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Xmas return rights crash course
You DON'T automatically have a right to take items back
If you're taking things back, tool up on your LEGAL rights before setting off (though you can always ask for more) Bought in-store: Unless goods are faulty you've no return rights, so wrong sizes or colours don't count; the exception's when a store has a published returns policy, in which case that's part of the terms of sale. Bought online: You've a right to return goods within 7 days for whatever reason and get a full refund and delivery charge back (except bespoke goods/perishables). Late Xmas delivery? If it specified pre-Christmas delivery you're due a full refund. If not, it's tough, yet online goods get the 7 day return right anyway. Lost receipt? For faulty goods, by law you only need to prove purchase (eg, card statement). Otherwise if the store returns policy says 'receipt needed' you need one. Who can return it? Technically, only the buyer has rights, unless there's a gift receipt. FULL info and help in the Quick Reference: Consumer Rights wallet print out. Guide: Consumer Rights |
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Urgent! Beat 10% season ticket price hikes
Train & tube fares rise on Sunday - act now. Some can save £500
On 2 Jan train fares rise by an avg 6.2%, but some face even bigger hikes. Next year's tickets at today's price: Season tickets are charged at the current price, so buy now and you still pay the 2010 rate. Go to National Rail's Season Ticket Calc and compare the price of adult tickets now and after 2 Jan. How big's the rise? On most season tickets, it's capped at 5.8% (7.8% on Southeastern's new high speed service) yet rules let firms crank up some routes' costs by dropping others - so some will see rises of 10.8%. How much can you save? A year's Canterbury-Lond. season ticket goes up from £3,840 to £4,330; Newport-Cardiff from £564 to £620. This works for the Tube too: TFL travelcard season ticket prices for Londoners rise by an average of 6.8% on 2 Jan, eg, an annual zone 1-3 travelcard jumps from £1,208 to £1,288. To check, compare TFL's 2010 and 2011 price charts. More hidden train tricks in the Updated Guide: Cheap Train Tricks Related: Train & Coach Deals
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"I got £5,000 tax back after 5 min check"
Biggest ever tax code success & more flooding in. Check yours ASAP
We've just had the biggest success yet on our tax code checker since we launched it in November. £5,000 reclaim. Chris Kendall from Bristol's just told us: "I read the MSE email, tried the tax code checker, called HMRC and it said I'd get between £5,000 and £7,000 back. Incredible." Who should try? All employees have a tax code and could be one of 4.3m due £1.8bn of tax rebates. While news of this fiasco is old, many are still due refund letters, and it's predicted millions more past errors haven't been spotted. The Tax Code Checker. It does what it says on the tin. Put your tax code and salary in the TaxCodeChecker and it'll tell you if it looks right. Moved house recently? Anyone who's changed address (particularly in last 2 years) and not told the taxman could miss a payout if the letter goes to the wrong address - tell HMRC immediately via its online form. FULL info in the Guide: Are You Owed a Tax Rebate? Related: Income Tax Checker
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Warning! VAT hike next week
This is 'golden week' with sales on and VAT still 17.5%
If you've planned big purchases, this week's likely to be perfect timing, as the sales intersect with the lower VAT rate. VAT hiked next Tue: On 4 Jan the tax increases from 17.5% to 20%, meaning something that costs £100 now will cost £102.13 then. Will all retailers pass it on? No. VAT is a tax on businesses, so it's up to them - some will temporarily absorb it for promotional reasons (it's a much smaller discount than the sales percentages anyway). What if I pay now for things delivered later? The VAT rate's usually determined when you pay or when a tax invoice is raised, so if you pay now but receive after 4 Jan, the current lower rate applies (though there are some exceptions). More info: VAT rise news. Related: High Street Haggling, Amazon Discount Finder, Cheap Online Shopping
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The MSE End of Year Quiz 2010
Are you brave enough to test your MoneySaving skills?
It's that time of year when we like to put our users to the test. We've created another of our fiendish quizzes to see how many of our MoneySaving tips you've taken on board in the past 12 months. Think you have what it takes? Quiz: Questions include beating bills, money math, shopping and of course our weekly tip. How will you rank? Last year almost 100,000 people completed the quiz yet ONLY 150 got top marks. Don't worry, at the end we'll tell you how you compare to others. Test your wits to see if you're a MoneyWastingExpert or competition for our Martin. New End of Year Quiz: End of Year Quiz 2010 Other Quizzes: Consumer Quiz, IQ Quiz |
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