Each Day Consumers in The UK Waste Potentially GBP Millions, Says YouGov's New Survey

SURREY, ENGLAND, October 09, 2010 (Press-News.org) - Approximately a third of consumers will check credit card interest rates (35%) and bank rates (31%)
- 78% of consumers do not use money off coupons
- 10% would not haggling with prices
- Faulty items were not returned by 40%
- New shoes or clothes were not worn by 67% of women
- Nearly 1 in 3 will still eat in a restaurant when food or service is not great

29 September 2010 - Due to UK consumers over-tipping, not using money off vouchers and even throwing them away and accepting charges from their bank or credit card that are high, they are throwing millions of pounds away, the new YouGov survey revealed.

The survey was carried out for research purposes for a top money saving website named DiscountVouchers.co.uk and saw more than 2000 Brits take part. 78% of people who completed the survey openly admitted that money off vouchers the had received were thrown away even though they were unused., nearly 1 in 3 (29%) said that they had left a tip in a restaurant despite a bad level of service and poor food also 43% said that high bank charges were accepted.

'Keep the change' was something 1 in 7 men had said to someone so friends or colleagues in their company would be impressed. There were also 67% of female respondents who had said they bought new clothes or new shoes but had never actually worn them. Even though comparison sites are vastly available to consumers in the UK, only one third will use them compare bank (31%) and credit card (35%) interest rates before they make a purchase.

Simon Terry, from leading website DiscountVouchers.co.uk, said, "These results make it apparent how much money is being wasted in the UK everyday as people do not wish to haggle, often throw money off vouchers away and can sometimes be slightly careless when tipping. Managing your finances can be achieved in many ways, haggling is so much more acceptable throughout Britain, and making conscious purchase is a sensible approach to cutting back."

Tips in a Restaurant

One of the most popular places UK consumers were wasting money according to the survey was in a restaurant. 15% of men who dined out said a large tip was given to the waitress as they were attracted to her, 3% tipped more than they would usually as they wanted to impress business colleagues they were dining with and 7% said it was to please their date or partner.

30% of Scots said they had double tipped on purpose, and 38% of Londoners tipped even if the meal they had or the service they received was not good. Those who dined in Wales (14%), in London (10%) and the South West of England (10%) were those who were the most likely out of all regions to leave a large tip as they had a crush on the person serving them, whilst 7% from the East Midlands were more likely to leave a large tip to make a good impression on the date or partner they were dining with.

Happy Hagglers

The results of the survey revealed that men were happier to give haggling a go than women, 12% of women said they would never even consider haggling compared to 8% of males. T6he results showed that participants would most likely haggle in a shop selling cars (55%), in a travel agency (8%) and in a shop selling electrical items (9%), there were only 1% who said they would consider trying to negotiate on the price of items sold in a supermarket, clothes shops, shoe shop or restaurant.

Through the results of the survey it was revealed that those in the South West, South East and in Wales were those who would be more willing to negotiate; only 7% from these regions said they would not do so. The most common regions were most people would not haggle included the North East and East Midlands, with 14% saying they would never haggle.

Savings and Sales

Millions of pounds could be lost as consumers shop during a sale yet do not use those items. Women most commonly buy shoes (38%) and clothes (60%) in a sale yet will never wear them, with men the items they will buy during dales but fail to use include DVDs or CDs (19%), sports equipment (7%) or computer goods (8%). Those who are from London (67%) were most probable to buy goods that are in a sale without ever using them after, however those in Wales (43%) would be the most likely to use items bought in a sale.

Simon Terry also added, "A better deal can most often be found if prices are negotiate, if consumers re-ask themselves if that item they are about to purchase is needed and if so can they get it a reduced price."

More information can be found by visiting www.discountvouchers.co.uk

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2189 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken 28th - 30th July 2010. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

About DiscountVouchers.co.uk
DiscountVouchers.co.uk features the latest money saving offers from a growing range of retailers, all updated in real time. Designed to help consumers save money with both leading high street brands and specialist retailers, DiscountVouchers.co.uk offers one of the widest choices of discounts available.

Part of ASAP Ventures Ltd, the company behind the award winning Carrentals.co.uk price comparison site, DiscountVouchers.co.uk is committed to offering a growing range of the best savings available online.

For more information visit www.discountvouchers.co.uk.

Media contact:
Rachel Builder & Jenny White
Context
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jenny.white@contextpr.co.uk
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