THOUSANDS CONNED OUT OF MONEY BY FAKE WEBSITES

11% of Britain’s 20 million online shoppers has either parted with money on a bogus website or knows someone who has, according to a new poll carried out by Feefo, the independent online customer feedback forum. Even when purchasing from legitimate websites, 13% of people have experienced problems ranging from goods being faulty or not turning up at all, to being unable to return items or get a refund.

Consequently, customers are increasingly looking for reassurance or 3rd party endorsement when purchasing online. 31% say they would not purchase from the website of an unknown company or brand. 53% of online shoppers are more likely to buy from websites carrying independent product and service reviews from past customers.

“Security is a big issue and Independent customer feedback gives shoppers peace of mind when purchasing online However, it is important to make sure customer testimonials are genuine or that an organisation hasn’t been selective about which comments to display. Websites that use Feefo give a commitment that customer feedback cannot be edited or removed. As a result of this new research, Feefo has now opened its website to the public to enable consumers to choose retailers where they know the customer feedback is genuine and unedited. Brands that have already signed up include fashion brands Charles Tyrwhitt, Thomas Pink, Jack Wills and my-wardrobe.com amongst many others. Shoppers are also more likely to be able to shop with confidence from sites that have a history of good service.” says Feefo founder Bill Cawley.

Even in the current recession, 69% of online shoppers are not prepared to risk going for the best deal if they have not heard of the retailer. However, 10% of shoppers say they have regretted purchasing purely on price, due to subsequent poor service.  Fortunately most online shoppers are getting wise to the practice of websites paying for high positions in search engine rankings. Only 1 in 10 of us has a false sense of security and thinks a site will provide better goods and services if it is near the top of a search list.

According to the Office of Fair Trading, shoppers in the UK spent approximately £21.4 billion online in 2008 and the market is growing by 30% per annum. A 3rd of last year’s 20 million online shoppers spent over £1,000.

For a list of retailers that have independent, unedited customer feedback posted on their websites, visit:- www.feefo.com.

Regional statistics

· 71% of online shoppers in Northern Ireland are more likely to purchase from e-retailers carrying favourable product reviews, higher than anywhere else in the UK.

· The Welsh are the most price-conscious when shopping online with 39% saying that securing the best deal was more important than knowing who they were purchasing from. Only 19% of Welsh shoppers said they would not shop on an unknown website compared with a UK average of 31%.

· People in Scotland and the West Midlands are the most cautious online, with 36% in both regions saying they would not shop on the website of an unknown company or brand.

· More people in London and the South-east (16% in both regions) have experienced problems with online purchases including faulty goods, lack of refunds, no returns policy and goods failing to turn up.

· Shoppers in East Anglia are the least aware of the benefits of customer feedback, with just 44% saying they would be more likely to purchase from a website displaying customer comments.

· Shoppers in the South West have been scammed on the web more than anywhere else in the UK, with 16% saying they have made purchases from a bogus website and not received any goods or services in return or know someone who has.

© The research is the property of Feefo.

Diabetes Party

DIABETES UK. the charity for people with diabetes, is this year celebrating 75 years of improving lives, so it seemed right that the support group should mark the occasion said the secretary, Sue Barker. So we are holding 2 parties, 1 at each end of the area that the support group covers.

The 1st is at The Luncheon Club, Rosemary Lane, Formby, between 2.30 to 4.00pm.

The 2nd is at the Scarisbrick New Road Baptist Church, Southport, between 7.30 to 9.00pm.

The North Sefton support group is open to all those with, or caring for someone with the condition.

For more information contact the secretary, Sue Barker via phone on:- 01704  530729.

Company liquidations up 39% since 2008

192.com, the UK’s leading people, business and place finder, announces the addition of Company Credit Reports to its new website making it the 1st directory to provide direct access to company credit risk scores online.

The government's Insolvency Service released figures on Friday that company liquidations are 39% higher than the same period last year and that the overall rate of company insolvency is expected to increase over the coming months. Company credit reports are an ideal tool to help understand the financial position of any company you’re doing business with whether it’s customers or suppliers.   These company credit reports are available for over 1 million businesses, detail a company’s credit risk score, recommended credit limit, recorded county court judgements (CCJs), current and previous directorships, cash flow ratios, balance sheet, profit and loss account, and company and industry growth rates.

Dominic Blackburn, Product Director 192.com says:- “In the current climate, businesses simply cannot afford not to get paid by clients or do business with suppliers that face liquidation. Whether you’re taking on new business or concerned about existing companies you’re doing business with, reviewing their full credit history will give you more peace of mind on their financial status.”

HAVE YOU BEEN CHARGED TO TAKE OUT CASH?

IT is shocking, but in the UK the number of fee-charging ATMs has rocketed. Back in 2001 only 7,000 cash machines charged you when you took out cash, yet in 2008 that figure had rose to 25,000 machines. Amazingly in Sefton, Merseyside 70% of ATMs charged people with the fee again around £1.75 and it was singled out by the Government as one of the most deprived areas in the North West! It might not sound a lot, but £1.75 added on to a withdrawal of say £10 is extortionate; that is not forgetting some banks are now charging for the use of cards as well! These charges make worse the problems that people in low-income areas face and some of the machines do not make the charges clear. It is now compulsory for all fee charging cash machines to display an "early warning" in the form of clearly visible stickers or an on-screen message, telling people they will be charged for taking out money. Yet reports flood in that not all card machines seem to be following the rules to the letter. It has been said that some of the machines have stickers on them at knee height rather than eye-level, while others wait until the end of the transaction before mentioning the fee. What is more shocking is that there is no limit on the amount that can be charged. Do let us know if you find any charging machines and let us know where they display their warnings. Email us now to news24@southportreporter.com.