News in December 2008
- 31 Dec 2008Drivers 'could face health checks every 10 years'Drivers could face new health tests every 10 years to ensure that they are fit to be behind the wheel, it has been reported.
- 31 Dec 2008Petrol price has hit three-year lowConsumers battling the cold and the credit crunch received some mid-winter cheer today as the AA announced the price of petrol has reached a three-year low.
- 31 Dec 2008Travel agents 'mislead public on insurance'New poll shows holidaymakers are getting shoddy insurance advice from travel agents.
- 31 Dec 2008Communications database may be run by private firmA proposed communications database containing details of everybody's phone calls, emails and internet use could be run by a private firm, it is claimed.
- 30 Dec 2008More than 150 Woolworths branches shut Woolworths will continue its slow demise today with more than 150 branches closing, as the crisis gripping the high street spreads.
- 30 Dec 2008Fashion chain USC goes into administrationThe British high street has been dealt another blow today with fashion retailer USC going into administration, putting 300 jobs at risk.
- 30 Dec 2008Zavvi gift vouchers can't be redeemed in-storeZavvi gift cards and vouchers bought before 27 November may be almost worthless - consumers should take action now
- 30 Dec 2008Bush Blu-ray disc player for under £100 at ArgosArgos has reduced the cost of the Bush BD01 Blu-ray player to less than £100
- 30 Dec 2008Internet age ratings may be an optionWebsites may be given film-style age ratings applied to protect children from harmful internet content such as web video clips of beheadings, according to a BBC Online article.
- 30 Dec 2008Hot car deals, 30th December 2008The latest car deals from across the UK. Which? scours the classifieds for festive offers on new and used cars.
- 30 Dec 2008Car gadgets 'could cause sickness'
- 30 Dec 2008Many to go local or stay at home for New YearA new survey from NS&I shows that many consumers are cutting the cost of New Year. You can save even more with Which?'s money saving tips.
- 29 Dec 2008Charities call for tax exemption during downturnAs leading charities, including Save The Children, call for changes to VAT and Gift Aid rules, read the Which? guide to giving to charity
- 29 Dec 2008High street price cuts to continue through 2009Cautious spending by consumers will force retailers to slash prices through 2009 says retail trade body
- 29 Dec 2008Which? Best Buys dominate Flickr websiteCanon's are by far the most commonly used cameras on the Flickr photo-sharing website. The Apple iPhone and the Nokia N96 also prove popular
- 29 Dec 2008Vodafone introduces PAYG mobile IOUMobile operator Vodafone, one of the UK's biggest mobile service providers, has introduced an emergency back up for pay as you go mobile users called Vodafone IOU.
- 29 Dec 2008Guide dogs to be allowed at regional airportsBlind and partially sighted people will soon be able to fly with their guide dogs from the majority of UK airports.
- 29 Dec 2008Christmas present recycling site launchesA new website for unwanted Christmas presents has launched
- 29 Dec 2008Laptops now 'more popular than desktop PCs'Laptop PCs have outsold desktop PCs worldwide for the first time, according to figures from iSuppli.
- 28 Dec 2008Remarkable drop in cost of memory cardsSan Disk first launched a 1GB memory card five years ago costing around £275. They can now be picked up for less than £5
- 28 Dec 2008Lying for insurance on the riseIncreasing numbers of people are running the risk of invalidating their insurance cover by lying when they take out a policy in a bid to get a better deal, a UK trade body has warned.
- 28 Dec 2008Clamp down on unfair phone and broadband feesBroadband, home phone, mobile phone and digital TV customers may benefit from additional protection on their phone, internet and TV services following new guidance from telecoms watchdog, Ofcom.
- 28 Dec 2008Tesco to host internet talent contestTesco is set to host an online talent competition in January to rival X Factor
- 27 Dec 2008Sat nav named must-have Christmas gift for driversSat nav was named the must-have Christmas gift for drivers in a poll of AA members.
- 27 Dec 2008Free ATMs for deprived areasSuccess for scheme designed to provide consumers in low income areas with easy access to non-charging ATMs. Over a million people to benefit from new cash machines.
- 27 Dec 2008New scheme helping to stop identity fraudA new scheme is hastening the demise of a cruel type of identity fraud that can devastate grieving families and cost businesses millions of pounds a year.
