Ian Hewitt

Took out a contract with Sky Business about 18 months ago. A few initial problems to get up and running. Since then, broadband and phone line service has been, at best, ok. Although there have been some occasions where there has been no broadband, meaning we cannot take card payments.
The monthly invoice that you can download via your account with them is very poor and a nightmare if you need to print it out.
However, we have not even been able to download copies of the last 2 monthly bills (August & September). Every time you try to download it, up comes a message "Whoops, there's been an error. Sorry but we are having technical difficulties. Unfortunately, we have not been able to process your request".
Called them last week to explain that I had been attempting this for a number of days, getting the same response each time and asking when they were going to resolve the issue. Was told allow 1 week. That has now passed, but nothing has changed. PATHETIC!
I don't actually believe they are doing anything about it. They take their money via direct debit and that's all they are interested in. Can't wait for the contract to end!

UPDATE -
Since my original post, I have spoken with both their Customer Service (in India) who promised faithfully to call me back with an update within 72 hours - this never happened, of course - and their Complaints Dept (who, on the first occasion, just transferred back to their Customer Services) who confirmed that they were having "technical issues" but could not give me any assurances as to when these would be resolved.
It is now 6 weeks since I first found that I could not download a copy of their invoice and nothing has changed! Either they are not trying to resolve the issue, or they are just totally incompetent!

Whoever was responsible for introducing this system should be publicly named and ridiculed! (Bring back the stocks!). My wife was requested by her GP Surgery to get a blood test. In order to do this, she needed to register with Swiftqueue. A painful process that involved several attempts and several trips to the receptionists at her GP Surgery. On each attempt to register, you first "book an appointment" for a blood test. However, after finally getting registered, no confirmation of the appointment is received. One month has now passed and she still has no blood test appointment confirmed. It was much simpler when you could call the hospital / clinic directly to book an appointment (even if it meant hanging on the phone for ages). We now have to go through a middleman (no doubt very expensive) - Swiftqueue - that appears to be worse than useless.
It should NOT be this difficult to book a blood test!

During her pregnancy 6 years ago, my wife developed gestational diabetes. Whilst this appeared to have gone away once our daughter was born, she is still required to have blood tests to check that the diabetes has not returned.
Yesterday she received a text requesting that she make an appointment for a blood test.
However, in order to have the appointment confirmed, she needed to register for an NHS Login.
Despite providing details such as NHS number; copy of British passport (only issued 3 years ago) and a picture of her face on their app, her application has been rejected.
Either the app is not fit for purpose, or the process is designed tp prevent British Taxpayers from accessing NHS Services.
She can get a new passport, but she can't get a blood test appointment confirmed.
ABSOLUTELY DIABOLICAL!

Took out car insurance with Aviva Zero in August 2024 after receiving competitive pricing via comparison web-site. Unfortunately, was recently involved in an accident and whilst the Claims team did a good job on the day - getting vehicle collected and sent to repairer - subsequent contacts with Customer Service have been a nightmare.
Called them today to get clarification on who is responsible for cover on both the loan car and my car, if my vehicle has not been returned to me after the expiration of my current policy in a few days time and spoke to 3 different people - with long delays being put on hold each time I was transferred. The last individual I spoke to was not answering the question I was asking and when I asked to be transferred to his superior - he cut me off!
If their low prices attract you, pray that you are never involved in an accident and have to make a claim!

Awaiting delivery of a small (but quite valuable) international shipment from Asia. Received notification of Duties, VAT & Fees due upon arrival of goods in UK on Friday. Their on-line system for making payment failed (for the third successive shipment) and so had to make payment by bank transfer (same day). Goods arrived in UK on Saturday afternoon. E-mailed their accounts team to notify them that payment had been made so that it could be allocated against our shipment.
It is now Monday (pm) and Fedex system is still showing as "provide payment" and goods still showing at arrival airport. Have no idea when goods will be received - originally stated Monday a.m.
It is not possible to speak to anybody at Fedex as any numbers given are either stupid bots or premium rate numbers.

