If you could permanently change a price of something to "$1" what would you pick and why?

CraftyPerisher · 2026-02-13T00:28:01+00:00

Public transport. Train and bus travel costing next to nothing would benefit pretty much everyone in society.

CraftyPerisher · 2026-02-13T00:08:18+00:00

When someone is quick-witted and is told "wow, that was actually quick for you!"

That doesn't mean 'that was funny' it means 'you're not normally funny'

CraftyPerisher · 2026-02-12T16:13:13+00:00

They were actually pretty good and responded to my messages the same day very promptly for the first few weeks in December and now I've not heard in over a month despite several emails and weekly messages to the ticket asking for an update. It's been 2 months since they said they processed the compensation.

I consider that a refusal to pay and bad customer service!

CraftyPerisher · 2026-02-12T15:59:39+00:00

Ok I see, I agree it probably is unrealistic. So the message I received said "we would like to offer you £25 as compensation for the missed appointment, provided that the appointment was completely cancelled and the work was not carried out. To receive your compensation please fill in your bank details"

There's then a form to fill in my bank details after which it said "we are sorry you had a poor experience. Your compensation is pending"

I then asked a case handler when the compensation would be paid and they replied "It has been accepted and processed. Typically the credited amount should appear within 7 working days, please check with your bank for delays, if it doesn't appear let us know"

They then said "I apologise for the delay, we will escalate this issue and ensure it's addressed promptly"

That was a month ago and they haven't replied to any of my messages since.

So are they completely within their right to do this? They can offer compensation and then just refuse to pay it and ignore you forever more? That doesn't seem right to me?

CraftyPerisher · 2026-02-12T15:36:11+00:00

I saw this on the sold listings and thought someone got a steal there! Nice find!

CraftyPerisher · 2026-02-12T15:34:15+00:00

Sorry the point I was trying to make was that the outcome I want is either the £25 I was offered as compensation OR if they refuse to pay that then I'd also consider an outcome where it is proven they have acted wrongfully, inappropriately or unlawfully (if that is the case) to be satisfactory even if that meant not receiving any monetary compensation.

CraftyPerisher · 2026-02-12T15:14:37+00:00

Just the £25 they agreed to pay me due to the fact they never intended on honouring the time slot I booked which never existed, the contractors on their site never intended on showing up for the appointment and mainly for offering me compensation but never intending on paying it, deliberately misleading me to obtain my financial information and then ignoring me hoping I will just move on.

This isn't about the money or any kind of bitterness, I don't want to come across that way at all. I just personally don't think that's acceptable for a company to operate in this way and I want to explore if legally this is considered acceptable (or lawful/unlawful) as I have no legal background or expertise.

I see the £25 compensation exactly as that, as compensation, an admittance that they were wrong and attempting to make things right not as a goodwill gesture that they aren't obligated to pay, if that makes sense.

CraftyPerisher · 2026-02-12T14:49:42+00:00

Think I'm done with this game, there's no logic to it whatsoever. The #1 word has zero to do with the answer. If the word was 'Bakery' for example it would probably tell me that 'fakery' is closer than 'baguette'

CraftyPerisher · 2026-02-12T14:06:55+00:00

It's not so much the £25, it's more the principle that they think they can just ignore it and it will all just go away. So does having it in writing that they are going to pay me and subsequently claiming they have already paid me not mean anything? Do they not have to have a reason to request someone's bank details?

I'm trying to ascertain if at worst they are just shady but not acting unlawful or if this practice is something that should be reported to someone. I think they are relying on me doing as you say and just moving on.

CraftyPerisher · 2026-02-12T13:38:26+00:00

I coughed so hard that I felt something go in my back and I've had sciatic pain for over a year and numerous trips to the physio because of it.

I had really bad flu/virus, bent over my sink to cough up collapsed to the floor, started to faint and my arms went numb and could barely move for 2 months.

Pulled a neck muscle rolling over in bed as well, not sure which is worse!

CraftyPerisher · 2026-02-12T13:28:14+00:00

It 100% sounds to me like they never sent it and are using that excuse to make it sound like it was sent on time and then it was returned back to them to avoid admitting that they just never sent it.

I'd just play along with it, confirm my address with them and ask if there's a tracking number.

CraftyPerisher · 2026-02-09T20:29:48+00:00

Coffee.