- 26 Dec 2008Icesave customers reimbursed for ChristmasThe majority of savers with failed Icelandic internet bank Icesave have been paid back in time for Christmas, according to the UK's depositor protection scheme.
- 26 Dec 2008Which? Legal advice on Christmas gift returnsUnwanted Christmas gifts that don't quite hit the mark can be harder to return after Christmas than people might imagine, according to Which? Legal Service.
- 26 Dec 2008US Visa process to change UK nationals visiting the United States must complete a new Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) form before travel as of January 12th 2009.
- 26 Dec 2008ABTA and FCO predict 2009 travel trendsABTA and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) have joined together to predict travel trends for 2009. The report reveals holidaymakers are favouring travel destinations that do not use the Euro.
- 26 Dec 2008John Lewis sale starts in stores tomorrowShoppers will get up to 50% off in John Lewis’ post-Christmas sale which starts in stores on 27 December, and began online on 24 December.
- 25 Dec 2008Drivers avoiding overnight stays this ChristmasAlmost 30% of motorists would drive up to 100 miles to avoid an overnight stay with friends or family this Christmas, according to a new survey.
- 25 Dec 2008Norwich returns £10m of unclaimed cashInsurer Norwich Union has returned £10 million of forgotten money to its customers since the beginning of the year.
- 24 Dec 2008PC users warned over Christmas spamConsumers warned over Christmas spam
- 24 Dec 2008Public has mixed feelings on botox vouchers
- 24 Dec 2008Npower fined £1.8m over mis-sellingNpower will be fined £1.8m after it failed to take sufficient action to prevent mis-selling of energy deals to customers, regulator Ofgem has announced.
- 24 Dec 2008Nokia N96 to feature Comes With MusicThe Nokia N96 is set to become the next Nokia mobile to be bundled with Nokia's Comes With Music service
- 24 Dec 2008New EU ruling on airline compensationAirlines can no longer blame technical problems for flight cancellations, EU judges have ruled. Recent evidence gathered by Which? Holiday found that passengers were still losing out financially as a result of other loopholes in the EU law
- 24 Dec 2008Zavvi goes into administrationEntertainment store Zavvi, the former Virgin Megastore chain, called in administrators Ernst & Young after it was crippled by the collapse of Woolworths' Entertainment UK wholesaling division.
- 23 Dec 2008Early sales this yearShoppers will enjoy unprecedented reductions from Christmas Eve as retailers face up to the prospect of a gloomy 2009, analysts have said.
- 23 Dec 2008Hot car deals, 23 December 2008Saloon cars aren't exactly the trendiest of options these days, but here's a couple of excellent deals that might just change your mind.
- 23 Dec 2008Hot car deals, 22 December 2008If you’re looking for a new car, Christmas has come early. Read on for massive savings on the new Ford Focus, the VW Eos, and Peugeot’s 207 SW Outdoor.
- 23 Dec 2008Food and drink on no-frills airlines can be costlySome no-frills airlines are charging almost half the cost of a ticket for a basic meal aboard their flights.
- 23 Dec 2008Blu-ray Disc sales increaseReassuring growth figures for Blu-ray Discs in the build up to Christmas
- 23 Dec 2008Last minute online shopping surgeChristmas cheer for online retailers
- 22 Dec 2008Calls for immediate car industry cashTens of thousands of jobs are at risk unless the motor industry receives financial aid from the Government 'within days', a union leader has warned.
- 22 Dec 2008'White Van Man' as unpopular as ever, survey showsWhite Van Man is as unpopular as ever with other motorists, according to a survey by Holiday Autos.
- 22 Dec 2008More protection for EU bank customers planned Bank customers will get even greater protection if an EU proposal is passed into law.
- 22 Dec 2008Christmas out-of-hours healthcareDoctor’s surgeries will be closed for four days over Christmas, but research from Which? shows that many people don't know what healthcare services are available out-of-hours or are unclear about which service they should use.
- 22 Dec 2008DAB radio switch could be as soon as 2017The Digital Radio Working Group is urging Ofcom and the government to make necessary changes to trigger a smooth transition to DAB migration
- 22 Dec 2008Consumers warned over ‘penny’ auction sitesConsumers should beware addicitive penny auctions, which are akin to gambling
- 20 Dec 2008BBC iPlayer for the MacMac users can download BBC programs from iPlayer
- 20 Dec 2008Pay deals beating inflation Pay deals have moved ahead of inflation for the first time in more than two years, but settlements are likely to fall "considerably" next year, according to a new report.
