Category: Buying

Do you like a really good cup of coffee? If a quality coffee is at the top of your must have list you may have considered buying a bean to cup coffee machine. The downside to these machines is the cost as they are normally quite expensive but are they worth the extra cost?

Although instant coffee has come a long way in terms of quality many serious coffee drinkers believe that ground coffee is superior. The variety and flavours of ground coffee available to buy are abundant and vary greatly in price. High quality ground coffee can be bought from independent retailers some even offering a taste test before purchase. However coffee beans can also be bought from major supermarkets and coffee houses but a grinder will be needed.

The beauty of the bean to cup coffee machine is its simplicity. Coffee beans of your choice are put into the receptacle at the top of the machine and the water container is filled with cold water from the tap. The strength of the coffee can be selected as can the size of the cup being used. Simply press a button and your perfectly made cup of coffee is ready to drink.

Not many of us like to buy new appliances for our kitchen as it is often an expense that we could do without. Many households have microwaves which can offer a quick and effective way of reheating or cooking food. There is a vast range in prices when it comes to choosing your new microwave with the cheapest starting at around £50 upwards of £250! So, what is the difference and is it worth spending more on your microwave?

Firstly you need to consider how often you use it, if it is only once or twice a week then you may not want to fork out a lot but if you use your microwave daily then you want to make sure that it is fast, energy efficient and also big enough to accommodate the items that you want to cook in it. Microwave sizes are usually displayed in litres. A 25-litre microwave will offer ample space inside, but you may find that it is too big if you have a smaller kitchen. One of the main features you may want to look out for is the wattage. 700-watt microwaves will take longer to cook something than a 900-watt microwave, but this is often reflected in the price. You also need to decide if you want a manual microwave with a knob that you turn to set the time or a digital one. If you often use the microwave for short amounts of time (i.e. less than a minute) or you need it to be accurate then a digital one will be best suited to you.

If your home hasn’t got a fireplace with a working fire then all is not lost. With a wide range of electric fires now on the market, you are literally spoilt for choice. Historically electric fires were often found in the homes of older people, with the traditional two bars running along the front and often some charcoal effect plastic display. Now you can pick up a number of different types of fires that will complement any home. You can get Led fires which can look great in a modern setting, some of which have LED flames, colour changing backlights as well as a heating function.

If you want something a little more traditional then why not go for an electrical wood burning fire. These fires can look very realistic and to the untrained eye you may not realise at first that the flames are simply a lighting effect.

When choosing a fire be cautious about buying one second hand. If possibly be sure to have a qualified electrician give it a once over. If you are going for a gas fire then you need to ensure that it is fitted and maintained by someone who is Corgi registered.

Do you know what rights you have when it comes to returning purchases you have made? Not many people fully understand what they are entitled to, but being aware of this can help you get what you want.  Many items and shops have different rules regarding returning items. Some items such as briefs, make up and food cannot be returned unless damaged or faulty due to hygiene reasons.  

If you buy an item in the sale, then you may be advised that the item will be exchange only meaning you cannot get your money back. If it is exchange only, you may be able to ask for a credit note instead to use at another time. Again this should not include items that are damaged or faulty as then you are entitled to a refund.  

All electrical goods sold new should come with a 12 months warranty which may be with the retailer or with the manufacturer. Some may even come with more than 12 months but often you will need to register an extended warranty with the manufacture for this to be activated.

If you need to return an item that is damaged or faulty, you may want to call the retailer first to find out what their policy is.   

With Christmas less than 4 weeks away, now is the time to stock up on batteries. There is nothing more frustrating than your child or grandkids opening their presents on Christmas day and not being able to play with it as you have not got the right batteries for it.

Before wrapping the presents, double check what batteries it takes as many toys take different sizes. If possible, it may be worth putting the batteries into the toy first, if you can get into it without damaging the packaging. This will mean you don’t have to mess around with screwdrivers and the child can play with the toy immediately.

Once you have your list of how many batteries you need, shop around to find the best price. Be very wary about buying batteries that are too cheap, especially online as there are a number of counterfeit batteries for sale that have been known to be dangerous if the toy short circuits or malfunctions. Often you will get a better deal by buying in bulk, so ask friends and family members if they want to club together with you to get a bigger discount.