Each Day Consumers Throughout the UK Are Throwing Away £millions According the Recent YouGov Survey

A new YouGov survey has found that an astonishing millions of pounds could be wasted each day by consumers in the UK. Tipping excessively in restaurants, willingly accepting large credit card charges and simply throwing out money off vouchers are some of the top reasons consumers are wasting money, even though money is tight for them.

There were more than 2,000 people who completed the survey from across the nation which was part of an online research project for DiscountVouchers.co.uk which is a popular money saving website. 43% of respondents admitted to accepting high bank charges, nearly one in three (29%) said even though the service or the food they received in a restaurant was poor, they still left a tip and 78% said they did not use money off vouchers and had even thrown them away.

In an attempt to make a good impression on friends or work colleagues 14% of men told somebody they could keep their change. Additionally, 67% of ladies stated new clothes or shoes that they had bought had never been worn. Even though there are plenty of comparison websites available to consumers, only a third of people actively using them to compare credit card and bank interest rates before making their purchases (35% and 31% respectively).

Simon Terry is a representative at the website DiscountVouchers.co.uk, he recently stated, "Via this survey we can now see the extent of how we waste money each day, simply by failing to haggle on prices, by not realising the advantage of vouchers and even just giving money away for no reason. Consumers can make savings and cutbacks by taking a look at where and what they are spending their money on each day. This is a great way to start managing your finances more efficiently, as is haggling and making a conscious effort to your spending habits".

Tipping in a Restaurant
Facts from the survey revealed restaurants where one of the most common places people in the UK waste their money. 3% said they tip excessively to impress a colleague, 15% said they tip excessively to a crush they had on the waitress and 7% tipped more as they were in the company with a new date or partner.

30% of Scots and 38% of Londoners admitted to double tipping and even leaving tips in restaurants when their meals and the service was of low quality. 14% of diners in Wales, 10% of those in the South West and 10% from London were revealed to be those who are most likely to tip more simply because they had a crush on the waiter or waitress. People in the East Midlands (7%) were those most probable to tip highly so they could impress their date or new partner.

Happy Haggling
People within regions such as Wales, the South West and the South East were shown to be the most common to haggle over prices, with only 7% from each region said they would never negotiate. On the other hand, regions which were least likely to make an attempt to haggle were the East Midlands and the North East, with 14% saying they would never haggle.

As the results of the survey were compiled, it was apparent that men were much more content in haggling than women were. Statistics showed that 12% of ladies compared to 8% of men said they would never negotiate – even if businesses would be willing to cut their prices to get a sale. The most likely places where respondents would try to haggle was an electrical goods shop (9%), a travel agents (8%) and a car showroom (55%). A mere 1% of those who participated in the survey would consider haggling in shops selling clothes or shoes, in a restaurant or in a supermarket.

Sales Don't Always Mean Savings
Millions of pounds could be potentially wasted as a result of buyers purchasing goods in a sale and not using them. The most common types of goods that women will buy and not use include shoes (38%) and new clothes (60%). With men, the most common items include DVDs and CDs (19%), computers (8%) and equipment for sports (7%).

People from Wales, were shown to be those who are most likely to buy sales items and use them (43%). However, Londoners (67%) are those who are least likely to use those items bought in a sale.

Simon Terry continues, "Consumers should first ask themselves if they actually need items they are about to purchase and if so, is there are way to get it cheaper. They will often find that they can find cheaper items and therefore a better deal".

More details can be found at www.discountvouchers.co.uk.
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All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2189 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 28th - 30th July 2010. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

• Only a third of British consumers will compare credit card and bank (35% and 31%) interest rates
• 29% (nearly 1 in 3) tip when the food or the service is particularly low in restaurants
• 10% reveal they would never haggle over the price of an item
• 78% admit to discarding or not using vouchers for discounts
• 40% have not returned goods that are faulty
• 67% of ladies buy clothes or shoes and will never wear them

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
rachel.builder@contextpr.co.uk
jenny.white@contextpr.co.uk
T: 01625 511966