more details.

Don’t pay cash. a credit or debit card, bank transfer or PayPal is best. Any legitimate individual or business or seller won’t mind how you pay.

Facebook Marketplace offers shopping safety tips and guidelines to avoid fraudsters on the site and makes it easy to report a suspected scam. In some cases, it can offer a refund for those who have been targeted.

Meta, which owns Facebook, works closely with law enforcement to support investigations, and keep scammers off its platforms. It is also a part of Stop Scams UK, an industry-led group of businesses working together to stop the spread of scams.

To find out more about the Appliance Recycling Group, visit theappliancerecyclinggroup.com.

Get your home Christmas décor ready with VonHaus

It’s that time of year again, the annual jobs of getting all the Christmas decorations out, making sure you have got everything you need and making sure everything looks perfectly and properly festive. 

But sometimes, it’s not just as straightforward as you might hope. For example, if you’re missing a crucial tool or you just can’t reach something, it can be a very frustrating, or even impossible, task.

If you're a Christmas decorator, take the stress out of these tasks with the VonHaus’ range of Christmas décor must-haves. 

There's everything you'll ever need, from tools to electrical essentials, you can get all of these with free UK mainland delivery (3-5 days) or with £2.99 next day delivery for those who feeling the last-minute rush.

(Christmas cut off dates apply – 21st December for standard mainland delivery and 22nd December, 1pm for next day delivery)

Step Steel Ladders

If you’re in need of that extra bit of (safe!) height to get into your loft or cupboard to retrieve your Christmas decorations, there sturdy 4 step steel ladder is a must-have. It has an ultra-durable frame along with rubber caps on its feet, which means you won’t have to worry about safety.

Premium 2 Step Ladder

If you’re opting for an epic-sized tree this year, you might  need a little bit of a helping hand putting the star on the top! This premium 2 step ladder is the ideal size for this type of job. It's not too bulky to put away and will give you the extra boost needed to complete your Christmas décor.

6 Socket Black Extension Lead with USB

There’s nothing worse than not having enough plugs for all the Christmas lights! Make the task of plugging them in easier with a 6-socket extension, which includes 2 USB ports, just in case you need to charge a phone or tablet nearby. It even has inbuilt power surge protection to protect your valuable hardware from damage.

25m Splash-Proof Extension Reel

If a bit more length is needed for Christmas trees further away from plugs or outdoor lights, a longer extension reel will do just the trick. This one is 25M in length and is even splash-proof, which means any damp weather conditions won't affect it.

E-Series 18V Cordless Drill Driver Bundle

You’ve got the tree sorted, but what about the other decorations around the house that might need screwing in or attaching to walls? This easy-to-use cordless drill driver will get the job done in no time at all – there won’t be any need to struggle doing those tasks by hand.

112pc Household Tool Set

If you are prepared to do all the festive prep by hand, this 112pc tool set is a must-have for Christmas and all the other times you might need a helping hand. It features all the hand tools you could ever need, and it even includes picture hooks too – perfect for popping up those smaller Christmas decorations.

visit www.vonhaus.com for a full view of available products.

Shop Independent this Christmas and ‘Be a Star’ with Paper Starlight

Andy Jupp, the owner of Paper Starlights said: "This Christmas more than ever it’s vitally important to support small independent businesses. 

"At Paper Starlights, we’ve teamed up with Independent businesses in our town of Chesterfield, Derbyshire, to do just that. 

We're introducing the ‘Be a Star and Support Independents’ campaign.

Andy Jupp added: "We’ve donated 100 of our handmade star lanterns to some 80 businesses across the town centre of Chesterfield, for passers-by to see. It's to help encourage people to shop locally this festive season and put money back into the local economy. Our stars have been kindly distributed with the help of fellow Chesterfield Independent, Shop Indie."

Andy went on to say: "We wanted to say thank you to all the local Derbyshire businesses who have given us so much support over these last 2 years. Now, more than ever, we need to keep shopping local.

"The stars will be on display across Chesterfield until Christmas 2022. We encourage everyone to go out and see how many stars you can spot. As well as to shop independently this festive season."

paperstarlights.com

If you are a local trader in a different town, why not take a leaf out of Andy Jupp's book and organise your own ‘Be a Star and Support Independents’ campaign?

Pet rehoming is easier this Christmas and beyond

The cost-of-living crisis is forcing our nation of animal lovers into impossible situations, and many are forced to make heart-breaking decisions to give up their pets.

But help is at hand, in the form of PetRehomer, a new breed of non-profit adoption platform that makes adoption safer and easier for people who can no longer keep their pets, be the reason financial, medical, or circumstantial. PetRehomer reduces the likelihood of scams and neglected animals and unlike other adoption platforms, its focus is entirely on pet welfare over profit.

