Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Flat Rate shopping experience:

1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Flat Rate offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Flat Rate at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.

2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about

3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Flat Rate? Wrong! If the Flat Rate is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.

4. Questions - Got a question about Flat Rate then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....

5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Flat Rate? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Flat Rate and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.

6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Flat Rate wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.

7. Feedback - happy with your Flat Rate then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.

8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Flat Rate site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site

9. Contact - got a question about Flat Rate, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.

10. Payment - ready to pay for your Flat Rate, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.

A flat fee, also referred to as a flat rate or a linear rate, refers to a price that charges a single fixed fee for a service, regardless of usage. Rarely, it may refer to a rate that does not vary with usage or time of use.

Telephone American Telecommunications companies commonly offer a flat rate to residential customers for local telephone calls. However, a regular rate or Message Rate is advantageous for those who only make a few short calls per month. Flat rate was rare outside the USA and Canada, but got popular since 2005 in Europe as well and is now even available for Mobile phone telephone services for mobile calls.

• See also Automatic Message Accounting

Television Premium television or Pay TV usually charges a flat monthly fee for a channel or a bundle or "tier" of channels, but some Cable television companies also offer Pay per view pricing.

Internet For Internet service providers, flat rate is Internet access at all hours and days of the year (linear rate) and for all customers of the Telephone company operator (universal) at a fixed and cheap tariff.

Flat rate is common in broadband access to the Internet in the USA and most other countries.

A charge tariff is a class of linear rate, different from the flat rate, where the user is charged by the uploads and downloads (data transfers). The GPRS / data UMTS access to the Internet in some countries of Europe has no flat rate pricing, following the traditional "metered mentality". Because of this, users prefer using fixed lines (with narrow or broadband access) to connect to the Internet.

A wavy rate is not a linear rate, because the Internet surfer pays the monthly fixed price to use the connection only during a certain range of hours of the day (i.e. only in the morning or, more typically, only at night).

Electricity A flat rate for electricity is different from that for other services. An electric utility that charges a flat rate for electricity does not charge different rates based upon the demand that the customer places on the system. A customer pays the same amount whether they use the electricity in bursts during mid-day, when demand and the utility's costs are highest, or if they spread it out over the entire day. However, if the customer uses a different amount of electricity, they are charged a higher or lower amount. Residential customers and small businesses are usually charged a flat rate, though not the same rate per kilowatt-hour. A special type of electricity meter, a time of use meter, is required to charge a non-flat rate. Time of use meters can lower a customer's electricity bill, if they use electricity mostly during off-peak hours. Some utilities will allow a customer to change to a time of use meter, but they charge for the cost of the meter and installation.

Transport In most parts of the world regular users of public transport, especially commuters, make use of weekly, monthly or yearly season tickets that allow unlimited travel for a fixed fee. In some countries year passes are available for the entire national railway network. Some, such as the Eurail Pass, are intended for foreigners, in order to encourage tourism.Road users are normally charged a combination of fixed and variable fees, in the form of car tax and fuel duty.

See also

• Flat tax

A flat fee, also referred to as a flat rate or a linear rate, refers to a price that charges a single fixed fee for a service, regardless of usage. Rarely, it may refer to a rate that does not vary with usage or time of use.

Telephone American Telecommunications companies commonly offer a flat rate to residential customers for local telephone calls. However, a regular rate or Message Rate is advantageous for those who only make a few short calls per month. Flat rate was rare outside the USA and Canada, but got popular since 2005 in Europe as well and is now even available for Mobile phone telephone services for mobile calls.

• See also Automatic Message Accounting

Television Premium television or Pay TV usually charges a flat monthly fee for a channel or a bundle or "tier" of channels, but some Cable television companies also offer Pay per view pricing.

Internet For Internet service providers, flat rate is Internet access at all hours and days of the year (linear rate) and for all customers of the Telephone company operator (universal) at a fixed and cheap tariff.

Flat rate is common in broadband access to the Internet in the USA and most other countries.

A charge tariff is a class of linear rate, different from the flat rate, where the user is charged by the uploads and downloads (data transfers). The GPRS / data UMTS access to the Internet in some countries of Europe has no flat rate pricing, following the traditional "metered mentality". Because of this, users prefer using fixed lines (with narrow or broadband access) to connect to the Internet.

A wavy rate is not a linear rate, because the Internet surfer pays the monthly fixed price to use the connection only during a certain range of hours of the day (i.e. only in the morning or, more typically, only at night).

Electricity A flat rate for electricity is different from that for other services. An electric utility that charges a flat rate for electricity does not charge different rates based upon the demand that the customer places on the system. A customer pays the same amount whether they use the electricity in bursts during mid-day, when demand and the utility's costs are highest, or if they spread it out over the entire day. However, if the customer uses a different amount of electricity, they are charged a higher or lower amount. Residential customers and small businesses are usually charged a flat rate, though not the same rate per kilowatt-hour. A special type of electricity meter, a time of use meter, is required to charge a non-flat rate. Time of use meters can lower a customer's electricity bill, if they use electricity mostly during off-peak hours. Some utilities will allow a customer to change to a time of use meter, but they charge for the cost of the meter and installation.

Transport In most parts of the world regular users of public transport, especially commuters, make use of weekly, monthly or yearly season tickets that allow unlimited travel for a fixed fee. In some countries year passes are available for the entire national railway network. Some, such as the Eurail Pass, are intended for foreigners, in order to encourage tourism.Road users are normally charged a combination of fixed and variable fees, in the form of car tax and fuel duty.

See also

• Flat tax

VAT: flat rate scheme
details of flat rate VAT schemes ... BIM31585 - VAT: flat rate scheme For small businesses. An optional flat rate scheme was introduced with effect from 24 April 2002 by FA02/S23.

Other expenses: flat rate expenses
description ... EIM32700 - Other expenses: flat rate expenses Sections 336 and 367 ITEPA 2003

Flat rate credit card - Intelligent Finance
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Don't be a flat rate fool...
Important All changes, updates and new deals go in the Weekly MoneySaving Email

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Contents. Foreword. Other notices on this or related subjects. 1. Introduction. 1.1 What is this notice about? 1.2 What has changed? 2. Basics of the flat rate scheme

First Great Western - Flat rate train fares on the Severn Beach Line
First Great Western – Plan & book tickets online, view Live Network Updates and find Live Departure and Arrival information.

Flat fee - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A flat fee, also referred to as a flat rate or a linear rate, refers to a pricing structure that charges a single fixed fee for a service, regardless of usage.

Friaco - The Flat Rate Internet Access Company
Friaco - The Flat Rate Internet Access Company. Broadband & Dial-up Internet Access with free email and webspace. ... The Flat Rate Internet Access Company Special Offer ...