Thursday 31 March 2011
Cinderella You shall go the ball
Thanks to my mate at work I've had a tidy offer of £50 for 100 bottles of the beer that I won. Cheers.
Wednesday 30 March 2011
Shiply Success
Just secured my first Shiply success this year. Taking a Saddle from Northampton to Kings Lynn on Saturday morning.
Tuesday 29 March 2011
Classic Wombling
The 'wombler' who raises money from Asda and Tesco bins
Guy Anker
News Editor
29 March 2011
MSE Shopping & Spending guides
Print Email this .A running enthusiast has found an extreme way to raise money for charity – by rummaging in bins for old Asda and Tesco receipts and exploiting a loophole in the pair's price guarantees.
Stephen Auker, from West Yorkshire (pictured, right), inputs codes from receipts others have discarded into the supermarkets' price check websites and where that shopping basket would have been cheaper at a qualifying rival, Asda or Tesco offers a refund in the form of vouchers (see the Asda and Tesco price match MSE News stories).
The technique has been termed 'wombling' after the Wombles of Wimbledon who made good use of the "things that the everyday folk leave behind", as the song goes. Stephen has been wombling since the end of February.
Under both supermarkets' price guarantee schemes, it doesn't matter who has bought the groceries – all you need to do is enter the code from a valid receipt. In fact, Asda and Tesco say what Stephen does is legal.
This contrasts with Tesco's attitude to wombling a few years ago when some customers tried to use others' receipts to top up their Clubcard balance, which Tesco deemed to be against its rules.
Price match is a hot topic at present after Tesco altered its guarantee last week after shoppers made hundreds of pounds by exploiting a different loophole that allowed them to identify items they could get money back vouchers on before buying (the Tesco price match overhaul MSE News story).
While he is paid in supermarket vouchers from wombling, Stephen donates the equivalent sum to Cancer Research, for which he has already raised £34,000 from running.
He says: "Being very thrifty, I'm always looking for ways to raise more cash for my charity.
"So I was thrilled when I thought of this one, and it only came to me by accident when I stopped to pick up some litter and it was an Asda receipt, and its new advert came into my mind. So I took it home and checked it out."
How much has he made?
Stephen says he has made over £50 in his first month of wombling, mainly via Asda.
More recently, he tried his luck at Tesco and wombling worked there. He made £4 at the first attempt but says it is harder for him to try Tesco as it is a long way from his home.
Martin Lewis, MoneySavingExpert.com creator, says: "This is a brilliant piece of extreme MoneySaving.
"If you're willing to get your hands dirty there's cash to be made – not enough to live off – but a fun little supplement. If you do try it, say it once and say it loud: 'I'm a wombler and I'm proud!'"
An Asda spokeswoman says: "We love it when people save money. And some people are savvier than others."
A Tesco spokesman says: "It's always great to learn about new, imaginative ways our customers raise money for good causes."
How the guarantees work
The Tesco and Asda price guarantees work by inputting the code contained on your receipt into their websites. They then calculate whether your basket of shopping would have been cheaper elsewhere.
Tesco pays double the difference in vouchers if a basket of goods you buy there is cheaper at Asda. So buy a basket worth £90 that would have cost £80 at Asda and you're paid £20 in Tesco vouchers.
Asda pays the difference plus 1p if a basket there is not at least 10% cheaper than the nearest rival out of Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose.
If the rival basket came in at £100 and you paid £95, you'll get a £5.01 voucher as if it were 10% cheaper you should have paid £90 (see the Asda and Tesco price match MSE News stories for full info on each, including exclusions).
Guy Anker
News Editor
29 March 2011
MSE Shopping & Spending guides
Print Email this .A running enthusiast has found an extreme way to raise money for charity – by rummaging in bins for old Asda and Tesco receipts and exploiting a loophole in the pair's price guarantees.
Stephen Auker, from West Yorkshire (pictured, right), inputs codes from receipts others have discarded into the supermarkets' price check websites and where that shopping basket would have been cheaper at a qualifying rival, Asda or Tesco offers a refund in the form of vouchers (see the Asda and Tesco price match MSE News stories).
The technique has been termed 'wombling' after the Wombles of Wimbledon who made good use of the "things that the everyday folk leave behind", as the song goes. Stephen has been wombling since the end of February.
Under both supermarkets' price guarantee schemes, it doesn't matter who has bought the groceries – all you need to do is enter the code from a valid receipt. In fact, Asda and Tesco say what Stephen does is legal.
This contrasts with Tesco's attitude to wombling a few years ago when some customers tried to use others' receipts to top up their Clubcard balance, which Tesco deemed to be against its rules.