Few people in the awful situation of having to give up a pet understand how corrupt the pet adoption industry can be, and how easy it is to be cheated or scammed. 

"People often resort to commercial pet selling websites like Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree,” explains PetRehomer founder Colleen Long. 

"People looking to re-home their pet on these sites aren't given the resources to know who they're selling to. This can result in horror stories, including pets entering neglectful or abusive homes, or which are then sold on for profit, and some that have even been used for meat, bait or dogfighting.

PetRehomer offers a route to safety, and a way to responsibly take care of finding a new home for the rehomer’s pet, vetting adopters to ensure the pet's wellbeing. Colleen wants to educate people around the importance of using and advocating for the right channels if something does go wrong and someone needs to rehome a pet, and bring awareness to #AdoptDontShop as a sustainable and more ethical way to find the right pet.

It's a desperately needed win-win-win for re-homers, adopters, and pets

PetRehomer’s secure and innovative platform provides a responsible, safe opportunity for people to rehome their pets and makes adoption a simple process. Owners looking to give up their pet can set up a full pet profile and the PetRehomer service will then help to connect them to potential adopters. The chosen prospective adopter pays the adoption fee through the platform, which is safely held until PetRehomer completes its home check process.

If the rehomer chooses to proceed with the adopter, the adopter would then meet the pet and decide if they want to take it home. If they don’t get on with the pet, or the rehomer changes their mind, a full refund is issued, so there’s no financial risk involved.

“We ensure potential adopters are correctly set up to adopt a pet,” added Colleen. “It's very difficult for people to know all the right questions to ask would-be adopters, especially when there are so many scams around. 

"Our platform and in-depth home checks ensure that people understand how to properly care for the pet, will give them the right food, space, exercise, veterinary care, and have someone to look after them when they go on holiday, for example.”

"It’s important to add that the adoption fees are paid to the charity to fund the ongoing costs of the platform, and are also used by the charity to help more animals in need. Rehomers do not receive any payment – it’s how the PetRehomer platform helps reduce people selling pets or scamming, by encouraging adopters to follow its guided process."

Charity Buddy is a registered charity in England, no 1189284. One of its charitable objectives is to implement a national pet adoption platform. PetRehomer is the pet adoption platform brand name and will be governed and run by Charity Buddy. For more information, visit their Facebook page @PetRehomerUK.

If you have any other questions, please contact info@petrehomer.org.

www.petrehomer.org

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Sainsbury’s accelerates value plan, investing £50m in daily essentials and festive favourites

Retailer investing a further £50m in low prices by March 2023; two-year total to now top £550m  

Sainsbury’s is accelerating its value plan, investing a further £50 million by March 2023 to help customers manage the rising cost of living. 

Sainsbury’s understands this Christmas will be difficult for lots of customers and over £15 million has been set aside to specifically ensure people will find even more amazing prices on festive favourites and traditional treats.  

Great value fresh products for the festive season, including an inflation-busting Christmas roast dinner at less than £4 a head, as well as more special offers and low prices on party food and puddings are now available in store and online at Sainsbury’s. 

Through its relentless focus on price, Sainsbury’s has been able to hold the price of a traditional fresh Christmas dinner against last year, so customers can be reassured they won't be paying more for their traditional roast dinner despite current inflation levels.

This bold new step comes after Sainsbury’s also made its biggest ever September value offer, with £65 million being spent across the business to help ease the pressure on households through Autumn. Sainsbury’s is committed to doing everything it can to support customers with the cost of living and by March 2023 the retailer will have invested over £550 million in value, the most Sainsbury’s has ever spent on battling price inflation over a two-year period. This is 10% more than the original £500 million target Sainsbury’s set out in May earlier this year.

Simon Roberts, CEO of Sainsbury’s said: “We really understand millions of households are having to make really tough decisions this Christmas and our job is to do everything we can to help with the rising costs of living. 

"We're accelerating our commitment to being the best value, investing a further £50 million in lowering prices and doing everything we can to fight inflation and help our customers enjoy celebrating this year. We know everyone wants to enjoy a special Christmas meal together which is why we’re keeping inflation at bay and offering Christmas roast dinner for less than £4 per head, that's even cheaper than it was last year. 

“I'd like to thank every one of my colleagues who are working tirelessly to deliver a brilliant Christmas for our customers. Our entire team at Sainsbury’s are working together to offer the best value, innovative new products and leading customer service. We’re all looking forward to welcoming our customers into stores and online at this special time of year.”

As well as the affordable Christmas dinner, there are lots of other ways to save money with Sainsbury’s throughout the festive season. Sainsbury's Customers will find great offers on party foods and fresh festive products online and also in stores, plus meal deals and fantastic seasonal offers, including save a third on Taste the Difference Party Foods like Mini Crab Thermidor Crumpets and Christmas Tree Vol Au Vents and save a third on Taste the Difference Cheeses. 

