The Rise and Rise of Dartford Crossing Charges

On Sunday, 7^th October, the cost of using the Dartford Crossing rose from £1.50 for a car, to £2.00. Bearing in mind we were once promised that the day would come when it would be free, this is not generally well received.

The original tunnel opened in 1963 (coincidentally the year of my birth, although I understand I’m more cost effective), with a second being added in 1980 and finally the QEII Bridge becoming the new Southbound crossing in 1991. At each stage we were told that once the crossing had been paid for, it would become free to use. However, as time goes on, far from becoming free, charges continue to rise, with another bringing the cost for cars to £2.50 planned for next year.

In certain circumstances, crossing fees can potentially be suspended to ease congestion. According to the Highways Agency website, “The conditions are that there has been or is likely to be an emergency situation; where continuous queues of stationary or slow moving traffic travelling under 10 mph extend back - or have the potential to extend back - to the junctions 4 or 28 of the M25 or beyond; and where the suspension of the charge would ease the congestion and assist in managing the emergency situation.” Glad that’s clear then.

A ‘free-flow’ system is planned for 2014 – we will still have to pay, just not at the point of crossing.

Until such a time the agency does a u-turn and abolishes charges, there are ways to save on crossing costs and there are also some exemptions from the charges.

By purchasing a Dart Tag, you ‘only’ pay £1.33 to cross by car instead of the new £2.00 charge. If you are a frequent user then this is a preferable way to pay – you can apply for a tag online, or download an application form to send off with your card details or cheque.

For those resident in the Dartford/Thurrock Council boundaries, a £10 yearly registration can be paid, enabling the holder to make 50 crossings at no extra charge, with journeys over this amount costing just 20p. In order to apply for this you have to be able to prove both car ownership and residency details.

Registered disabled drivers who do not pay Vehicle  Excise Tax are rightfully exempt from charges.

What are your views of the Dartford Crossing charges?

Email  comments@shoppersjoy.co.uk

Greggs and Iceland Partnership

Regular readers of my blog will know that I have been a bit put out with Greggs and Iceland of late, but I would like to give each a little positive comment, which I hope heralds more improvement to come from both.

Not fattening if you only look

The Iceland Bonus Card recently faired quite badly (Loyalty Cards – My Ratings 15^th September) in my loyalty card comparison, but in the last week Iceland has started to give me more worthwhile vouchers when I shop. The latest was a free Gregg’s take-away hot drink with any purchase (I chose cappuccino costing £1.89, with apple danish, paying only 74p for the two). OK, not a big money offer, but a welcome coffee break.

For those of you wondering, no I did not go to the branch where I was treated badly by the manager, but a different, friendlier local branch, where a lovely lady with a big smile served me, so I do not want to tar all branches of Greggs with the same brush.

Regarding my previous not so pleasant experience of Greggs, I am pleased to report that I should be receiving a call from the Area Manager this week and hope to report a favourable response.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @shoppersjoy

Women and Chocolate

I read this week that Cadbury is introducing a new low-calorie chocolate bar aimed predominantly at women, called Crispello. It’s a kind of chocolate, wafer and creamy centre combo – not sure that’s particularly original.

Strangely the packaging is resealable, so that you can ‘save some for later’ – as if! How many of us stop eating a chocolate bar until we have polished off the lot?

So what is it with women and chocolate, supposedly? I admit to being a chocolate-loving woman, and know of many more, but I’ve heard of others who detest it! And do we really hanker for it any more than men? My hubby relishes a large bar of Dairy Milk.

Well, time for the science part. Phenylethylamine, (nickname ‘love chemical) is found in chocolate and triggers that feel good, ‘falling in love’ sensation, which gives us a sense of pleasure and well-being. Opinion is divided as to its effectiveness when sourced from chocolate as opposed to its naturally occurring state in our brains; so let me know your thoughts.

Crispello apparently has 165 calories, so what’s so low cal about that. I love a Galaxy Ripple at 174 calories not much worse, and a fun size bag of Maltesers is only 99 calories! Anyway, chocolate for me is a pleasurable treat, not a calorie counting exercise (despite knowing these statistics).

Of course, I will have to sample this new product for the good of my followers, so watch this space.

Let me know what you think, email comments@shoppersjoy.co.uk

This Week’s Beauty Buys

If you need to stock up on facial skincare items, Superdrug is currently selling selected Garnier skincare products half price in store. Cleansers, Toners, Face Washes and Facial Wipes from the Fresh Essentials (with grape extract), Soft Essentials (with rose extract) and Simply Essentials (unperfumed) ranges are included in the offer.

I love Simple Kind To Eyes Revitalising Eye Roll-on, a refreshing, moisturising gel formula containing cucumber extract, which helps to combat puffiness. It’s easy to apply with its massaging roller ball applicator and is currently just £1.99 at Savers.

