I bought something from Noel Leeming and wanted to pay via internet banking so they could post it to me. Noel Leeming said that I had paid GE Credit by accident and would need to speak to them.

Low-deposit mortgages will not only be harder to get from the end of this month, but they will be a lot more expensive.

A more cautious attitude towards spending on the part of households is evident in the latest Westpac McDermott Miller quarterly survey of consumer confidence.

Chickens are increasingly common in suburban gardens but many owners are unaware of the potential dangers of their pets.

Need tickets to the Justin Bieber concert? Auckland Marathon? Or even the All Whites match on November 20?

A popular natural insecticide is being forced to change its labels after a woman's dog got so sick it could barely move because of the spray.

A key document in the second-hand car sales process will be changed after problems were highlighted in a Herald investigation.

Victoria Park Market shopowners have hired a lawyer in a fiery dispute with the well-known shopping centre's developers and managers.

We bought our daughter a phone from Noel Leeming for Christmas. It then started to not receive texts so we took it back to the store.

Irradiated tomatoes are on shop shelves, but some customers and even retailers are still unaware that they have been treated.

Trade Me doesn't jump out as the place to buy your groceries.

Christchurch mechanic Damien Hope was changing the energy-saving lightbulb when it broke in his hands. Fearing mercury poisoning, he ushered his children out of the house while his wife searched the internet to find out what to do.

Isn't the weekly food shop a drag? Whingeing children, supermarkets that move the products you like, misleading sales, and the eventual decapitation of your bank balance at the checkout.

Banks could be forced to allow customers to take their account number with them when they shift to a new bank, in the same way customers can take their cellphone number with them when they move telcos.

Pre-pay mobile phone users are reaping the benefits of a price war described by Telecom chief executive Simon Moutter as "a bit of a bloodbath".

Buying supermarket own-brand products may save you money - but often means choosing something not made in New Zealand.

I don't shop in the "sales". That's because it's much better to wait for "clearance". Why get a 10 per cent or 20 per cent discount?

A cot on which the sides collapsed has been recalled following at least three complaints.

Telcos are potentially breaking the law if they refuse to fix a mobile phone outside of its warranty, especially if the problem was not the fault of the customer.

New Zealand's 100 per cent Pure image is suddenly being questioned by its loyal Chinese customers, writes Hua Dong.

Parents everywhere want the best for their babies. And millions worldwide will be watching just what Wills and Kate buy and use for baby George.

It is less than a week until the first English Premier League games are broadcast live online instead of on Sky Sport - and some football fans are worried the quality of the picture will be too poor to enjoy.

I bought a cellphone in May, and every time I make a call, it hangs up. It is under warranty but The Warehouse wants to charge me $55 to send it away, which, if it is covered by warranty, I will get back and if not, I won't. Can they charge this fee?

Fancy the chance to try new, free beauty products and tell the world what you think of them?

Helplines are still being flooded with queries from thousands of concerned parents following Fonterra's infant milk contamination scandal.

Kiwi baby formula companies are having orders cancelled in China and contract negotiations with Chinese customers terminated.

Irradiated Australian tomatoes are set to appear on New Zealand shelves but a local lobby group is questioning how consumers will be able to spot them.