Advantages: Range Of Course, Quick,
Disadvantages: Expensive, Unsure On Validity

...The College Stonebridge Associated Colleges is one of the biggest distance learning colleges in the world which claims to offer over 600 courses worldwide. They are based in Bude, Cornwall, UK but distance learning can be completed either via the postal service or online. Postal tuition comes in the form of text books, paper books put together with enough information to guide you through your chose course in the hope you pass. As with all learning you are expected to source your own external material to assist your learning. This is the method I use. You post your work with a cover sheet and receive a marked response usually 7 days later, though you do not receive the work you sent so it is worth keeping a copy. Each student will be assigned a tutor who marks their work and can be contacted directly via the college should you... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: None
Disadvantages: High APR, High redeption penalties, Awful Customer Service

...Where do I start with Associates Motor Finance? Front loading of Loans gives a whopping 18.3% apr. Rude and abusive customer service. I tried to get a settlement figure out of the Associates regarding our car loan after they accused us of being two months in arrears despite paying on the dot every month by direct debit. I phoned up numerous times to receive one by fax three hours later. I look through the figures and there was a glaring mistake. I phoned them back to point out the error and ask for a correct settlement figure - all I got was abuse and accusations about calling the customer (dis)service advisor "stupid". I eventually spoke to a supervisor who promised a new (and correct) fax - needless to say a week later this has not arrived. On the original fax I noticed that they were only prepared to give a £20 discount... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: you learn something about others
Disadvantages: nothing

...We have this as a campaign in the German ciao, DagSonja called it into being. You can learn a lot about the other members. Maybe it could get a campaign here, too. I want to write down, which associations I get in mind to the different colours. Not in form of a poem or story, only a short explanation, why I think so. Which thoughts me come to mind and why to this colour. Thanks in advance for your possible thoughts and for your participation. **RED** If I think of red, the first think that comes into my mind are red roses which stands for love in my opinion. Another thing is a strawberry, which I love to eat, they are so sweet and juicy. At work it reminds me of MS Power Point, which I use to create presentations. And I can think about my school-leaving, because I wore a long wine red dress. But red reminds me of negative... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: make your voice heard
Disadvantages: none

...As a tenant of a housing association I was elected to join the board of management 4 years ago. Whats in it for me? money wise nothing Once a month I recieve a bundle of reports from various departments within the association, Housing services, Finance,Technical services and Personnel/admin. These reports contain all the information about whats been happening over the last month, what projects have been put forward for consideration, our financial position etc.The reports are then discussed at our monthly board meeting.Every member of the board has a say in the decision making process and we dont always all agree! Projects consist of building new houses for rent, refurbishment of older buildings in our area and in one case utilising abandoned underground mine workings as a source of heating. One of our big projects... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: The start of Quest 2. at last!
Disadvantages: A bit of a random op- hope you can follow where it is supposed to be going

...A is for Association, linking like a chain, shiny gold like the sun over the sea. And the water washes against the beach, little waves and eddies, playing in the sand. The children are building sand