A few years ago I decided to change the way I buy new clothes. Could we all be more sustainable with our shopping habits? Here’s what I decided to do.
Clothes shopping habits: time to change?
23
in Shopping
Is House of Fraser failing to fulfil and refund orders?
2
New House of Fraser owner, Mike Ashley, has pledged to turn the store into a ‘Harrods of the high street’. Is this possible given that thousands of customers like me are currently out of pocket?
in Shopping
Which closed high street shops do you miss most?
25
So far this year, nearly 650 retail and restaurant brands on our high streets have closed – but which ones will you miss and which long-gone shops do you wish were still in business?
Where do you buy your glasses from?
35
Our latest snapshot undercover investigation found that two out of five of the opticians we visited weren’t up to scratch. The opticians we investigated fell down on key areas such as doing the right eye testing and issuing an accurate prescription (within acceptable limits).
in Shopping
Independent shops: is it important they’re truly independent?
49
Waterstones has opened three unbranded bookshops, which may appear to look like independents. The move has apparently left some shoppers feeling tricked. But how do you feel about them? (more on independent shops…)
in Shopping
What makes a good shopping experience?
16
The great British high street has been going through a turbulent time recently. So where are these shops going wrong? Is it the layout, the customer service, or even the cleanliness – what keeps you loyal to them?
(more about high street shopping)
Is the person cutting your hair qualified?
43
Every day thousands of us have our hair cut by a hairdresser or barber. But have you ever asked whether they have the professional qualifications to do so? Sally from the Hair Council argues there needs to be regulation.
in Money
Are you ready for ‘smart’ ATMs?
43
Smart phones, smart meters, smart watches… what about smart ATMs? What are these new beasts of the high street, and could they come to a town near you?
in Money
The last bank in the village
20
Much has been made of bank branch closures, with concern for people who rely on face-to-face banking. In a positive first step, the banks have signed an agreement to minimise the impact of branch closures.
in Money
The poorest are paying the price at ATMs
19
Fee-paying cash machines are a convenience for some, but can form part of a deeply unsatisfactory mixture of financial service provision on our high streets. Should we have to pay for the convenience?
in Money
Phone, online or in person – what’s the best way to bank?
27
Visiting your local bank branch to pay in a cheque is almost a thing of the past. Thanks to phone and online banking, we can now do most of our transactions at the touch of a button. But this isn’t free from problems…
in Shopping
Your view: haggling in John Lewis
15
Bartering is a skill more and more of you seem to be experimenting with. In our haggling debate, the discussion turned to John Lewis. Can you barter in John Lewis, and should you want to?
in Money
If you don’t ask, you won’t get
10
Recently I saved £80 on my car insurance just by asking my insurer to match a cheaper quote from a price comparison site. You could look at this another way; if I hadn’t haggled, my insurer would be overcharging.
in Shopping, Technology
Tablet shopper or high street trawler?
1
More of us are turning to our smartphones and tablets to make purchases. But do you prepare for Christmas with your beloved tech or is there nothing quite like the Christmas lights of your local high street?