The 7 Worst Car Dealers in the UK (Rated on Trustpilot, 2021)

 

Originally Posted On: https://carexamer.com/blog/the-7-worst-car-dealers-in-the-uk-rated-on-trustpilot-2021/

Buying a car is a risky business if you’re not sure what you’re looking for or don’t have a professional service on hand to help. Although there are services like CarExamer out there that will test and check any used car for you before you sign the paperwork, many people believe in the principle of honest business alone. With car dealers, that isn’t always a smart thing to do.

We have taken to Trustpilot to find the 10 worst rated car dealers that the UK has to offer, all in just a small effort to show you just what kind of market is out there. All of this information is 100% factual at the time of writing, and not the opinion of the CarExamer brand. To find it, we viewed the last pages of the best car dealers on Trustpilot, no matter what the status of the profile, as long as it had more than 10 reviews.

7 Glasgow Trade Sales

Glasgow trade sales have an overall rating of 2.2 on Trustpilot. Despite having a handful of 5 star reviews from 2018, the vast majority at 1 star reviews including the 5 most recent. The reviews mention multiple issues with the sellers, from fraudulent warranties through to selling write offs, blocking customers communications, and selling generally very poor quality vehicles. They do also have a number of 5 star reviews as mentioned, however, but not at least since pre COVID-19.

6 RMB Automotive

RMB Automotive is a Toyota dealer based in Teesside. They have a Trustpilot score of 2.1 and a total of 20 reviews. 85% of these reviews are 1 star, which is not a great sign for a large Toyota dealer, no matter what the reasons. The reviews largely criticise the sales team more than anything about the vehicles (although not exclusively). Reviews state that the sales team are unorganised and unprofessional, as well as not being interested in cash buyers and leaning biased toward finance agreements.

5 Wheels Deals cars

Wheels Deals Cars is a London based dealer that has an overall Trustpilot score of 2.1. With just 11 reviews it is the smallest profile in the list, but it remains to have over 73% of negative reviews, next to all of which have the same problems outlined. These issues are typically that after a matter of weeks, the cars sold have critical errors. The dealer will not take any responsibility for these errors, leading many of the customers to court actions, or so reviews claim.

4 Renault UK

Amazingly, Renault UK is next on the list, with a score of 1.8 on Trustpilot coming from over 340 reviews, 83% of which are 1 star. These reviews are referencing multiple branches of the country, all of which discuss the quality of the cars and the service they have received from Renault, the vast majority of which are warning to stay away due to the terrible quality even when buying new and the lack of help the Renault provide, even after publicly addressing almost every negative review.

3 Jardine Motors

Jardine Motors is another large dealer network on the list with over 230 reviews gaining a total score of 2.1 overall. The 74% of the reviews which are negative largely argue the point of poor quality service rather than poor quality vehicles, as the brands represented are largely luxury or high spec vehicles like Jaguar, Landrover, McLaren etc. Even on brand new vehicles being repaired within weeks of purchase there are reviews stating that the company simply isn’t interested and is very poorly managed. While they may not be cowboys, when cars of this value are being ignored it can be a real minefield for customers.

2 Carcraft

Carcraft is a very large seller with a large online presence too, selling cars across multiple platforms to buyers all around the country. With over 1000 reviews and an overall score of 1.8, Carcraft is one of the worst rated online dealers we have viewed, with customers claiming all kinds of scandalous behaviour suggesting very unethical practices, poor management, and very poor quality vehicles being sold without a care.

1 Mercedes Benz

Although the account for the Mercedes UK dealer profile is unclaimed on Trustpilot, it has still amassed over 980+ reviews regarding dealers all over the country, 77% of which are negative and discuss all aspects of the dealership and its issues. These issues include poor post purchase support and repairs (taking months to be carried out) through to simply unknowledgeable and untrained sales staff who carry the brand poorly. For such a prestigious car brand, this is very surprising to say the least.

