Avoid Buying on eBay!

Introduction
I am a frequent eBay buyer. In fact, I don't really understand why would I trust eBay so much despite other people trying to warn me of scams on eBay. I did not really take much notice of their warnings until recently where I was one of the victims of fraud. I was being conned for more than £400.

In a nutshell, I purchased an item for £400 but the seller said that his paypal account is not working so I would have to send money into his account directly. I should have not listened to the seller. After sending £400 to the account which he gave me, he refused to send me the goods which I have ordered and paid for it.

Immediately I called eBay but they said that they could not help me because I paid via bank transfer and they have no legal right to insist the seller in returning the money to me or send me the good. This is because I did not pay via paypal.

eBay's Failure (1)
I then questioned eBay as to how they are going to deal with my case. All I've been told that eBay has implemented some measures on the seller but I do not know what is it all about. I am not allowed to have the seller's address because it is a breach of data protection. I don't quite understand it because it is unfair taking into account that the seller has my address but I could not have the seller's address despite there are sufficient evidence to proof that the seller has received the money but did not send me any goods.

eBay's Failure (2)
Since I was told from the beginning by one of eBay's customer service advisors that I could not retrieve the money which I have spent even though the seller did not send me the good as promised, I pursue the matter with eBay. However, unfortunately I was told that there is nothing much eBay could help me in this case. I then insisted that they investigate the matter further. I did call them many times but they gave me the same answer as they are looking at the matter.

eBay's Failure (3)
I don't think that eBay is serious about protecting a buyer at all. I then made further calls to eBay and made some suggestions to eBay. I insisted that someone from eBay send me a reply into what is eBay going to do with this seller. One month has passed and I have not received any e-mails nor any calls from eBay even though I have specifically asked them to do. They did not bother to send me an e-mail stating as to the next course of action which they might be taking against the seller. Before I got aggitated with eBay, I did mention to them that they should take onboard Amazon's model where both buyer and seller will have better protection because sellers will have to sell via Amazon's credit system and monies will only be despensed to the seller if the goods have been shipped. If the seller has not sent the goods even though it is stated "shipped", the buyer will be able to get a refund from Amazon and Amazon will investigate further. I don't believe that the eBay customer service officer is keen in improving their security at all.

I am not surprised when eBay sent me an e-mail asking me to change my password due to some security breached. In the e-mail itself, eBay does not seem to be interested in ensuring eBay user's security at all. If that is the case, why would we want to use eBay to buy goods at all? I think we should just spend less time in buying on eBay and move over to Amazon instead.

O2 Home Broadband

If you are one of O2's Home Broadband customers, you will have to understand that O2's Home broadband and Landline services have been purchased by SkyBSB for a cool £180 million with an additional £20 million if it meets the target of the agreement between SkyBSB and O2. 

Personally, I will not have any problems with that news as I think it will be a good news for existing customers as they might receive a better service from Sky rather than O2 after the buy out from SkyBSB. From my experience with O2's Home broadband team, I have no problems in getting through to them under five minutes and users will have access to their customer service 24/7. Moreover, existing O2 customers will get a good discount when they renew their Home broadband contracts with O2. 

From the past, I had some not very good experience with Virgin Media and so I've chosen O2 Home broadband. I feel that O2 has done its job by providing an excellent customer service to their customers. With the take over by SkyBSB, many existing O2 customers are feeling uneasy with the news especially thinking of the money which they might have to spend more if they want to stay with O2 Home broadband or the customer service provided by Sky may be terrible.

Sky had received good results in customer survey last year (2012) based on Ofcom's report. With regard to their price plan, I would have to inform customers that existing home broadband plans are slightly more expensive than O2. Maybe there will be a concession in providing a cheaper service to existing O2 customers when they renew their home broadband contracts later. We shall have a look at it later when Sky release a press statement regarding the issue.

For more information, look here, here, here and here.

Energy Price Increase

I am quite worried that many people including me will be struggling with the price increase of electricity and gas during this coming winter. In fact, Scottish and Southern Energy has planned to increase their energy prices in October 2012 does not help the people in general!

