ValueIreland.com

In the coming weeks, I hope to finally publish a new website as part of the reorganisation of the ValueIreland.com set of websites. Currently there is the ValueIreland.com original, plus this Value Ireland Blog, as well as the SayNoTo1890.com. I’m planning on combining the blog in with the original ValueIreland.com site to get rid of the .blogspot.com web address.

The final step of these changes will be the launch of the TopTips.ie website. The tag line will be, with deference to Benjamin Franklin, “A Euro Saved is a Euro Earned”. The original aphorism “a penny saved is a penny earned” came from an almanac published by Franklin under the guise of Richard Saunders called “Poor Richard’s Almanack”. This was published from 1732 and 1758 and sold upwards on 10,000 copies per year.

These aphorisms and phrases in “Poor Richards Almanack” were later combined in an essay produced by Franklin called “The Way to Wealth” in 1758 – though the “penny” phrase didn’t make it that far. Some of those that did, and which we still use today include:

There are no gains, without pains

Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise

These are wise words that Franklin did give us. He did not, as populary thought, give us “God made beer because he loves us and wants us to be happy.”

TopTips.ie will be Irelands equivalent of the “Way to Wealth” - or at least it will help you avoid the way to poverty. It will save you money every time you spend money, or help you not spend any money at all. Whether it’s grocery shopping, paying your energy bills, driving your car, paying for your insurance, mortgaging your house, using your credit card, going on holidays, avoiding unnecessary charges or just having a good time, the tips that the site will provide will help you mind your hard-earned cash.

As a teaser, here’s something I discovered in the last week that saved me about $400. Briefly, if you’re planning on a “one way hire” it may be cheaper to pick up and drop off at major airports (while incurring the airport charges) rather than paying the “return fee” charged by car rental companies which may cost you 4 or 5 times more.

I was looking to hire a rental car in California for a week, but on a “one way” trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles. For my initial search, I had planned to pick up and return the car from two “local” car rental offices close to the original and destination hotels. This was primarily as you’re told sometimes to avoid hiring a car at airports as some companies add a premium charge to do so.

Based on that original enquiry, there was a $500 “return fee” since I wasn’t returning the rental car to the original office – basically a fee for the hire company to drive the car themselves back to the San Francisco office from the Los Angeles office.

I did a different search where I would pick up at San Francisco airport (SFO) and drop off at Los Angeles airport (LAX) – neither of which were majorly out of my way. The rental fee for the week was approximately $100 more because of the use of the airport offices, but there was no drop off charge at all. In all, the by going through the car hire offices in both cities, I was able to save myself $400.

Something to watch out for - just like the forthcoming www.TopTips.ie.

We Irish are terrible at complaining. It’s not in our nature. Well, at least complaining directly. Much of the time, we are expecting others to look out for our interests, rather than doing something for ourselves.

Is it possible that we don’t complain because we don’t believe it will do any good? This is what many businesses may be banking on - by being initially resistant to satisfying a complaint, hoping you’ll go away.

So, next time you’re not satisfied with something about the value, quality or service you’ve received in a shop, restaurant, etc, COMPLAIN ABOUT IT!

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We’re all being told to do it. We’re being encouraged left, right and centre to shop around, and look at, or find out in advance, the prices we’re charged.

Are we being told anything that we don’t know already? Maybe. But then why are we still complaining about being ripped off when we have a choice of what to pay? Why are businesses getting away still with charging rip off prices?

Here are suggestions about how we can shop even smarter in order to save our hard earned money, and beat the rip off prices.

Ask Around - If you’re thinking about buying something, particularly a large purchase, (e.g. a television, insurance, or a holiday etc.), check first with friends and colleagues and find out where they may have made similar purchase. They may be able to refer you to a retailer with a proven record of providing reasonable prices, as well as acceptable quality and service.

Research Your Purchase - There’s not much you can’t find out on the internet at the moment. So use it to find out about your prospective purchase. There are also many specialty magazines available that provide a similar service. These sources will tell you all about the marketplace for whatever it is you want to buy (e.g. hi-fi equipment, computers, cars or financial services), and will give you an idea about relative prices, options and functionality, and prices.

