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Pricewatch

Your consumer queries answered. Have you a problem, a gripe or a tip-off? Contact us on 01-6758000 or mail pricewatch@irishtimes.com or via twitter @conor_pope

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Pricewatch: Have you been paying a standing order you had no idea about?

Reader has been charged by company that no longer exists since 1983

‘He had sent a lease but it had no mention of cats and I didn’t sign it as we changed the rental price. I needed to wait for him to send an updated lease. Then he sent it and I saw the ‘no cats’ clause,’ reader Suzanne writes. Photograph: iStock

Holding deposits: ‘It seems landlords in Ireland can rip people off with impunity’

Pricewatch: Reader loses €1,200 after rental deal falls through over ‘no cats’ lease clause

Before Covid-19 hit and grounded almost every airline’s entire fleet for months, Ryanair had a different policy when issuing refunds booked via third parties. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins

Pricewatch: The long-haul quest for a Ryanair refund

Airline says woman booked through ‘unauthorised agent’ but refund now on way

Before Covid-19 hit and grounded almost every airline’s entire fleet for months, Ryanair had a different policy when issuing refunds booked via third parties. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins

Conscience consumerism one of few silver linings to Covid pandemic

Pricewatch: Pandemic has seen people look for locally-produced items, survey shows

Sometimes a product doesn’t match your expectations as a consumer - it’s good to know what to do about that. Photograph: iStock

Who you gonna call? Your bumper guide to consumer rights

Pricewatch: It’s important to know what you’re entitled to – and what you may not be

Ikea’s clever buyback service in Ireland is part of its “commitment to becoming fully circular and climate positive by 2030”.

Pricewatch: Sell your furniture back to Ikea

Sustainability is key to buyers and sellers and Swedish giant wants to cut landfill

Ikea’s clever buyback service in Ireland is part of its “commitment to becoming fully circular and climate positive by 2030”.

Communication issues: Pricewatch readers’ complaints about Eir

People continue having trouble contacting the telecoms company and having issues resolved

Ireland’s favourites brands.

Brennans Bread, Avonmore and Tayto: Ireland's top 100 brands

Dettol moves up the list of favourite brands as hygiene becomes a national pastime

Mother and daughter Yasmin and Maxine Hyde . The company has signed a deal with Australian retail giants Coles to start supplying its Ballymaloe Relish to their stores. Ballymaloe Foods started supplying 120 Coles supermarkets across Australia in May. Photograph: Clare Keogh

Supermarkets give helping hand to new brands and food producers

Special programmes get products like Ballymaloe Relish and Porterhouse craft beers onto the shelves

Mother and daughter Yasmin and Maxine Hyde . The company has signed a deal with Australian retail giants Coles to start supplying its Ballymaloe Relish to their stores. Ballymaloe Foods started supplying 120 Coles supermarkets across Australia in May. Photograph: Clare Keogh

WFH, shopping local, posh takeaways: which Covid changes are here to stay?

Will queuing patiently, being nicer and improving the garden outlive the pandemic?

Once cybercriminals start to drip-feed stolen HSE data online, fraud attempts will follow

An avalanche of cyber fraud is coming our way – here’s how to keep safe

Often people coming to the end of a contract are offered an upgrade and the promise of a free phone. The deal might sound attractive, but it can frequently work against you.

Mobile phone contracts extract high price for lack of vigilance

Many customers are charged for handsets they own after minimum contract periods

Often people coming to the end of a contract are offered an upgrade and the promise of a free phone. The deal might sound attractive, but it can frequently work against you.