- 20 Dec 2008New Year’s resolutions for your computerMake your new year's resolution keeping your computer and data safe
- 19 Dec 2008Hot car deals, 19 December 2008Pre-Christmas buyers can take advantage of some huge discounts, including up to 40% off the entire Ford range.
- 19 Dec 2008UK car production slumps by a thirdOfficial figures have shown UK car production fell by a third in November, prompting manufacturers to call for urgent financial help.
- 19 Dec 2008Panasonic LZD81 Freesat TV is better than the PZ81Which? now has full test results on the Panasonic Viera PZ81 and the Panasonic Viera LZD81. Both the LCD and plasma TV feature an integrated Freesat tuner.
- 19 Dec 2008Surprise increase in retail salesRetail sales figures today revealed an unexpected 0.3% rise between October and November as official data continued to defy high street trading woes.
- 19 Dec 2008High-spec mobile phone prices may increaseMobile phone prices for mobile phones with high-tech features such as TV receivers, built-in sat-nav, high-quality cameras and full qwerty keyboardsmay soon be on the increase, according to a report by Reuters.
- 19 Dec 2008Kids cash in on festive names Children who have names associated with Christmas receive the largest lump sums of cash into their Child Trust Funds at this time of year, according to data from child trust fund provider The Children’s Mutual.
- 19 Dec 2008Ofcom rules must have the X FactorThe amount of television advertising for unhealthy food seen by children is thought to have dropped by a third since 2005, Ofcom announced this week.
- 19 Dec 2008Coffee machine sales soar at John LewisA coffee machine is selling every 45 seconds at John Lewis, according to a John Lewis press release
- 19 Dec 2008First-time buyers offer 'glimmer of hope'The proportion of first-time buyers entering the housing market increased for the third month in a row in November.
- 18 Dec 2008Shops get extended warranty rights wrongSales staff in high street shops are giving wrong information about extended warranties sold alongside new products, says Which.co.uk.
- 18 Dec 2008Kiddy Infinity Pro car seat storms Which? testsThe new Infinity Pro child car seat from Kiddy achieved great results in a recent Which? test.
- 18 Dec 2008Monarch to offer free infant luggage allowanceMonarch Airlines is the latest airline to allow a free baggage allowance for children under the age of two.
- 18 Dec 2008Pay for postage online at ChristmasBuying your postage online means you can avoid getting stuck in long queues at the Post Office, and it doesn’t cost any extra.
- 18 Dec 2008Further cuts in fuel surcharges with BA and VirginBritish Airways and Virgin Atlantic have announced further cuts to fuel surcharges on all flights.
- 18 Dec 2008Save money on last-minute Christmas shoppingStill looking for those last few Christmas presents? If you’re caught in a last-minute rush, you could easily end up paying more than you have to for gifts. But shopping around is easy with Which? Compare.
- 18 Dec 2008Ariel Excel Gel lives up to its nameAriel's Excel Gel has been through rigorous Which? wash tests and the results are in.
- 17 Dec 2008Nissan Note gets new look for 2009The Nissan Note mini MPV is getting a facelift for the new year.
- 17 Dec 2008UK websites ridden with malwareHot on the heels of the Internet Explorer security scare security expert Sophos has revealed that an increasing proportion of web malware is found on UK sites
- 17 Dec 2008Sony Bravia LCD TV wows Which? with new technologyThe new line of Sony Bravia LCD TVs display superior motion quality in our standard definition tests
- 17 Dec 2008BMI to trial mobile phones on planesBMI has become the first British airline to allow passengers to use mobile phones on their aircraft. But the airline has stopped short of allowing passengers to make phone calls while in the air.
- 17 Dec 2008Microsoft issues Internet Explorer security fixMicrosoft has issued an emergency fix to repair a security flaw in its Internet Explorer browser which could allow criminals to hijack people’s computers.
- 16 Dec 2008Hot car deals, 16 December 2008New cars may get all the glory, but savvy deal hunters know it’s best to buy used cars. No wonder, with deals like these on Fords, Jaguars and Renaults.
