Is this the Pedigree account?

We’re all used to banks offering freebies to lure us into lending them our cash. They start us young – remember NatWest’s 1980s free piggy banks? – before giving us railcards or cold, hard cash as students.

Even for sober, sensible grown-ups, there’s a range of offers to tempt us to switch our custom.

But the oddest – but maybe the sweetest – offer yet comes from London-based Metro Bank.

Only up and running for a couple of years, it has 12 branches in and around the capital. Its rates are solid rather than spectacular. Instead, it promises a friendlier approach to banking.

Its branches open late during the week and, they won’t turn you away at weekends, either. Its coin-counting machines are aimed at encouraging children to save, while there are free lollipops, pens and dog biscuits.

Yep, dog biscuits. They love canines at Metro Bank. From time to time, if you bring your dog into a branch and open an account, they give you £20.

Not got a dog? Metro Bank doesn’t want you to feel left out.

Free dog

Account holders who rehome a dog from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home will get their fees refunded by up to £105. If you’re more of a cat person, you can get up to £65 refunded for bringing home a tabby.

So you could, essentially, open an account and get a free dog given £105 is the Battersea rehoming fee. Or a heavily-discounted one, at least. How’s that for an unusual incentive?

Metro Bank’s Beth Murray says it has already seen "quite a few" dogs rehomed. Staff from Battersea also take dogs into branches to encourage customers to give them a home.

But rather than a business move, Metro Bank sees its dog-friendliness as symbolic — helping establish the bank into the communities it serves.

Indeed, founder Vernon Hill’s Yorkshire terrier Sir Duffield (Duffy for short) is a familiar sight at the bank’s Holborn HQ.

It’s part of a long-term link-up between Metro Bank and Battersea – which rigorously checks potential pooch purchasers – which has also seen the bank pay for a rehoming room to be refurbished at one of its dog centres.

The bank has also embarked on a partnership with the Kennel Club.

Of course, a dog is for life, and not just for any introductory bonus period. But would a pet-friendly bank make you want to switch your custom to somewhere new?

What do you make of this? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below or in the MSE Forum.

Cycling along the canal path in Gloucester during my long weekend away, I was blissfully unaware my every move was being tracked.

From picking up my wellies at Tesco, to the much needed caffeine pit stop at Costa, my loyalty and debit cards (all linked to my personal email account) had activated ‘customer satisfaction’ and ‘feedback forms’ to flood my inbox.

I was even asked to review my granddad’s navy striped pyjamas, which I had bought for his birthday (well, they’re not my size or my style), and to rate my stay at Travelodge (for £20 a night I certainly can’t complain).

Now, I’m one of those people who loves to sign guestbooks and leave restaurant and hotel reviews online. But to me, it seems a little intrusive when emails detailing my every purchase land in my inbox just a few days later.

I believe customer feedback is important for companies and retailers to highlight any areas for improvement or to praise the service or staff.

But I’d like to do it of my own accord, not because I’ve been ‘invited’, or am ‘obliged’ to help that particular retailer maintain its current rating.

How will it be in the future once all the companies have caught on to this tactic?

Just imagine:

• Tue 23 September 2014, 9:17am, Southeastern trains: How was your daily commute?
• Invitation from Morrisons at 14:38 to rate my ham sandwich.
• Facebook, 00:01: Happy 30th, how do you feel?

How do you feel about those feedback forms?

Does it encourage you to leave your comments or do they filter through to your spam folder, both literally and in your head?

Let us know in the comments section below or in the MSE Forum.

Sweet taste of victory

I’m a relative newcomer to MSE Towers, having pitched up a few months back as a sub-editor.

It’s my job to make sure the site’s accurate, reads well and that we don’t say anything too rude about anyone.

Part of my role involves going back through the scores of guides and tools and making sure they’re all in good shape. I always thought I was a pretty good MoneySaver anyway, but I’m learning a hell of a lot more by doing that.

So when the Council Tax Rebanding guide landed on my desk, I put my red pen down for a second to check out how it all related to me. I was amazed by what I found.

My story

Council tax was introduced in a hurry in the early 1990s, as the government tried to limit the damage from the politically-disastrous poll tax.

There was no time to properly value every single property, so estate agents were recruited to cruise the streets in cars and make quick notes about the homes they saw.

