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Category: ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE RETAILERS

The Best Staff Rota App

Sun, October 01, 2023 / Andrew Jones
Connectteam Rota App
www.connectteam.com
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The Best Staff Rota App

ConnectTeam.com Rota App: Streamlining Your Business Scheduling

ConnectTeam.com offers a cutting-edge Rota App that is designed to revolutionize how businesses manage their schedules, making it easier and more convenient than ever before. In the fast-paced world of modern business, efficient scheduling and workforce management are essential for success.

ConnectTeam.com Rota App: A Brief Overview

The ConnectTeam.com Rota App is a powerful tool that simplifies the process of employee scheduling and workforce management. This app is specifically designed to meet the needs of businesses across various industries, from retail and hospitality to healthcare and manufacturing.

Key Features of the ConnectTeam Rota App:

  1. User-Friendly Interface: The app offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface that allows managers to create, edit, and share schedules effortlessly.
  2. Automated Scheduling: ConnectTeam’s Rota App uses advanced algorithms to automatically generate schedules based on factors such as employee availability, skill sets, and labor laws, ensuring compliance and reducing scheduling conflicts.
  3. Real-Time Updates: Employees can access their schedules in real time, eliminating the need for printed schedules or manual updates. Any changes made by managers are instantly visible to the entire team.
  4. Time and Attendance Tracking: The app offers integrated time tracking, allowing employees to clock in and out directly from their smartphones. This feature ensures accurate payroll processing and minimizes time theft.
  5. Communication Tools: ConnectTeam’s Rota App includes built-in communication tools like messaging and notifications, enabling seamless communication between managers and employees.
  6. Compliance Management: The app helps businesses stay compliant with labor laws and regulations by monitoring working hours and overtime, ensuring that employees receive fair treatment.

Why Rota Apps Are the Best Solution for Your Business

  1. Efficiency and Productivity: Rota apps like ConnectTeam streamline scheduling processes, reducing the time and effort spent on manual scheduling. This leads to increased efficiency and productivity as managers can focus on other important tasks.
  2. Reduced Errors: Automated scheduling significantly reduces the chances of scheduling errors and conflicts, leading to a smoother and more organized work environment.
  3. Employee Satisfaction: Real-time access to schedules and the ability to request time off or swap shifts through the app improve employee satisfaction. It also helps ensure that employees have a better work-life balance.
  4. Cost Savings: Efficient scheduling and compliance management help businesses save money by reducing labor costs associated with overtime, as well as potential legal fines due to labor law violations.
  5. Adaptability: Rota apps allow businesses to adapt quickly to changing circumstances, such as unexpected staff shortages or surges in customer demand.
  6. Data-Driven Decisions: The data collected by Rota apps can be used to make informed decisions about staffing levels, optimize labor costs, and improve workforce management strategies.

How far in advance should retailers plan their rotas

The ideal planning horizon for retailers to schedule their rotas (work schedules) can vary depending on several factors, including the type of retail business, its specific needs, and local regulations.

However, there are some general guidelines to consider:

  1. 2-4 Weeks in Advance: Many retailers aim to plan their rotas at least 2-4 weeks in advance. This provides employees with sufficient notice of their work schedules, which can be especially important for those with other commitments, like second jobs or personal responsibilities.
  2. Monthly Planning: Some retailers prefer to plan rotas on a monthly basis. This approach offers a stable schedule for employees, making it easier for them to plan their lives outside of work.
  3. Seasonal Variations: Retailers often need to adjust their scheduling practices during peak seasons or holidays. During these times, it may be necessary to plan rotas further in advance to accommodate the increased demand and ensure adequate staffing levels.
  4. Agile Scheduling: In some retail environments, especially those with highly variable customer traffic, agile scheduling might be used. This involves planning rotas on shorter notice (e.g., weekly) to adapt to changing demand and optimize staffing levels.
  5. Legislative Requirements: Compliance with local labor laws and regulations is crucial. Some jurisdictions require a minimum advance notice period for work schedules, which could range from 2 weeks to even 4 weeks. Retailers must adhere to these legal requirements.
  6. Employee Preferences: Consider your employees’ preferences when planning rotas. Some may prefer to have their schedules further in advance, while others may appreciate more flexibility and short-term scheduling.
  7. Technology and Tools: Utilize scheduling software and tools, such as workforce management systems or scheduling apps, to efficiently plan and communicate schedules to employees. These tools can make it easier to plan and adjust rotas as needed.
  8. Feedback Loop: Establish a feedback loop with employees to gather input on scheduling preferences and concerns. This can help refine your scheduling practices and improve employee satisfaction.

When A Rota is Published A Few Days or A Week Before, What Does It Say About Management

When a work rota (schedule) is published only a few days or a week before it takes effect, it can indicate several things about management practices and the work environment.