- 16 Dec 2008New BMW Z4 with folding hard-topNews of BMW's new Z4 sports car - with a folding hard-top and new suspension for 2009. Which? experts ring the changes to BMW's successful roadster.
- 16 Dec 2008Don't pay over the odds for shopping deliveriesPeople ordering gifts online this Christmas could find the online retailer's free or standard delivery option is just as good as more expensive premium or express delivery, says which.co.uk
- 16 Dec 2008Virgin Media launches superfast broadbandVirgin Media, one of the UK's biggest broadband providers, yesterday launched a new cable broadband service offering internet speeds of up to 50Mbps.
- 16 Dec 2008Pipex warned over broadband switchingBroadband regulator Ofcom has issued a warning to ISP Pipex over failures to provide consumers with the code that they need in order to switch broadband
- 16 Dec 2008Internet sales increase as high street suffersRetailers may be facing a bleak midwinter but high street sellers seem to be weathering the credit crunch with an increase in pre-Christmas sales of 16%.
- 16 Dec 2008Pret offers free wi fi access on The Cloud networkPret a Manger is giving customers free wireless internet access in its sandwich shops. The company plans to launch the service in all of its 130 stores later this month
- 16 Dec 2008Motorola W180 PAYG mobile for less than £3In response to the credit crunch, Carphone Warehouse is selling the Motorola W180 for £2.88 on Orange pay-as-you-go.
- 16 Dec 2008Recession could lead to quiet Christmas on roadsThe AA is predicting a quieter Christmas on the roads this year, as motorists stay home in a bid beat the recession.
- 16 Dec 2008Microsoft launches application for Apple iPhoneMicrosoft has launched a mobile version of its Seadragon application for the Apple iPhone
- 16 Dec 2008Comet loses £8.1 millionComet follows PC World and Currys and announces it's in the red.
- 16 Dec 2008Final post dates for Christmas cards approachingFirst class mail must be posted by 20 December, and second class mail must be posted by 18 December to ensure delivery in time for Christmas
- 16 Dec 2008Security warning for Internet Explorer usersUsers of Microsoft's Internet Explorer have been advised to switch to another web browser until a major security flaw is fixed.
- 15 Dec 2008Thousands complain over mis-selling of PPI The Financial Ombudsman Service has announced that so far this year, it has received more than 25,000 complaints about payment protection insurance (PPI). A 10-fold increase on last year's complaints about the insurance.
- 15 Dec 20080% current account launchedConsumers should switch away from Julian Hodge Bank's 0% current account, in favour of 6% Which? Best Buy account.
- 15 Dec 2008HSBC, RBS, Santander hit by fraud HSBC, RBS, Santander – which owns Abbey and the savings business of Bradford and Bingley – and French bank BNP Paribas have revealed that they have fallen victim to one of the biggest cases of financial fraud.
- 15 Dec 2008Sat navs contribute to record week at John LewisHigh street retailer John Lewis has reported a record week for sales of electrical products, with sat navs, DVD players and digital photo frames among the top-selling items.
- 14 Dec 2008PlayStation Home launches in the UK
- 13 Dec 2008Orange launches new 3G mobile broadband tariffsOrange has launched two new 30-day mobile internet deals, starting from £20 a month with a 3GB USB dongle.
- 13 Dec 2008BBC to share iPlayer technology with BT and ITVBBC iPlayer technology may be shared with BT and ITV to create set top boxes for on demand
- 13 Dec 2008New gas safety scheme launchedCorgi to be replaced by the newly launched gas safe register
- 12 Dec 2008More consumers compare prices online New research from market research company Mintel shows the increasing popularity of price comparison websites such as moneysupermarket.com, gocompare.com and Confused.com.
- 12 Dec 2008Manchester votes 'no' on congestion charge Plans for Britain’s biggest congestion charging scheme have been rejected by voters in Manchester, following years of political grappling.
- 12 Dec 2008Credit card firms agree fairer terms Card issuers have agreed a new set of fair principles with the Government, which include giving borrowers warnings about rate increases and giving more breathing space to people struggling with their debts.
- 12 Dec 2008Fiat and Ford revise diesel enginesRevised diesels from Fiat and Ford for low emissions - and company car tax
- 12 Dec 2008M&S unveils more promotions and discountsMarks and Spencer is launching a range of seasonal promotions from today to help ease the pinch for customers in the run-up to Christmas.