Shop Smart - Now, armed with the above information, you can start shopping smarter. Go to a store, let the sales person know exactly what you’re looking for, and ask to see/hear what they can do for you. Have some questions prepared if necessary - different features available, prices, comparisons etc. Take notes - the sales assistants name, details of what you’ve been told and anything else necessary to add to the information you already have.

Shopping Alternatives - Apart from researching the product you wish to purchase, you should also research the alternative places you can make your purchase. Don’t limit your search to your local area as there are many more possibilities. These include the internet, catalogues, via telephone, and in other towns and cities. If you know what you’re looking for, you can ring around to check prices and check issues such as collection, or possible delivery charges.

Don’t Get Hooked - Don’t let “sales”, “special offers” or “promotions” cloud your judgment when making purchases. Be careful that you’re not pressurised into making a purchase before a deadline or closing date in order to take advantage of such offers. Ensure that you understand the terms and conditions of such offers, and make yourself happy that there is value on offer. Obviously, if purchasing something on special offer based on your research, do so much the better.

Don’t Be Shy - Particularly for larger purchases, the prices being asked for need not necessarily be the price you eventually pay. Don’t be shy to ask if there is anything the sales person (especially more senior sales people) can do for you on the price. If you’ve done your research and know the market, you can ask from a position of confidence.

Don’t Buy on Impulse - Buy now, regret later? Remember to resist any sale pressure tactics. Don’t let anyone talk you into purchasing something you’re not sure about, you haven’t researched, or something more expensive that you’ve budgeted for. Be polite, take note of their offer, and tell them you need to think about it. If you’re still happy you’re getting a good deal in the morning, go right ahead.

Set Your Budget - As part of your research, you’ll get an idea of the market place, what’s available, and what you’re likely to buy. With this in mind, set your budget of what you’re willing to spend, and then stick to it. Do this before going to the shops - you may be tempted by little extras etc. that you may not really need.

Spending Money - You should probably also decide how you’re going to pay for your purchase - cash, credit card, or credit agreement of some sort. If you’re going to use some type of credit, you should probably research where you’re going to get the best deal there as well.

After Sales Service - One of our users has suggested purchasing anything that you should check and confirm what after sales service is available - what comes free under guarantee, and what must be paid for. Many stores today offer their own coverage. If you’re interested, confirm all relevant details (what’s included, what’s not, and the costs) and decide if it’s really for you. This also goes for insurance packages you may be offered with your purchases.

Ask for a Discount - If you have shopped around for a particular good or service, and you’ve decided you want to purchase or change existing provider, make sure you go back to your original provider, let them know what you’re thinking of doing (i.e. taking your business away from them), and ask them if there’s anything they can offer you in order to stay with them. Any supplier who values your business should at least make an attempt to entice you to stay - most have the flexibility to offer packages to people who are thinking of taking their business elsewhere. As the old saying goes, “If you don’t ask, you don’t get”.

Same Company, Different Outlets - As we learned in our Advance Pitstop investigation, it is possible for different outlets or branches of the same company to charge different prices for exactly the same items. So, if you’ve decided on a particular company, and they have other branches within easy reach of your location, give them a ring, just in case. As we found, you could save yourself another 10% or more.

Call First. Don’t just walk in off the street - If you’ve shopped around, and have found a supplier who provides the service you want, and the price you want, ring them again, confirm their price, get the persons name, give them your own name, and tell them you’ll be in to see them at some particular time. In this way, you’ll be more likely to get the price you’re quoted.

In the last couple of weeks there’s been lots of talk about downturns and recessions and businesses finding things tough. We’re being told that they’re offering us all sorts of discounts to entice us to spend our money with them. And of course, for any of us that might still have some disposable income, that’s great news.

I do have one word of caution though. I’ve noticed a lot of newspaper advertising, and some radio adverts too, that are offering consumers bargains and discounts and money off, but not specifying what actually is on offer. It may just be that I’m overly cynical, or that I just have a little understanding of how Irish businesses operate, but I would be very cautious in following up on such vague offers.

