Consumer Organisations
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THE COMMISSIONS
The Local Government Ombudsman looks at complaints about councils and some other authorities and organisations, including education admissions appe...
www.lgo.org.ukCHECKATRADE
Directory of recommended and trusted tradesmen who have been vetted and monitored and meet our standards of trading. Search for local tradesman inc...
www.checkatrade.comOFSTED
Government department responsible for inspection of schools and Local Education Authorities in England.
www.ofsted.gov.ukTRADING STANDARDS OFFICE (GLOUCESTERSHIRE)
TRADING STANDARDS
Nottinghamshire County Council's official site
www.nottscc.gov.ukLocal Consumer Organisations
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Who do i write to if i have a complaint about a company in holland?
I purchased some sports equipment from an online sports store based in holland; and 6 weeks later the item still hasnt arrived (I live in the UK). Then a few weeks ago I contacted the company and they said they would launch an investigation, but then I've not heard from them since and they dont reply to any of my emails. Does anyone have the contact details for some kind of consumer rights organization based in Holland who I can report this to? Thanks
John
Question answered by Sal*UK
If you paid funded by a credit card, you could ask the card provider to claw back the money - on the grounds that you have not received the items and therefore it is fraud? Got to be worth a try.I need law and economic help to sue a fraudolent insurance company. WHat can I do?
claiming my insured phone after it's been stolen, I found unfair terms conditions that are affecting my claiming. I want to sue that company but I don't know how to do it. Are there any consumer rights organization I can ask for help to? Any other valuable information will be useful. Thanks!
Question answered by Katelyn
Unfortunately, If your insurer has acted within the terms of your policy, of which you agreed to by taking out the insurance then there is little you can do. The insurer can only cover claims based upon the cover detailed in your policy booklet. If you feel the insurer has not acted within the guidelines of the policy wording, detailed in your booklet, and is denying cover under unlawful grounds, then you may want to make a formal complaint. To do this, I recommend you call the company up and clearly state "I want to make a formal complaint" You should then be asked to relay information to the handler. If the handler cannot resolve the issue for you, explain you want to speak to a manager. If you are unhappy with the managers final decision, you must make this clear. The manager will then register your complaint and the unit manager will confirm final decision. If this is still unsatisfactory, the details of the complaint will be sent to the FOS (financial ombudsman services) for review. Please note, every complaint sent to the FOS costs your insurer £500, regardless of the outcome, so its in their interest not to let it get to this stage. The FOS will then make a final decision on the outcome of your claim. Good luck.What can we do to defend consumers from exploitation by companies like Microsoft?
When one takes the DMCA, Microsoft, Adobe, the RIAA, and the MPAA and puts it all together, we end up with an America that is as far from freedom as one could imagine. Everyday our freedom of choice, expression, speech, thought, and press are attacked surreptitiously by organizations that criminalize sharing freely information that is deemed "protected" for commercial exploitation. Is there any reason that one should have to shell out $300 for Windows Vista when free, open source alternatives exist (even if buy a system without Windows, the manufacturer must make up the cost of the lost sale to Microsoft!) Is there any reason you shouldn't be allowed to make as many copies of your movies, music, software, etc. as you need to safely protect your data, besides the fact that doing so (even legally) is assumed to be "piracy" and you are punished by restrictive DRM systems that assume your are doing wrong? These are real issues that affect everyone, and we must fight back for our freedoms! To Celing Cat, Good answer, except the point of my question is that it is not a free market system in its current incarnation, as Microsoft (and other companies) use the threat of litigation to keep users from migrating to the system of their choice. There is nothing stopping you from using Linux. . .except that Microsoft punishes a hardware vendor if it does not sell enough of its Windows licenses, threatens the Linux user base that they may be using "patent-infringing" software, refuses to be open about their own formats and specifications so that Linux and Windows can not be interoperable. . .engages in "embrace, extend, extinguish" tactics with any standard they do not control. . .ally themselves with the RIAA and MPAA to enforce proprietary DRM restrictions on content (you too, Apple). . .an generally using its billions to convince anyone and everyone that paying for their software is a good thing. The innovations they provide are easily and reproduced. . their power is not.
Elijah
Question answered by Poopsie the Embarassed Kitten
Wow, that sounds like your cause. Okay but to be the devil's advocate, what's stopping me, a consumer, from using open source software? I could load Linux on there and open office and firefox and a bunch of other freely available software. The thing is that microsoft is providing products and services that really do have value. Yes there are very aggressive marketing techniques, but for the greater part, the free market system works. MS cannot stop me from using a mac or linux. Please let's not ask the federal government to grow any bigger so we can regulate these "evil doers" at microsoft. May the roughest, toughest, meanest, baddest gorrilas succeed and let the pot smokers cry.What branch in psycholgy make the most money?