A spokesperson added: "Every day value is at the heart of Sainsbury’s plan and more money is also being invested to keep prices low on the items customers buy most often. Our Aldi Price Match still focuses on frequently bought fresh products and Price Lock continues to lock the price of lots of household essentials, including 20% more own-brand products. 

"Meanwhile, Nectar will continue to offer customers rewards and My Nectar Prices is available through SmartShop, helping customers see how much they are spending and offering them personalised price reductions."

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk.

World's top ten most Christmas destinations

Image credited to Pexels.com

Britons seeking a little extra Christmas cheer this year are being encouraged to plan a seasonal getaway and visit the world’s top ten festive destinations.  

Experts at luxury cruise company, Panache Cruises have identified the ten most picture-perfect Christmas destinations where tourists can feel like they’re in a Hallmark holiday film.  

A festive trip abroad is the perfect way to switch up your Christmas traditions, as holidaymakers can see how the jolly season is celebrated in different parts of the world.  

December is a time when cities all over the globe get their festive gear on, but some places really go all out for the Christmas festivities.  

These festive places make tourists feel as if they’re walking in Christmas Wonderland with their magical markets, snowy villages and dazzling Christmas lights.  

Northern Europe is especially popular during Christmas time because it offers snowy landscapes, festive traditions and beautiful architecture.  

James Cole, who is the founder and MD of Panache Cruises said: “While it's said there's no place like home during holidays, seeing these extra-festive locations may convince you otherwise. 

“Holiday spirit is guaranteed in these destinations, as they feature beautiful Christmas markets and offer plenty of winter activities for the entire family. 

“Planning a little festive escape will also allow families to take some time off during the busy holiday season. 

“Northern Europe is known for its snowy white Christmases, so countries like Finland, Denmark, Iceland and Estonia are very sought-after destinations during the holiday season.  

“A great way to explore the hidden gems of Northern Europe is to sail off on a cruise ship and tick off several festive cities from the list all in one trip.” 

Here are Panache Cruises’ top ten most festive destinations: 

1. Lapland, Finland 

The snowy forests in Lapland are considered to be the home to Santa Claus. Tourists can have a true winter experience by lodging in igloos and visiting Father Christmas Village and Santa Park, where they can go on a reindeer safari and sled with huskies. 

2. Copenhagen, Denmark 

Ice skating is a very popular holiday tradition in Denmark, so there are several ice rinks spread out all throughout Copenhagen. Another important Christmas tradition is a trip to the Tivoli Gardens amusement park where visitors can go on rides, meet Santa and see water and light performances.  

3. Reykjavik, Iceland 

Tourists visiting Reykjavik can experience a very special Christmas under the glowing northern lights. There are plenty of winter activities to engage in, such as visiting ice caves, glacier hiking and snowmobiling. Visitors can try traditional Icelandic Christmas food at a Yule Buffet and try Christmas craft beers at markets.  

4. Tallinn, Estonia 

Tallinn’s Old Town becomes truly magical in the winter months. The cosy and authentic Christmas Market held at the Town Hall Square was named Europe’s best in 2019. Its enormous tree and wooden stalls invite people to explore handmade goods and watch festive shows while enjoying a warm cup of glögi and nibbling on gingerbread cookies. 

5. Vienna, Austria 

Vienna has some of the best Christmas markets in the world, with the oldest dating back to the 13th century. The markets have an old-fashioned charm with festive carousels, twinkling holiday decorations, nativity displays and legendary Vienna Boys Choir concerts.  

6. New York City, US 

Many festive films are set in New York and there’s a good reason for it - Christmas time in New York is truly magical. There are many festive sights to enjoy, from the iconic tree and ice skating rink at Rockefeller Centre to festive window displays on Fifth Avenue.  

7. Strasbourg, France 

Strasbourg is known as the ‘Capital of Christmas’. The villages in Strasbourg come alive during holidays with festive illuminations and the whole city transforms into one big Christmas market spread over ten sites.  

8. Prague, Czech Republic 

Prague’s main Christmas market is set up in the middle of the beautiful, gothic Old Town. Visitors can go ice skating, sing carols, explore the stalls and indulge in local delicacies.  

9. Edinburgh, Scotland 

The streets of Edinburgh are filled with holiday lights, music and markets during Christmas. Tourists should definitely go and watch the Christmas at the Botanics festive light display show at the Royal Botanic Garden.  

10. Nuremberg, Germany 

In Nuremberg visitors can experience the real old-fashioned German Christmas Market. The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt is crammed with wooden booths where traditional yuletide treats such as gluhwein, bratwurst and gingerbread can be bought.  