Here are some possible implications:

  1. Reactive Management: Publishing schedules on such short notice may suggest that the management is reactive rather than proactive. They might be making scheduling decisions based on immediate needs rather than having a well-thought-out plan in advance.
  2. Poor Planning: It could indicate a lack of long-term workforce planning or insufficient forecasting of staffing needs. This can result in frequent last-minute changes to schedules, which can be disruptive for employees.
  3. Communication Issues: Short-notice scheduling can be a sign of poor communication between management and employees. It may indicate that management is not effectively communicating the schedule or considering employees’ preferences and availability.
  4. Employee Discontent: Consistently short-notice schedules can lead to employee dissatisfaction and stress. It can make it challenging for employees to balance work with personal life, plan childcare, or maintain a second job.
  5. High Turnover: Frequent schedule changes and short notice can contribute to higher employee turnover rates. Employees may seek more stable and predictable work environments elsewhere.
  6. Compliance Concerns: Depending on local labor laws and regulations, short-notice scheduling might raise compliance issues. Some jurisdictions require employers to provide a minimum advance notice of work schedules to employees.
  7. Resource Allocation: Short-notice scheduling may indicate that the business is not effectively allocating its resources or optimizing its workforce. This can impact productivity and profitability.
  8. Emergency Situations: In some cases, last-minute scheduling changes may be unavoidable due to emergencies or unexpected circumstances. However, if this becomes a regular occurrence, it may indicate a lack of contingency planning.
  9. Employee Engagement: Short-notice schedules can hinder employee engagement and morale. When employees have limited control over their work schedules, they may become disengaged and less committed to their jobs.
  10. Technology and Tools: It’s possible that the management lacks the necessary scheduling tools or technology to plan and communicate schedules efficiently. Implementing scheduling software or workforce management systems could help improve the scheduling process.

Conclusion

Rota apps like ConnectTeam.com Rota App provide a comprehensive solution for businesses looking to streamline their scheduling and workforce management processes. They offer a wide range of features that not only save time and money but also enhance employee satisfaction and ensure compliance with labor regulations. If you’re looking for a competitive edge in managing your business operations, consider implementing a Rota app to revolutionize your scheduling practices.

Ultimately, the right planning horizon for retail rotas should strike a balance between meeting business needs and ensuring that employees have adequate notice and predictability in their work schedules. It’s important for retailers to consider the unique characteristics of their industry, workforce, and local regulations when determining the most appropriate scheduling timeframe. Regularly reviewing and adjusting scheduling practices based on feedback and changing circumstances is also crucial for effective workforce management in the retail sector.

In summary, when a rota is consistently published with short notice, it often reflects management practices that may need improvement. It can negatively impact employee satisfaction, retention, and overall operational efficiency. Effective workforce planning, communication, and compliance with labor laws are essential elements in ensuring a positive work environment and scheduling practices that benefit both the business and its employees.

#connectteam #staffrotas #leadership #scheduling #management #hr #workforce #workforcemanagement #retailsector #workschedules

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Electricians Wales – Pat Testing Wales

Wed, December 08, 2021 / CMJUK / 1 Comment
ELECTRICIANS WALES
www.electricianswales.co.uk

“Electricians Wales” would like to notify all households to check their Christmas Lighting this year indoors and out. Christmas lights could pose a major fire hazard, according to new research from Which?. The consumer group carried out a series of tests on Christmas tree lights and found that nearly half could cause either a fire or an electric shock.

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/christmas/christmas-lights-risk-fire-hazard-which-tree-danger-a9248311.html

How to do a PAT test Christmas lights?

One of the most common questions asked for in-service inspection and testing is ‘Do I need to PAT test Christmas tree lights’ or ‘How do I PAT Test Christmas tree lights’.

As with any electrical equipment one needs to take precautions especially if you are buying second-hand used items.

Not only this if you are buying new appliances such as a new cooker in time for your Christmas Gathering you must make sure your ‘Hot Zone‘ is compliant as I had the misfortune to find out last year. You can read the article here.

It is very important to carry out a thorough visual inspection. Christmas tree lights are typically stored away in an attic or a shed for most of the year, however, due to weather changes the stored items may become damp, and if not stored away safely, damage can occur during storage. You will need to consider the environment in which they are used as they can be used both indoors and outdoors and can also be installed in areas where you have the general public, young children, and even the vulnerable. When public safety is taken into account, one needs to protect everyone in order not to be liable.

Nowadays, almost all modern lights you come across will either be Low Voltage or Class II. Class 0 equipment has no basic insulation around the live conductors.
There is no supplementary insulation or earthing of exposed parts. In most cases, Class 0 equipment should fail the visual inspection and be removed from service. If in doubt throw it out or call an electrician.

Consider the age of your equipment and lighting. If it is old it may not be worth repairing and it would make more sense just to buy brand new. However, depending on your circumstances and your budget, you may be tempted to buy secondhand. With this said you should do your due diligence and weigh up the pros and cons before paying for something that could become a fire hazard.

So how you go about testing them will all depend on the equipment construction itself.