Why? Because such vague offers give the businesses involved the opportunity to potentially charge you more depending on when you ring and depending on their current bookings. It does obviously give them the opportunity to change less as well, but when did you ever see an Irish business less when they could get away with charging more.

Don’t get me wrong here. I don’t have a problem with businesses doing business. However, doing business in the way that’s being suggested here isn’t as clear as it could be from the perspective of the consumer.

What should you do? If you do see such unspecific advertising, and you’re drawn to the product or service being offered, by all means give them a call and get as much detail as you can. And then call again at some later point the next day, or a couple of days later. Ask the same questions, and see if you get the same answers and the same offer. You could also compare the alternatives available from other competitors. Once you’ve get full information on availability and pricing, make your decision.

In the last few months, the fuckers* have pursued three garages for the offence under the Consumer Protection Act of car clocking - technically a misleading commercial practice. For those not familiar with the term, car clocking is the practice of reducing the mileage on a car in order to make it a more attractive purchase for consumers.

In March 2008, instead of being convicted of an offence under the Act, Orange Motors in Limerick “gave an undertaking” not to sell clocked cars as well as to compensate consumers who had purchased 4 clocked cars from the garage concerned.

This month, Arch Motors in Galway gave a similar undertaking in lieu of a conviction. As part of the National Consumer Agency investigation, Arch Motors had been found to have sold 3 clocked cars to consumers. Again, as well as the undertaking, compensation was provided to the consumers concerned.

According to the NCA press release, compensation can be “reimbursement of money received from consumers in connection with the sale of clocked cars, or taking back the cars.”

However, in June, also in Galway, Kilgarve Cars in Ballinasloe was convicted of selling a clocked car. Following a consumer complaint, the owner of Kilgarve Cars was fined €2000 (though the maximum is apparently €3000).

According to Ann Fitzgerald of the National Consumer Agency, undertakings are preferable to convictions for the following reasons:

NCA and consumer legislation nothing more than a charade
Wed, Jul 09, 2008

The law, as interpreted by the National Consumer Agency, completely safeguards monopolies, writes MICHAEL CASEY

THERE IS A tendency in this country to bring in what looks like state-of-the-art legislation and to set up lots of institutions with statutory underpinning. The outsider observing Ireland Inc might well conclude that we have quite sophisticated and comprehensive institutions, legislation and governance. There is only one thing wrong with this view. Fundamentally there is no desire to change anything.

The laws and institutions look good on paper but there is no real intention to implement the purported reforms. It is all part of our peculiar approach to governance by spin. It’s like the old Hollywood recipe for success: If you can feign sincerity you’ve got it made.

Like many others, I welcomed the introduction of what looked like up-to-date consumer legislation and the establishment of the new National Consumer Agency, which, despite political appointees, seemed like a body that meant to do business.

Like thousands of other commuters I had suffered the tender mercies of Dublin Bus, a State monopoly which treats passengers (aka consumers) with indifference. One bus route attracted so many complaints that, instead of trying to improve the service, Dublin Bus scrapped the route entirely. Not infrequently, buses leave early so as to avoid picking up any passengers. Individual acts of kindness are shown to older people, but in general the bus service is way below what is needed in a modern economy.

The new consumer legislation seemed to provide reassurance that bus users could at last do something to effect improvements in the service. On many routes buses are often less than half as frequent as the timetable indicates - ie passengers have to wait over twice as long on average as they should. On some routes the lateness factor is far worse.

The new legislation offered some prospect of getting Dublin Bus to bring out a timetable which was not a work of fiction. This was because the legislation outlawed descriptions of services, including timetabling, which bore no relationship to the actual services provided.

Urged on by fellow sufferers, I brought a case to the NCA about huge discrepancies between bus timetables and actual arrivals. This was after several recent experiences of waiting in pouring rain at bus-stops for buses which time after time failed to arrive even within 20 minutes of the appointed time.

To make matters worse, the State has given a huge national asset free gratis to this transport monopoly - ie about half of the road space in Dublin for its exclusive use. Has the provision of bus lanes made any difference to the service provided by Dublin Bus? Little or none. It merely reinforces its monopoly power by forcing more private cars off the road without providing a reasonable alternative.

