Consumer clinic is back and we are fighting your battles and testing leafblowers.
Journalist Rebecca Wilcox has news of a victory for one couple who were furious with Volkswagon after being told their warranty wouldn’t cover their faulty car.
She also tells you what your rights are when it comes to faulty goods in general.
Plus, with the Autumn weather stripping the leaves from trees everywhere, five gardeners will be putting leaf blowers to the test.
Leaf blowers:
Black & Decker GW3010V Variable Speed Blowervac, £84.99
B&Q Electric Blow Vac, £29.98
Mitox BV-280, £145.83
Flymo GardenVac 2700, £50
Ryobi RBL26BV, £149.99
CONSUMER NEWS
Store cards – Beware
If you've got a store card that you don't use, watch out. This month, Santander, which last year took over many of the high street's popular store card names, such as House of Fraser, Debenhams, Dorothy Perkins and Topshop, is changing its terms and conditions.
If you overpay on your card or return something and get a refund, so your account's in credit and then stays in credit for three months, you could be charged a fee of up to £10.
Directory Enquiry call costs have gone up
The cost of ringing BT's 118 500 has gone up for the 2nd time in a year - it's 99p a minute, up from 77p. That's on top of the 40p fixed fee, up from 31p. This means the cost is at least £1.39, plus 99p/min if you are put through.
Cheaper alternatives:
Free directory enquiries from landlines:* The Number, 0800 118 3733 - Pros: More than one number request. Cons: Advert played immediately, automated system.
Freedirectoryenquries, 0800 100 100: Pros: A real person answers. Cons: Accuracy issues, only one enquiry allowed. If it knows the number, this is a quick service, with the ad only lasting 20 seconds. The advert is only played after it's confirmed it knows the number; so if not you can ring off.
These services are not free from mobiles, but you can use internet from your phone (you might pay internet roaming charges).
E-fraud – Which banks are providing feeble security?
Millions of people who bank online risk their accounts being plundered - because some banks provide such feeble security. The warning comes from Which? whose survey of the top ten high street banks slams Abbey and Halifax for having the worst protection.
DEALS OF THE WEEK
M&S
For this week - 20% off all soft furnishings, lighting, cookware and heavy tog duvets. 20% off selected household electricals. And 3 for 2 on all Christmas decorations, until Christmas.
B&Q
3 for 2 on all Christmas Tree Decorations, excluding Lights - valid until mid November, in store only. 15% off flooring 1/3 off selected special order bathrooms and 15% off beds and mattresses, upholstery, living, and dining furniture.
These are all valid in store and online and are running until at least Thursday 5th November.
Littlewoods
Spend over £50 and receive a £10 gift voucher, spend over £100 and get a £20 gift voucher.
GADGET OF THE WEEK
Dyson's new fan with no fan! Dyson Air Multiplier, £199.99 - This fan works very differently to conventional fans. It uses Air Multiplier technology to draw in air and amplify it 15 times. With no blades or grille, it's safe, easy to clean and doesn't cause unpleasant buffeting. You can pre-order it on dyson.co.uk or it's available in selected stores.