Most lights will be either low voltage (battery-powered/LED) or Class II running-off transformers. Most won’t have to earth for fault protection or have any exposed conductive parts to carry out insulation resistance testing, so in most scenarios, a thorough visual inspection is all you can do.

If you would like “Electricians Wales” to inspect your equipment, appliances, and hot zones, all cabling, fittings, and plug top/battery compartments will be inspected, repaired and reports made to ensure the safety of your household and neighboring areas for any signs of damage or over-heating.

If the lights are Class I and have the earth for fault protection, then they would
need to be treated as if they were any Class I electrical equipment carrying out as a minimum a thorough visual inspection (as above), earth continuity test,
insulation resistance test and then finally a function check. If the lights are
Class II with exposed conductive parts, then as a minimum, they would be
carried out with a thorough visual inspection (as above), insulation resistance
test and then finally a function check.


Things to consider when installing Christmas Tree lights:

  1. Make sure the lights and equipment are not damaged.
  2. Make sure they are not causing a trip hazard.
  3. Make sure the wiring is not bent and the cabling twisted, bent, or broken.
  4. Make sure the cabling is not wrapped or tangled together which can fuse the wires and cause a fire hazard.
  5. Make sure you have not overloaded your plugs and multiway adapters.
  6. Make sure your extension leads are pat tested and not overloaded.
  7. Only use lighting outdoors if specified it’s safe to do so by the manufacturer.
  8. Do not try to be handy manny if you have no clue about electrics.
  9. If you are buying cooker appliances make sure the surrounding areas where the cooker i supposed to go is Hot Zone compliant because your appliances will not be fitted otherwise.
First Phase Electrical Wales – Electricians Wales Promo Video Courtesy Of UK Website Designers

https://www.cymrumarketing.com/what-electrical-appliance-wont-tell-you-before-buying/

https://www..cymrumarketing.com/what-appliance-retailers-do-not-tell-you/

https://www.cymrumarketing.com/argos_appliances_disclaimer_and_hot_zones/

#firstphaseelectricalwales #electricianswales #pattestingwales #landlord #electricalsafetyinspections #landlordelectricians

Can Landlords Delegate Annual Gas Safety Checks to a Tenant?

Mon, January 04, 2021 / CMJUK / 0 Comments

Annual Gas Safety Checks.

Can a landlord delegate gas safety checks and maintenance to a tenant?

The answer is NO.

Gas safety – landlords and letting agents (hse.gov.uk)

Landlords Obligations.

Regardless of who bought or installed the appliance, it is still the landlord’s responsibility to make sure the appliance is safe to use, as he has the responsibility of all the occupants in his property and adjacent properties to make sure there are no faults.

A gas engineer or landlord should not expect the tenant to pay for a Gas safety check on the tenant’s appliance if the tenant is paying rent to include maintenance and services.

If the appliance developed a fault and caused an accident the landlord would be liable and at fault for not having a gas safety check done. Not only is he/she safeguarding his/her tenants he is also safeguarding his property. The landlords building insurance would be null and void if he did not have a gas safety check on an appliance fitted by him/herself or the tenant.

Furthermore, if a gas engineer tries to say that he will not be doing a gas safety check because it is the tenant’s appliance, then the gas engineer is at fault as all gas appliances have to be checked regardless of who bought them.

For further information visit:

https://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/faqlandlord.htm

According to Gas Safe Register.

It is the tenant’s responsibility to do an annual gas safety check on their Gas Cooker, which contradicts the hse.gov.uk website FAQ.

This is the screenshot of the email I received from Gas Safe Register today:

Gas Email
Contact Us – Gas Safe Register

https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/contact-us/

GAS SAFE REGISTER

Gas Safe Register website also mentions they are governed by HSE screenshot below and that it is the tenant’s responsibility to make sure their appliance is in good working order and have an annual gas safety check.

Gas - 3
Landlord Gas Safety Responsibilities – Gas Safe Register

According to the Law:

Under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, the landlord is responsible to:

  1. to keep in repair the structure and exterior of the dwelling, including drains, gutters, and external pipes,
  2. to keep in repair and proper working order the installations in the dwelling for the supply of water, gas, electricity, and sanitation (including basins, sinks, baths, and sanitary conveniences.
  3. to keep in repair and proper working order the installation in the dwelling for space heating and heating water.

Gas.

Gas safety is the highest priority in rented properties. All gas appliances, fittings, installations, pipes, and flues must be kept in perfect working condition.  This applies to communal and private areas, regardless of whether tenants have access.

All landlords are required to arrange an annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer. They must earn a gas-safe certificate or make improvements prior to letting tenants. The certificate must be made available to every tenant prior to moving in and must be kept for at least two years.

It is absolutely illegal for anyone to knowingly use unsafe gas equipment. Treat the matter with the highest regard! Always require the gas safety certificate prior to renting a property.

Gas Safety – Repair of Rented Properties

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1985/70/section/11

Repair and Maintenance of Rented Properties

Carbon Monoxide Alarms.