- 12 Dec 2008Hot car deals, 12 December 2008There are plenty of car deals out there for bargain hunters - such as these on Fiat, Mercedes and Skoda.
- 12 Dec 200810 million download free Google Chrome browserGoogle is boasting of 10 million active users around the world for its Chrome browser, as it removes the beta label 100 days after first releasing the free browser for download.
- 11 Dec 2008Men 'more likely to drink-drive'Men are far more likely to drink-drive than women, according to a poll by insurance company Diamond.
- 11 Dec 2008Value of pound slips against the euro Winter holiday makers will get less for their pound as they head off this month.
- 11 Dec 2008More drivers buying cars onlineThe economic downturn has led to an increase in the number of motorists looking for used-car bargains on the internet, according to a major online dealer.
- 11 Dec 2008FSA fines Egg £721,000 for PPI mis-sellingThe FSA has fined Egg £721,000 for serious failings in its sales of payment protection insurance (PPI) to credit card customers.
- 11 Dec 2008Keep kids safe online this ChristmasParents buying PCs as presents need to know how to protect their children
- 11 Dec 2008Woolworths closing down sale beginsWoolworths began a closing down sale today as hopes of finding a buyer for the ailing retailer started to fade.
- 11 Dec 2008Olympus to rename SW digital cameras as 'Tough'Olympus will rebrand its waterproof and shockproof line of digital cameras in the new year; changing the name from 'SW' to 'Tough'.
- 11 Dec 2008Kids encouraged to give to charity online
- 11 Dec 2008Premium rate 070 number scam under investigationFour premium rate 070 phone number providers are under investigation, following complaints by the public that the phone number providers had been using underhand measures to cause consumers to unknowingly call 070 premium rate numbers.
- 10 Dec 2008Hot car deals, 10 December 2008Small cars are propping up the car market during this downturn. But that doesn’t mean they’re immune to discounting - as these Toyota Yaris, Ford Fiesta and VW Golf deals prove.
- 10 Dec 2008Fiat 500byDiesel limited editionFiat has announced a limited edition 500, accessorised in association with the Diesel fashion label, and only available for purchase over the internet.
- 10 Dec 2008Hyundai prices i20 superminiHyundai has announced the pricing for its all-new i20 supermini – undercuting rivals by ‘at least £1,000.’
- 10 Dec 2008Which? challenges ‘bullying’ letters
- 10 Dec 2008Buyers return to property marketThe number of people looking to buy a new house rose for the first time in two years, according to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (Rics).
- 10 Dec 2008Polaroid to cease production of instant camerasAfter almost 60 years of production, Polaroid has decided to discontinue the popular instant Polaroid cameras.
- 10 Dec 2008Waitrose opens first convenience storeWaitrose is opening its first convenience store in Trinity Square, Nottingham, tomorrow
- 10 Dec 2008Ensure tips go to service staff this ChristmasMake sure your restaurant tip actually rewards staff for good service this Christmas rather than topping up their pay to the legal minimum, says The Good Food Guide.
- 10 Dec 2008Savers bear the brunt of interest rate cutWhich? explains the effect of the interest rate cut on savers and shows consumers the best savings rates available
- 09 Dec 2008Glimmer of hope in the housing marketNew housing market figures from RICS show that there has been a rise in new buyer enquiries. Surveyors are also optimistic that house sale volumes will now pick up.
- 09 Dec 2008HSBC bullish on mortgage lendingHSBC has announced plans to try to secure a larger share of the UK mortgage market in 2009. New lending is set to outstrip rivals as the bank takes advantage of its relatively stable position.
- 09 Dec 200880% of Icesave customers apply for compensationIcesave customers receive compensation via the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. The FSCS has processed 80% of Icesave customer's account claims.
- 09 Dec 2008Fraudsters target 11,000 shareholders Shareholders are at risk following the discovery of a shared database for fraudsters.
- 09 Dec 2008Consumers warned of fake Nintendo consolesFake Nintendo games consoles and power adaptors could put consumers' lives in danger, warns HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
- 09 Dec 2008New SDHC memory cards launched for HD camcordersVerbatim has released two new memory cards, designed especially for high definition camcorder users
- 09 Dec 2008Internet searches for discount vouchers double Internet searches for discount vouchers have increased by 133% over the past year, according to online intelligence service Hitwise UK.
