Latest news with #Quidco


Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Huge cashback site ‘sneakily' axes key perk for thousands of customers leaving them furious
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) QUIDCO customers have slammed the service for 'sneakily' removing a key perk which has left thousands of customers furious. Cashback sites like Quidco pay users a percentage of the cost of an online purchase. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Quidco have axed a major perk Retailers use services like these in a bid to win over customers, by giving them something back in return for their custom. Up until this month, Quidco offered a 'Highest Cashback Guarantee', which offered to match any other rates from a UK-based competitor. The pledge meant they not only matched the top rate available, but also added more on top, so the customer would get the highest rate of cashback. Basic users could get an extra 2 per cent of the competitor's rate as a bonus, while Premium users could get double the difference. Read more on cashback HOUSE THAT High street lender launches new 'best buy' mortgage deal offering £5k cashback This was a significant perk for users, typically adding a few more pounds back on a big ticket spend. If for example a Premium member found Quidco's rate was 10 per cent on a purchase, while a competitor was offering 15 per cent, then the site would take the difference - 5 per cent - and then double it to 10 per cent. This would then be added to Quidco's advertised rate of 10 per cent, meaning they would have got a total 20 per cent cashback. So on a £100 spend - £20 would be given back. Basic members got an extra 2 per cent of their rate on top. So in the example above, they would have got the top rate of 15 per cent, plus 2 per cent of that, which works out to 0.3 per cent. The final rate on a £100 spend would have been 15.3 per cent, or £15.30. Switch bank accounts for free perks To claim the difference, users had to submit a form within 72 hours of making the purchase, and supply a dated screenshot showing the competitor's rate. But members, who pay £1 of their cashback earnings per month to be a Premium member, have recently discovered that any mention of Quidco's guarantee and the claim form has disappeared from its website. One said on 'It appears Quidcon have sneakily removed the "Highest Cashback Guarantee" and the double the difference for Premium members. 'I think they're very dishonest since as far as I know they have not notified me of this fact even though it is a significant change in their terms.' Another added: 'I am surprised they pulled it though because that was the only thing good about them but I gave up on them many months ago & only used them if there was a significant difference but I still lost more than I benefited.' Discussing the same issue on another Quidco fan said: 'It's been removed completely, and the chatbot confirms they do not offer it. 'Like it never existed, they could have given a notice to say no longer offered. I have paid premium too, not worth it imo.' Quidco said: "We regularly check to make sure we're giving Quidco members the best possible value. 'As part of this ongoing review, the cashback guarantee has recently been withdrawn and we've introduced new rewards, including double cashback days, flash rewards and increased bonuses, that are even more tailored to our members' shopping needs. "We value the feedback from our members, which plays a vital role in helping us improve our offers and products.' Quidco's Premium service still includes higher cashback rates, with a 10 per cent top-up at over 4,500 retailers, and bigger payout bonuses of up to 20 per cent more if you withdraw your money as an e-gift card. What is cashback? CASHBACK is a type of reward offered by banks, credit card providers, and retailers where customers receive a percentage of their spending back as cash. Essentially, it's a way to earn money while making purchases. For example, if your card offers 1% cashback and you spend £100, you'll earn £1 back. Cashback can be credited to your account, deducted from your balance, or saved up for future use, depending on the provider's terms. It's often offered on everyday purchases, such as groceries, fuel, or online shopping, and may be part of a promotional deal or an ongoing benefit of your account. However, remember to check the terms and conditions, as some transactions may not qualify for cashback rewards. By using cashback offers wisely, you can usually make your money go further on purchases you'd already be making. The news comes after a major bank axed its cashback