From 1 Oct 2015, the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations 2015 came into force, which means all private rented sector landlords have an obligation by law to have at least one smoke alarm installed on every floor of their properties and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room where solid fuel is used. 

For more information on licensed landlords in Wales please visit:

https://www.rentsmart.gov.wales/en/home/

For information about Carbon Monoxide Alarms (I assume if the law has been passed in England then it should also apply to Wales Scotland and Ireland):

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-alarms-explanatory-booklet-for-landlords/the-smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-alarm-england-regulations-2015-qa-booklet-for-the-private-rented-sector-landlords-and-tenants

FINAL THOUGHTS.

There is some contradicting information from other sources about the Gas Safety Responsibilities of a landlord and tenant and it seems a bit of a grey area according to: https://www.thetenantsvoice.co.uk/advice_from_us/repairs-overview/#how_does_the_law_assigns_responsibilities_for_repair_and_maintenance the landlord is not responsible for any electrical appliance that the tenant has installed in their property. Their maintenance is at the discretion of the tenant. But there is NO MENTION ABOUT GAS COOKERS which have been bought by the tenant??

🤔

Gas Safety – Repair of Rented Properties

In my opinion, it should be the landlord’s responsibility to make sure all gas appliances are checked regardless of who bought them. If anything went wrong the landlord is protected and so are his tenants.

There should be a clause in the tenant’s agreement if the tenant has purchased the appliance with a fixed fee added to their rent or the tenant needs to appoint a gas engineer of their choosing and provide a gas safety check certificate.

For the sake of Home Insurance the Home Owner should not rely on a third party (i,e the tenant) to carry out a Gas Safety Check and should arrange it himself or herself with a Competent Gas Registered Engineer.

However as it stands one cannot leave the onus on the tenant, not all tenants are internet savvy and will not do the research as I have, and MAY NOT KNOW THE LAW if it is not written into the tenant’s contract, then this opens up a can of worms.

Furthermore, EVERY Gas Engineers, Electrical Engineers and Gas, Electrical and Appliance Manufacturers and Retailers website should have linked and have information about:

  1. Hot-Zones
  2. Carbon Monoxide Alarms
  3. Gas Safety Checks and Landlord and Tenant Responsibilities and the law.

***I have contacted HSE for comment and am awaiting their reply. I will update this post as soon as hear from them.

BEING SAFE IS PARAMOUNT.

All Landlords, Gas & Electrical Engineers need to be trained in HotZones and Carbon Monoxide Alarms – So far I have opened a can of worms.

Kitchen Hot Zones

Tue, December 29, 2020 / CMJUK / 2 Comments

HOT ZONES

A Hot zone (hot-zone or hot zone) is an area in the kitchen surrounding your cooker and refers to an area that is considered to be dangerous. It’s part of safety regulations within your home. It specifies the measurements and hard wiring requirements to make your kitchen safe.

FINALLY because of my complaint, I made just before Christmas when my cooker was delivered but the engineers refused to install it, I am happy to say Argos have updated their website and has put a page about Hot Zones on their FAQ Page.

It will be my mission in 2021 to put this information out on all appliance retailers’ websites as well as GAS & Electric Engineers Sites as no person should have to go through what I have gone through. https://www.cymrumarketing.com/argos_appliances_disclaimer_and_hot_zones/

So now consumers are aware fully of what is needed prior to buying a cooker.

Argos Hot Zone FAQ Page can be found here under deliveries and installation in really small text: Appliance recycling | Go Argos

FINAL THOUGHTS.

I have one small suggestion to make and that is I went on the Argos website just now and pretended to buy another cooker, where it says please “read me before booking installation and recycling“ the page does not mention or have any links back to the page I referred to earlier reference hot zones, especially under ‘the section cookers‘. So if someone who has no clue about hot zones pays for installation they will be left in the same dilemma as I have been. There needs to be a link back to the Hot Zones Page.

UPDATE.

I would also like to say today 30/12/20 I finally got the e-voucher. As for my cooker, it is still not installed as hardware stores are not open and it is hard to find someone to come out and do all the maintenance in my kitchen. Lesson Learnt!

How To Treat Your Customers With Respect.

Mon, December 28, 2020 / CMJUK / 0 Comments
Customers

How NOT to Treat Customers Like They Do NOT Matter!