In England and Scotland, these 21-year-old "second gear valuations" still determine what we pay today. In many cases, they’re hopelessly out. And as I found, some later valuations weren’t too bright, either.

I’ve lived in my flat in south-east London since 1999, and had been paying council tax at band C without a second thought. As far as I can gather, the house was divided into flats in 1996, when my place was sold for £50,000 (those were the days…). In 1991, that would have put my flat in a lower band B.

I’d picked up the scent of something. I looked at what my neighbours were paying on the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) website, and discovered the flats in the identical house next door were in band B. But I was mysteriously in band C.

I knew I had a case. After a quick word with my upstairs and downstairs neighbours, I sent an email to the VOA’s local branch, in Bromley, asking if there was scope to challenge this.

Seven weeks passed. I wondered if my email had been lost somewhere. Then I got two packages in the post. The first was a letter from the VOA – my flat had been rebanded, and I was now in band B.

Refund success!

The second was from Greenwich Council – containing 13 individual council tax rebates. Totalled up, it came to over £1,000.

Naturally, I now have to fill in 12 separate refund slips – who said they make it easy to get hold of your money? – and return them to the council.

But thanks to 15 minutes of checking, and a quick email, I’ve reclaimed a wodge of cash I shouldn’t have had to pay out in the first place.

So if you haven’t already, it might be worth you having a quick check too – especially if you’ve lived at the same address for a long time.

Now, what to do with my windfall? Good thing the Cash ISA guide is next in my in-tray…

Have you tried to get a council tax rebate? Please share your experiences below or in the MSE Forum.

London on a budget

OK, so technically Canterbury is a city, not a town and it’s not like I haven’t lived away from home before (I lived in South America for half of last year). But moving to London is a whole different ball game, especially when it comes to the cost of living.

Rent and bills are fairly non-negotiable, so I’ve had to find other ways to make the most of living in the capital on the cheap.

Here’s what I’ve done, which hopefully can help others in a similar boat.

London is the most expensive city in the UK to live in, but it’s also one of the most vibrant and culture-rich. That’s all well and good, but what’s the use if you can’t afford to take advantage of all the attractions and exciting events?

Freebies

Thankfully, lots of London’s attractions are free (I know that was predictable, but I’m not done here, yet), which means sunny days spent in one of London’s many parks – I like Brockwell Park in south London – and rainy days spent in museums or galleries.

But what about the cost of getting there? When in Canterbury, I walk everywhere, but London’s just too big for that – or so I thought. Actually, I walk a lot in London and find I use the Underground a lot less than I imagined I would.

It’s easy to think, as a visitor to London, the only way to get around is by Tube, but its map is surprisingly misleading.

Of course, it’s not always convenient or safe to walk, which is when I make use of my bus pass, which is £10 cheaper a month than a travelcard for the Tube and a great way to get to know the city.

Special offers

So, I’ve mentioned the obvious free stuff in London and cheaper ways to get around, but what about events and activities that aren’t free? Cue MoneySavingExpert.com.

Having always been a keen MoneySaver, I’d used the site for years before starting my job here and always found it great for days out offers and the like.

But perhaps even more helpful than offers and discount codes are the savings I make elsewhere that allow me to spend money on luxuries, like trips and meals out.

Of course the 2for1 vouchers are great and I rarely eat anywhere I can’t use my Tastecard, but it’s the help with tax rebates and getting the best from my savings that make the odd top price theatre ticket something I can afford now and again, although I’d never actually pay full price for it.

A little trick

I realise that all of this so far may be painfully obvious to some, but I hope it will help others. However, I have one more trick up my sleeve, and that is Time Out London.

Whether it’s the magazine, one of its books – I highly recommend 2012 things to do in London – or just the listings on the website, which are free, it’s full of great ideas for unusual days out.

The London Naked Bike Ride is one such free event I never knew existed. Though I think I might just give that one a miss.

Have you got any tips? If so, feel free to leave them in the comments below or in the MSE Forum.

Me in my Tesco dress

I love shopping, but I’ve always been hesitant about buying clothes online.

For me, the major factor’s not being able to try before I buy.

So when Tesco launched the Florence & Fred Virtual Fitting room via Facebook, where you input your measurements to find clothes that fit, I just had to er, try it out.

For now, unlike a Yorkie bar, this is just for girls. Sorry, guys.

Does it work?

In short, no, it didn’t work for me. I inputted my hip, waist, bust and weight measurements as instructed for my virtual model.