To find out more about booking a cruise to visit some of the top festive destinations, visit  https://www.panachecruises.com.

Don’t let callous car thieves steal your Christmas

Motorists have been warned not to leave Christmas presents on display in parked vehicles after almost a third admitted to being a victim of car crime.  

Experts at  Quotezone.co.uk have revealed over one in ten Brits leave their precious presents in the car during the festive season, presenting an ideal opportunity for heartless thieves to ruin Christmas.  

New data from Quotezone.co.uk reveals that 11% of us admit to leaving gifts we have purchased for loved ones in our cars while we continue our Christmas shopping or enjoy a night out.  

The car insurance comparison experts also asked 1,000 drivers if they'd experienced a vehicle break-in, with almost one third, 31%, confirming they had.  

Now they are warning car owners to be more careful this year and ensure that presents are kept in the safety of the home, or at least well hidden from view in vehicles.  

Better still, take presents straight home from the shops and get them wrapped and placed under the tree.  

Greg Wilson, who is the Founder of Quotezone.co.uk said: “It must be a terrible feeling to have carefully chosen or sentimental Christmas presents stolen from a car just before the big day.  

“Our data shows that almost one third of drivers have experienced a car break in, yet 11% of us still leave presents in a parked car.  Christmas is a time of goodwill but sadly for some thieves it’s a time of opportunity. 

“It’s also an incredibly busy time of year, drivers need to remember to be careful and always keep presents hidden out of sight under the boot cover or in the glove box, ideally parked next to a streetlight on a busy street.  If the car is left unlocked or the stolen items are in full view, it may invalidate an insurance claim.  

“Fully comprehensive car insurance usually includes cover for some possessions damaged or stolen from a car but there’s usually a cap on this amount.  If drivers know they’ll be travelling to see family this Christmas and have a large sack of expensive gifts in the car, it would be worth informing their insurer to double check they’re covered and potentially increase the price cap temporarily.  Also don’t forget to keep all receipts, they may be needed if they have to make a claim.”  

To further prevent car break ins, drivers should park in a well-lit, populated area, ensure that all windows are rolled up, and consider installing a steering-wheel lock, car tracker and immobiliser – if the car doesn’t have one as standard.  

Car security is really important any time of the year, but especially during the festive period with expensive and sentimental presents in danger of being stolen and ruining Christmas. 

If cars are broken into, drivers should take photos, identify the damage and inform the police – obtaining a crime reference number, also inform the car insurance company as soon as possible. 

www.Quotezone.co.uk helps around 3 million users annually find useful savings on everyday household bills and essentials, such as fully comprehensive car insurance. 

Help for hard of hearing Christmas gift buyers is here

The UKs leading live chat app directory for hard of hearing users has launched a new feature which enables parcel tracking directly from its website.

LiveChatDirectory, a UK-based directory of business live chat apps aimed at hard-of-hearing (HoH) users, has recently implemented a new feature on its website designed to help users track their orders with Evri, Royal Mail, and other major providers. 

The service was launched in an effort to provide HoH internet users with a more functional, intuitive experience when placing online orders. 

The LiveChatDirectory team firmly believes this new feature will make it easier for HoH users to have their orders delivered without mishaps or delays, and coupled with the company's large-scale directory of live business chat apps, it enables more streamlined customer service experiences in case of issues with orders.

The live chat market has rapidly grown in popularity over recent years, with online chat for business becoming a major aspect of web-based customer service across business to customer and business to business markets. 

LiveChatDirectory provides its users with a simple, efficient interface for quickly locating the specific business chat app they require, without having to visit that business’s website and search for its customer services page. 

With the majority of LiveChatDirectory's user base falling within the HoH population, the company leveraged its large-scale database of business chat services to provide users with increased functionality, when a user places an order online, they can view and track its parcel delivery directly on LiveChatDirectory.

The UK is home to over 11 million people who have hearing-related issues. The UK's HoH population utilises live business chat services to resolve customer service matters, preferring this method of communication over time-consuming and often-frustrating customer service telephone calls. 

Adding a parcel tracking feature to its service offering has enabled LiveChatDirectory to provide UK HoH persons with a more enjoyable digital experience when using business services online.

Per market research firm Research and Markets, the live chat software market was valued at just over £629 million in 2020 and is on track to exceed £1.4 billion by the year 2030, marking one of the UK's most explosive customer service technology trends. As internet services continue to grow at a rapid pace, live chat apps will continue to play a major role in customer and client service scenarios for businesses across nearly all industries and sectors.

To learn more visit https://www.livechatdirectory.co.uk.

(Image courtesy of Satheesh Sankaran and Pixabay)