How well do you know your consumer rights? Do you need help to resolve an issue with a company that’s just not listening?
I pride myself on championing the very best of companies and challenging the worst so if you’ve got a problem with a company that’s not playing fair, then as the Queen of Customer Service and a Consumer Expert specialising in travel, hospitality and retail, I can help.
If you love my blogs then please do take a listen to my BRAND NEW consumer podcasts over on Anchor. You can also catch me every Wednesday from 9-10am on the Travel Radio Breakfast Travel Hour and every Tuesday and Thursday at midday on Dean Radio on The Consumer Show.
Happy reading and listening! xxx
Guest Post: How to Deal With Debt During a Pandemic
Whilst some people are currently saving money, skipping the expensive car trips and costly train tickets whilst they’re working from home, others have found their income cut and their outgoings dramatically increasing. The financial divide is wide, with some people in...
read more
4 Ways to Cope with the Fear of Flying
It is possible to get anxious about anything. Flying is one of those things. The fear of flight is known as aviophobia and defined as the extreme avoidance of planes or activities and places associated with them. A part of getting anxious is likely to be associated...
read more
Breakfast with Award Winning Travel Counsellor Emma Savage
In times where the world of travel is steeped in doom and gloom, there is a beacon of hope in the form of Award Winning Travel Counsellor Emma Savage who can make your holiday dreams come true. This year is a big milestone for Emma as she celebrates 10 years in the...
read more
Refunds and Exchanges: How to return unwanted gifts in lockdown
Whether it’s a jumper that doesn’t fit, a book you already have or a gadget you’re never going to use, there will always be gifts that you would like to return or exchange. On any other year this wouldn’t really be an issue but with non-essential stores closed in the...
read more
The Third Lockdown- Your Consumer Travel Rights
In a bid to stem the increase in coronavirus outbreaks due to the new variant, we have now been placed into our third national lockdown, which could last until March. This means that you must stay at home as per the Government directive. How does this affect your...
read more
Post Brexit Travel to the EU: A Simple Guide
From 1st January 2021, it’s all change for travel to the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein as the Brexit transition period comes to an end. Will travel still be possible? Yes but it’s going to be a lot more complicated and the information out there...
read more
My year in review: Looking back at 2020 and forward to 2021
2020, what a year and in more ways than one! I didn’t think that anything could possibly top 2019 when I was featured as one of the Top 5 Consumer Champions in the UK in the Daily Mail and experienced a fabulous LIVE TV debut on BBC Breakfast. It was a real media...
read more
Should there be an International Travel Ban?
The new strain of Coronavirus is far more virulent and much easier to spread. As a result, we are now in a third National Lockdown but there STILL have been no changes to international travel in and out of the UK. Is it time to reflect on the reasons this virus got to...
read more
AD: What is travel insurance and why do you need it?
Reports indicate a staggering number of British holidaymakers have never taken out travel insurance and even more worryingly, didn’t think of doing so or were willing to take the chance. Failure to organise appropriate insurance could be a very costly decision. Is it...
read more
7 ways to save money & be a happier and savvier shopper this Christmas
It’s Christmas, let’s spend, spend, spend! Or maybe not. Although ‘tis the season and we all want to spoil our loved ones and splash out on lots of extra special treats, should we do so? Debt is at an all time high and we are spending more than ever before but are we...
read more
Whatever happened to Christmas spirit? How to be a better customer this Christmas!
Spitting at elves and throwing rocks and wood! Whatever happened to Christmas spirit? A Worcester newspaper recently reported that rocks, wood and drinks cans had been thrown at staff at a local convenience store. Another story I read covered the story of a mum who...
read more
Black Friday Madness- 7 reasons why I won’t be spending on Black Friday
It's Black Friday 2020 and once again there are scores of 'bargains' out there to be had. In a time of financial instability with many families struggling to make ends meet, is this really the time for excessive spending? When is a saving really a saving and are there...
read more
How to get the best insurance deals from price comparison sites
Comparison sites make up 60% of new household polices with customers keener than ever to source the very best of deals. However, ComparetheMarket has just been fined £17.9 million pounds by The Competition and Markets Authority for keeping home insurance costs...
read more
Reverse Advent Calendar Campaign – Will you be taking part?
New figures released reveal that 2,600 food parcels were provided for children every day in the first six months of the pandemic. Food banks in the Trussell Trust’s UK network have seen a shocking 47% increase in need during the crisis, building on the record need...
read more
Travel Vouchers and Refund Credit Notes- how to get your money back!
Following the outbreak of Coronavirus, huge numbers of holidays and flights were cancelled. As a result, many passengers were offered either refund credit notes or vouchers as an alternative to a cash refund with some still waiting months later for the refund they are...
read more
The Second Lockdown- Your Consumer Travel Rights
In a bid to stem the increase in coronavirus outbreaks, England has now been placed into a second lockdown, which will run until Wednesday 2nd December. This means that you must stay at home as per the Government directive. But how does this affect your holiday plans?...
read more
Review: Watchdog The Consumer Survival Guide by Matt Allwright
Bear Grylls Survival expert, Matt Allwright Survival Expert! Did you know that keeping your wits about you and having a handy tool kit of tips and tricks can be just as essential in the world of consumer rights as it is when you’re out in the wild one? Make no...
read more
How will the new three-tier system affect your half term holiday?
The introduction of a three tier system and increased restrictions in England to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus has placed further uncertainty on travel plans leaving many now not sure where they can go, if they can go and who with. What does the new...
read more
10 of the most common Customer Service Fob Offs and how to avoid them
The pandemic has shone a spotlight on good and bad firms and how they have faired over the past year. We are doing online shopping now more than ever, and with that comes an array of problems with deliveries and a host of fob offs that retailers use. After identifying...
read more
AD: How to take control of your personal data with Rightly
Statistics show that 9/10 people are concerned about their personal data. Are you? In today’s data driven world we need to be aware that everything we share online is processed and stored and that the companies in question are responsible for keeping it safe. But what...
read more
Breakfast with Consumer Champion Consumer Sue
There’s nothing I love more than connecting with fellow consumer champions who spend their time fighting for your rights. Today’s fabulous guest is a firm thorn in the side of Currys PC World and Carphone Warehouse as she daily calls out ‘Their abysmal customer...
read moreRecent Posts
Top 10 Travel Tips for booking a post-pandemic holiday
Cancellations and Refunds: The simple guide to getting your money back
There’s Customer Service and there’s Pawservice!
Why I booked my holiday direct but why you shouldn’t
The Traffic Light System- A Simple Travel Guide
Post -Pandemic Holidays: If you can take the hit, book that trip?
Travel bubbles, the traffic light system and Covid passports- your questions answered
Blogging with Multiple Sclerosis- Why it’s just that little bit harder
Breakfast with Dan Whytock CEO of Down Your High Street
5 ways to get the best post-pandemic UK holiday deals