Q I’m trying to purchase a brand new household automobile. Looks as if there’s a lot better worth accessible from non-public sellers – which is a draw for me as I’m engaged on a really tight price range. Nevertheless, a good friend of mine lately had a foul expertise with a personal vendor, which made me hesitate. Do you have got any tips about how greatest to strategy this? Deirdre, County Galway

Shopping for a automobile is an enormous buy – along with the associated fee, it’s best to remember that shopping for a harmful automobile is harmful. Every year, the Competitors and Shopper Safety Fee (CCPC) receives greater than a thousand calls from customers reporting issues with used automobiles, together with those that have unknowingly purchased broken automobiles. or “cadenced”.

Subsequently, you will need to contemplate numerous various factors and be sure you carry out the important checks earlier than buying.

The very first thing to know is that there are vital variations between shopping for from a enterprise and shopping for from a person relating to your shopper rights and protections. You haven’t any rights underneath shopper safety legislation if you happen to purchase from a personal vendor and one thing goes mistaken.

Whereas value could be a key issue if you happen to’re engaged on a price range, what would possibly look like a great deal now may find yourself costing you extra if restore or substitute work is required after buy.

So earlier than shopping for a used automobile (from an organization or a personal particular person), comply with these easy steps and do not forget to carry out the important automobile checks.

To begin with, bear in mind that shopper rights don’t apply to non-public gross sales, and watch out for disguised merchants – professionals who illegally pose as non-public sellers. Lookup vendor info on-line – for instance, verify what number of listings the vendor has posted. If he sells a number of automobiles directly, this might point out that he’s a disguised dealer and never a personal vendor.

Second, have the salesperson full the CCPC Automotive Historical past Guidelines (accessible at ccpc.ie) to be sure you have all the related details about the automobile and that you’ve got accomplished all the important checks. earlier than shopping for.

Third, verify that the mileage on the odometer matches the automobile paperwork. The automobile’s earlier mileage shall be listed on its NCT paperwork.

Fourth, do not be guided by value alone, as a result of decrease price does not all the time imply worth for cash. Be sure to do the important automobile checks, whatever the value.

Fifth, get a second opinion. When checking the automobile, carry a mechanic or somebody who’s skilled with automobiles or shopping for automobiles.

Sixth, store round. Take a look at automobile consumers’ web sites and magazines to search out the typical value for the kind of automobile you need primarily based on specs, mileage, and so on. Bear in mind, if it is too good to be true, it normally is.

Seventh, all the time attempt to pay by a traceable technique, akin to a credit score or debit card or wire switch. Paying money is dangerous since you will not have any hint or hint of your cash within the occasion of an issue.

Turn out to be an unused voucher after the shop is closed

QI acquired a present certificates – of serious worth – for a neighborhood retailer final Christmas. Contemplating the intervals of confinement for the reason that begin of the yr, I have not had a lot alternative to spend the total quantity. I simply realized that the retailer has introduced its closure. What does this imply for my voucher? I nonetheless have cash left and I meant to spend it. Sam, County Westmeath

A Sadly, you have got little or no protection if in case you have a present certificates for a enterprise that subsequently goes bankrupt.

Circumstances could differ, relying on whether or not the enterprise has closed, is present process liquidation, assessment or receivership – so verify on-line or on the corporate’s web site for extra info. ‘info.

If the enterprise is in liquidation and you’ve got an unused reward certificates, you may be handled as an unsecured creditor.

This implies that there’s a good probability that you’ll lose your cash.

Search on-line or on the corporate’s social media accounts for closing particulars – as there could also be a closing sale, during which you could possibly use the remaining steadiness of your reward certificates – however ensure to take action. do it as shortly as attainable.

Are on-line buying and selling platforms a great residence for my financial savings?

Q I’ve managed to save lots of a small amount of cash over the previous yr. It’s at present in my financial savings account, however given the low rate of interest on financial savings, I’m contemplating investing it for a greater return.

I’ve by no means invested earlier than, however I’ve heard from numerous folks utilizing on-line buying and selling platforms and it sounds actually easy. Are there any downsides to this or do I simply need to go? James, County Waterford

A Earlier than making any type of funding, contemplate numerous various factors. For instance, you will have to determine what degree of funding danger you’re snug with. Usually, the upper the return you need out of your investments, the upper the danger it’s a must to take. You additionally have to determine how a lot of your financial savings you’re keen to speculate and for a way lengthy; the prices and charges related to the funding – and the tax you could have to pay on any development or returns.

On the subject of on-line buying and selling platforms, one of many most important attracts is that they normally supply decrease prices – by way of accessing the inventory market.

Nevertheless, the vast majority of these on-line buying and selling platforms function on an execution foundation solely. Because of this you’ll not be supplied with skilled recommendation earlier than buying shares and shares.

As well as, some funding merchandise accessible via on-line buying and selling functions will be fairly advanced. Because of this you could possibly run the danger of investing in shares which can be completely unsuitable to your wants and will result in losses that you could be not be ready for.

There are tax obligations related to the sale of investments via these platforms. The sort and fee of tax payable depends upon the kind of earnings you obtain from the sale. Subsequently, in case you are planning to make use of a web-based buying and selling platform, it might be price in search of tax recommendation.

On the whole, earlier than investing in any kind of funding product, contemplate the extent of danger that you’re keen and cozy to take.

Ask your self if you happen to can afford to lose cash – and in that case, how a lot are you able to afford to lose and what if you happen to lose some or all your cash after invested? Additionally determine how lengthy you wish to make investments your cash.

As a basic rule, the longer you make investments, the larger the potential for incomes the next return. Nevertheless, it’s worthwhile to contemplate whether or not you will have to entry the cash throughout the lifetime of the funding and the way shortly it is possible for you to to entry your cash if wanted.

Verify if the monetary adviser or funding agency you’re contemplating is regulated by the Central Financial institution – if it isn’t regulated and issues go mistaken, you might not have entry to complaints procedures public insurance policies and compensation schemes.

Lastly, contemplate knowledgeable monetary recommendation, particularly if in case you have restricted data of the monetary product or if the product is extra advanced in nature.