James

I recently booked a car from Birmingham airport for a week via the Europcar website. The booking process was smooth, but everything went downhill when I tried to check in online.

The day after my booking (11 days before pickup), I received an email requesting “basic information” for a “soft credit check” to save time at the counter. To do this, I needed to download the Europcar app and link my booking. However, when I tried to create an account with my booking email, it said, “This email is already linked to an existing account.” I attempted to reset my password multiple times, but no reset email arrived, indicating a problem on Europcar's end.

I contacted Europcar support through their website, and they asked for my date of birth. When I replied, the email bounced back as undeliverable, saying the email address didn't exit. So I had to create a new support request, including my DOB, only to be told to try logging in using my DOB as a password. This didn't work. I was then advised to email their "webmasteruk" address, but received no response.

Eventually, I created a new account with a different email address, which allowed me to link my booking. However, there was no option to enter the required information in the app, and many features were broken, linking through to a non-existent domain name. Leading me to submit yet another support request. This time, the Europcar website malfunctioned when I tried to submit my message with screenshots. After retrying, I successfully submitted without screenshots, only to be told to call the reservations team, who then claimed they couldn’t assist with the credit check.They transferred me to the branch, but after waiting over 10 minutes, I gave up.

I tried logging into the website, only to encounter a “404 Error” when attempting to check in online.

The app informed me that “Check-in opens 30 hours before pickup,” which was not mentioned in the initial email.

The day before my rental, I still couldn’t check in through the app, even though it was less than 30 hours until pickup. After some effort, I managed to access the check-in option, but it failed to recognise my account. I attempted to log in multiple times, but the app continued to malfunction.

Frustrated, I called Europcar again, but they said my only other option was to check in at the branch, as they were unable to resolve any of the issues I was experiencing. I expressed my concerns about potential delays, and they transferred me to the branch again, but after another long wait of over 15 minutes, it cut me off.

On pickup day, we struggled to locate the Europcar desk, which, on all the emails, was incorrectly stated to be in the “Arrivals Hall.” After searching for 10 minutes, I eventually discovered through a Google review that it had moved to a car park. This misinformation wasted even more time.

Without being able to check-in online, we were now stuck at the desk waiting while everything was processed, with my 5-year-old growing increasingly impatient. The staff member confirmed my issues with the app were common, and the desk had not been in the arrivals hall for two years!

The rest of the rental experience was fine, with the car and car seat meeting our needs, although we had to wait for the seat’s delivery.

So what’s that? About 11 different things broken, and about 6 instances of incorrect or misleading information. With no signs any of it is going to be resolved anytime soon. It is clear this company just does not care. I will be going elsewhere in future.

Great price on a Viltrox lens and fast delivery. Was initially concerned about the lack of reviews, but then discovered this is a subsite of AVMphoto, which has excellent reviews.

I bought the "Vac Mate", but was disappointed to discover it didn't fit my Shark vacuum, despite its product page mentioning at least three times that it "Fits Any Vacuum".

I reported the issue to them, and they tried to make me pay to send it back for a refund. Eventually, after complaining further and stating their website was misleading, they refunded me.

2 months later, I checked, and the website was still claiming it "Fits Any Vacuum", despite them knowing it does not, so I messaged them to express their disappointment at not correcting the misleading info.

It has now been 5 months, and their website still states the Vac Mate "Fits Any Vacuum", despite "Must Have Ideas" knowing it does not.

It's a shame because I do like the Mould Magic, but now I can no longer believe anything on their website, as I'm aware they knowingly use false claims to advertise their products.

Always been impressed with ProCook products, and most recently by their Professional Granite Frying Pan, which, after over 6 months of use, shows no sign of deterioration in the non-stick coating.

Unfortunately, the same can't be said for their Non-Stick Granite Baking Trays. I got a set at the same time as the frying pan, and despite never using metal utensils and adhering to the care instructions, things started sticking after just 3 or 4 months of use, and now, just 6 months on, the coating is starting to peel in places, so I now always have to use reusable non-stick liners on them.

I contacted ProCook on 22nd December about the issues, but despite receiving a ticket number, I have not received a reply, over a month later. Very disappointing.

Great experience. Ordered their free 7-day home trial, and they didn't mind that I sent it back a few days late. Ordering online was very easy. Amazing value, even for designer lenses. Actual glasses only took 5 days to arrive (inc Royal Mail strikes) and the glasses are great. Will def use again.

My only complaint would be their offers attempt to pressure you into buying before the offer ends, but then you can lose the chance to do a 2nd home trial.

However, it appears that they pretty much always have an offer on, so I won't pay much attention to the offer countdown next time. Plus, when a new, better offer appeared 2 days after ordering my glasses, they were kind enough to refund me the difference so I could still benefit from it.

I've used Ploi for over a year now and I can't praise this service highly enough. I tried all similar services and chose Ploi for its incredible feature set, lovely UI and great support.

Using the service is always such a joy and powerful features keep getting added all the time.

If you're looking to move away from shared hosting and look after your own servers instead, give Ploi a try and you won't be disappointed.

Panels seem decent for the price. Were well packaged. Just make sure you ignore their false "time-limited" sales, as their sale countdown just resets each week and the prices don't change, so don't let it pressure you into making a purchase.

Bought two Sonoma bedside tables. They arrived within 2 days which was great, but the quality of the items was very disappointing.

At least 3 of the feet were broken or missing due to being inadequately packed (the feet had punctured the cardboard box during transit and then broken off).

I found a loose screw in the bottom of the box. Discovered it was from the bracket which holds the legs on, but the screw was stripped (presumably done during production, which is why it didn't/won't stay in).

But the worst thing about the bedside tables were the drawer runners which were very poor and had multiple flaws. They were metal, ball bearing runners but they had so much play in them that when trying to push a drawer back in, the drawer would twist slightly and the runner would dig into the side of the drawer stopping it from going back in. (You could see the marks down the sides of the wooden drawers where the runners were rubbing.) They also had a "hold-in" feature, but this was inconsistent and on some drawers, you would have to manually push (quite hard) on each side of the drawer just to get it to fully close.

Having also ordered the full chest of drawers from the same range (with a 2-week delivery), we decided to cancel this as the drawers in this would be even more important.

Upon reporting the issues, Swoon were very good to arrange a next day collection and we got a prompt full refund, but we'll certainly think again before purchasing from Swoon in the future if this is representative of the quality of their products. We're very glad we didn't have to wait weeks for delivery (like for some items on the site) to then discover these issues.

Been with Starling for 8 months now and I actually feel like I'm in control of my money for once. Their app is among the best and instant notifications, "Spaces" and Spending insights are especially useful. I'm so impressed I'm about to switch my business account to Starling too!

Ordered a 4 seater garden furniture set. It was at a great price and with free delivery. Had regular updates from them on delivery and it arrived within 5 days, delivered to Edinburgh directly by Hayes themselves (no courier). Would recommend!