- 08 Dec 2008Hips change and OFT targets estate agentsThe government is making changes to home information packs (Hips) so that they include more information and homebuyers see them earlier.
- 08 Dec 2008Long delays at Stansted after protestPassengers flying from Standsted are facing long delays and should contact their airline before travelling
- 08 Dec 2008Morrisons sales jump beats economic crisisMorrisons is bucking the trend of store slumps by posting an 8.1% jump in third-quarter sales.
- 06 Dec 2008Which? Compare could save you hundredsWhich? can reveal the cheapest websites for buying your Christmas gifts, which could save you hundreds of pounds this Christmas.
- 05 Dec 2008Savings plummet as borrowers pay off debt mountainNew figures show that the credit crunch is finally hitting home and worried consumers are taking drastic actions to reduce their debt mountain.
- 05 Dec 2008Lloyds TSB and HBOS names to remain intactMajor banking brands Lloyds TSB, Halifax and Bank of Scotland will all remain on the high street after the planned HBOS rescue, Lloyds TSB said today.
- 05 Dec 2008VW updates Golf Plus with latest lookVolkswagen has unveiled a facelifted version of the Golf Plus at the Bologna Motor Show in Italy.
- 05 Dec 2008Hot car deals, 5 December 2008We’ve unearthed some quite phenomenal Land Rover, Mazda and VW deals this week. So if you’re wondering what to do with your savings after the interest rate cut, you’ve come to the right place…
- 05 Dec 2008T-Mobile slashes price of G1 Google phone T-Mobile has slashed the cost of its exclusive T-Mobile G1 Google mobile phone by making it available for free on cheaper pay monthly mobile contracts.
- 05 Dec 2008Fujitsu promises a laptop for lifeComputer firm offers free replacement every three years
- 05 Dec 2008Squirrels and cats top garden pests leagueUnwanted furry visitors can leave a trail of destruction in our gardens, whether they're fouling, digging or nibbling our precious plants. But all is not lost – we have some solutions
- 04 Dec 2008Car sales down by more than 10% over year to dateNew car sales are down by more than 10% over the year to date, according to the latest official figures.
- 04 Dec 2008Bank of England cuts base interest rate to 2%As the Bank of England cuts interest rates to their lowest level since 1951, Which? calls for the cut to be passed to borrowers in full
- 04 Dec 2008Mazda3 hatch unveiled at BolognaMazda has publicly unveiled the all-new Mazda3 five-door hatchback at the Bologna motor show in Italy.
- 04 Dec 2008Car breakdowns surge as cold weather sweeps UKThe recent cold snap has led to a surge in the number of car breakdowns, according to rescue provider Green Flag.
- 04 Dec 2008Broadband speed victory for Which?Broadband internet service providers (ISPs) must give customers a true picture of likely broadband speeds at the point of sale, following a new broadband speed code of practice that comes into force tomorrow.
- 04 Dec 2008Northern Rock to delay repossessions by six monthsNationalised bank Northern Rock pledged to wait at least six months before repossessing the homes of borrowers who had fallen behind with their mortgage.
- 04 Dec 2008Cold call builders 'defrauded elderly'Police and trading standards officers arrest three people in connection with a cold calling scam. Trading standards officers say to avoid cold calling builders and never give them any work.
- 04 Dec 2008Marks & Spencer to hold another 20% off saleMarks & Spencer is to hold a second one-day, 20%-off sale on Thursday in an effort to revive pre-Christmas sales.
- 04 Dec 2008Which? test reveals outstanding washer dryerAEG Electrolux L16850 washer dryer finishes a clear top in our latest washer-dryer tests, making it one of the best models we've ever seen.
- 03 Dec 2008Carmakers get breathing space on CO2 targetsEuropean regulators are giving car companies more time to meet CO2 emissions targets, it has been revealed.
- 03 Dec 2008Apple Macs at risk of viruses and malwareApple Mac computers are no longer safe from the dangers of computer viruses, according to an article posted on the manufacturer’s website.
- 03 Dec 2008Zavvi cancels online ordersWoolworths collapse means Zavvi has had to stop taking new online orders and cancel some existing ones.
