Posts Tagged ‘GumtreeGuide’
Top tips from Consumer Direct
Dealing directly with people in your local area through a site like Gumtree is very different to buying from a shop or online retailer, as most people you deal with are private sellers. This does impact your rights so it’s important to know where you stand from the outset. We got Michele Shambrook from Consumer Direct, the government-funded consumer advice service, to offer you some top tips:
Ask questions
In a private sale, the goods that you buy must be as described, but a seller who is not acting as a business is not covered by the rules on satisfactory quality and fitness for purpose. Because of this, it is vital that you know what you are buying – check the ad has detailed information on the condition of the item and a clear photograph – if it doesn’t, don’t be afraid to ask for them, and any other questions you have. In most cases the seller should be more than happy to clarify basic questions for you but it’s best to ask for any additional information in writing.
Do your homework and shop around
It’s all too easy to get carried away and buy something on impulse, only to later discover that you’ve paid over the odds and might have been able to get it cheaper elsewhere. Make sure you check the product description, type of model and the retail price of similar goods.
Check the item before buying it
Websites that encourage face-to-face trading enable you to see and examine an item before buying it. Don’t be afraid of taking your time to check the product carefully, ask questions and if it’s not exactly what you were looking for, be prepared to walk away. Remember, you are under no obligation.
Be aware of the latest scams
Consumer Direct does come across a range of scams and some of them are so sophisticated it is easy to see how people can fall for them and lose money. Make sure you check Gumtree’s Stay Safe section to make sure you know what to look out for or contact Consumer Direct for advice.
If in doubt, report it
If you suspect anything suspicious, you can alert Gumtree’s safety team.
If you’d like any further consumer advice, check out Consumer Direct.
How to build more space for your home
If you’ve got closets stacked to the brim, winter clothes stashed away under the bed and extra furniture gathering dust in the basement, it might be time to think about adding some extra space. Have you ever thought of extending your home? There are a number of different approaches you can take, depending on your house and what best suits your needs – from kitchen extensions to loft, basement, shed and garage conversions. We’ve asked Rachel from MyBuilder.com to offer some expert tips on extending your home without extending your budget:
1. The magic number 3
Anyone who’s worth their salt in the construction industry will agree: get at least 3 quotes from different builders. Knowing your options will give you bargaining power and could save you valuable pounds. Cheaper doesn’t always mean better, but that’s for you to decide. The most important thing when looking at the numbers is to make sure you’re comparing like for like. Generally, there are 3 basic types of quotes to look out for:
- Quotations: the actual price you’ll pay for the cost of work
- Estimations: a ballpark figure based on a relative understanding of variables at hand
- Guestimations: exactly what it sounds like, a guess, which seldom works in your favour
Always ask the builder for a breakdown to ensure clarity on which type you’re getting. You can post details of what you need done through MyBuilder, and get multiple quotes, references, and photos of past work.
2. Vision decision
Saying you want more room in your house is way too vague. Map out your vision. Know what you want. Find pictures, even clip images out of magazines to illustrate your wish list. This helps bring a common understanding of the end goal and facilitates the conversation with your builder. Clarity and good communication can help avoid overages and blunders.
3. Making a small effort saves you big time
Having a good relationship with your builder could save you a massive headache as well as massive costs. Communication is at the heart of everything, and often when the communication breaks down, so does the project. If you make any changes, always document your requests. This helps to make sure that wires don’t get crossed. Most importantly, at the first sign of a problem, address the issue head on with a site meeting. Talk it through sooner, rather than later, to avoid tension or misunderstanding.
4. Cash for clutter
You have to make space to add space. If you’re putting in an extension, go through your unwanted items and sell them on Gumtree. The dosh you make could be used to beef up your budget.
5. Contracts
Think about what kind of payment plan you want to set up. Cash in hand is a preferred method for some builders, but may cause problems down the line. Stage payments, bank transfers and cheques are the ideal way to monitor and confirm that payments have been made.
6. Certification
At the end of the project, it’s a good idea to ask for a walkthrough with the builder. Hold onto a retainer for snagging until building control has signed off the work and you’ve received all necessary paperwork. Any certification for council / electrical compliance certificates should be issued prior to payment.