Conclusion

Even some of the biggest names in the automotive industry clearly have some issues in their operation and with the vehicles that they choose to sell, just like the small scale dealers too. Cars are very tricky things to buy and to sell alike. With so many complex areas to monitor and so much responsibility required from each and every car sold, there’s always a huge potential for things to go wrong. No matter if the car dealers are the best or the worst rated, there are always cars that can fall under the radar.

Of course, not every review for these companies is negative. It’s often just as easy to go right as it is to go wrong with car buying. The most important thing to remember through it all is that no matter where you buy, always make sure you’re doing all you can to protect yourself, both on the road and in your wallet.

Msofas Seeks To Become the Leading Sofa and Complimentary Products Provider in the UK

 

Msofas, a corner sofa specialist founded by a group of business-minded young people, wishes to become the leader in selling sofas and complimentary products in the UK. The stockist is based in Halifax, West Yorkshire, and sells corner sofas, corner sofa beds and other furniture products. Their products are of high quality, thanks to their skilled labour and locally sourced durable materials. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

West Yorkshire, UK, 24 October 2021— Msofas is one of the fastest-growing furniture stores in the UK, providing high-quality products that give customers exceptional value and satisfaction. The corner sofa bed specialist was founded by a group of young people whose passion for business matches their desire to provide alternative solutions to UK clients. The company seeks to become the leading sofa and complementary products provider in the UK through affordable alternatives that customers will appreciate.

“We are a group of young people passionate about business, and Msofas is our gift to the UK home or business owner. Our corner sofas and sofa beds provide affordable alternatives to our customers in the competitive UK sofa industry. At Msofas, your needs come first, and we strive to deliver exceptional value that will leave you satisfied,” said William, Msofas representative.

Corner sofa beds have become a sensational interior design item in most UK homes and business premises. They make the most use of space because they can be used as a sofa in the day and a bed at night. Msofas’ products stand out from the rest because of their grand designs and impeccable comfort. The best part is that clients get affluent products at affordable rates, thus getting value for their money.

“We design our furniture with class and comfort in mind, so there is no need to compromise on any of the attributes. Our sofa beds come in a wide range of colours and fabrics to choose from. All the corner sofa beds for sale include dimensions, so you can decide on a new corner sofa bed without worrying about the size. For larger rooms, we have XL corner sofa beds alongside our smaller range ideal for studio flat and smaller home, “added William.

Msofas corner sofas are a customer-favourite, and they come in a myriad of colours, from light to deep colours. Customers also get to choose from a wide variety of fabrics, including the leather corner sofa-beds range. Moreover, Msofas understands that not every customer is fond of corner sofas, depending on room space or preference. This is why they design traditional sofa sets and armchairs to give clients options.

The furniture store aims to become the best sofa and other products dealer in West Yorkshire and beyond. They offer free deliveries for clients living within forty miles from their shop and subsidized delivery fees for the other clients. Customers can also pay for their favourite furniture through monthly installments.

“We offer monthly payment plans to our customers so that they can have their new comfy corner sofa or sofa bed without breaking their bank accounts, “added William.

About Msofas: Msofas is a local furniture shop that designs and sells premium corner sofas, corner sofa beds, sofa sets, armchairs and other complementary furniture at affordable prices. The UK-registered company is based in Halifax, West Yorkshire and also sells furniture through their online shop. They aim to be the leading provider of these items through cheap but high-quality alternatives that customers can trust.

Contact Information:

Name: William
Organization: Msofas
Address: West Central Business Park Victoria road HX1 5PT Halifax West Yorkshire
Phone: 08000209555
Website:https://www.msofas.co.uk/

Originally Posted On: https://syndication.cloud/msofas-seeks-to-become-the-leading-sofa-and-complimentary-products-provider-in-the-uk/

Unicorn Accounting is Here to Supercharge Your UK E-Commerce Business

 Unicorn Accounting is an accountancy firm based in London and offers e-commerce and cloud-based accounting to e-commerce businesses. Their team consists of chartered accountants and Xero-certified advisors experienced in handling all types of e-commerce businesses. For more on this company, click here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

London, UK, 20 September 2021– Unicorn Accounting is a London-based accountancy firm specializing in e-commerce and cloud-based accounting. They serve clients within the United Kingdom. In addition, they also offer virtual finance director, bookkeeping, tax, and payroll consultancy services. Their accounting services support businesses on platforms such as Shopify, Amazon, eBay, among others.