- 03 Dec 2008Debenhams to hold three-day saleDebenhams has confirmed it is holding another ;credit crunch beating' sale event this week to bump up pre-Christmas sales.
- 03 Dec 2008Which? book gives would-be landlords adviceRenting and Letting warns of dangers of rushing in
- 03 Dec 2008Card fraud higher overseas Fraud losses on UK credit and debit cards are 14 times higher overseas than they are in this country, a new report claims.
- 03 Dec 2008Pass on rate cut to mortgage borrowers says Which?Which? is calling for the base rate cut to be passed on to all borrowers including those with Standard Variable Rate mortgage deals.
- 03 Dec 2008Dark Knight to debut BD-Live for Warner BrosWarner Bros has announced that the year’s biggest blockbuster, The Dark Knight, will be its first ever film to boast interactive BD-Live features when it is released on Blu-ray on 8 December.
- 03 Dec 2008Marks & Spencer now sells washing machinesM&S is now selling large domestic appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines and fridge-freezers online.
- 03 Dec 2008Amazon's UK MP3 download store openAmazon's eagerly awaited MP3 download store is now open to UK music lovers.
- 02 Dec 2008New two-wheel-drive Ford KugaAs the credit crunch bites, Ford reveals its two-wheel-drive Kuga off-roader. And a far less attractive 2.5 petrol turbo version, too.
- 02 Dec 2008Hot car deals, 2 December 2008A 2.5% reduction in VAT wasn’t enough for everybody - Saab and Skoda have knocked 15% off some car prices throughout December.
- 02 Dec 2008Mini reveals all-new Mini ConvertibleBMW finally replaces the old-generation Mini Convertible with a new version - but prices will rise by almost £1,000.
- 02 Dec 2008Greener driving 'could save billions'Employers are being urged to get involved with a new course that teaches staff how to drive more efficiently.
- 02 Dec 2008Merry HD Christmas from the BBCThe BBC has unveiled its TV schedule for Christmas and New Year 2008, and there are plenty of high-definition treats for those with HD-ready or full-HD flat-panel TVs.
- 02 Dec 2008Online store 247 Electrical ceases tradingOnline electrical store 247 Electrical has gone into voluntary liquidation.
- 02 Dec 2008Waitrose to open second convenience store Which? members' high street favourite Waitrose has revealed that it will trial its second convenience store in Bristol.
- 02 Dec 2008Extra protection for building society customersThe Financial Services Compensation Scheme now covers building societies that merge, meaning more savings are protected if the building society collapses.
- 02 Dec 2008Bank to delay repossessions by six monthsRBS, which owns NatWest, has pledged to give customers in arrears at least six months grace before starting mortgage repossession proceedings.
- 02 Dec 2008Nokia announces the N97 mobile phoneNokia has announced pictures and specifications of the N97, the next mobile phone to be launched in the successful N series
- 02 Dec 2008What credit crunch? Online shopping on the riseOnline sales in 2008 are expected to buck the credit crunch and increase by £0.5 billion this Christmas compared to online sales last year.
- 01 Dec 2008Duty-free doubles for non-EU importsTravellers to the UK from outside the EU can bring in goods worth up to £300 duty-free from 1 December 2008. The first increase since 1994 doubles the old £145 limit. In January 2009 the limit will rise again to £340, due to exchange rate movement.
- 01 Dec 2008Chancellor guarantees London Scottish accountsLondon Scottish Bank, the specialist sub-prime lender and fixed-rate savings account provider, has gone bust.
- 01 Dec 2008New home reports in Scotland will have surveyWhich? campaign means that buyers in Scotland will have better survey when buying a home.
- 01 Dec 2008Newquay Airport closed for three weeks Pre Christmas flights from Newquay Airport in Cornwall have been cancelled after problems with airport navigational equipment have delayed the planned handover of the airport from the RAF to Cornwall County Council.
- 01 Dec 2008Credit card providers to share debt dataCredit card providers, including Barclaycard, HBOS and MBNA, are to share details of customers' credit card repayment patterns to help identify consumers struggling with credit card debt
- 01 Dec 2008Cheaper calls to loved ones abroad this Christmas
- 01 Dec 2008Dramatic fall in mortgage lending Mortgage lending collapsed during October, diving by nearly 70% to reach the second lowest figure on record, the Bank of England said today.
