February 27, 2008
I wrote a piece last week about whistleblowing, and it not really being in our nature as Irish people. A post here from Rowan Manahan relates whistleblowing to our workplaces. Worth reading!
February 27, 2008
The National Consumer Agency (NCA) has published the findings of its survey comparing grocery prices between Ireland’s multiples, symbol groups, discounters and independents shops. Among its main findings, the survey found:
- Only 35 cent difference between Tesco and Dunnes Stores for basket of 61 branded goods
- Supervalu providing competition to multiples
- Real competition between Aldi and Lidl, providing an alternative in value to multiples and Supervalu for own brand products
- Independent butchers, fruit and vegetable shops can provide real value
So, 6 months later, they’re coming out telling us nothing new whatsoever. You can give me their budget of whatever number of million euro per year, and I’ll tell you nothing new either - damn it, I’ll take half their budget and I’ll tell you nothing new every month.
February 27, 2008
There’s lots of comment and reportage around recently about broadband penetration within Ireland, and how poor we might be compared to the rest of Europe.
I wonder how would I be counted in any of these numbers when it comes to broadband subscriptions. Take my fiancee and myself as an example. Between us, we have the following:
- An NTL broadband subscription
- A home Eircom broadband subscription
- An O2 mobile business broadband subscription
- An O2 mobile personal broadband subscription
- A Vodafone 3G pay as you go mobile
Technically, from what I understand, that’s 5 broadband subscriptions. But we’re only 2 people. I wonder are we counted as 5 people with broadband subscriptions, rather than 2?
February 26, 2008
I posted this on the SayNoTo1890 blog yesterday. I received an e-mail earlier yesterday asking for alternative landline numbers for a few companies. Unfortunately these companies have proved most difficult for us to find such alternatives. Are you able to help?
- Aer Lingus - 0818 365000
- Ryanair - 0818 303030
- Sky TV - 0818 719852
- Quinn Insurance - 1890 89 1890
If you can shed any light on alternative landline numbers for these companies? Post a comment below, or e-mail us here.
February 26, 2008
Charlie Weston today has a strangely familiar article about AIB reintroducing their 7% regular savings account having previously reduced it to 3%. The story is available here. Last weeks almost exactly similar story is here.
He does add this week a dubious fact suggesting that it was down to consumer pressure that this change was made. Now, can you ever, in the history of Irish banks, remember when the banks actually did something under pressure from consumers. Damn it, banks hardly even bend to the will of the Financial Regulator and the Department of Finance, never mind the consumer.
Charlie goes on to tell us that though this supposed “people power” was denied by AIB, the change was instituted by AIB because the “people up and down the country” caused a “mini-revolt” which caused the bank to “bend to the will of the little guy”.
February 26, 2008
February 25, 2008
The Consumer Association of Ireland has this week started a new recruitment campaign to attract new members. You may have heard the radio advertising, or seen the banner adverts on Ireland.com.
February 24, 2008
- I’ve started using the StatCounter product for tracking visitors to this blog. It’s been great fun for the past week seeing where people are accessing this site from, and what they were looking for to get here. There’s been some amusing stuff like someone from an ESB computer searching Google for “electricity competition in ireland“. Or someone from an AIB computer who searched for “rip off Ireland“.
- There’s a new ladies magazine that was brought to my attention called Prudence. According to the blurb on their website, Prudence is “a new kind of magazine for the thinking woman. Are you constantly broke? Up to your eyes in debt? Then Prudence is the magazine for you”. The magazine has loads of money saving articles which look pretty useful and they have a columnist called Edwina Sobbs - The diary of a cautious Corkonian. Worth checking out!
- Finally, there’s a new blog which I’ve subscribed to recently that’s definitely worth a look every now and then. It’s called GreenNavs Open Blog - The blog for anyone who has an opinion… on energy and stuff… Some of the useful topics covered thus far have been a great post on how to understand your ESB bill, and today, a post on understanding insulation in your home.
February 24, 2008
Thanks to Tom Raftery for this one. He’s referring to an Irish Independent article - Internet tsar to make children’s surfing safer. A noble aspiration obviously, but as pointed out by Tom, the article has the following statement:
Although it will have no power to fine internet service providers, Mr Lenihan said that he would not hesitate to provide the OIS with “legislative teeth” if necessary.
Another one! A regulator with no power. A talking shop. Jobs for the boys and girls maybe? Combating rising unemployment in Ireland with makey-uppy jobs?
Where will it ever end?
February 24, 2008
I read somewhere that you are now offering an ODR service? What is ODR and how could it help me?
Problems with purchases in another European country can usually be resolved via the network of 29 European Consumer Centres. If a problem cannot be resolved by the ECC network, the alternative of a cross-border court action is costly, difficult, and often impractical. As we are always seeking new means of assisting consumers, we have now begun a trial of an online dispute resolution service (ODR) for problems with online purchases of goods from UK websites. In ODR, an independent mediator will try to reach an agreement by liaising with both parties online, allowing for speedy and effective resolution of disputes.
How does it work?
If ECC Ireland cannot resolve the problem, it can now send the case for mediation to an online dispute resolution (ODR) service. An independent mediator will gather any further information needed from the consumer online, through a specialised web page. He/she will then communicate with the consumer and the business in question in order to reach an agreeable settlement. Both parties communicate only with the online mediator and so any potential hostility is avoided. The service is free and totally confidential. If this ODR channel fails, other options are still open to the consumer e.g. litigation. For the trial period (Feb- July 2008), the ODR facility will be available to consumers’ who have unresolved problems with goods bought on UK websites. (Airline bookings are not included in the trial).
