Frequently asked questions

About Which? Compare

• What is Which? Compare?

  A price comparison website which helps you to compare products and prices from hundreds of retailers, side-by-side, helping you to choose the best deal whenever you are shopping.

  Please note: Which? Compare lists product retailers but does not sell any products.

• Will non-members be able to use Which? Compare?

  You don’t have to be a Which? subscriber to use Which? Compare. Its free to all. We even tell you which products have achieved our Best Buy status, and which products to avoid. However, to benefit from the extensive in-depth product research we carry out on thousands of products visit www.which.co.uk/reviews.

• Does Which? Compare sell anything?

  Which? Compare is a price comparison site, it does not sell anything but list thousands of products and the retailers who sell them. It is a guide to show who sells the product you want and the best price offered by the retailers listed on Which? Compare.

  Which? Compare does not stock sell or deal with any product you buy. If you have any queries about your order, you need to contact the retailer directly.

• Does Which? Compare vet retailers before they are listed?

  Prices of goods online fluctuate more regularly than they do on the high street, and as such it is important to ensure that prices are constantly correct and up to date. PriceRunner liaises regularly with the traders themselves to ensure that the prices quoted on Which? Compare are as accurate as possible and that the goods are in stock.

• Will Which? Compare compromise the independence of Which?

  The introduction of Which? Compare will not alter the way that product testing is carried out by Which? Every month, Which? conducts independent and extensive tests on hundreds of products and services. Every aspect of product performance and specification – price, running costs, efficiency and reliability – is compared against exacting criteria. The introduction of a service allowing the comparison of prices will not influence the way in which product reviews are conducted or the advice given.

• Why has Which? used PriceRunner to set up this product?

  After careful and detailed analysis of the leading price comparison services, PriceRunner has proved to be the best service that fits with the Which? ethos. PriceRunner provides price comparisons and detailed product information from online and high street stores.

  PriceRunner list both retailers who pay for Enhanced Listings (graphics logos, direct links and retailer message) and also retailers from whom they do not receive any remuneration. This means that they offer a very broad range of retailers, not just those who pay to be included on the website. In addition, PriceRunner includes user reviews of those retailers to help our users to be as informed as possible.

• Will Which? be making money from purchases through Which? Compare?

  Which? will receive a small fee from PriceRunner.com each time visitors to Which? Compare click through to a retailer. This fee is universal and does not alter depending on the product or trader selected. Which? does not receive remuneration on the basis that a product is sold. There will be no charge for people who use Which? Compare.

• Who supplies the information on Which? Compare

  Which? have partnered with PriceRunner to provide the information on Which? Compare. This includes pricing information and retailer reviews, which are written by consumers who have made purchases through Which? Compare or PriceRunner. Which? has not checked this information and cannot guarantee the quality of the retailers listed.

Using Which? Compare

• How do I access Which? Compare?

  Which? and Which? Online members will be able to access Which? Compare direct from most product reviews on www.which.co.uk or by going to www.whichcompre.co.uk. Visitors to www.which.co.uk will be able to view Which? reports and can then go to www.whichcompare.co.uk to compare products. There will be no charge for either members or visitors to the website to use Which? Compare.

• How do I use Which? Compare?

  1. Find your product

     From the www.which.co.uk website, click the ‘compare prices’ link from most product reviews and categories to go directly to that product or category on Which? Compare. Alternatively, you can use the menu on the homepage to look through the different categories.

  2. Check specifications

     If you've found a product you like, check the specifications. Which? Compare lists full specifications on lots of products, and you can see side-by-side comparisons as well. Don’t forget, full specifications plus our independent reviews are available on www.which.co.uk.

  3. Compare prices

     Comparing prices is easy - you'll find them all in a list, and always with the cheapest price (including delivery) first. This list will include all the prices matched against the retailers searched by PriceRunner (who Which? have partnered with to provide Which? Compare), not just those who advertise with PriceRunner. This means there is a much wider range of prices, and you are more likely to find the cheapest price out there. However, as it is not possible to list all retailers on Which? Compare you may be able to find a better price elsewhere.

     PriceRunner encourages all users to review retailers of whom they have experience. This helps you to find a retailer you can trust. PriceRunner never adjust these scores manually, and do their best to ensure that the reviews you see reflect true experiences.

  4. Buy your item

     Just click on the 'Go to store' button to be taken to the website where you can buy the product. If there is no ‘Go to store’ button, then you can click on ‘info on retailer’ just below the retailer name for their contact details.

• How can I shop safely online?