scheme. Customers were fuming when Santander announced its Santander Edge or Edge Up account will no longer earn 1% cashback on certain spending from September 9. The bank confirmed it's cutting this perk due to increased costs. The Santander Edge account currently gives 1% cashback on certain household bills and spending with a debit card on supermarket shopping, fuel, and travel. Best cashback cards available Many major banks and credit card providers now include cashback rewards as part of their account perks—helping you stretch your money a little further every time you spend. These rewards work by refunding a percentage of your spending back to you, essentially giving you a small rebate on everyday purchases. One of the most competitive options is the Chase debit card, which gives users 1% cashback on most purchases, capped at £15 per month. It's simple to sign up as just an ID check is required and while a few exclusions apply, the overall offer is easy to use and rewarding. Another solid contender is the Amazon Barclaycard. Regular Amazon shoppers will benefit most here, earning 1% cashback on Amazon purchases, which increases to 2% during special events like Prime Day and Black Friday. You'll also receive 0.25% cashback on all other spending (rising to 0.5% in the first year), and there's usually a £20 Amazon voucher just for being approved. Do note, however, that after the first 12 months, you'll need to deposit £1,500 monthly to keep the cashback coming. If you're leaning toward a credit card, the American Express Cashback Everyday Credit Card is ideal for higher spenders or those planning a big purchase. It offers a generous 5% cashback for the first five months, capped at £125. Once the intro period ends, ongoing cashback of up to 1% is available, but only if you spend over £10,000 annually. If you're unlikely to meet that spending threshold, the American Express Cashback Credit Card might be more suitable. It also starts with 5% cashback for three months (again, up to £125), then shifts to 0.75% cashback on the first £10,000 per year, and 1.25% on anything above that. There is, however, a £25 annual fee to consider. For online shoppers, particularly those loyal to Amazon, the Amazon Barclaycard continues to be a standout choice for its consistent and event-based cashback boosts. Popular cashback websites There are a number of cashback websites you can use, and it might be worth signing up to several as they all have different deals on at any given time Topcashback Quidco Kid Start Rakuten Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories


The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Huge cashback site ‘sneakily' axes key perk for thousands of customers leaving them furious
QUIDCO customers have slammed the service for 'sneakily' removing a key perk which has left thousands of customers furious. Cashback sites like Quidco pay users a percentage of the cost of an online purchase. 1 Retailers use services like these in a bid to win over customers, by giving them something back in return for their custom. Up until this month, Quidco offered a ' Highest Cashback Guarantee ', which offered to match any other rates from a UK-based competitor. The pledge meant they not only matched the top rate available, but also added more on top, so the customer would get the highest rate of cashback. Basic users could get an extra 2 per cent of the competitor's rate as a bonus, while Premium users could get double the difference. This was a significant perk for users, typically adding a few more pounds back on a big ticket spend. If for example a Premium member found Quidco's rate was 10 per cent on a purchase, while a competitor was offering 15 per cent, then the site would take the difference - 5 per cent - and then double it to 10 per cent. This would then be added to Quidco's advertised rate of 10 per cent, meaning they would have got a total 20 per cent cashback. So on a £100 spend - £20 would be given back. Basic members got an extra 2 per cent of their rate on top. So in the example above, they would have got the top rate of 15 per cent, plus 2 per cent of that, which works out to 0.3 per cent. The final rate on a £100 spend would have been 15.3 per cent, or £15.30. Switch bank accounts for free perks To claim the difference, users had to submit a form within 72 hours of making the purchase, and supply a dated screenshot showing the competitor's rate. But members, who pay £1 of their cashback earnings per month to be a Premium member, have recently discovered that any mention of Quidco's guarantee and the claim form has disappeared from its website. One said on 'It appears Quidcon have sneakily removed the "Highest Cashback Guarantee" and the double the difference for Premium members. 