Price match is a hot topic at present after Tesco altered its guarantee last week after shoppers made hundreds of pounds by exploiting a different loophole that allowed them to identify items they could get money back vouchers on before buying (the Tesco price match overhaul MSE News story).
While he is paid in supermarket vouchers from wombling, Stephen donates the equivalent sum to Cancer Research, for which he has already raised £34,000 from running.
He says: "Being very thrifty, I'm always looking for ways to raise more cash for my charity.
"So I was thrilled when I thought of this one, and it only came to me by accident when I stopped to pick up some litter and it was an Asda receipt, and its new advert came into my mind. So I took it home and checked it out."
How much has he made?
Stephen says he has made over £50 in his first month of wombling, mainly via Asda.
More recently, he tried his luck at Tesco and wombling worked there. He made £4 at the first attempt but says it is harder for him to try Tesco as it is a long way from his home.
Martin Lewis, MoneySavingExpert.com creator, says: "This is a brilliant piece of extreme MoneySaving.
"If you're willing to get your hands dirty there's cash to be made – not enough to live off – but a fun little supplement. If you do try it, say it once and say it loud: 'I'm a wombler and I'm proud!'"
An Asda spokeswoman says: "We love it when people save money. And some people are savvier than others."
A Tesco spokesman says: "It's always great to learn about new, imaginative ways our customers raise money for good causes."
How the guarantees work
The Tesco and Asda price guarantees work by inputting the code contained on your receipt into their websites. They then calculate whether your basket of shopping would have been cheaper elsewhere.
Tesco pays double the difference in vouchers if a basket of goods you buy there is cheaper at Asda. So buy a basket worth £90 that would have cost £80 at Asda and you're paid £20 in Tesco vouchers.
Asda pays the difference plus 1p if a basket there is not at least 10% cheaper than the nearest rival out of Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose.
If the rival basket came in at £100 and you paid £95, you'll get a £5.01 voucher as if it were 10% cheaper you should have paid £90 (see the Asda and Tesco price match MSE News stories for full info on each, including exclusions).
The first ring customer isn't happy...
"hi....the ring has arrived.....maybe u sent the wrong ring or maybe you never checked the ring, but its not 14k its even stamped 9k al
though its not even gold...its not a natural diamond either??
Who is the jeweller that sold you this???"
More Rock Hard Books Cash....
Invoice Number Invoice Date Invoice Description Discount Taken Amount Paid
01/2011 PMT-ROCFZ-1470191-SA 04-FEB-2011 ROCFZ-01/01/2011-01/31/2011 ADVANTA 23.33
Monday 28 March 2011
Back on the Comping Horse
I've got Broadband up and running in my house again (to a certain extent), so took 5 mins at the weekend to download Roboform again.
If you're a serial comper and have never used Roboform then I heartily recommend it. It completes all your details on competition entry forms thereby saving you minutes per comp.
Friday 25 March 2011
Gravetending for fun and profit...
From Gumtree:
We offer a grave stone cleaning service that includes weeding, cleaning & if requested flower leaving service on a monthly basis. Photographs can be taken and sent via phone or email each time for piece of mind. Ground staff already do a wonderful job of maintaining the grounds but cannot give individual graves the attention they need or the personal touch we would like. £4 extra for flowers.
A great service for a small price. HULL AREA ONLY.
£10 per month
A great service for a small price. HULL AREA ONLY.
£10 per month
Rent-a-tent
When people go to festivals, do they buy a tent or just hire one? If they lay out big cash on an item that they are only going to use once, would it not be better to just hire one?
Currency Fair
A change is as good as a rest
Whilst I'm waiting for my Ebay partner-in-crime to get back from his holidays, I've decided to give CQOut a go. It's not much to look at but it is supposedly the second largest auction website in the UK after Ebay. In order to give it the best chance possible I've listed one of my Engagement rings (all of which have previously sold on Ebay), and paid £6.50 for the premium package (whatever that entails). If it doesn't sell (picture and description are exactly as per previous Ebay listings) then its bye-bye CQ.
The Rings are here
Monday 21 March 2011
Amazon - Stock Purchase
Over the last few weeks I've bought several thousand titles which need to be listed on Amazon. Total purchase is something around 2500 units for a cost of £55 (roughly 2p per book). Unfortunately my Broadband is still down so I'm struggling to get them listed.
If this lot wash their own face quickly then I'm getting more and more convinced of the value of my "buy-onEbay-sell-on-Amazon" system.
If this lot wash their own face quickly then I'm getting more and more convinced of the value of my "buy-onEbay-sell-on-Amazon" system.
