Retired Members Info and Resources Issue 61 June 2015

SCOTTISH RETIRED MEMBERS COMMITTEE
ANNUAL BOWLING TOURNAMENT – 2015

The Annual Bowling Tournament will be held at Kettle Bowling Club, Kingskettle, Fife at 2.00 pm on Wednesday 26 August 2015. 
The Committee would be grateful if numbers of bowlers and/or spectators could be communicated to: – Bob Miller, 37 Buchanan Park, Ceres, Fife KY15 5NW. Or by telephone – 01334/828582  by Friday 21 August 2015.  

Also contact Bob if you need any further information.

Donations from branches for prizes would be appreciated and I would be obliged if any cheques could be made payable to Bob Miller and sent to him direct at the above address.

Many thanks.  Yours sincerely
SUE CHALMERS (Secretary, Scottish Retired Members Committee)

Top tips for switching TV, internet or phone service provider
**NB**  This advice applies to Scotland

Over the course of your contract for a TV, internet or phone service, you may find you start to lose money if a better deal becomes available elsewhere. This page contains some top tips for what to think about before switching.

Top tips

Switching provider

• check your terms and conditions for your minimum contract term and cancellation charges
• shop around
• negotiate a better deal with your current provider
• move onto a lower tariff with your current provider

Check your terms and conditions

Before switching, you should check the terms and conditions of your current contract. You may have a minimum contract term, for example 12 or 18 months. Your service provider may not let you cancel your contract early without paying all of the monthly charges for the minimum contract period.  You may also have to pay a cancellation charge for cancelling the contract early. This charge must be reasonable.

Shop around

It is always best to shop around for the best deal. Don’t settle on the first one you come across. Try looking at some comparison sites or look at different company websites. Always check the terms and conditions of any contract to help you compare them.  Check out the extra charges, tariffs, and minimum contract periods.
The industry watchdog Ofcom recommends a number of price comparison sites at www.ofcom.org.uk. You can also visit www.moneysavingexpert.co.uk for more tips on choosing the right tariff.

Negotiate a better deal with your current provider

When it’s time to renew your contract, you may be able to negotiate a better deal with your current service provider, rather than switching. Your service provider may offer generous discounts to keep your business if you look like you are thinking of switching to another service provider. Tell your service provider you are considering switching and ask them if they can offer you a better deal. Do some research beforehand about deals from other providers and use this information in your negotiations.
Do some research beforehand about deals from other providers and use this information in your negotiations. For information on haggling, go to the MoneysavingExpert website at: www.moneysavingexpert.co.uk.

If you are still within your minimum contract period

If you are still within your minimum contract period but are sure you want to switch provider, you will probably have to pay your monthly fees for the rest of your contract. To get out of your contract more cheaply, you could try switching your existing contract onto the lowest tariff rate, then switching your number to a new service provider and starting another contract. You could then do one of the following:

• end the old contract straight away. But you would have a lower penalty to pay because you have changed to a lower monthly tariff
• let your old contract run until the end of its term but pay a lower monthly rate.

‘There was lots more detail than I could have in the newsletter, but you can access Age Scotland’s site for further information, or call them on:
Silver Line Scotland 0800 470 80 90