'I think they're very dishonest since as far as I know they have not notified me of this fact even though it is a significant change in their terms.' Another added: 'I am surprised they pulled it though because that was the only thing good about them but I gave up on them many months ago & only used them if there was a significant difference but I still lost more than I benefited.' Discussing the same issue on another Quidco fan said: 'It's been removed completely, and the chatbot confirms they do not offer it. 'Like it never existed, they could have given a notice to say no longer offered. I have paid premium too, not worth it imo.' Quidco said: "We regularly check to make sure we're giving Quidco members the best possible value. 'As part of this ongoing review, the cashback guarantee has recently been withdrawn and we've introduced new rewards, including double cashback days, flash rewards and increased bonuses, that are even more tailored to our members' shopping needs. "We value the feedback from our members, which plays a vital role in helping us improve our offers and products.' Quidco's Premium service still includes higher cashback rates, with a 10 per cent top-up at over 4,500 retailers, and bigger payout bonuses of up to 20 per cent more if you withdraw your money as an e-gift card. What is cashback? CASHBACK is a type of reward offered by banks, credit card providers, and retailers where customers receive a percentage of their spending back as cash. Essentially, it's a way to earn money while making purchases. For example, if your card offers 1% cashback and you spend £100, you'll earn £1 back. Cashback can be credited to your account, deducted from your balance, or saved up for future use, depending on the provider's terms. It's often offered on everyday purchases, such as groceries, fuel, or online shopping, and may be part of a promotional deal or an ongoing benefit of your account. However, remember to check the terms and conditions, as some transactions may not qualify for cashback rewards. By using cashback offers wisely, you can usually make your money go further on purchases you'd already be making. The news comes after a major bank axed its cashback scheme. Customers were fuming when Santander announced its Santander Edge or Edge Up account will no longer earn 1% cashback on certain spending from September 9. The bank confirmed it's cutting this perk due to increased costs. The Santander Edge account currently gives 1% cashback on certain household bills and spending with a debit card on supermarket shopping, fuel, and travel. Best cashback cards available Many major banks and credit card providers now include cashback rewards as part of their account perks—helping you stretch your money a little further every time you spend. These rewards work by refunding a percentage of your spending back to you, essentially giving you a small rebate on everyday purchases. One of the most competitive options is the Chase debit card, which gives users 1% cashback on most purchases, capped at £15 per month. It's simple to sign up as just an ID check is required and while a few exclusions apply, the overall offer is easy to use and rewarding. Another solid contender is the Amazon Barclaycard. Regular Amazon shoppers will benefit most here, earning 1% cashback on Amazon purchases, which increases to 2% during special events like Prime Day and Black Friday. You'll also receive 0.25% cashback on all other spending (rising to 0.5% in the first year), and there's usually a £20 Amazon voucher just for being approved. Do note, however, that after the first 12 months, you'll need to deposit £1,500 monthly to keep the cashback coming. If you're leaning toward a credit card, the American Express Cashback Everyday Credit Card is ideal for higher spenders or those planning a big purchase. It offers a generous 5% cashback for the first five months, capped at £125. Once the intro period ends, ongoing cashback of up to 1% is available, but only if you spend over £10,000 annually. If you're unlikely to meet that spending threshold, the American Express Cashback Credit Card might be more suitable. It also starts with 5% cashback for three months (again, up to £125), then shifts to 0.75% cashback on the first £10,000 per year, and 1.25% on anything above that. There is, however, a £25 annual fee to consider. For online shoppers, particularly those loyal to Amazon, the Amazon Barclaycard continues to be a standout choice for its consistent and event-based cashback boosts.


