consumer

Is a pressure cooker a worthwhile buy?

Admin | Tuesday 19 February 2019

Prestige 6L high dome pressure cooker A couple of years ago I bought a pressure cooker. I got it direct from the manufacturers Prestige (I have no connection with them) and opted for the 6 litre high dome model. Currently that’s on offer from them for £45 and, barring a really exceptional special offer somewhere, I doubt you’ll find it for much less.

This was a bit of step into the unknown for me as I didn’t grow up in a pressure-cooker-using family, In fact growing up in the north-east I can’t remember ever seeing one. Were they perceived as being a bit middle-class and southern?

So they remained mysterious hissing things. A bit frightening, perhaps even dangerous? There were those rumours of food on ceilings…

Unexpected early closing at LIDL, Rusholme

Admin | Thursday 25 July 2013

With a new Morrisons about to open next door you might think that LIDL would be keen to look after its existing customers? Not so… On Tuesday evening the Rusholme branch shop closed two hours early. In the minute I was outside a series of disappointed shoppers arrived to find a notice about undertaking improvements. … Unexpected early closing at LIDL, Rusholme

How Google hides free copies of public domain books while directing people to pay-for reprints

Admin | Sunday 28 April 2013

Google has been allowed to scan hundreds of thousands of out-of-copyright books from libraries around the world and supposedly this is a wonderful free resource for all of us. But, over the last year or two, I’ve found it increasingly difficult to find the free versions while Google Books presents reprints to buy. Here’s an … How Google hides free copies of public domain books while directing people to pay-for reprints

Manchester Irish Festival is the latest event to over-inflate crowd figures

Admin | Thursday 25 March 2010

Manchester Irish Festival, which is now in its fifteenth year has, unfortunately, become the latest Manchester event to over-inflate its attendance figures. The official website claims that “an estimated crowd of 100,000” people watched the annual St Patrick’s Day Parade.

The customer service premium rate rip off

Admin | Tuesday 20 October 2009

This afternoon I was locked out of the online account for my credit card (a very well-known name) and saw a message asking me to call. It’s an 0844 number which costs at least 8p per minute from a BT landline. Recently the card company introduced a new voice system that takes even longer than … The customer service premium rate rip off

Councils banned from using 200 jargon words and phrases in ‘visionary’ ‘step change’

Admin | Wednesday 18 March 2009

The Local Government Association has compiled a list of words and phrases which council staff should avoid if they are to communicate effectively. Here is the full list:

British Gas found guilty of harassment

Admin | Wednesday 4 March 2009

When Lisa Ferguson changed her supplier, British Gas continued to send her bills. These were followed by letters threatening to cut off her supply, start legal proceedings and report her to credit reference agencies.

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