For about four months the NCA tried to pass the buck. It said that the matter was one for the Department of Transport. The department said it would be happy to pass on the complaint to Dublin Bus. I pointed out that I had already contacted Dublin Bus without success.

The department admitted that, in that case, there was nothing it could do since Dublin Bus is an autonomous body. (Incidentally, this is always the answer you get from any Government department - you’re referred to the semi-State body in question, which is described as autonomous. This means that the Minister can’t be held responsible for any mistakes the semi-State body might make.)

I went back to the NCA and asked it again why Dublin Bus was beyond its remit. If it really believed that, didn’t it mean that all of our 800 public bodies were outside the remit of the NCA? How could this be since it was clearly intended that the new consumer legislation was to be fully comprehensive?

I finally got the answer I most feared. The new and much-hyped consumer legislation and the NCA are a charade.

Section 43 of the Consumer Protection Act 2007 defines a misleading commercial practice as one which would be likely “to cause the average consumer to make a transactional decision that the average consumer would not otherwise make”.

The NCA then goes on to say: “As the average consumer would not stop using the Dublin Bus service because the bus does not arrive on time, this would not be considered a breach of the Act.” This is quite extraordinary.

I’m not sure that the NCA’s interpretation of the Act is correct but if it is, it is bizarre. What it is saying is that Dublin Bus can do what it likes because the average consumer has no alternative. He or she cannot make any other “transactional decision”.

It is impossible. And why is that? Because Dublin Bus is a monopoly. There are no alternatives for consumers. As a monopoly, Dublin Bus has complete carte blanche to continue treating passengers with indifference and all the other State monopolies have the same divine right.

The much-vaunted consumer legislation and the much-heralded NCA have absolutely no bearing on the matter. In fact the law, as interpreted by the NCA, completely safeguards monopolies in this country. This proves, if proof were needed, that consumer rights do not exist - and there’s no point in asking Ministers to intervene since they accept no responsibility in these matters.

Then, in a final desperate attempt to pass the buck, the NCA states: “As I’m sure you understand, consumer issues are wide- ranging and there are many departments and public bodies that assume some responsibility in area (sic) of consumer affairs.”

Out of the mouths of babes. In my innocence I had thought the NCA was now the main agency, deliberately set up to look after the interests of consumers. Not a bit of it; fragmentation and duplication and buck- passing are all still alive and well in the public sector.

No doubt the NCA will intervene in some cases, especially those which attract media attention, especially those involving the frail and the elderly. No doubt the NCA will publish a nice glossy annual report, but like many other public bodies, there is little committed effort to make significant improvements.

The oft-repeated advice to consumers to “shop around” is banal and irritating. Mary O’Rourke is right: how can hard-working women with young children shop around?

In any case, we don’t need costly institutions to give us advice our grandmothers used to give us for free. It seems as if taxpayers’ money will continue to be spent without achieving any return.

• Dr Michael Casey is a former senior official with the Central Bank and a former member of the board of the International Monetary Fund.

However, we also know that Irish shoppers are more strongly tied to branded items than many of our European neighbours, and as such, we will naturally pay a premium for wanting these branded items. But that’s our choice – we’re not forced to buy these items, but we like them and we chose to.

I’ve written many times before about this whole euro sterling pricing differential, and each time my message is the same – no matter what retailers or regulators or governments are telling us, the one main factor that will in the long term influence the prices is the shopping behaviour we ourselves follow.

Irish based retailers will claim that the cost of doing business in Ireland is what causes the price differential we all know and see. While not trying to become an advocate for these businesses, I think that above 3 examples show how this can be somewhat justified.

Shouldn’t this type of information also have formed the basis of the research these fuckers* are carrying out in order to give us the full picture of what’s going on and the reasons behind the price differentials.

Unfortunately, we already know that all this is going to yield no results after the comments of John Shine, the NCA director of commercial practices “admitted there is little the organisation can do to help consumers get better value.” Well, apart from wasting time their time doing half arsed, incomplete and pointless research for crowd and press pleasing press releases.