Have you been talked into a business decision or advertising deal you later regretted? It’s not something we like to admit. Often it’s those advertising related schemes which make good sense at the time but in reality often deliver few benefits. For new businesses these can be very tempting. Some I have found, to my cost, to be worthless. But you learn and you hope you’ll see the next one coming.

I was recently approached by a local hotel and offered the opportunity to advertise. I was then invited to the hotel to discuss terms. I and a number of other local businesses believe they were misled while at the hotel. Some referred the matter to Trading Standards. If you ever feel you have been misled or tied into an unfair contract, it is always worth contacting Trading Standards, at least for advice if nothing else.

I have now spoken to businesses in various parts of the UK – the Highlands of Scotland, Forfar, Glasgow, Midlothian, South Wales, Cheshire, Cumbria, County Durham, Surrey, Suffolk and Hampshire – who relate accounts very similar to my own.

The purpose of this site is to highlight instances of schemes which may not be in our best interests. There are still people around who have no regard for you or your business and may well be putting it at risk.

Your help is needed to try to prevent businesses like yours and mine being affected by deals and offers which may adversely affect us. The Internet gives us the ability to network and let others know about those business decisions we now regret. Help others by sharing your experiences. Let us know about any issues that concern you. Have you had a bad business experience? What about the various advertising campaigns you’ve tried? Did they work? Let us know and we might just save someone else from making a costly mistake.

IMPORTANT: We do not offer legal advice. We express our views and our concerns. You need to make your own decisions about any course of action you take and this may be to seek proper legal advice.