From my point of view, I see that energy companies will be just too quick to increase prices while a reduction in prices which will benefit consumers usually take a longer period to implement. I wonder if anyone will agree with me. Moreover, I am just not too sure about the so-called "savings" that every energy companies introduce.

While I am not happy with Scottish and Southern Energy increasing their fuel prices, it will not stop other companies to follow suit. Naturally it will increase consumer's energy bill in general. The question here to ask is whether the government has done enough to protect the people especially the elderly and the poor from rationing heating during winter. This question has yet to be answered.

Disturbed

I am quite worried that the police would or may have to cut at least 10,000 jobs! I hope that the heads of department from the police force will NOT cut those front line police constables and sergeants as we need them to protect the streets of the UK with pride!

Personally I do feel that the government should not cut down on the front line e.g. PCs as they form the security backbone of the society! We do feel safer knowing that there will be police around. We need that sort of protection! Do we need to stay at home after dark and not to venture into other destination because we have to because the government is cutting back on the funds available to the police force?

What's after the police force? NHS?

For more information, please click here, here and here. 

Frankie Boyle

I have seen him on stage even before he became a stand up comedian. He is quite offensive and I don't really like the way how he talks at the moment. Perhaps he thinks that it is funny but his jokes, lately, seems to be rather offensive to many. What's so great by pointing towards an audience and talk bad about a particular person on national television? That is just crazy!

Big Freeze has landed!

Yes, the snow has landed! It has been snowing for the past two days and I thought that I would not be able to experience some snow fall. In fact, the snow fall was so bad last night and so it has started to disrupt some major oil refinaries! That is just bad. Oh well, I'm not worried at all as I'm only running on a 1.0l car so my mileage is around 55mpg so I'm not worried.

Actually there's no worry as there will be sufficient petrol. If we do panic, do you know who is going to suffer most? Yes, you've got it - WE ARE! Think about it. If we do start panic buying, the petrol will run out and big oil companies will have the excuse to charge at a higher price for each litre of petrol/diesel. Do you want to pay more for a litre of fuel? I guess not so just take it easy, alright?

George Osbourne

The Chancellor is going to make his maiden speech in the latest spending review. I am not really looking forward to it. It is understood that the Chancellor is going to decommission HMS Ark Royal six years earlier along with its Harrier Jump Jets onboard. It will be a shame as the Royal Navy has to wait for another six years before HMS Prince of Wales is ready.

Another thing which cause for concern will be the knock on effect on public health service, education and the Home Office. I would not be looking forward to it tomorrow...

So sad for England

Yes, we have the final score. England is officially out of the World Cup after being beaten by Germany 4-1. I am so sad for the English fans as England is not being able to bring back the World Cup this time. The very last time they did was back in 1966. Which team is going to win the World Cup this time without giants like Italy, South Korea and England?

England's World Cup Opening Match

I think many of you would have been very interested in watching England's opening match in the 2010 World Cup in Africa. I have to say that it was a good move by Steven Gerrard with his opening score against USA. Immediately we could hear the uproar and the happiness with so many English fans. People back home were really happy with the opening goal too.

However, at nearlty half time, it was a set back for the English fans when the score was at 1-1. I could not believe my very eyes that the English goalkeeper almost had the ball in his hands but it slipped and went into the net.

The second half of the match was insignificant as the players from the England squard was trying to score another goal but unfortunately they could not do so. It was such a shame as the English team could have performed much better.

I hope that they will score much better the next round then.

SAY NO TO 0870

I am a big fan of this website - http://www.saynoto0870.com/. Unfortunately, I think the website has gone under lots of pressure from businesses as they are not getting the money from customers. This is due to the fact that the website promotes alternative numbers as to the chargable 0870,0844,0845 and 090 numbers.

At this moment, the website could not be accessed. I wonder why...

Update: 28/05/2010 - It is now functioning again! Yahoo!

