Flying flag for Credit Unions

QCould you tell me why you don’t refer to Credit Unions for savings/ lending? Their interest rates are usually better than banks and it’s cheaper to borrow from them. Also, they’re regulated and just as safe. Jane

MARTIN’S ANSWER: I am a fan of these non-profit mutual organisations – and a member of one myself, so I mention them when I can. Yet as they often only serve a small area, it’s impossible to list all rates.

It is also actually quite rare that they beat the savings best buys, and even rarer for best lending rates – though for those who struggle to get reasonable borrowing elsewhere, they can be heaven sent. I’d happily urge everyone to check out their local credit union to see if it can help. Visit findyourcreditunion.co.uk.

For many though the difficulty is finding one that accepts you.

Luckily these days many firms have eligibility calculators that let you see your chances of acceptance before applying – without impacting your credit worthiness.

Or to do it all in one go, use my moneysavingexpert.com/eligibility. That shows your chances for almost all top cards.

Many cards will charge you a one-off fee of up to 3% of the amount of debt you’re shifting.

So of all the cards you’re able to get, make sure you go for the one with lowest fee in the longest 0% time you’re SURE you can repay.

Then when you get a card, follow the three golden rules.

Clear the card, or shift the debt again, before the 0% ends or the rate jumps to the APR.

Never miss the minimum monthly repayment or you can lose the 0% deal.

Don’t spend/withdraw cash. It usually isn’t at the cheap rate. THE customer is always right. Except when they’re wrong. And sometimes they’re told they’re wrong even when they’re right.

Shoppers rights are even more complex in January as the sales are on, meaning many stores change their policies – so today I have 10 things everyone needs to know.

And as complaints can cause conflict and friction, I’d always suggest you make them calmly, politely and firmly. This gets far better results than aggression – especially as it’s not usually the person you’re complaining to who’s to blame.

1. You DON’T have a right to return goods bought in store because they’re the wrong size or colour

Jaws often drop when I tell people this. You have no legal right to return goods bought in a shop if you change your mind about them (unless something’s faulty).

Many shops do allow returns, but they don’t have to. However, if they publish a ‘returns policy’ – for example ‘you can exchange within 30 days’ – then this is enforceable as it forms part of your purchase contract.

2. Buy goods online and you CAN change your mind – and regardless of what they say, you have 28 days to return them

Online shoppers have more rights. The Consumer Contract Regulations state that unless goods are personalised or perishable, you have the right to send them back whether they’re faulty or not (even if you’ve opened the box).

By law you have up to 14 days after you receive an item to notify the website you are returning what you bought – and then up to 14 days after that to send it back. Therefore a total maximum 28 days.

However many retailers give incorrect information about this. In research a couple of weeks ago by my MoneySavingExpert.com team, 15 major retailers’ sites had incorrect or misleading info, including M&S which said it gives you 14 days to return sale items bought online with the brief caveat that “this does not affect your statutory rights”.

Nine of them have agreed to review their sites. We’re reporting the rest to Trading Standards.

3. Be a SAD FART and you’ll have no complaints

Over the last decade many people have shouted ‘ sad fart’ at me in the street, thankfully mostly as they know its my phrase for remembering your consumer rights. I’ve even heard some law classes now teach it.

It means all goods should be of quality for purpose last a length of If not, they’re faulty, and that means you have strong legal rights.

4. To get a full refund, return faulty goods within a month

If goods are faulty, then you have 30 days to return them to get a full refund.