I am a major in Psychology. I am having trouble deciding whether I want to work in Industrial-Organization Psycholgy or Clinical. Anyone have any ideas whats good to work in. I am planning to get a Master's since you can't do much of anything with a Bachelor's.
Mario (2010)
Question answered by Mike
As you know, it's hard to make money in psychology. Psychiatry pays much better, but has the obvious hurdles, like med-school. The most money I've seen is in research focused psychology, particularly consumer research. I used to train SAS programmers at a large bank, and saw recent graduate Behavioral Psychology major's with a statistics undergrad or minor making $120k in today's dollars.What is the difference between biotic and abiotic things?
Also, can you answers what are the levels of biologic organization in an ecosystem? What does trophic level refer to?
Mr. Baller
Question answered by Yaybob
BIOTIC vs ABIOTIC Biotic things are living. Abiotic things, like rocks, are not alive. The characteristics of all living things: obtain nutrients, metabolize, channel energy, many can move (all do at the subcellular level), they grow and development, reproduce, maintain homeostasis, repair themselves, are tropic (sensitive/responsive), adapt and evolve. ECOSYSTEMS organelle cell tissue organ organ system organism: Organisms - individuals Population - a group of living things within a certain area that are all the same species. A gene pool. Community - the living things in an area such a the rain forrest or pelagic seas. Habitat - environment where an organism or ecological community normally lives: a marine habitat. Niche - The function or position of an organism or population within an ecological community. The particular area within a habitat occupied by an organism. Ecosystem - An ecological community together with its environment, functioning as a unit. Biome - A major regional or global biotic community, such as a grassland or desert, Biosphere - the part of the earth and its atmosphere in which living organisms exist or that is capable of supporting life. The living organisms and their environment comprise the biosphere. TROPHIC LEVEL Refers to your position in a food chain. From http://www.botany.uwc.ac.za/sci_ed/grade10/ecology/trophics/troph.htm Trophic levels are the feeding position in a food chain such as primary producers, herbivore, primary carnivore, etc. Green plants form the first trophic level, the producers. Herbivores form the second trophic level, while carnivores form the third and even the fourth trophic levels. In this section we will discuss what is meant by food chains, food webs and ecological pyramids. * Food Chains. The feeding of one organism upon another in a sequence of food transfers is known as a food chain. Another definition is the chain of transfer of energy (which typically comes from the sun) from one organism to another. A simple food chain is like the following: rose plant -- aphids -- beetle -- chameleon -- hawk. In this food chain, the rose plant is the primary producer. The aphids are the primary consumers because they suck the juice from the rose plant. The beetle is the primary carnivore because it eats the aphids. The chameleon, a secondary carnivore, eats the beetle. The hawk is the tertiary carnivore because it eats the secondary carnivore, the chameleon. The hawk eventually dies and its remains are broken down by decay-causing bacteria and fungi. Except in deep-sea hydrothermal ecosystems, all food chains start with photosynthesis and will end with decay.Is there an easy way to use a microphone with some amplified computer speakers?
I'm looking for an inexpensive way to provide a simple PA for a non-profit organization. It seems like there ought to be a way to connect a cheap microphone to a cheap set of amplified computer speakers. I've got some background in electronics so maybe all I need is a source or design for a simple preamp. Then again, maybe there is a set of speakers out there with a microphone input.
Mobius
Question answered by DougT
I came across the same requirement last week for my church. (I'm an engineer who designs A/V equipment for commercial and broadcast). Most computer speakers are expecting a -10dBu high impedance signal, the same levels as are output by consumer audio equipment. Most mics are going to have an output in the -60dBu (YMMV). So you will need a preamp that will give a gain of at least 50 dB. If you have resources to breadboard up an amplifier, and know how to design low-noise circuits, you can do it pretty cheap. But, since time and money are fleeting, I ended up buying a cheap input amp/mixer. Behringer XENYX 502 sells for $45 from BHproaudio.com. There's also some cheap stuff I found at Guitar Center/ or you can get something from Radio Shack or ebay. To answer your other question, I found that Anchor Audio has some nice speaker/PA units for $167. (I found a pair on ebay for $38 + shipping).Is it ethical to be charitable and profit off your charity?