Biscuits, Sudocrem and whiskey: The Irish brands with international reach

Beloved products have lost either all, or most, of their connections with the auld sod

Bank of Ireland College Green branch. Photograph: Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty

Lessons learned: Why students should read the small print on bank accounts

Pricewatch: Your questions answered

Cyclists cross the Samuel Beckett bridge in Dublin in August 2020. Photograph: Finbarr O’Reilly/Getty Images

13:39 Want to live longer, be happier and save the planet? Get on your bike

Pricewatch: If you need us to spell out the benefits of the bicycle, here’s our cycling A-Z

Cyclists cross the Samuel Beckett bridge in Dublin in August 2020. Photograph: Finbarr O’Reilly/Getty Images

Social enterprise a valuable addition at the heart of community

Pricewatch: Rethink Ireland to run a Future is Social campaign in bid to build awareness

Slated.ie sells tableware art pieces made from old roofing slate

‘Pure gold in these tough times’: The good side of consumers’ stories

Pricewatch: We asked readers to share their positive customer service experiences

Satisfied now? Photograph: iStock

Customer experience in Ireland: The best and worst companies

‘Too many companies don’t understand their customers and don’t care about them’

Satisfied now? Photograph: iStock

The worst phrases of the pandemic: From ‘meaningful’ to ‘maskne’

Remember the world before ‘non-essential retail’ and ‘pivot’ came into everyday usage?

An Easter egg: a long time ago people had no choice but to set aside their eggs before Easter, and then eat them on the big day

Chocs away – who needs to be egged on at Easter?

A suitable time for an alphabetical look at chocolate

Once you have accepted vouchers you have closed off the refund avenue. Photograph: Cyril Byrne

Aer Lingus vouchers fail to take off for pandemic-hit consumers

Pricewatch: Airlines need not give cash refunds if consumers initially agree to vouchers

Once you have accepted vouchers you have closed off the refund avenue. Photograph: Cyril Byrne

2020 was the year we all went wild in our gardens

Pricewatch: Since Covid hit, we have splashed out more on our gardens than ever before

A monthly rail ticket for a Dublin commuter covering trains and the Luas costs €180, so a person spared that financial burden for the last 12 months has saved themselves €2,160. Photograph: Crispin Rodwell

Pandemic savings: How some people have saved thousands by working from home

Pricewatch: Many saving on commuting, food and coffee costs, but utilities are up

The report suggests that as well as looking for foods which boost immunity, people have started to care more about where their food comes from and how it gets to their table. Photograph: Getty Images.

Irish people buying more immunity boosting foods than ever before

Pricewatch: Report finds people care more about where food comes from and how it gets to their table

The report suggests that as well as looking for foods which boost immunity, people have started to care more about where their food comes from and how it gets to their table. Photograph: Getty Images.

Revolut user in a spin after being asked if he was related to Eamon Ryan

Pricewatch: Reader told his account would be restricted if he did not answer question

New evidence has shown a huge desire among Irish consumers to shop local. File photograph: Getty Images/iStockphoto

The Irish-focused platforms offering an alternative to Amazon

Pricewatch: Indigenous online sites aim to help Irish consumers to shop local

According to Oxfam, Ireland dumps 225,000 tonnes of textiles every year. Photograph: iStock

The ethical shopper: Buy local, read labels, think before you shop

From clothes to food, taking the time to inform yourself can make a difference

According to Oxfam, Ireland dumps 225,000 tonnes of textiles every year. Photograph: iStock

Missing white-knuckle stress? Try the postal service

Pricewatch: Getting a letter from England to Ireland can take a stressfully long time

Not only did Martin Luther gift the world Protestantism, he also gave it the Christmas tree

Why we celebrate Christmas on the 25th, eat mince pies and put up trees

Pricewatch’s 12 fun facts of Christmas explores the origins of our modern traditions

While the EPA continues to warn us on our wastefulness, Bord Bia is suggesting that since Covid, there is a greater awareness and conscientiousness among shoppers about food waste and its impact on the environment. File photograph: iStock

Shielding, comfort cooking, stocking up... How consumers cope with Covid

Top thing Irish people have missed is time spent with friends, research finds

While the EPA continues to warn us on our wastefulness, Bord Bia is suggesting that since Covid, there is a greater awareness and conscientiousness among shoppers about food waste and its impact on the environment. File photograph: iStock

Cyber Monday: Beware of bogus deals and preying scammers

Pricewatch: Consumers need their wits about them amid relentless coverage of ‘bargains’