  1. Do NOT IGNORE Your Customers
  2. Do NOT LIE to Your Customers
  3. Do NOT FAIL TO HONOUR a Promotional Price or Goodwill Gesture
  4. Do NOT EMPLOY Staff Members that are rude or have attitude.
  5. Do NOT TREAT Customers Like Numbers
  6. Do NOT IGNORE Feedback
  7. DO NOT ARGUE with customer complaints
  8. DO NOT FAIL to Seek Clarification
  9. DO NOT WITHHOLD Empathy
  10. DO NOT AVOID Taking Responsibility
  11. DO NOT MAKE Promises You Can’t Keep
  12. DO NOT FORGET to Follow Up
  13. DO NOT MAKE Your Customers Feel Stupid
  14. DO NOT ASSUME That You Have Resolved Problems
  15. DO NOT FAIL to Set Expectations
  16. DO NOT RUSH the Support Process
  17. DO NOT AVOID Putting in Extra Effort
  18. DO NOT TAKE Your Customers for Granted
  19. DO NOT LIMIT Your Support to a Single Channel
  20. DO NOT BE Indifferent

“A happy customer will tell 10 people about their experience but an unhappy customer will tell the world”.

Failing to do good customer service do you no favors and only gives you a bad name.

If a company like Argos which caused me no end of problems over the Christmas Period, fail to keep to their end of the bargain to send a £75 e-voucher as a way to say sorry, then all I can say is companies such as Amazon will eventually swallow up their business as most manufacturers and retailers are already using Amazon to sell their products.

As it so happens I am an Amazon Assoiciate Affiliate.

What a company should not do is upset the wrong people in fact they should upset anyone at all, but unfortunately they do.

When a company shows that they are willing to say sorry the customer is more likely to tell people what the company has done to make amends.

Promising a goodwill gesture, then retracting it, and also ignoring the customer’s emails does not say much about the company.

With businesses closing their doors for good because of the current economic crisis, you would think that smaller companies to Amazon would go above and beyond their call of duty.

Being honorable, transparent, and courteous gives people a reason to trust and in turn, the customer will recommend your products and your services. Doing one or more of the things listed above does not show you as a company in good light.

“Respect each and every customer as if they were your only customer”.

“Not only am I an Amazon Associate I am also an Amazon Customer and have opted to use Amazon Prime which cost £7.99 per month, this gets you free deliveries and Amazon Video two services for the price of one”.

My next big purchase is going to be a tabletop dishwasher. I find standing and washing dishes by hand not only tedious but it affects my back and I end up in agony.

Argos Saga: https://www.cymrumarketing.com/argos_appliances_disclaimer_and_hot_zones/

#customerloyalty customerrespect #leadership #brandcredibility

What Appliance Retailers Do Not Tell You (Part 4 Ongoing Saga).

Thu, December 24, 2020 / CMJUK / 0 Comments
Christmas Stress

MENTAL HEALTH AMONGST ENTREPRENEURS.

What Appliance Retailers Do Not Tell You (Part 4 Ongoing Saga).

The Effects Of Mental Health When You Have to Raise a Complaint With a Company.

As many of you may or may not know I am an Entrepreneur a owns several sites, blogs, or social media pages, my default virtual business card is www.renataentrepreneur.com

Primarily I advise Businesses on how to generate more leads and consult them to make their business more successful. I also offer other services, such as website design and marketing.

Now I would also like to say I suffer from Mental Health and have a blog dedicated to Mental Health and Disabilities among Entrepreneurs. That is why I am keeping my chat widget on from 11 am to 11 pm London GMT over the Holidays, just in case anyone wishes to talk over the Christmas Period. If I can help just one person I know I will have done something good. Depression can affect people from all walks of life. Christmas can be extremely challenging and can test our resilience. By trying to help others I am essentially helping myself.

Do watch the full interview with Tyson Fury on Mental Health.

“Christmas is not about receiving it is about giving”.

I recently posted on one of my blogs about Mental Health at Christmas amongst entrepreneurs: https://www.cymrumarketing.com/christmas-depression-amongst-entrepreneurs/

Now the retailer (ARGOS) that I purchased my cooker appliance from first all reached out to me after I made them aware of a post I made about my cooker not being installed: https://www.cymrumarketing.com/argos_appliances_disclaimer_and_hot_zones/

They offered me a £75 e-voucher and my refund of £100 for installation to be escalated on the 21st of December 2020. My cooker was delivered on the 17th of December 2020 and I was told I had to wait three to five working days to get my refund.

Moving forward to yesterday which would have been the 5th working day I still had not received my refund. I questioned it with customer services and I was told the reason I did not get my refund was due to a system error and guess what I now have to wait for another three to five working days. This did not sit well with me at all. Although the customer service person said today it can take up to seven working days. The last time I transferred money from one account to another took two hours by BACS transfer.

By coincidence, I got an email from head office yesterday saying I will be getting my refund.

“What happened to we are sorry and we will escalate it for you”? No mention of that in the email or anything about the e-voucher either.

So like a dog to a bone, I will not let go until I get answers, and if it means me using my blog to get attention so be it.

You do not give people the run around no matter what business you are in. It does not say anything good about you or your company. Just because you are a blue chip company this does not bother me in the slightest, you should care about your customers. A CEO had to start off somewhere and may have been a startup once. CEOs are humans no different from you and I and they should show empathy and respect.

“No company should be too big for their boots and everyone is accountable for their actions”.