Unicorn ecommerce accountants aim to simplify the accounting process for business owners to ensure they get a clear financial picture. They enable their clients to understand their business performance to enhance decision-Unmaking. Upon making contact, Unicorn E-Commerce Accounting Services will reach you for a consultation. They will help you decide on the best course of action for your business. They will then present a solution to you, and then you get enrolled into their systems.

At Unicorn accounting, you get timely financial reports and business insights based on these reports. All this ensures you, as their client, get to forecast your business future and enhance business growth.

“We are not your average accountants. We streamline your processes and help make your online business a growing success,” said Unicorn Accounting Manager. “With our support services such as advice on Vat Threshold 2021, we ensure you make timely decisions regarding your business. In turn, this helps you avoid unforeseen events in the daily running of your business.” He added.

“The last several years have seen new e-commerce startups in the UK reach unprecedented levels as many retailers switched to e-commerce to deal with the pandemic. Their services come in handy for businesses trying to bounce back in these times. Unicorn Accounting ensures you reap maximum benefits from their services to accelerate your business growth. Now the waters are calmer, we let you focus on your business revival as we focus on balancing the books,” said Unicorn Head of Accounting.

Their services will leave you with great peace of mind to run your business efficiently. You do not have to worry about accounting. They offer unlimited support, fixed pricing, remote and virtual services, monthly insights, and proactive advice. All these to supercharge your UK online business growth.

About Unicorn Accounting: Unicorn Accounting is an accounting firm offering virtual and remote accounting services to UK e-commerce businesses. They specialize in e-commerce and Xero cloud-based accounting. Their services are used in support transactions for clients trading on Amazon, Shopify, and eBay. Apart from accounting, the firm offers other financial services such as tax and payroll consultancy. Their clients get a comprehensive accounting package to ensure a clear picture of their business financial performance. With Unicorn accounting, you are assured of timely information to help you supercharge your business growth in the United Kingdom.

Contact Information:

Name: Accounts
Organization: Unicorn Accounting
Address: 86 – 90 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NE, England, UK
Phone: (0333) 577-8002
Website: https://unicornaccounting.co.uk/

Originally Posted On: https://syndication.cloud/unicorn-accounting-is-here-to-supercharge-your-uk-e-commerce-business/

Clearing UK Customs: A Guide for Businesses

 

Originally Posted On: Clearing UK Customs: A Guide for Businesses – Business News Day

 

The United Kingdom runs on trade. Nearly 700 billion dollars worth of imports entered the UK in 2019.

The high number makes it sound like the country is being flooded with goods. But that’s far from the truth. UK customs carefully controls the quantity and quality of imports that pass through borders.

What should you understand about custom clearance? What rules and bodies regulate UK customs? What steps should you take to get clearance?

Answer these questions and you can ship your goods into the UK without a fuss. Here is your quick guide.

What Is Customs Clearance?

UK customs controls the goods that enter the United Kingdom. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is the government body that controls UK customs. They can block the transportation of goods and charge for transportation.

Customs clearance is the process of passing through customs. Every country has its own clearance process, and most involve several steps. UK customs are no different.

Clearance is difficult and labor-intensive. But it preserves fair trading practices and prevents the entrance of illicit or poor-quality goods. You should follow regulations, even if they delay your internal operations.

Important Customs Rules and Bodies

There are many customs rules you should understand. Keep in mind that they are prone to change. Visit the HMRC’s website and follow recent developments on the news.

Anti-Dumping Duty

Importers must pay the anti-dumping duty to prevent them from dumping goods in the UK. It is a percentage of the cost of the imported goods.

Not all goods receive a duty. Many goods from China get one because some Chinese importers dump poor-quality products in the UK. This is the case of bicycles, kitchenware, and ceramic tiles.

Port Health

Port health authorities are bodies within local governments. They examine food, containers, and kitchenware at UK ports.