7. Insurance
It’s always a good idea to ask to see a copy of the builder’s insurance. If you want to be really thorough – check with the provider in relation to status and expiry dates and make sure your project is covered throughout the project time period.
8. Materials
If you’re having the builder manage the materials, make sure they’re getting the kind of quality you expect. Better still, ask for detailed descriptions in the quote. Before you hand over the final payment, ask for guarantees on the products. Check with your local council to be sure you have the documentation that you need.
9. Clean it up and kit it out
Now that you’ve got this nice new space, make it your own. The builder should make good on the project, but you may like to bring in a professional cleaner to get your new space ready. Once your new space is fresh and clean, start moving in all that extra furniture from your basement and start decorating.
Gumtree Rental Price Index: First signs of recovery since 2007
We all know the rental market has been a bit tough of late, which saw the rise of ‘accidental landlords’ and the market being flooded by rental properties. But here’s some good news for you landlords: our latest findings show that the UK rental market is at a turning point after more than a year in decline.
We teamed up with TV property expert Phil Spencer, who’s hosted shows like Location, Location, Location, to comment on the latest trends in the rental market for our Rental Price Index, an analysis of all our listings to help landlords and tenants see how rent measures up regionally across the UK.
Using analysis from our website data that tracks over 1.2 million rental property listings from private individuals, professional landlords and major high street real estate agents, our Index shows that rental prices in several London boroughs, as well as Oxford, Sheffield, and Leeds are now showing signs of settling and even rising.
It’s still not quite hunky-dory for London tenants though. Rents in London are still the most expensive in the UK, with the monthly average at £1,127, double the national average. Derby, Bolton and Sheffield are cheaper options and show great value for money with some of the UK’s lowest monthly rents, if you’re willing to move.
Check out the details and stats for your region in our Index. Download the Rental Price Index now.
Ways to save money as a landlord
Rahman is a professional landlord who writes about his property experiences on the Property Investment website. You can also find him on Twitter.
If you’re a landlord, you’ll know that especially in today’s economy, costs have been rising steadily, and the introduction of new laws like the mandatory Tenancy Deposit Scheme and the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) don’t exactly help with the penny saving.
In a crunch, any little helps, so we’ve put together a list to help you save that
little extra:
1. Always get quotes
Always get quotes for any repairs or maintenance. Get two or three quotes, no matter how big or small the job.
It may seem easier to stick with someone you know, but it may not be the most cost-effective option. It’s a buyer’s market right now, so take advantage of that and haggle.
2. An empty property is expensive
A landlord’s biggest nightmare is an empty property. If you’re struggling to find tenants, then consider lowering your asking price. Lowering your rent by £30 each month could be cheaper than losing out on one or more month’s worth of rent.
3. Comply with the law
Keeping on the right side of the law can be expensive, and therefore a lot of landlords choose to ignore their responsibilities. For example, if you fail to put your tenant’s deposit into a Tenancy Deposit Scheme, you could be forced to compensate your tenant with 3 times the deposit amount. This is one area you don’t want to try and save money.
4. Advertise online for free
Not to toot our own horn, but Gumtree really is one of the best places online to look for a tenant. It’s free to post an ad with us, and we attract thousands and thousands of prospective tenants from all over the country on a daily basis – a great way to avoid costly lettings agent fees.
5. Be good to your tenants
Once you’ve got a good tenant (you know, paying rent on time, not destroying your property by holding wild parties etc.), you need to uphold your end of the bargain. Do the things that count, like making sure necessary repairs are done on time and quickly.
How to get to “You’re hired!”
So the reality TV show responsible for such Sugar-isms as “I was in the Jewish Lads Bridge Division, Trainee Bugler, but it didn’t make me sell computers” is actually a great model for how to land your dream job.
Our recent employer survey found that over 90% thought work experience was more important than ever in the current climate. Candidates with a good work experience record are seen as more knowledgeable (67 percent), more confident (44 percent) and more committed (40 percent).
And work experience is not just for graduates either (remember Andy Jackson from the 2007 series?) If you’re unexpectedly on the job market again, or want to switch careers, 80% of employers recommend getting some work experience.
What else gives your CV the edge? We had a chat with Gumtree’s recruitment expert Denise Taylor and got her top tips on landing a job:
1. Talk to people – get out there and let as many people as you know what you’re looking for and why you’ll be great at a job. Talk with people who are doing the job to build contacts and learn more about what’s involved.