Friday 18 March 2011
The West is FUCKED
One look at Alibaba.com and you have to admit to yourself that the West is absolutely fucked. Not because of the sheer volume of sellers and products available through that site but because it makes it just so easy to do business with foreign companies.
It is literally easier for me to do business with someone on the other side of the World than someone in Scotland.
A patriot needs to get busy promoting a site where Scottish suppliers can promote their wares and do quick, sleek biz online.
It is literally easier for me to do business with someone on the other side of the World than someone in Scotland.
A patriot needs to get busy promoting a site where Scottish suppliers can promote their wares and do quick, sleek biz online.
Cheltenham Joy (turned slightly sour)
The first three days of Cheltenham went really well for me with a net profit of +£30. I spoiled the show by backing the West Indies to bt England in the Cricket World Cup. Never mind. Another discipline lesson.
Could Jewellery be the answer?
My joblot of 6 rings for £100 have now all gone for £480. Very nice indeed.
I've reached my monthly limit for listings but will be back for more when I get the fresh start in April.
I've reached my monthly limit for listings but will be back for more when I get the fresh start in April.
Wednesday 16 March 2011
Good start to the Cheltenham Festival
My back/lay system on Favourites has been doing well for me over the last couple of weeks. Made £45 yesterday on the first day of the Festival, and hopefully will bag some more today.
Haven't done much in-play betting of late as my Broadband is down at home.
Haven't done much in-play betting of late as my Broadband is down at home.
Another one bites the dust.
Another ring sold overnight for £50.
The greenhouse arrived from the warehouse but I think I'm going to be on a loser regarding postage to France. DHL are charging £45 - which will wipe out the profit and more.
The greenhouse arrived from the warehouse but I think I'm going to be on a loser regarding postage to France. DHL are charging £45 - which will wipe out the profit and more.
Another win - but not sure of the resale value of this one
I've just had an email from staggered.com to let me know I've won 25 gallons of Cornish Real Ale. Bit of a strange prize, but nice anyway - even though I'm a non-drinker.
I think a party will be in order.
I think a party will be in order.
Tuesday 15 March 2011
Poundlines is starting to fly!
Using the formula outlined in the Four Hour Work Week I picked some products to trial in Ebay. There were some good results:
Free Del Elegant 14k Solid Gold Engagement Diamond Ring
Watch count: 10 £150.11
FREE DEL Planetarium StarMaster Projector Light Lamp Auction FREE DEL Planetarium StarMaster Projector Light Lamp
Watch count: 0 £25.00
Free Del Elegant 14k Solid Gold Engagement Diamond Ring Auction Free Del Elegant 14k Solid Gold Engagement Diamond Ring
Watch count: 0 £49.99
Free Del Elegant 14k Solid Gold Engagement Diamond Ring Auction Free Del Elegant 14k Solid Gold Engagement Diamond Ring
Watch count: 0 £49.99
.
FREE DEL BRAND NEW GREENHOUSE 4.5M X 2M POLYTUNNEL Auction FREE DEL BRAND NEW GREENHOUSE 4.5M X 2M POLYTUNNEL
Watch count: 1 £89.99
So far 3 rings, a Greenhouse and a Planetarium have sold. 1 further ring is just about to sell.
I've used the income from the first two ring sales to buy 6 for stock, which are on their way from the Far East. Nice margin on these.
The margin was a lot tighter on the Greenhouse and the Planetarium.
Free Del Elegant 14k Solid Gold Engagement Diamond Ring
Watch count: 10 £150.11
FREE DEL Planetarium StarMaster Projector Light Lamp Auction FREE DEL Planetarium StarMaster Projector Light Lamp
Watch count: 0 £25.00
Free Del Elegant 14k Solid Gold Engagement Diamond Ring Auction Free Del Elegant 14k Solid Gold Engagement Diamond Ring
Watch count: 0 £49.99
Free Del Elegant 14k Solid Gold Engagement Diamond Ring Auction Free Del Elegant 14k Solid Gold Engagement Diamond Ring
Watch count: 0 £49.99
.
FREE DEL BRAND NEW GREENHOUSE 4.5M X 2M POLYTUNNEL Auction FREE DEL BRAND NEW GREENHOUSE 4.5M X 2M POLYTUNNEL
Watch count: 1 £89.99
So far 3 rings, a Greenhouse and a Planetarium have sold. 1 further ring is just about to sell.
I've used the income from the first two ring sales to buy 6 for stock, which are on their way from the Far East. Nice margin on these.
The margin was a lot tighter on the Greenhouse and the Planetarium.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)