  Shopping online is usually cheaper and more convenient than shopping on the high street and should be just as safe. Please follow the guidelines below for a safe online shopping experience.

  1. Choose a reputable retailer

     This could be a high street store that you are familiar with. If you haven't heard of a retailer before, then you can look out for the ISIS Logo in the price listings and read the retailer reviews written by other consumers to see what they thought of their service. These can be accessed by clicking the ‘reviews’ link next to the retailers name in the product listing.

  2. Look for contact details

     Check how easy it is to contact the retailer. Look for links titled 'Contact us' or 'Help' and write down or priint the physical address and phone number. It's worth a call to make sure the line's working and that someone picks up. If the site lists only an email address, send them an email to see how quickly the company replies.

  3. Check delivery times

     Check the delivery dates before you place your order to make sure your product will arrive in time.

  4. Check the small print

     Check the delivery charges and the retailer’s returns policy to find out what you need to do if the goods are faulty or not as you expected. This information can often be found under the ‘Help’ section of the retailers website.

  5. Look for the padlock icon

     The padlock icon at the bottom of your web browser indicates that the internet connection is secure – you should always look for this when you're providing personal and payment information. Often websites will tell you that you're entering a secure area of the site.

  6. Pay by credit card, not a debit card for online purchases

     Paying by credit card is generally safer as the card issuer will assist if your product does not arrive.

  7. Keep a record of your purchase

     Once you have made an online purchase, you will see a page with a confirmation order number and receive an email. It is important that you record and save this information until you have received the goods and your credit card has been charged.

  8. Know your rights

     When you buy online, you have exactly the same rights as in a high street shop. More information can be found on the Which? website.

• The product/price on Which? Compare does not match the one on www.which.co.uk/the retailer site

  The error could be caused by incorrect information being given to PriceRunner by the retailer or a technical error on the site. As stated on the terms of use, always check the product specs on the site you are buying from. Please report any errors and provide as many details as possible: details of the error, the product name, model and the url of the page on Which? Compare.

• How do I make a purchase if there is no direct link to Go to Store.

  Some retailers don’t have a direct link. The ‘go to store’ button is provided for the retailers who have chosen to enter into a partnership with PriceRunner. If there is no direct link you can click on ‘info on retailer’ just below the retailer name for their contact details.

• How can I be sure that the prices are up to date and correct, and that the items are in stock?

  Prices of goods online fluctuate more regularly than they do on the high street, and as such it is important to ensure that prices are constantly correct and up to date. PriceRunner liaises regularly with the traders themselves to ensure that the prices quoted on Which? Compare are as accurate as possible and that the goods are in stock.

Post-purchase

• What happens if there is an issue with the sale? Who is responsible?

  When you purchase an item from a trader in the Which? Compare service, your contract is with the trader themselves. You can help to protect yourself by using the trader review section and selecting a trader with a large volume of positive reviews posted by members of the public.

  There is a comprehensive consumer rights section on the Which? website that will provide useful advice if you experience any issues.

  Which? Compare does not stock, sell, or deal with any product you buy. If you have any queries about your order or product you need to contact the retailer or manufacturer directly. Which? will not be responsible for any issues regarding refunds if you experience any problems with a purchase you have made. You can receive unlimited telephone advice from our consumer lawyers by joining the Which? Legal Service.

• I received a different product to what was listed on Which? Compare

  If you have spotted an error on the site, please report it to shopping@which.co.uk and it will be corrected as soon as possible.

  There are thousands of products listed on Which? Compare. We try out best to give the most accurate information. The error could be caused, either by incorrect information given to Pricerunner by the retailer or a technical error on the site, so you should always check the product specifications on the site you are buying from. If the product you received was different to the one on the site you made your purchase from, please contact the retailer directly.

• How do I write a retailer review?

  Most retailers on Which? Compare have a review system where once you have made a purchase, you are asked to fill out a short survey. Two weeks after you have made the purchase you are emailed again to fill out a short survey about your experience. This then becomes the published review on Which? Compare and PriceRunner.

• Why is my retailer review not showing on the site?

  If you have posted your review directly from the Which? Compare site, it will be published the following day.

• How do I edit or remove my retailer review?

  You cannot change or edit a retailer review. If you would like your retailer review removed, please contact infouk@PriceRunner.com.

• Why have you included non-Which? retailer reviews on the site?

  We have only included retailer reviews, contributed by consumers who have used these retailers. Which? product reviews are the most extensive and thorough available, and as such there is no need to provide reviews from other sources. The retailer reviews, contributed by consumers who have used the services, should prove useful to members when making purchasing decisions.