Business Mayor
24-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
Want cheaper energy bills? Here's how to get the best deals
Sign up to our free money newsletter for investment analysis and expert advice to help you build wealth Sign up to our free money email for help building your wealth Regulator Ofgem confirmed the energy price cap is coming down from July with around a seven per cent drop, meaning average bills could fall by £129. While the usual reminders apply about the price cap relating to charges for units of energy, rather than maximum bills, it's still a big boost for households after April's rises in council tax and other costs. Ofgem's last increase came around the same time, which contributed to overall inflation in the UK increasing to 3.5 per cent in April. This is likely to have the knock-on effect of seeing interest rates remain higher for longer than anticipated. All the same, the impending reduction in energy bills will be welcome – and if you shop around rather than sticking with whatever your current provider immediately offers, there's a fair chance you could save more than £129 off your upcoming bills. Make sure to find the right deal for your property If your deal is ending soon, your current provider will give you options to switch to their best tariffs, but they might not be the cheapest or most suitable ones for you overall. There are a number of options for you to begin your search, however, which don't take up too much time and could save you plenty in the long run. Read More Do heat pumps work at freezing temperatures? To start with, Uswitch should be your first port of call: enter your address, confirm your current provider, enter your email address and get the best options they have in their database. Uswitch has been running for 25 years and works closely with Ofgem to include everything consumers need to know – and they'll even do the switching for you if you find the right tariff on their site. Uswitch has been running for 25 years and works closely with Ofgem (AFP via Getty Images) Alternative options are GoCompare and Which?, while a less well-known site is WattsWatt – a new, privately run checker website which promises to find the cheapest energy tariff for you based on your postcode. One extra tip to save even more money: some browser add-ons or cashback sites like Quidco will sometimes offer you an extra percentage of your money back if you log in before buying. Right now on Uswitch, for example, you can get up to £26 back through Quidco if you complete a transaction to change your energy provider there. It's worth a look! Best potential deals While we'll list a few of the top deals around today, it is important to note that energy deals and available tariffs can change quickly depending on uptake, as well as news like Friday's. Discounts also tend to be measured against the current price cap, not the future one, and not every deal is available to everybody, so again, make sure you check around to find the one which suits you. That said… If your deal is ending soon, your current provider will give you options to switch to their best tariffs, but they might not be the cheapest or most suitable ones for you overall (PA Wire) Outfox the Market's Fix'd Dual May25 12M v5.0 tariff is picked by several places as one standout deal to consider. It's a dual-fuel tariff, with a 12-month fix. Longer terms are also available. EDF has an Energy Simply Fixed May26v5 tariff available, which is ranked as the most popular on Uswitch at present. So Energy has several cropping up as good options right now, with their So Clove and So Chestnut tariffs in particular stacking up well. And if you only want electricity rather than a dual fuel switch, the Outfox the Market Fix'd Elec May25 12M v3.0 tariff may be one to consider. Always consider exit fees and term duration as well as energy unit costs. Next Ofgem announcement Ofgem present their latest price cap adjustments every three months. That means the next review will be confirmed on 27 August 2025, which will cover the period from 1 October 2025 to 31 December 2025. If your fixed-term deal isn't due to run out until later in the year, mark those dates and check back later to ensure you still get the best deal possible.


The Sun
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Shoppers can snap up 2-in-1 John Lewis handheld fan worth £12 for FREE – here's how
IT'S only May and it's already scorching outside - and lots of Brits will be struggling in the heat. Luckily, there's a way clever shoppers can pick up a £12 John Lewis handheld fan that can be folded to sit on desks - and not spend a penny. Sign up to Quidco to claim £15 bonus If the rising temperatures become too much though, keep your cool in the hot weather with a handheld fan, such as this cool little gadget from John Lewis. This versatile version converts easily from a desk fan to a handheld option that can be conveniently tucked away in a bag. Even better, you can get it for free when you sign up to cashback site Quidco. The bestselling Anyday fan is perfect for cooling on the go. Because it's portable you'll be able to take it on your summer travels with you and it won't take up too much space in your suitcase. It's available in summery Sunburst Orange, Lake Blue (my personal fave), Sage and White. Charging is simple, via the USB cable that's supplied, and the fan has three speeds. It takes five hours to fully charge, but then lasts for nine hours on low speed, six hours on medium speed and four hours on high speed. It usually costs £12 from the John Lewis website, but With Quidco's latest offer, you can pick it up for absolutely nothing. The cashback savings specialist is offering new customers a cool £15 bonus on sign ups to their website, when they spend at least £5 with qualifying retailers. This means not only will you get the fan for free, but you'll have £3 left over to go towards something else. Of course you don't need to go for the fan, there are thousands of retailers to choose from at Quidco. So you can use your £15 bonus to buy anything you want. To get your hands on the Anyday fan, just sign up for a free Quidco account and choose John Lewis from the list of retailers. Click through to their website and shop as normal. As long as you spend £5 or more, you'll receive your £15 cashback bonus. Quidco tracks what you buy then pays your new member bonus into your account along with any cashback you've made on top. best desk fans and best neck fans, all tried and tested by our reviewers.