Tassimo need to update their website which states "Easy to recycle with podback". In view of Podback's recent decision to dispense with the services of Yodel for sending used pods for recycling, this is no longer the case.
Instead they are relying on either local Council collections for used pods (not currently available in my area) or customers dropping them off at various supermarket collection points. In my case, the nearest drop-off point being an 8 mile round trip to a supermarket I never use, or even go near!
Therefore, having been able to send my used pods for recycling via a local, easily accessible, Yodel collection point for several years, I will now be reverting to disposing of the used pods with my general waste - a big step backwards for the environment!

We have used Tassimo pods, both at home and in our local business, for a number of years. The introduction of the Podback service seemed a great idea, avoiding the need to dispose of used pods in general waste. Being able to drop off filled bags at a local Yodel collection point worked well.
Unfortunately, Podback seem to have jumped the gun in dispensing with the Yodel service as they have not yet built up an adequate network of drop-off points or Council Collection points.
Our local council does not offer this service and the nearest drop-off point (Tesco in Amersham) is a 3.9 mile drive away (basically, an 8 mile round trip just to drop-off used pods - VERY ENVIRONMENTALLY UNFRIENDLY AND COSTLY!
I live in Chesham and shop in local supermarkets in town. I never shop in, or near, Tesco in Amersham.
Therefore, we will be reverting to disposing of our used pods in the general waste, until such time as Podback gert their act together!

Not for the first time, we are having problems accessing our Zettle account on a Saturday - one of the busiest days of the week for many small High Street retailers.
After logging on, we are faced with a blank page that just keeps buffering.
We know from previous similar problems, their support team would tell you to delete your cache. We have done this twice - to no avail. 2 hours after our initial attempt, still cannot access our account!
Unfortunately, being a Saturday, there is nobody you can talk to at Zettle as they only give support between the hours of 9 to 5 on weekdays - part-timers!!!!
Customer service from this company has declined dramatically since being taken over by Paypal.
The fact that they offer no IT Support (not even on a chat line) at weekends is disgraceful and shows just how little respect this company has for its customers.
Cannot recommend.

We have used NIG for our business insurance for our Nail Salon for a number of years, (no claims ever made). However, last year, they introduced a flooding excess of £10k, which has now risen to £25k (Even though the Environment Agency rates the area that our business is located as low-risk. NIG (conveniently) regard the area as high risk!) Furthermore, the premium on our latest renewal proposal shows a 50% increase on last year. Needless to say, we will not be renewing with them.
Interesting to note that their apparent greed coincides with them having been taken over by Royal & Sun Alliance in 2023 - a company that also gets appalling reviews!

Awaiting for delivery of perishable goods (live plants). Advised delivery to be made 1 day after parcel collected from supplier, but for some "problem" goods returned to Distribution Centre with no delivery attempted. (No explanation on tracking history).
Sent on another vehicle the following day - never turned up (at home all day) - but Yodel Tracking showed "unable to access property" - a total lie as said property is open planned at front and instruction given to leave in front porch. (This was a Saturday).
Finally, delivery made at 9.40pm the following Monday. However, the plants had, by now, completely dried out (crispy leaves) and were beyond saving!
Also, having been tracking the vehicle's movements on the Monday, I noted that said vehicle was stationary, for approx. 2 hours (6 to 8pm), in a semi-industrial area no more than 1 mile from my home.

Dangerous company - avoid like the plague! Apparently have no verification process. Readily open accounts using "stolen" personal information. The first you know about it is after they have opened an account in your name, even though you have never even requested it.
A pity there is no star option to review.

