Other 'big questions' you want answered

markcramer

Hi Martin

This may be more of a utility than an article, but something to make sense of the train system would be great. Others in the forums have recommended splitting the journey into segments to save money on the tickets, but trying to find the cheapest way to split it is difficult, so something like FlightChecker where we can list our start and end points, and it returns the cheapest way of booking those tickets would be great. I hope that makes sense!

Thanks.

MSE_Martin

If you look in the Cheapest Train Fares article.... all will be revealed

tanith

Hiya, how about the question of wether to rent or struggle to buy in the present climate of houseprices seemingly never ending climb.. I know there are lots of differing opinions on this but all I see is them rising slowly or not so slowly. I have younger family members who have been hovering and frightened to take the plunge for several years now continually hoping house prices would come down a little and give them a chance..

Not sure if this is the type of thing that you are looking for...

quorn99

Its long been the bain of my life that motorway services charge a complete rip off. Does anyone think an article of collated near by alternatives would be any good? e.g. normal priced alternatives near junctions on motorways.

Martin - how about a campaign for this rip off to be stood up to/ boycott??
-surely anythings a start. After all this is the same high street burger offered for over twice the price usually if not more.

Andy

quorn99

Martin

Can u add to the gas/elec switching articles about the charges British Gas charge (and maybe others too) if you switch whilst under a price protection scheme. I wasnt aware and they charged me £30 penalty for each when i left under 2009 protection. After about 3 weeks of arguments i eventully got the charges lifted. They didnt notify me oof the charges either verbally when signing up nor was it mentions on the confirmation letter (no dodgy asterisks !!). Others may be aware or may feel it unlikely to leave whilst under a protection scheme but i feel im not the only one who thinks BG are still a rip off for this too.

As such could the switching article point out that these penalty can apply


Andy

YoBear

Hi All,

I think this is my first post on here? I was actually going to first contribute to the redundancy thread but shall start here:

One of the major rip-offs happening right now is Letting Agents and the fees they charge.

Having taken redundancy and relocated to Brighton area I began looking to rent a small apartment. There are a lot of letting agents down here and I eventually found a wonderful flat. I put in an offer but was gobsmacked to find the agent, Tingleys, wanted a fee of I think no less than £165 + VAT for credit references and to draw up an agreement. That is in effect an extra £27.50 over six months on top of the rent! I did take issue and boy, did they suddenly get VERY funny with me saying thats what they charge as everyone is.
Hang on here - I pointed out that I am also a Landlord and they market their service and their fees charging Landlords to do exactly that.
No comment and she put the phone down on me!
I thought I would phone the ARLA (Association of Residential Letting Agents) they belonged to and spoke to a representative there about it.
Apparently once upon a time Letting Agents didn't charge but some started and the others followed.
I questioned the charge level I was being asked for - the lady replied that it was one of the most highest she had heard. In effect she said there was nothing she could do but advised me to go back to Tingleys and ask them to justify the charges.
So I did. But the girl wouldn't answer and put me through to the MD. When I asked him to justify it he said everyone else did and asked me to name some agencies which don't charge (he wasn't prepared for me to tell him of two agents who don't) :rotfl:
I asked him to justify the fee he was asking - he rudely replied he didn't have to justify and expalin anything to me. Would you believe it???!!!!
So that's how we parted.
Can you imagine anyone just saying, "£200 please.", "What for?", "I don't have to tell you that!":mad:

In short - its a rip-off and always mentioned at the last moment just as you set your heart on the property.

I basically walked away and refused and found a lovely flat without a fee.
I told the story to my tenants who took my place. They told me the agency that arranged my letting tried the same but waived the charge when they said they wouldn't move in....

This is a horrible scam and a rip-off and deserves your attention Martin and more importantly consumer revenge!

I'm sorry if I've gone on a bit here. My apologies. I do feel much better to have told you all though!

southernscouser

What about snowballing? Although it might tie in with the 'don't pay minimum payments' bit!:think:

It can save hundreds if not thousands!

sophie_maxwell

albertross wrote:

Common debates that never seem to get resolved on this site are..

Heating on 24/7 vs on a timer, which is cheapest (when all other conditions are identical)

Supermarket fuel vs BP/Shell etc.. which is best, what is the difference (if any).

These arguments go around in circles. If you have any "contacts", it would be nice to have an official answer to put the discussions to bed once and for all, and hopefully save people a lot of money over the winter in the process.


PS

Quorn, there is a book, and a website (I think), which lists all the eateries, petrol stations etc within a few miles of motorway service stations.. I forget the details, but it will come to me.

Was it "Greatest Motorway Secrets" by any chance? :think:

Sophie

Glad

the website is here
the great motorway secrets

Nickynoo1

how about savings for children. Is it better to contribute to a CTF or another type of savings plan. And would it be better to pay monthly contributions or once a year. How about starting a pension for a child. Is this possible or even worth it? Don't understand pensions myself and will probably end up regretting not starting one earlier, so if i could start one for my child should I? (he's only 4 1/2 months and I looking at 65 years into the future,, he he).

Nickynoo1