Mostly I'm talking about Tom shoes. This is a company that has become popular with their for-profit charity of giving one pair of shoes to Africa for every pair of shoes consumers buy. My boyfriend and I had an intense debate about whether or not this is ethical. He feels it's okay because in the end they are doing something good for other people. I feel it's not okay because they are using the sympathy of consumers to make millions. This company never would have become successful if they didn't use the shoe less children in Africa as a marketing tool. We both have a very biased opinion of whether or not this is unethical. It would be nice to hear what other people think about this.
miamlf
Question answered by Jayne says READ MORE BOOKS
Newman's Own food products is a for-profit business. It was created in order to fund Paul Newman's charities. Everyone who works for Newman's Own makes a profit -- they are paid salaries, receive benefits, etc. What money is made beyond that goes to charity. The company makes great products, but the reality is that the company would never have been as successful if it hadn't had its charitable focus. The Body Shop is a for-profit business. It was set up to both provide an alternative to cosmetics that are animal-tested and promote an end to animal-testing on cosmetics, as well as to promote buying materials for cosmetics from developing countries, "Trade, Not Aid." The company makes great products, but the reality is that the company would never have been as successful if it hadn't had its environmental focus. The good that's been done by these organizations would never have been done had they not existed. Same for Tom's Shoes. So -- why does it matter? Money isn't going to Tom's Shoes *instead* of going to charities. In fact, MORE money is going to charities because of this for-profit business. Therefore, what's the harm?Where could I go to find what organizations different companies donate their money to?
After finding out that Chick-fil-A donates some of their money to an anti-gay organization, I was just wondering if there was a way to find out what companies donate their money towards. I just want to become a more informed consumer.
Chantel
Question answered by Ariaread
Only by searching each corporations website. The donations are actually grants with strict guidelines. Any nonprofit that meets the guidelines can submit an application. It takes 12 months to 24 months to learn if your nonprofit has been approved.Can someone give me ideas for a club meant for environment awareness and protection?
So far I have three ideas that I may be able to take into effect. 1. Watching Meat the Truth. The film is about how the meat industry affects the environment. I do not remember what solution they suggested but I remember hearing that people can either become veg*ns or reduce meat consumption or something along the line but I'll have to watch it again. 2. T-Shirt Designs for the club. 3. Giving candies that are wrapped around a paper with good information about environmental protection and meeting times (to advertise the organization). Those are the three that I have came up with so far. What are your thoughts on these ideas? Also, what other things can we do for environment other than planting trees (which may be done one Earth Day)? Any ideas will help.
Leaf
Question answered by darka d
- Carbon footprint : Meat uses 10x as much acreage as veg, but the way abuse fuel to get fresh peas, strawberries and other vegetables and flowers to the consumer adds more CO2 to the environment then all car traffic put together. To put it simple, your veg travels more then you do, and has a bigger carbon foot print then your car use. Inspire people to buy seasonal and local. - Create a community vegetable garden. Mrs Clinton did it and so can you. Find a spare piece of land on school grounds or from the local council and start a garden. 100% organic of course. Read up permaculture. Maybe you can start an edible forest garden in the park even. Get down those food miles. - Guerrilla gardening : So what if the council does not approve? Throw seed-bombs. No they don't explode. Well not immediately anyways. Though next season you may find an explosion of flowers on the place you "bombed". Choose spare pieces of land and turn them into a paradise. Put a sticker up of your organization with a webadress. Better PR and less waste for the environment than handing out candy. - Start a cooperation for solar panels or LED lighting. Buying in bulk is cheaper, so if everybody pulls together you can spare the environment and your wallet. - Read https://www.motherearthnews.com/ for more ideas. These guys are on the pulse for ideas and tips of what to do and how.What are my chances of me getting a consumer credit licence?
I'm filling in the application form & it has asked me if i had any ccjs in the last 5 yrs, unfortunately i had one in 2007 which is 4 yrs ago. To submit this form is £585, & if i'm likely to be turned down because of the ccj, I would not want to waste money as it's not refundable. Does anyone know how these work?
Fran
Question answered by Crue-K
It won't automatically disqualify your eligibility to obtain the license. It will however be taken into consideration with other information provided such as; Your competence to engage in the relevant activities, any offence or conviction connected to the business or anyone involved in running the business, evidence of irresponsible lending, insolvency, bankruptcy or disqualification as a director, adverse information from other regulators, professional bodies, trade bodies, consumer organisations or other traders etc etc. As it is issued by the Office of Fair Trading, they should be the first point of contact with regards to any queries. They have a dedicated telephone number for licensing enquiries - 08457 22 44 99.
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