So my final attempt today I tried phoning them yet again and their answering bot is designed to mentally break you down, It does not recognize order numbers and when it asks what you are ringing up for, it does not understand your reply.

I had visions of me hurling my phone through the air and smashing it against the wall by this stage.

Furthermore when you finally get through it says all calls are recorded. Now the person I spoke to today misunderstood something I said whereby I would continue recording with my blog in a quest to finally get this resolved. Yet he thought I said I was recording the call. Do people not understand English? My English is perfect I have had 57 years to practice it.

“I want a transcript of all the calls I have made and received as that is my legal right.“

Obviously, they can record you without your consent but you cannot record them, not that I had any attention to doing so anyway, one rule for one and another rule for another.

If this was someone with Multiple Sclerosis phoning today, they would be having a relapse due to the run around of this company. I have knowledge of Multiple Sclerosis as my daughter suffers from the disability.

Consider people’s mental health before you start playing mind games. The customer service person today told me someone will phone me back about the e-voucher, which can not be located by coincidence.

“I do not want to be phoned”.

My telephone lines are turned off for a reason because of this little incident and I can only be reached by my chat widget on my websites or via email or social media platforms.

What is the problem have I offended Argos in some way by speaking the truth, they should have mentioned like and hot zones on their site, and perhaps all this could’ve been avoided.

Do not offer a token of apology and then retract it.

To be messed around like this is totally atrocious.

“Show Respect and You Will Earn Respect!”

FINAL THOUGHTS!

“I will give this company one more chance to make amends and perhaps finally will say that after everything they will come out smelling of roses”

Roses GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

Merry Christmas Everyone and a Happy New Year.

Christian Images In My Treasure Box: Christmas Photos ...

UPDATE 27/01/20

I received my refund of £100 on the 24th of December 2020 I assume just after my phone call to Argos.

Christmas was canceled for me as I could not cook anyone a Christmas Dinner and did not think it was appropriate to offer frozen ready meals heated up in a microwave so no one came to visit me and I was left home alone with the cat. Worst Christmas ever and Worst Year.

As for the offering of the £75 e-voucher that did not materialize either. I should not have to beg to get it.

In all this whole scenario has tested my strength and my mental health ability.

I would have been content with a formal apology from the CEO but obviously, he forgets that once he started out where I am today. You never know one day he maybe brushes shoulders with me, considering the small world we live in and the people I am connected with. With nearly 10,000 followers such as Billionaires, Millionaires, Law Makers, and Royalty on LinkedIn it pays to remember “it’s not what you know but who you know”.

What Appliance Retailers Do Not Tell You (Part 3 Ongoing Saga).

Mon, December 21, 2020 / CMJUK / 4 Comments
www.argos.co.uk

Argos Appliance Disclaimer For Buyers and Hot Zone Instructions For the Consumer to know everything they need to know prior to purchase.

RECAP & UPDATE ON ONGOING APPLIANCE RETAILER SAGA.

I have added the links below to the posts I made previously.

Previous Posts:

What Appliance Retailers Won’t Tell You (Part 1).
What Appliance Retailers Do Not Tell You (Part 2 Ongoing Saga).

RECAP OF ONGOING APPLIANCE PURCHASE SAGA!

  1. In October I bought a electric cooker with installation and recycling and found out after my purchase because I had not bought like for like the installation could not happen because I had a gas cooker. I then cancelled my order and bought a like for like Gas for Gas with installation and recycling.
  2. Two months later my cooker arrives (last Thursday to be precise) and I was told they could not install the cooker because my splash back was not high enough and my sockets where inside the hot zone.

So you can imagine my distain when I am told a few days before Christmas and on the Eve of the Lockdown in Wales that my cooker cannot be installed.

Finding someone before Christmas and on Lockdown is proving to be impossible.

So my Christmas is ruined!

On top of this all my food has perished what could not be frozen and I have been subjected to takeouts for my family.

Obviously I am angry and I need to teach people about ‘Hot Zones’ as Argos have not.

Had I have known in the beginning about ‘Hot Zones’ precisely two months ago, I had ample time to sort any issues out before delivery but I was none the wiser because Argos did not have anything on their website to forewarn me.

UPDATE TODAY!

Now fast forward to today after I had emailed Mr S.Roberts CEO of Sainsbury which Argos own I get a phone call form Argos offering an olive branch and an apology.

Should I have accepted their token of goodwil?, well it was either that or nothing I suppose.

The token was an e-voucher for £75.00

Granted they did give £50 goodwill voucher back in October so the total I have received will be £125 in goodwill gestures but this is just a band aid on a gaping wound.

How much is compensation for a ruined Chirstmas worth, including persished food and takeouts, let alone the non cooked Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day, I wonder?

This farce should have never happened!

I am sure I am not the only one this has happed to….

However the spokesperson for Argos I spoke to today said she understood my dilemma and that Argos will be putting something on their website about ‘Hot Zones’ but my argument was that the people delivering my cooker (DHL) could have installed the cooker.

