Reply to: About to join IPSE...

[TheFaQQer]

I think the Curry's one you can only spend in store - the stuff I bought I did reserve and collect, so probably not the best example But stands for other retailers - just read the small print!

You can use a gift card online as well as in store. I mainly do reserve and collect, but you can do online with delivery.

[mudskipper]

If you play the system right there is no reason not to exploit both, for example, buy a £100 Curry's gift card for £93, and buy through Quidco for another 5% off, it soon all adds up (I say that with £1,979.03 paid into my pocked from Quidco), if I can find it cheaper online I will always go for the cheapest price, but if I can use cashback where its the cheapest price its a nice little bonus on something I would have bought anyway

I think the Curry's one you can only spend in store - the stuff I bought I did reserve and collect, so probably not the best example But stands for other retailers - just read the small print!

[SimonMac]

There are plenty of websites that are open to everybody such as quidco and topcashback as well as "coupon" or "voucher" websites that give often better reductions just do a bit of googling.

At the IPSE advantges website I tried a link promising 13% off hotel prices, however I would have ended up paying more then booking directly at the hotel's website

If you play the system right there is no reason not to exploit both, for example, buy a £100 Curry's gift card for £93, and buy through Quidco for another 5% off, it soon all adds up (I say that with £1,979.03 paid into my pocked from Quidco), if I can find it cheaper online I will always go for the cheapest price, but if I can use cashback where its the cheapest price its a nice little bonus on something I would have bought anyway

[mudskipper]

Yep, I think the proper discounts are worth it - e.g. when you purchase a £100 gift voucher for £89, which you can then spend online or in store - or even the Sainsbury's / Tesco's top up cards which only give a few % off, but it's not a discount you can just get by googling. I've saved a fair but at M&S, Curry's and Debenhams in the last few months - I don't believe I could have got those discounts elsewhere, but ICBW.

[TheFaQQer]

There are plenty of websites that are open to everybody such as quidco and topcashback as well as "coupon" or "voucher" websites that give often better reductions just do a bit of googling.

So not a scheme at all.

I guess it depends on what you're looking for - when I was looking for Sonos gear, I couldn't find a discount anywhere so I was quite happy with the discount available from IPSE Advantages. Likewise the last laptop, washing machine, hoover, tumble dryer, suit and TV that I bought.

[Eirikur]

Can you provide specific examples that are available to contractors? If there are alternatives out there, then I'm sure that it would be something that could be looked into.

By the time I knock off my IPSE Advantages savings, my membership comes down to about £50 a year. One year, I recouped more than my membership fee - if there are better ones that I can join then I'll use those, though.

There are plenty of websites that are open to everybody such as quidco and topcashback as well as "coupon" or "voucher" websites that give often better reductions just do a bit of googling.

At the IPSE advantges website I tried a link promising 13% off hotel prices, however I would have ended up paying more then booking directly at the hotel's website

[stek]

Huh? Hotel wasn't booked through IPSE Advantages if that's what you mean.

qh

Was thinking if IPSE membership was purchased by and for the company, and the one gains a personal benefit from it, could it be construed as a BIK?

Just wondering like....

[TheFaQQer]

The IPSE advantages scheme really sucks compared to other employee schemes. Fewer retailers and lower %-ages

Can you provide specific examples that are available to contractors? If there are alternatives out there, then I'm sure that it would be something that could be looked into.

By the time I knock off my IPSE Advantages savings, my membership comes down to about £50 a year. One year, I recouped more than my membership fee - if there are better ones that I can join then I'll use those, though.

[quackhandle]

BIK?

Huh? Hotel wasn't booked through IPSE Advantages if that's what you mean.

qh

[stek]

Did you get this sorted? Login, IPSE Advantages search for LegoLand and there's a code to enter to get the discount.

For anyone interested (after balking at the £450 for one night stay in Lego themed room) I am staying at Millennium Majesdki for £80 (1nt, family room in August) they have a sale on, Only about 20 mins from Legoland windsor and it's a nice hotel stayed there a few times.

qh

BIK?

[quackhandle]

Ooooh, only just joined so not got any emails, is there a link?

Did you get this sorted? Login, IPSE Advantages search for LegoLand and there's a code to enter to get the discount.

For anyone interested (after balking at the £450 for one night stay in Lego themed room) I am staying at Millennium Majesdki for £80 (1nt, family room in August) they have a sale on, Only about 20 mins from Legoland windsor and it's a nice hotel stayed there a few times.

qh

[mudskipper]

Are we supposed to receive a membership card in post?
Also in order to use the advantages, do we need a physical membership card to hand?

Is so how to request one?
I updated my membership details etc. as requested (soon after becoming a member) and then created a password.

I suppose that is all to it? Now I sit back and they will send me a membership card in post, perhaps?

Not sure what you get in the post. You don't need a membership card to use Advantages.

[mudskipper]

I was already wondering if one of the posters here is responsible for that horrible part of the IPSE website. Also to find the login button can be quite a challenge if you don't use the website on a regular basis

Please do provide (constructive) feedback on the "website feedback" part of the IPSE forum.

[Milkyway]

Membership card?

Are we supposed to receive a membership card in post?
Also in order to use the advantages, do we need a physical membership card to hand?

Is so how to request one?
I updated my membership details etc. as requested (soon after becoming a member) and then created a password.

I suppose that is all to it? Now I sit back and they will send me a membership card in post, perhaps?

[Eirikur]

Log in, on your dashboard at the bottom. Click through, then on member benefits. It's not the most intuitive interface.

I was already wondering if one of the posters here is responsible for that horrible part of the IPSE website. Also to find the login button can be quite a challenge if you don't use the website on a regular basis