George Osbourne - Spending Cuts

It is highly likely that the Liberal Democrates - Conservative government will announce a deficit budget this year - a move which might see how far will the oalition government go to reduce the national debt.

It is projected that the Chancellor will ammounce a £6bn cut in spending - I don't really know how is he going to make it through. Anyway, we will have a look at it as the time approaches.

David Cameron - Our New PM of Great Britain

We should stand up and give Mr. Cameron a standing ovation for his achievement as the new Prime Minister of Great Britain! Let's hope that he will be able to come up with a good plan to sort out the current problems...

Petrol Prices

I just could not understand the increased in the oil prices in the UK. At first we thought that due to the economic slow down, we will be able to enjoy cheaper petrol or diesel. However, it is not the case as of now.

Generally petrol prices are around 119.9p a litre while diesel is stucked at 120.9p a litre. It is a far cry from last year when it was just 99.9p a litre for petrol. That is just crazy! What can we do when big oil companies are making money and they are not really passing on the benefit to the people?

Walsall Woman Whose GP Missed Signs of Illness Wins Five-figure Payout

It is reported that a woman won a five figure sum as a result of a doctor's negligence in diagnosing her as a DVT sufferer. There are not many people like her who takes the matter to the end. I salute her and I hope that many people who suffered as a result of their doctor's negligence should try to seek justice. However, such cases are time bound , usually within three years and the most six years, if allowed by the court.

If you suspect that you are suffering from DVT, please see a doctor and possibly see another doctor for second opinion. More about the incident could be found
here.

UK Election 2010

Yes, it is confirmed that the UK Election for 2010 will be held on the 6 May 2010. Mr. Brown has been saying that the election date has been the worst kept secret ever!

Prepare yourselves for the upcoming battle! Which party will win? Will it be Labour, the Conservatives or the Liberal Democrates? Will there be a hung parliament?

Have your say!

Easter

Happy Easter everyone!!!

Tesco Workers

I have to say that I do admire those people who are working in Supermarkets like Tesco, Sainsburys and also ASDA. I am saying this is because I do like the way how they work - Most of them are pretty hardworking. They would not mind if the work is pretty difficult and yet, they do cherish those lovely smiles customers give them.

In a nutshell, they are easily satisfied. I do feel that the managers should pay close attention to their employees and they are doing their best and not to victimise them. They should be rewarded!!!

Apple Iphone 3GS

Guys, if you are concerned about the high price of purchasing an Apple Iphone 3GS, head over to TescoMobile as you could get an Apple Iphone 3GS 16GB for £320 (upfront fee) and sign up for a 12 months contract, paying £20 a month. In total, you are only going to pay for a total of £560. This is a vast contrast to other mobile networks like O2, Orange and Vodafone.

Best of all, with TescoMobile (an MNVO of O2 UK), you will be able to hardware unlock the device after 12 months (after your contract has ended, taking into account the contract being 12 months). This is the cheapest Apple Iphone 3GS 16GB which you can buy at the moment.

Alternatively, you could get the Apple Iphone 3GS 16GB or the 32GB free on 24 months contract with TescoMobile but you would have to pay £60 a month for the duration of 24 months. That is going to hurt your wallet!

Both Vodafone and Orange does offer good mobile signals but I'm sceptical about O2 though. This is because although the area which I'm supposed to be living in should have full 3G signal, I get only 1 bar of 2G signal, sometimes none...It's fine on other networks though, with Vodafone leading the way.

More comparison could be found here.

Enjoy!

Spring is Here!!!

Look at the pictures below... Do you think spring has finally arrived?

Where to buy Expensive Stuff at 50% Discount?

If you are thinking of getting a branded good like DKNY and Ogg but do not have the cash to buy it at any High Street Store or Online, you might be in the right place over here.

There are many discounted places to buy branded goods. Not only it is branded, it is original goods too! The question is where are those placed to go then?

Here it is...

(1) Clarks Village
(2) Bluewater Shopping Centre
(3) Bicester Village
(4) Yes Bazaar

Good luck!