The spokeperson for Argos said that one cannot make someone install a cooker and do something illegal if it does not meet safety regulations (I do not disagree but the retailer should have a disclaimer).

After the call had ended it came to mind that the delivery drivers aka engineers should have an Indemnity Disclaimer that the consumer signs taking away the onus of any liabiltiy from the retailer:

DISCLAIMER INDEMNITY

Buyer shall assume all financial and other obligations for Buyer Products, and Seller shall not incur any liability or responsibility to Buyer or to third parties arising out of or connected in any manner with Buyer Products. In no event shall Seller be liable for lost profits, special damages, consequential damages or contingent liabilities arising out of or connected in any manner with this Agreement or Buyer Products. Buyer shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless Seller and its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees and agents, from and against all claims, liabilities, demands, damages, expenses and losses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) arising out of or connected with (i) any manufacture, use, sale or other disposition of Buyer Products, or any other products of Buyer, by Buyer or any other party and (ii) any breach by Buyer of any of its obligations under this Agreement.

This disclaimer should be for all appliances including, cookers, washing machines dishwashers and the like. A simple piece of paper making sure nothing comes back on the retailer, in which this scenario could have been avoided.

Looks like I am going to be toasting marshmallows by candlelight on Christmas Day whilst everyone else will be tucking into a Christmas Dinner

🤬🎄🎅🦃

Merry Christmas Mr Roberts!

Perhaps Argos should hire me for my business consulting services considering I am having to get their house in order.

For Your Last Minute Christmas Shopping Delivered Before Christmas Visit Amazon.

What Appliance Retailers Do Not Tell You (Part 2 Ongoing Saga).

Fri, December 18, 2020 / CMJUK / 1 Comment
Learn Before You Buy Appliances.

I wrote on 11th October 2020 about a purchase I made from Argos. Now I cannot point the finger entirely on this retailer (As most probably all appliance retailers do not go above or beyond their call of duty) and because I used Argos the majority of my stress is related to Argos in this instance.

The original post you can read here: https://marketingagency.cymrumarketing.com/2020/10/11/what-electrical-appliance-wont-tell-you-before-buying/

Moving on just over two months later I finally get my Gas Cooker delivered. Not my first choice but none the less it was delivered, You have to remember I also paid for installation and recycling.

So me not being none the wiser assumed I would now have my cooker installed ready for me to cook my first meal this evening. You can just imagine the atmostphere when one of the engineers said the dreaded words “Excuse me, but you have a problem”. You could cut the air with a knife when he said this and I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I was in shock what Argos said. Basically I could not have my new cooker installed because of safety regulations I needed a splash back and my socket which I have had for over 20 years was too low and was in the way of the ‘Hot Zone’.

Surely they should be able to install an appliance and if anything happened it would be on the onus of the consumer not the retailer?

If you look at Argos FAQ there are no diagrams and no mention of ‘Hot Zones’. https://www.argos.co.uk/help/faq/72459

Now I do have a splash back tiled area but by all accounts it was too low and I needed another row of tiles.

I was livid as no where does it mention on Argos’s website anything about the height, width of the ‘Hot Zone’. One literally has to scour the internet to find this information and for someone like myself who has no clue about safety regulations, why would I need to know this?, I do not rent out properties I am a private resident.

It should be up to the retailer to point out all the things one should do prior to purchasing an appliance.

But like with any business they do not care past the point you hand over your hard earned cash. All they want at the end of the day is a sale and if the sale then becomes a problem, it is not their problem but yours.

You can imagine my food has a use by date, tradesman are hard to arrange under our current climate so my food will perish because ARGOS did not point out what the consumer needed to know prior to making a purchase. All they asked was what socket I had and that was it.

I am fuming 🤬.

So for the purpose of this blog and after my experience I had to do some research to forewarn anyone buying a cooker, Gas or Electric to read the information I have now found out and is listed below.

I cannot even claim on my insurance as this I would assume is a ‘grey area and hard to argue’.

HOT ZONE.

The ‘Hot Zone’ by all accounts consists of an area directly above your cooker or hob. Before installation please make sure that this area is free from flammable items including wood, wallpaper, plug sockets, wiring or an overhanging boiler.

‘Electrical Rating’ Another thing to consider if you are changing from Gas to Electric you need to have your cooker hardwired to a 32 amp socket. Hardwiring is going to cost an arm and a leg. However if it is a standalone Gas for Gas (like for Like Gas) a 13 Amp socket should suffice. Although if you’re upgrading to a newer model, you may find there’s a considerable difference in the power needed. Prior to purchase, you can check the amp rating in the product specifications found in the item’s user manual.

So now consumers need to download the user manuals before purchacing their appliances, by all accounts.

All cookers need an ‘Aluminium Splashback’. Well if that is the case they should be sold together with the cookers and not have to be purchased seperately or the retailer makes it clear to the consumer (it is either a manufacturer problem or the retailer lets the consumer know in advance, should they need a spashback or not)!