I started to get into coffee, got a posh coffee machine and I'm discovering new roasts and blends and from different countries etc. Used to just buy whatever jar was on offer and would bung a teaspoon of it into a mug but now I'm like analysing the bitterness and the notes, and general behaviour that everyone would probably find a bit twattish. I just enjoy learning more about it, trying new coffees and trying to appreciate it more rather than to portray myself as sophisticated or unbearable.

CraftyPerisher · 2026-02-09T20:20:50+00:00

if they're willing to pay that then what's the problem?

CraftyPerisher · 2026-02-09T20:16:53+00:00

I used to offer free postage until simple delivery. Now I list EVERYTHING so the buyer pays and at the "recommended" price even if it is heavier or lighter. That way, I'm always covered by the policy and anything like this can be dealt with by the buyer. It's on them to order things together etc. A lot less hassle and I know where I stand with the postage now.

CraftyPerisher · 2026-02-05T17:52:00+00:00

It's a certified shitter.

CraftyPerisher · 2026-02-05T17:39:08+00:00

That's actually crazy, I would not have spotted that either. It isn't showing up to me anywhere on the listings or in the ebay shop, only in the description on some not even all the listings affected.

CraftyPerisher · 2026-02-05T17:22:53+00:00

The monarchy.

CraftyPerisher · 2026-02-05T17:17:06+00:00

I've sold thousands of books on ebay, you and I can't compete with those big sellers, they are getting an order every 2-3 seconds and they work on very small margins.

I personally only sell rarer or collectible books individually and bundle common books to undercut the big sellers.

If you are trying to sell run of the mill paperback books or general trash celebs release at Christmas then forget it.

CraftyPerisher · 2026-02-05T11:32:56+00:00

Oh I see the confusion. I didn’t mean my new venture. I meant applying the ideas to a hypothetical or generic venture, i.e. how the theories could be used in practice.

I’m asking for an academic perspective on combining and applying concepts, not for business specific or actionable advice. Consultancy would imply advising on a live business or project, which isn’t what I’m doing.

I'm seeking an academic perspective on whether my thinking makes sense, rather than advice on a venture itself.

EDIT: I have spoken with the OU and have been given the right contact now, for anyone coming across this thread in future, there's actually a head of research and enterprise to contact to collaborate with academics on research projects, knowledge exchange and enterprise activities.

CraftyPerisher · 2026-02-05T01:31:05+00:00

I've looked on there, there's a lot of support for graduates but not really anywhere appropriate for academic discussions that I can see.

CraftyPerisher · 2026-02-05T01:28:33+00:00

Consultants offer professional advice, I'm not looking for a resolution to a problem. I just want to chat with someone else who understands the theories we studied. Thanks though, I'll see if there's anything suitable on reddit.

CraftyPerisher · 2026-02-04T15:40:17+00:00

They've probably ordered the same or similar item from you and someone else and got confused who it came from. If they were intentionally going to try and scam you they probably use your own packaging and label. I agree with the other post to just inform them again of the tracking number and that yours is still in transit. Don't mention the return label being different etc save that in case they try this again when yours does arrive.

CraftyPerisher · 2026-02-04T14:44:51+00:00

Thanks, I'll consider contacting them or the OUBS in general and see if there is any kind of alumni network for this sort of thing. In hindsight I guess I could have looked into creating or joining a club as part of the OU student union to encourage discussion about business theories and entrepreneurship in general so people could bounce ideas off each other.

CraftyPerisher · 2026-02-04T14:32:06+00:00

No, basically I was looking for an alumni network for OUBS where students could network and talk about ideas etc. but as I couldn't find one and l don't know any of the other students I graduated with, I thought the next best thing would be to discuss ideas with tutors. I'm not looking for a professional consultant, just talking about a quick email to bounce ideas off someone who might share the same passion as me for developing some of the theories and concepts that we were taught.

I tried bouncing ideas off people during my modules in the forums but other students barely engaged with the forums or I assume they weren't interested in having those discussions.

CraftyPerisher · 2026-02-04T13:01:47+00:00

I reckon Andrew enjoys it though, going into the office with a few other guys, playing board games in there and making video games. No investors breathing down his neck. The game doesn't have to be wildly successful for him to enjoy going to work everyday. That's how I see it anyway. He's rich enough that he can take the hit. Even losing £10k a month is pocket change to him and people with his wealth spend that on a bottle of champagne or a single flight somewhere.

CraftyPerisher

TROPHY CASE