2. Gain work experience – make sure you give your CV the edge. Secure work experience either from volunteering or taking an entry-level job. Searching for a job online is the best place to start. Not to toot our own horn, but sites like Gumtree are great places to find out about volunteering opportunities and internships. It’s worth checking in regularly to make sure you’re on top of all the opportunities out there.
3. Go beyond a great CV – have a blog/personal website to demonstrate how great you are with examples of work, testimonials and anything else that might be relevant. Examples can be from voluntary work and university projects, and not just paid employment. Also get yourself onto LinkedIn and start completing your profile and getting former peers to recommend you.
4. Be clear about why you want the job you’re applying for – Read up as much as you can about what the job involves and look for related examples from your hobbies, voluntary experience and holiday jobs and include these in your CV and letter.
5. Research the company – find out as much as you can about the company, the industry and any potential challenges it may face. It helps you stand out as your application can be targeted at the company and not appear like a generalised application.
How to buy a 2nd hand bicycle
We spoke to cycle guru Tim Hook from the UK cyclists Social Network, Cycle Social, and he told us that buying a bike second- hand is “perfectly fine, as long as you ask a lot of questions”. Hooray! Here are some pointers to help you pick the best bike:
Commuting or leisure: Which type of bike?
In general, if you like riding off-road, then a mountain bike would be a good choice; if on the road is your preference, then a road, hybrid, roadster, small wheel or recumbent model would be great. If you can combine commuting with leisure, that’s a bonus!
And Tim assures us electric bikes are *not* cheating if that’s your preferred mode of transport.
How much should you expect to pay?
Prices vary on Gumtree, starting from around £50 and can go up into the £100s. Alternatively, you might be able to trade something in for a bike in our Swap Shop section.
Tim says, “Pay whatever you feel you can afford. If you don’t have experience of bicycles and their value, take someone with you who does. Always obtain a receipt upon purchase.”
Top 5 things to ask:
1. Ownership:
• How long has the owner had the bike?
• When was it purchased?
• Where was it purchased?
• Is there a receipt?
2. Frame : overall condition and alignment
3. Wheels: not buckled or dented, no loose spokes, smooth bearings
4. General mechanical state: brakes, pedals, cranks, handlebars, saddle and overall condition
5. Return policy: will the seller accept money back and returns if you’re unsatisfied
Additional resources suggested by Tim:
• Bike register
• Nationwide Cycle Registration
• Datatag
Get more tips on buying a bike safely in our Stay Safe section.
If possible, take it for a test ride
Tim says, “A test ride is all important. Sometimes it’s not possible if buying via the internet but it’s a very good idea. If you don’t have experience of knowing what to look for, then why not take someone with you? Otherwise, ask as many questions as you can.”
Once you’ve got your bike, you can start shopping for accessories. Make sure you get important things like a lock, lights, reflectors, puncture repair kit and mudguards. Not so necessary are the skintight lycra and spokey dokeys.
Finally, when you’re all set up, don’t forget to join a social network for cyclists like Cycle Social or meandmybicycle to get tips, meet other cyclists, and share videos of your cycling adventures.
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@berryc72 Hi Chris! Please contact our Support Team with regards to problems posting ads. Follow this link: http://t.co/EHsLRGz1 Thanks!
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Gumtree's lifestream
February 10th
Hi @giuliettatragni why not paste a link to your Gumtree ad on our Twitter page! [uk_gumtree]February 9th
Hi @bexxx_lou Thanks for the suggestion. Feedback like this helps us immensely in improving our site. This something we will look into! [uk_gumtree]February 8th
6 days till Valentines day!* Not feeling romantic? Watch this and have a little laugh instead ;) http://t.co/LrTDXkdN [uk_gumtree]February 7th
Hi @GavinSteele26 Type in 'Apprenticeship' and it will bring back your local results. For example: http://t.co/tTPZLmP1 Good luck searching! [uk_gumtree]
Did you know that it’s National Apprenticeship Week? *We’ve got loads of apprenticeships listed on Gumtree - go have a look :) [uk_gumtree]Powered by Lifestream from iBegin.
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