Stock up on Palmolive Naturals shower creams and gels for all the family at Wilkinson where they are now only 50p.

Don’t forget to use your £5 off No7 skincare and £3 off No7 make-up vouchers at Boots by 7^th October!

Remember: visit my website www.shoppersjoy.co.uk

How To Complain

As consumers we can be a funny lot, some too ‘polite’ to complain, even when service is appalling or goods are faulty, whilst others shout and swear about next-to-nothing, losing the point amidst their angry tirade. So just how and when should we complain?

Firstly, let’s look at the when. As a customer you are right to speak out when service is unusually slow or poor, assistants are rude or unhelpful, goods are faulty, products are not fit for purpose or you feel that you are being treated unfairly. If the service you have received has left you feeling upset, dissatisfied or inconvenienced, then you should not feel that you are being ‘a nuisance’ by making a complaint. The trick is to do it properly.

You should initially complain verbally at the point of service, if this does not resolve the problem then ask to speak to a supervisor, and/or the manager. If this does still not get results, then you should request the details of head office to write a formal letter of complaint.

When making a verbal compliant –

DO – state clearly what the problem is

      – be firm, but calm and polite (even if the response you get is anything but)

      – smile, or use a little humour, as this can ease tension, resulting in a better response 

                               

 DO NOT – shout, swear, or make offensive or personal comments

                – apologise for complaining, it is not you who is at fault

                – waffle on about unrelated issues

If you need to follow up a complaint in writing, try to get the name of the person that needs to deal with the complaint, or at least address your letter to a specific ‘position’ e.g. Customer Services Manager, Managing Director etc.

DO – be concise, keep to the point

      – include relevant names, times and dates

      – state what you would like the outcome to be

      – include a little humour where appropriate

      – keep a copy

DO NOT – run to several pages, keep to one side of A4, typed or neatly written

               – deviate from the point

               – include offensive comments 

Remember! It is not wrong to complain (standards of service may improve as a result), but there is a wrong way to complain.

Let me know about your experiences of making a complaint, email comments@shoppersjoy.co.uk

Basic Supermarket Brands

Supermarkets have been introducing an increasing range of budget brands – Tesco Everyday Value, Sainsburys Basics, Morrisons M Savers, Asda Smart Price,  Marks and Spencer Simply ranges and so on.

Many of these have been recently revamped, in some cases re-working the packaging to be a little more attractive and/or improving product quality. Budget buys are often situated on the lower shelves of supermarket displays, however, with more expensive, bigger brand names at eye-level to entice shoppers. So don’t be afraid to dig deep for that bargain – it can do wonders to the cost of your weekly shop.

Of course, you may not find that all budget products are to your liking, but why not try a few and see for yourself?

Amongst my favourites are:

Tesco Everyday Value Garlic Bread, twin pack 64p

Morrisons Savers Raspberry Sponge Sandwich cake 58p

Sainsburys Basics frozen Berry Mix £1.29

Tesco Everyday Value Fromage Frais 42p

Sainsburys Basics Wrapping Foil 15m, 54p

 

It’s also worth looking at budget label fruit and veg; often the taste is as good as other varieties, though the size and shape may be a bit irregular.

To recommend your favourite supermarket budget buys, email me at comments@shoppersjoy.co.uk

This October Why Not …?

Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month – look out for events in your area. Be sure to visit Asda for their ‘Tickled Pink’ range, including T-shirts starting from £6, with £1 from each purchase going to their ‘Tickled Pink’ charities. Also be on the lookout for Avon Pink Ribbon Products.

Revamp your autumn wardrobe with soft-to-the-touch fabrics in jewel and berry shades. I recommend 'Yes' Supersoft Skinny Jeans (£19.99 at New Look), which are super snugly to wear and come in a selection of warm, autumnal shades. Matalan is also worth a trip for their seriously soft, cotton modal long-sleeve tops (£5), great for layering with their snug knitted cardis and jumpers.

Indulge in some cake (in moderation, remember those skinny jeans). I love Marks and Spencer’s range of sponge rolls (2 for £2), particularly the Peach Melba and Cappuccino Chocolate varieties. Have a slice with a cuppa, or serve as a dessert with custard. Yum!

Use leftover chicken from your Sunday Roast to make “Henhouse Pie’. Soften a chopped onion in olive oil, add a dessertspoonful of plain flour and brown, and then gradually stir in half pint of vegetable stock (vegetable Oxo is fine). Add chopped leftover chicken and leftover veg too if you fancy. Simmer for 15 minutes before transferring to an ovenproof dish. Top with mashed potato (home-made or ready-made) and brown in the oven for 15-20 minutes, Gas 5, 190ÑC.

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @shoppersjoy