Have been a loyal customer with XLN for a number of years. However, service seems to have gone rapidly downhill since change of ownership in 2019. Their blurb states that they answer calls within 3 rings! When trying to contact them yesterday, no agents available for on-line chat and left hanging on phone for approx 30 minutes before finally getting somebody to speak to. Was then told by that individual that he needed to get somebody else to call me back. Still waiting but not holding my breath!!!
Additionally, it is apparently now their policy to only notify customers that their contract is coming up for renewal by inserting (hiding) an additional paragraph within the standard legal blurb on the final bill on the existing contract term - very easy to miss! Clearly a decision taken to catch customers out and automatically switch them onto their extortionate variable contract on the next bill, (i.e.:- doubling the bill). Then they make it impossible to talk to someone to renegotiate.
Reputable businesses do not operate in such underhand ways!

Packaging did it's job ok, but within the Jumbo Fuchsia collection, all 3 plants of one variety (Deep Purple) were very small and obviously well behind the other varities in the collection. (In fact, 2 of the plants were dead / dying on arrival).
Still awaiting response from my email to Customer Services 3 days ago.

Avoid this company like the plague!
Needed an emergency plumber to replace a push-up plug unit in a bathroom basin which had broken in two. Called Plumbingforce, during the morning, after looking at website and accepted the high rates quoted (minimum charge £99c + VAT, plus £49 + VAT for each half hour after first hour) on the basis of having an engineer come the same day. Was told an engineer would attend between 2 and 6pm and that he would call me about 30 mins before to advise he was on his way.
No phone call / no engineer by 5.30pm, so called back to find out if engineer actually going to attend that day. Was then told he had been held up and would not attend. This shocking company only tells you this when you chase up, no attempt at good, pro-active customer service on their part.
Re-arranged for another engineer to visit between 8am and 12pm the following morning. Again, no phone call / no engineer and couldn't even get somebody to pick up the phone when I tried to find out what was going on - even thoiugh the website was saying - CALL NOW!
This company should not be allowed to trade and their website taken down - they simply accept jobs which are then farmed out to a dubious bunch of so-called engineers who then, apparently, decide whether they will actually do the job. The company does not appear to have any interest in ensuring that the engineers actually turn up. All they seem to be interested in is taking your debit / credit card details so that they can charge extortionate rates.
Will be contacting my MP as it is about time this industry was properly regulated.

This is the second time we have used Love Energy to help us find the best energy package for our high street business. Sally Greenwood was very helpful in talking through our requirements, especially having had such a disruptive year with Covid-19, and looking at various options. As it turned out, staying with our current supplier was the best option, but letting Sally do the work was much more efficient than trying to do it ourselves. Well worth the time spent on the phone.

Have used Right to Health for some years now for health cover. As with most insurances, after switching to a new provider, premiums creep up at renewal. As a busy person, I simply struggle to find the time to compare the details of from various providers each year and comparison web-sites result in unwanted deluges of emails and phone calls. With Right to Health, a couple of phone calls with friendly people, with them going through all the detail, results in competitive offers, for comparable (or even improved), cover.
My current provider wanted an increase in premium of approx 10%. Right to Health came up with an alternative that is actually 6% lower than my current premium.
My only reason for not giving 5 stars was that the adviser forgot to ask me to forward a copy of the Cert of Insurance at the time we talked on the phone and had to email me shortly thereafter.