Once I’d ‘tried on’ a few frocks and got through to the checkout stage, my suggested clothes size was a 16.

See the photo below for my virtual model’s fit in a size 16

Me as a virtual model

In reality, I’m a pear-shaped size 12. So I repeated the method, give or take a couple of inches, and smugly ordered a blue block print dress in size 10, a patterned vest top in size 12 and a blue cardigan in a size 14, just for good measure.

When the clothing arrived, as Tesco’s programme predicted, the dress was a little tight, yet the top and cardigan were just a bit too baggy.

The photo below shows the real-life fit

Me in my Tesco dress

This was a fun trial, especially having to take your photo, seeing it superimposed on a 3D model and assigning your model a hairdo. But I was less impressed with the selection of clothes, the lack of a thigh/leg measurement option and the suggested size based on the data I included.

The styles of clothing are limited, so if there isn’t anything that takes your fancy, I’d say you’re better off heading down to Tesco to see the full range. At least you’ll be able to try them before committing your cash to the purchase.

Once I ‘virtually’ put on the dresses and trouser/top combinations, I was impressed with the 360 degree rotation (and it was so much quicker trying on clothes compared to when I’m in a changing room). Plus, a good feature was the option to convert units from stones to kilograms, feet to metres.

But I can’t ignore the fact that what Tesco’s Virtual Fitting Room claimed to do — helping you find clothes that match your body shape, ultimately reducing customer returns — didn’t happen.

Overall, this is an ingenious conception which, in theory, should allow those nervous online clothes shoppers to find suitable items without having to leave their homes.

I’d give it five virtual stars out of ten. There were some good points but it can do a lot better.

With a few tweaks such as greater range of clothes, further measurement details and instructions on exactly how and where to measure your body for each indicator, the F&F virtual fitting room could be more user-friendly.

What do you think? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below or in the MSE Forum.

My lovely new-build

My home is the second new-build me and my family have owned in 11 years. 

Of course, buying a new-build isn’t for everyone, and some prefer older properties.

But I thought I’d share some of my experiences — and mistakes — to help those who are thinking of choosing a new-build, especially with the recent launch of the NewBuy Guarantee scheme.

Hopefully these tips can help you.

• Check house-builders’ websites before you visit show homes. We spent time checking out house-builders’ websites first and found one gave a £10 M&S voucher if you made an appointment first.
• Don’t rush in. The sales office may be there, but we found you couldn’t reserve until plots were released. Once they were released, prices changed every few weeks, so continually checked websites and price lists.
• Check out the moving-in incentives. Often developers offered incentives to entice customers. Ones we saw were free carpets, turf (not always included), stamp duty paid or part exchange. You couldn’t have them all, so we worked out which were more valuable to us.
• Haggle, haggle, haggle. In our experience, until you’ve reserved, haggling is key. On our first, as new-build newbies, we only haggled for a dishwasher, only to find our neighbours had their stamp duty paid. We learned from that.
• To part-ex or not to part-ex? By part-exchanging your house, the house-builder agrees to buy it for a set figure. When we did it most recently it paid the estate agent fees, including the Energy Performance Certificate. But we didn’t just accept the first amount offered. We wanted £5,000 more, held fast, showed it examples of similar houses priced closer to what we wanted, and got it. It finally sold for £5,000 less than we got.
• New-builds can be more energy-efficient. We find more environmentally-friendly building controls mean newer houses can be a lot cheaper to heat. Our previous house, bought 10 years ago, had a C energy rating. This one is a B.
• We found asking for an overlap worked. We asked to complete (get the keys to your new house) on the Friday but to give them the keys to our old home on the following Monday. They gave us 10 days, so we did the flooring in the new house, moved the furniture in, then tidied up the old one before giving the keys back.
• Pay for upgrades or do it yourself? Paying the house-builder to tile the bathroom floor turned out to be a good move for us. New houses need to settle, and cracks can happen. Getting ours laid for us meant they replaced them when then cracked.
• Getting things thrown in. Just being nice to people can get some really unexpected results. I really wanted to get my veggie patch ready quickly. The estate wasn’t finished, so the builders were still on site. Knowing individual bags of compost would cost a shedload, I asked if they could get me some at trade price, which I’d pay. Guess who got a ton sack of compost delivered straight into the garage?

Please share any experiences you have in the comment section below, or in the MSE forum.