Supermarkets are happy to spend a lot of money working out the best ways to get us to spend ours. Photograph: iStock

14:15 Twenty-two ways supermarkets trick you into spending more money

Supermarkets bombard customers with all manner of psychological devices and tricks

Currys’ fridge-freezer was bought in September 2018 and it broke down last spring while still under its two-year warranty. Photograph: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Pricewatch: Readers’ queries answered

Currys’ response to a fridge-freezer problem has provided cold comfort to this elderly couple

Currys’ fridge-freezer was bought in September 2018 and it broke down last spring while still under its two-year warranty. Photograph: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Covid-19: Why Ireland is seeing the rise and rise of the cautious consumer

Pricewatch: Three reports into sentiment and spending track a gloomy outlook

Readers’ queries

This week features Visa Debit cards, package holidays and prices for parking

Discounts of more than 40 per cent are now available to those who switch energy provider. Photograph: iStock

13:32 Consumers pay high price for not pulling the plug on energy suppliers

Pricewatch: People who change energy providers can make annual savings of €400

Discounts of more than 40 per cent are now available to those who switch energy provider. Photograph: iStock

How to be a better consumer: 20 commandments

Keep your wits about you as a shopper – that way you get the best value

Eir customers are generally placed on a queue of about 30 minutes and often after this time the call is disconnected. Photograph: Alan Betson

Back with our old friends at eir – and nothing seems to have changed

Pricewatch: Overcharging and disconnecting as the price of bacon goes through the roof

Consumers continue to be thrown under the bus or simply ignored. ‘The reality is consumers have been left in a no-man’s land and have seen their rights trampled over,’ says consumer advocate Dermott Jewell. Photograph: iStock.

‘This is simply disgusting’: Holidaymakers struggle amid mixed messages

Pricewatch: More complaints than ever as some travel operators let themselves down

Consumers continue to be thrown under the bus or simply ignored. ‘The reality is consumers have been left in a no-man’s land and have seen their rights trampled over,’ says consumer advocate Dermott Jewell. Photograph: iStock.

14:53 Twenty ways Covid-19 has changed our daily lives

Pricewatch: Will consumers return to normal or will some new habits endure?

The local multiplier effect means that every €100 spent in the local economy is actually worth €500. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

Shopping locally: what difference does it make?

The lockdown has encouraged Irish consumers to buy locally-sourced goods

Do a bit of research and find the best chipper wherever you are going

12:39 Holidays at home: Embrace our weather, eat chipper chips and buy wetsuits

If you haven’t had a holiday at home in decades, here’s how to get the most out of it

Do a bit of research and find the best chipper wherever you are going

Travel refunds up in the air as readers run out of patience

Pricewatch: Deluge of complaints about travel companies as Covid-19 disrupts plans

Conor Pope in Dublin Airport, where passengers are down to under 300 a day. Photograph: Enda O’Dowd/The Irish Times.

How lockdown has helped us to save money - and find new ways to spend it

Pricewatch: Meal kits and takeaway pints have become the new camping holiday

Not as many people have been buying bread as you might expect.

Pricewatch: Left on the shelf - what we are no longer buying

Bread and male grooming products among things consumers decided they can do without

Not as many people have been buying bread as you might expect.

The changing face of retail during and after Covid-19

What can we expect? Limits on time spent in shops, staggered queues and plexiglass at tills

“The ATM made its whirring sound but no cash came out.” Photograph: iStock

Pricewatch: Problems with banks prove perennial amid pandemic

One reader ‘mugged’ by an ATM, another is told to visit branch for ‘golden years’ account

Reader Mary Conroy shared a simple but ingenious tip for separating eggs using a plate.

Pricewatch: Life hacks for the lockdown

Top tips from readers to help with household chores

Reader Mary Conroy shared a simple but ingenious tip for separating eggs using a plate.