Bought the Obaby Stamford Classic 3pce Nursery Furniture Set (double wardrobe, cotbed & changing unit), along with matching Toy Box, via Kiddies Kingdom. Upon delivery, I noticed that one of the boxes containing parts of the wardrobe was quite badly damaged. Fortunately, upon checking, the contents were well packaged and undamaged.
The 3pce Nursery Set was assembled quite easily, following clear instructions.However, when assembling the Toy Box, a number of faults were found. (Damage to one of the sleigh ends - which must have happened at source, as the surrounding packaging showed no signs of damage - and several problems with pre-drilled holes being mis-aligned, which resulted in the back of the drawer unit starting to split when being assembled). It was noted that the Toy Box came from a different manufacturing source than the other three items.
These issues were reported back to Kiddies Kingdom, to which a very poor response was received (nameless), advising that the item was discontinued and requesting me to advise them of the part numbers of the damaged pieces. My anger at their response resulted in a phone call to KK Customer Service, exporessing my dismay at their response and advising that supplying replacement parts would not necessarily solve the problems and that, having spent around £1,000, I expected the item to be replaced. KK said they would contact Obaby and come back to me.
Whilst awaiting a response from KK, I emailed Obaby directly myself, showing pictures of the daults on the Toy Box and expressing my dissatisfaction and advising them that KK (as the retailer with whom I had the contract with) should be contacting them with regard to my issues.
I received a reply from Obaby the following morning advising that KK had been in contact with them, asking that I let them know if KK did not come back to me by 2.00pm that same day. Fortunately, KK did contact me within the deadline, advising that Obaby were going to send a replacement Toy Box.
The replacement was received before 10.00 am the following morning and was assembled within hours of arrival, with no issues.
Therefore, I cannot give 5 stars, due to the problems with the original Toy Box received. However, we love the design and quality of the units and, with the one exception, were well made and relatively easy to assemble.
We were very happy with the way that Obaby dealt with our issues, less so with KK.

Reviews of traders only made after a job has been done. This does not reflect the experiences of customers at the front end, (i.e.:- making contact with a trader; obtaining quotes; etc).
I have tried to use Checkatrade traders on 4 occasions and have only been successful once.
On the other 3 occasions =
1. Website gave 2 phone no's (home & mobile) - home no. had no option to leave a message - it just rang and then cut off, whilst the mobile was unanswered and, again, no option to leave a message. No other methods of contact provided.
2. Sent an email to the email address shown on the website detailing the work required and requesting a visit for a quotation. Received no response whatsoever!
3. Needed a radiator replacing. Called a Checkatrade trader who visited the following day to look at job. He promised a quotation within a few days. I chased up a week later, having received nothing and was finally emailed a quotation a couple of days later. I emailed back, within 48 hours, accepting the price, subject to when the work could be carried out. Followed up with a text message 4 days later - no response. It is now 9 days since me email and I have still not received a reply.
Therefore, my experiences are that, in many cases, Checkatrade traders would appear to have plenty of work and can pick and choose, with little regard for Customer Service, as potential customers cannot give a rating that reflects poor service at the front end. Traders do not even have to display common courtesies.
They are time wasters!

Engineer arrived at arranged time. Courteous and efficiently got on with the job, keeping me updated. Although our gas boiler is quite old, it was given a clean bill of health and the engineer did not try to sell me a new boiler (as has been the case with British Gas engineers for many years past). Additionally, the monthly cover from YourRepair is significantly less than what we were previously being charged by British Gas!

Took out a tyre insurance and alloy wheel insurance via the Audi main dealer that I bought the car from. Subsequently received a letter from the company detailing the policy no's for both. However, I only ever received a policy document (by email) for the alloy wheel cover. Recently, over a weekend,I had the misfortune of a puncture as a result of having picked up a nail. (It was only at this point that I realised that I had not received a policy document that I could refer to follow due process in order to make a claim). As I needed to travel that day, I took the vehicle down to my local tyre fitters to find out that the tyre could not be repaired as the puncture was too close to the wall of the tyre. Therefore, I needed to buy a replacement tyre. I subsequently contacted Car Care Plan Ltd to request a copy of the policy so that I could make a claim. One of the first questions I was asked was did I have a photograph of the old tyre with the nail in it as a claim could not be processed without it. I repeatedly tried to explain that I did not know this was necessary as they had never provided me with a policy document advising me what I needed to do! What a waste of breath - it was a bit like having a conversation with a parrot that could only keep repeating that I needed to supply a photo in order to make a claim. I have left a complaint with the company - awaiting a response - and have contacted the Audi dealer who sold the product to me advising of my difficulties and telling them that if I were to buy from them again, I would not take out such insurances if they with Car Care Plan Ltd.