They track where food is coming from and examine local health standards. They look at the food itself and make sure it is safe to consume.

Importers must supply this information to the authorities. The authorities err on the side of caution and refuse any food they think may be unsafe.

Trading Standards

Trading Standards is a body within the HMRC. The body has several offices throughout the country, regulating customs in designated areas. Trading Standards examine goods to make sure they are of high quality.

They have broad latitude. They determine whether goods are counterfeit or if they meet proper product labeling practices.

All goods must submit to Trading Standards. But certain offices like to focus on lithium batteries, toys, and electronics.

All toys must have CE markings that show they adhere to European standards for trade. All materials in all products must contain harmless substances. One toxic material may result in denial.

Intellectual Property

All imports must follow intellectual property protections. Industrial property protections regulate products. Any product cannot infringe on someone else’s patent or trademark.

Creative works must adhere to copyright. They cannot plagiarize someone else’s content. They cannot utilize someone else’s characters without their permission.

Customs authorities are very protective of intellectual property. Even if the infringement was a genuine mistake, they will destroy the potential imports.

The First Steps for Passing Through Customs

Before you begin, you can hire someone to deal with customs on your behalf. Organizations like JS Forwarding can handle the entire process for you. If you have a big shipment that you need to import quickly, you should hire someone.

If you choose to manage the process yourself, you need to set up your business. Get an Economic Operators Registration and Identification number.

Your number should start with GB if you want to send goods into England, Wales, or Scotland. To import into Northern Island, get a number with XI.

Don’t declare your goods just yet. You may be able to go through a simplified declaration track. Do some research and check your options.

You will need to register with the government to import food, animals, and medicines. You will need a separate certificate to import these goods, alongside weapons and chemicals. You can register and get certified through the government’s website.

Double-check the rules for labeling and intellectual property. Figure out which Trading Standards office will examine your imports. Follow all of the regulations and change your goods if they violate the rules.

When Your Goods Arrive

The government requires importers of plant and animal products to choose an inspection point. This is a special location where the goods can receive close examination.

You can submit your import declaration at this stage. Importers from the EU can delay their declaration for a few months. Consider a delay if you need it.

You can then pay your anti-dumping duty and value-added tax. You should pay as soon as possible. Your goods will be held up if you don’t pay your duties.

Your goods can get held up if you lack a license or fail an inspection. You can appeal the decision. Go to the National Clearance Hub and ask for help.

How to Clear UK Customs

UK customs regulate imports into the United Kingdom. They operate with numerous rules and internal bodies.

The anti-dumping tax prevents the import of low-quality goods. Port health authorities control food at UK ports.

Trading Standards offices check for counterfeit and labeling practices. All products must adhere to intellectual property protections.

You can hire someone to handle the process for you. You must set up your business and receive a license for certain goods. You then submit your declaration and pay your taxes.

Businesses build around government regulations. Follow our coverage for more business and government guides.

Animals to be recognised as sentient beings by UK law

 Originally Posted On: Animals to be recognised as sentient beings by UK law | The Legal Journal

Sentience is often defined as the ability to perceive or feel things, but it is much more than that. It is the capacity to feel emotions, form connections and relationships and crucially, develop a personality.

For hundreds of years, scientists and philosophers have quarrelled over whether or not animals have sentience. However, the evidence now points overwhelmingly to indicate that animals are, in fact, sentient.

Now, as part of the government’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare, it has introduced the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill, which seeks to legally recognise the sentience of vertebrate animals. The government says that this Bill will “further the UK’s position” as a “world-leader” on animal welfare. Yet, while animal rights groups have welcomed the Bill, some argue that the government is not going far enough to ensure animals are protected from harm.

So, what exactly does the bill cover, and will it provide greater protections for animals in the UK?

Animal sentience recognised by law

In the UK, the Animal Welfare Act of 2006 makes it an offence not to take “reasonable steps” to ensure the animal you are responsible for is protected from suffering. However, the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill, launched by Animal Welfare minister Lord Goldsmith, apparently seeks to bolster this partial legal recognition of sentience.