This whole ordeal has been a horrendous nightmare from beginning to end and I am glad I do not have to do this again for the next few years.

This information I have shared should be mandantory on every retailers website and not just on a few Gas Engineers sites.

Gas Supply. Make sure there an existing gas supply to the installation point, and a 3 pin electric socket or cooker point within 1.5m of the installation location? If you don’t have a gas supply available, and want to use Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), make sure the product you’re buying is LPG-convertible.

Again Something Argos Failed To Mention, although I do have a Window and have Good Ventilation, if you are installing a Gas Cooker you must have adequate ventilation. The consumer needs to know this.

It is not hard to add a few lines of text and this information onto a page of a website.

Ventilation

Gas safety regulations specify that there must be adequate ventilation in the room where the appliance is to be installed. If you don’t have a window or door to the outside world in your kitchen, think about opting for a suitable electric model instead.

VENTILATION MEASUREMENTS

Final Thoughts: Had I had known this information in advance I would have been better prepared.

Use this checklist before you order an Appliance. Make sure that:

1). Make sure you remove anything that may catch fire, any combustible items from the hot zone.

2). Double check that there is an existing gas or electric supply to the place you want your appliance installed.

3). Make sure you have a 3 pin electric socket or a big red switch within 1.5 meters of where your new cooking appliance is going to live.

4). You know where your gas/electric meters and fuse box are, as the drivers will need access.

5). You have double-checked there is suitable ventilation (a window or door to the outside world), in the room where your new cooking appliance is going to live.

6). That you have sufficient funds in your meter for the work to be carried out. (I do not have a meter but for those that do you need to have enough money to cover all installation time).

Will Argos compensate me for the stress I have endured, the food that has and will be perished whilst trying to sort out this mess?, I hardly doubt it, but if they did I would (possibly) consider putting in a good word, after all retailers need all the help they can at the moment. However if there is silence they will see the power of social media at its finest.

#Argos #ArgosRetailer #SimonRoberts

Want to make a complaint, go straight to the top, Apparantly Argos is owned by Sainsburys and the CEO is Simon Roberts.

Argos Limited
Mr Simon RobertsChief Executive
  
Emailsimon.roberts@sainsburys.co.uk
  
Advice from CEOemail.com  How to write your email to a CEO
  
Telephone01908 789171 (Direct)
Switchboard0345 640 2020
Websitehttps://www.argos.co.uk
Social Media
 
Postal AddressAvebury, 489-499 Avebury Boulevard, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, MK9 2NW
Company Number01081551
Company StatusActive (Established 13/11/1972)
  
To the CEO do not underestimate the power of influencers.

Absolute Joke 🤬 !

If You are planning to buy Gifts this Christmas do not use Argos, buy from Amazon instead!

What Appliance Retailers Won’t Tell You (Part 1).

Sun, October 11, 2020 / CMJUK / 3 Comments
Installation of Cookers Add On Service.

What Electrical Appliance Retailers won’t tell you before purchasing delivery, installation and recycling.

When purchasing your next cooker do take these things into consideration when a Company like Argos offers you delivery, installation and recycling as I have recently found out.

I recently bought a cooker from Argos with Delivery, Installation and Recycling. I am having to wait six weeks for delivery.

Anyway I get a text message off Argos a week or so later after my purchase, with a survey to fill out. My current appliance is Gas but I have bought Electric Free Standing Cooker. So you would think that in the wording “installation and recycling” would mean just that, but wait for it, it does not mean that at all unless you are buying a “like for like” appliance gas for gas or electric for electric.

Now they charge extra for delivery, installation and recycling costing me £99, yet had I known at the time of buying I would have bought “like for like” but if I was to cancel my order now and buy another cooker it would be a further six weeks of waiting for a delivery.

On top of this to fit a 32amp socket and get a gas engineer out it is going to cost me well over £100.00 and as a gesture of goodwill Argos refunded me £20, what a joke.

Since writing this post I have had an update yesterday 16/10/20 where I had a quote and was told to fit a 32amp wall socket one needs to re-wire the cables that run underneath the flooring which will be anything from £500 upwards. I just wanted to cry. I have since ordered a Gas cooker as I am not going to be spending £500 plus to rewire my home.

They should tell you these things before you buy an appliance.

So as you can imagine I am fuming.

***If you look at the screenshots it does not mention anything about “like for like” and when I pay for installation I expect just that without any excuses.

This is against trading standards to offer installation, take your money and then say you cannot do it because your appliance must be like for like. I told her I would be writing about Argos and all she offered me was £20 wow.

I am not happy.

On another note if you need a 32 amp wall socket fitted (all electric cookers need to be hardwired with an already installed 32amp socket) image below:

DO CONTACT this company (First Phase Electrical Wales) they are available in Blackwood, Merthyr Tydfil, Caerphilly to Cardiff and Newport.
https://www.electricianswales.co.uk

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