Avoca: it’s all about the food now

The multimillion euro retail chain has had to reinvent itself since the Covid-19 lockdown

‘We have seen people go back to what they grew up on, things like roast dinners,’ says Rory McDonnell of Bord Bia

How coronavirus is changing our relationship with food and cooking

Pricewatch: ‘Shielding’, ‘stocking-in’ and ‘comfort cooking’ are among the new trends

There are a number of companies delivering fresh fruit and veg to Irish homes. Photograph: iStock

Delivering the goods: Irish retailers that will come to you

We asked readers for small companies that now do home delivery. Here’s a selection

There are a number of companies delivering fresh fruit and veg to Irish homes. Photograph: iStock

Why is there an Easter bunny and not an Easter chicken?

Pricewatch: We answer the pressing questions you always wanted to ask

Shoppers observe social distancing while queuing outside Dunne Stores in Clonakilty, Co Cork. Photograph: Andy Gibson

How Covid-19 has changed the face of Irish shopping

Pricewatch: Retail has undergone a swift and bleak transformation under crisis guidelines

Why is Aer Lingus continuing flights to the US when we are advised against non-essential travel and currently denied entry into the US anyway? Photograph: iStock

12:12 Are the travel industry and airlines playing fair in coronavirus crisis?

Pricewatch: Hundreds of people could lose thousands of euro as their travel plans lie in tatters

Consumer News

Dublin City Council votes to retain local property tax cut of 15%

Reduction remains in place despite Owen Keegan warning of ‘urgent need’ for funds

Fingal and South Dublin councillors vote not to increase local property tax rates

Households could still face higher bills following upcoming revaluation of homes

Passengers warn over faulty Dart announcement systems

4:26 Multiple carriages fitted with information systems which ‘cannot be maintained’

‘I’d love if people ate local produce all the time, not just during a pandemic’

Stradbally’s open-sided Market House is an ideal venue for the town’s weekly farmers market

No indoor summer camps is a ‘significant disappointment’, Taoiseach admits

Nphet advises cancellation of indoor camps and training over Delta variant

Pedestrianisation of Capel Street and Parliament Street extended

Car ban on weekend nights will now run to end of August to facilitate outdoor dining

‘It’s nearly rental utopia’: How a hybrid working future is changing the rental market

Lettings agency says workers are increasingly seeking part-time accommodation

Seventy vehicles seized from M50-toll dodgers so far this year

Outstanding M50 bills where sheriff seized vehicles range from €5,000 to €15,000

Toilet rollout plans result in just six facilities for Dublin

2:35 None of the new kiosks in place by deadline of June 30th set by the council

Amazon apologises for error affecting Irish customers

Buyers in Ireland availing of promotion required to pay both UK and Irish taxes

European travel guidelines aiming to ensure long queues avoided

Directions also note failure to obey rules should be dealt with in same way as unruly passengers

A 91-year-old Chrysler was oldest car to pass the NCT last year

Overall pass rate for initial tests in 2020 was 43.7%, according to RSA figures

One in five second-hand car buyers make no checks, consumer watchdog finds

Pressures of Covid-19 and Brexit see Irish buyers taking risks on cars, warns CCPC

Cork canteen closed after dead mouse found under freezer

Retailer forced to shut due to ‘evidence of rodent interference’ with bags of pasta

Opinions differ on property tax between homeowners and estate agent

‘They’re supposed to be left parties, but they don’t want property-owners to be taxed’

Property tax: how much will I have to pay now?

With house prices rising, many owners are wondering exactly how much their property is actually worth

Mixed reaction from experts to new guidelines on dining out

Professor Kingston Mills says ‘no science at all behind” 105 minute limit

Book lovers return to stores for personalised service - and bookshop smell

5:02 ‘Shop local’ mantra highlights importance of independent stores, says bookshop owner

Stena Line calls for Irish ‘bubble’ with British travellers

‘Last year was worst year in our 58-year history,’ says ferry company spokesman

Pedestrianisation of Irish city streets begins ahead of outdoor summer

Workers strengthen outdoor dining options in areas around South William Street

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