The legislation formally recognises animals as sentient beings in domestic law for the first time. If passed, it would also see the creation of an Animal Sentience Committee of experts to “ensure cross departmental government policy considers animal sentience”. Government ministers would also be compelled to relay any recommendations made by the committee to parliament.

The Bill has been introduced in conjunction with the government’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare, which includes a ban on the exports of live animals, and explores the end of fur and foie gras imports.

This is despite the fact that the MPs previously voted 313 to 295 against transferring clause NC 30 from the Lisbon treaty into UK law back in 2017.

What does the science say?

The database of research on animal sentience is extensive. Time, and time again, researchers have proved that animals feel pain, joy, fear, pleasure, and comfort.

Research from 2015, for example, studied the physiological, behavioural and vocal indicators of emotions in goats and found “clear and reliable” indicators of “arousal and valence”. Specifically, the study revealed that when goats were isolated from their herd mates, they experienced feelings of frustration.

Meanwhile, a study in 2017 discovered that sheep have “advanced face-recognition abilities”, and are able to recognise both familiar and unfamiliar faces. Elsewhere, studies have found that even fish have personality types and that these personality types can influence their abilities and influence susceptibility to parasite infections.

Another study looked into the understanding and practice of “fairness” in Chimpanzees. It found that the primates prefer reward division with a fair distribution of bananas rather than being rewarded themselves.

In 2013, after conducting a systematic review of 2,500 papers on sentience in non-human animals, a group of scientists concluded that sentience does indeed exist.

Greater protections for animals?

Animal welfare minister Lord Goldsmith claims: “Now that we’ve left the EU, we are free to drive for the highest standards of animal welfare anywhere in the world”. However, while this Bill is a step in the right direction, the government has repeatedly failed to address and tackle the suffering endured by animals across the UK. It also seems doubtful that a government headed by a man who “loved” fox hunting in a “semi-sexual way” will be a bastion of hope for animal rights.

In the UK, 73% of animals are currently farmed in factory farms where they are subjected to horrendous and overcrowded living conditions, deprived of light and fresh air and forced into crates and cages. Animals in these farms are mutilated as standard and legal practice. Crammed into cramped spaces, birds are debeaked, and male chicks killed en masse, while lambs and piglets have their tails docked.

So, the legal recognition of animal sentience raises powerful ethical and moral questions. We know that animals are sentient and experience suffering and stress, and yet it is legal in the UK to subject them to torture, pain and eventually death. There is, of course, a significant amount of hypocrisy and cognitive dissonance here.

Many also believe that the proposed legislation does not go far enough. Claire Bass, Executive Director of Humane Society International UK and Chair of Link’s Animal Welfare Group, for example, argues that the definition of “animal” should be “expanded” beyond “only vertebrates” to include “cephalopods and decapod crustaceans”.

Elsewhere, the Animal Justice Project warned about the potentially “performative” nature of this animal welfare policy. Further to this, it outlined that these kinds of policies can “instil a sense of government action” while actually failing to enact real change. The animal rights group stated: “A system that regards any animal as a means of food, sport, entertainment or experimentation cannot be trusted to defend them”.

Dr Corey Wrenn from the University of Kent’s School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research echoed similar sentiments. She expressed that the Bill appears to be more a marketing ploy than anything else. She highlighted: “Johnson’s 10 step plan for a “sustainable” future, for instance, makes no mention of animal agriculture (and the European Union continues to deeply subsidise these industries)”. This, she called a “bizarre oversight”.

Surge Activism, an animal rights organisation, also explained that the Action Plan for Animal Welfare does not go far enough to protect animals. It said: “We claim to be a nation of animal lovers who stand against animal cruelty, and our outrage about foie gras exists because of our understanding that animals feel pain and have the capacity to suffer”.

It added that this “outrage” should not be limited to foie gras considering that “inflicting pain on animals, mutilating them and killing them” in “horrific ways” are all standard practices in the UK meat, dairy and egg industries”.

The Bill is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords (HoL) shortly.