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Currys and out of warranty
Ginu bought a laptop last year in Feb 25, the laptop will not power on. I took it to currys i explained my consumer right, they are saying in order to sent it off for repair for an assessment to see if it is a manufacturer fault that I need to pay £50 upfront which is refunded if it is a manufacturer fault. I am arguing…
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Final salary after ill health, taxation and benefits question
As expected I've been terminated on ill health grounds. I'm fuming because it includes a lot of accrued holiday, which I'd asked to have earlier when my SSP which they refused. So now it's all arrived in April in one hit meaning I've been taxed £2000 on it. As it's taken me over the Student Loan threshold, I've also lost…
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Weekly Flylady Thread 20th April 2026
Welcome to the weekly Flylady Thread. What is FLYLADY? Well, it's our version of the US flylady idea - but we work on the principle that housework is not fun, it's boring, can be time-consuming, is often thankless but, unfortunately, necessary. It's here on Old Style to provide the support we all need and to make the whole…
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removal costs
It’s been quite a few years since I last moved. What are people paying for removals now? I’m based in West Midlands and moving 36 miles. Large 3 bed, 2 rec. I’ve already have storage close to the new property and will storing most of the kitchen ware and tools as new house needs new kitchen and shed. I’ve had one quote…
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Parking stories in the News/media
To save adding to a post about something else it might be worth having a seperate thread for parking stories in the media Kicking it off is this on the BBC news site"Drivers fined as Durham car park camera 'misses them leaving' yep, its the good old double dip again, full story on the BBC…
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MSE Forum Poll: How many streaming services does your household pay for?
Streaming costs add up fast. Let us know how many streaming services your household currently pays for, or whether you prefer to rotate them instead of keeping several at once.
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Contract was no price increase for 24 months - they reneged in less than a year
I have a phone call recording of when I signed up to Sky. I clearly said I didn't like the mid-contract price increases and the person on the phone offered 24 months no price increase and I accepted. Less than a year on and I get an e-mail saying they are increasing prices by £3 a month and gave me 30 days to call them to…
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Cheap-rate electricity sounds great in theory, but how do people actually remember?
I get the idea of using electricity at the cheaper times, and in theory it makes total sense. But in real life I think the hardest part is just remembering at the right moment. It’s easy to say “run the washing machine later” or “wait until the cheaper period”, but day to day I think most people just forget or get busy.…
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Work stress and behaviour from new supervisor.
Work Related wonder if anyone could tell me what may happen next from their own experiences. Over the past few months I've felt pressured and belittled from our new supervisor I haven't been happy for a couple of months I was going to confront him one to one about this. But never could... Then during a tool box he said to…
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EES (Entry/Exit System) for most EU countries
EES is due to be implemented in the not too distant future, official start date Sunday 12th October.If/when anybody has experienced the biometric data recording procedures on or after that date it would be appreciated if it could be shared hereabouts.It applies to all EU member countries except Ireland and Cyprus, plus…
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Home phone - but Plusnet pulling the plug
My elderly relatives have a broadband / home phone package from Plusnet. No complaints. It's due to end in early May 2026. Plusnet won't include a home phone in any renewal. They advise moving to EE instead. Presumably EE offer a VOIP service. The folks also have Sky tv via an old sky box and dish. Its a Sky sports and tv…
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Balance transfer for free credit
When talking about balance transfers, Martin always, relates it to having an existing debt at high rates. But why not use it to get free credit? Eg, a big purchase, say £5k - make it in e, listing card, then transfer to decent BT and have up to three years interest free credit, rather than using savings. Or am I missing…
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Fence Ownership (yes I know It's a tricky one)
My neighbour is demanding I replace the dilapidated fence between our properties (on our right hand side). When we moved in, she told us that our house was built on land that was originally part of her property (she didn't own it at that stage) and that there was a neighbours agreement that the fence would be maintained by…
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DCB Legal - Parking Charge Claim - 5 years later…. Can they?!
Hi folks I had a lot of help from this forum last year with a parking charge claim that I’m very grateful for. However, I’ve recently received another letter from DCB legal on behalf of ‘Smart Parking Ltd about a parking fine from Oct 2021 in Scotland stating ‘insufficient time paid.’ I remember getting a letter from them…
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Have your say on the future of Competitions Time
Hi Compers, We know the Competitions Time section is a bit special! Features like Checkmarks, Expiry Dates, and Closed Filters have made this space work really well for the way you use it. These tools are currently powered by a custom add-on built just for MSE. Later this year, it's planned to integrate these features…
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How quick are First Direct at ISA Transfers
Hi Has anyone know how quick First Direct are at ISA transfers. Trying to take advantage of their cashback offer but cutting it fine I think. The ISA I'm transferring is with Santander. Cheers
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Help! Rent-a-Roof Solar Panel Dilemma
Hi. I’ve been house-hunting and found a great property – but with rent-a-roof solar panels. I’ve read lots that says “don’t buy”, but Freetricity advise this lease only has six years left (just over 20yrs in total). I’d hope not to be selling onwards during this time, so I’m not considering the expense of a buy-out. I need…
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Reclaiming stamp duty on second home
If you buy a second home, you pay a 5% stamp duty surcharge. Very clear about that. But the gov.uk website states that if you sell your previous main residence
within 3 years, "you may be eligible" to get this surcharge refunded. Does anyone know why they say "MAY be eligible"? ie What factors might affect this, either…
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Can't use current account for sole trader business
I have been with Nationwide for many years. I have been working as a sole trader/self employed for the past 18 years, and have been having invoices paid into my current account, and business outgoings going out from it for all this time. Nationwide have always said this was acceptable. It isn't huge figures, I don't pay…
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2026 - consolidation and calm
I've decided to start a fresh diary for 2026. 2025 was a bit of a rollercoaster year for us: * My post being put forward for redundancy at the end of 2024, though it was then reinstated thankfully * Restructure at work meaning many great colleagues (and loads of knowledge) going * DH's redundancy at work, then finding a…
