Find Malta's Tried And Tested Businesses

When it comes to buying a car, whether new or used, there are some common pitfalls that can lead to costly mistakes. Making a smart decision is crucial, as the wrong move can have long-term financial implications. Here are the key mistakes to avoid, and how you can ensure you’re making the best choice. 1. Skipping the Research One of the most significant mistakes you can make is walking into a dealership without doing your homework. Without knowing the market value of the car you want, you risk overpaying or missing out on better options. Utilize tools like Tried and Tested, a free resource that allows you to check on the best dealers in the market. Doing your research ahead of time will give you the upper hand when negotiating and help you find the car that best fits your needs. 2. Focusing Only on the Monthly Payment Low monthly payments can be tempting, but focusing solely on them can lead to longer loan terms and higher interest payments over time. This can turn a seemingly affordable car into a financial burden. It’s essential to consider the total cost of the car, including interest, and choose a payment plan that fits your budget without extending the loan term unnecessarily. 3. Not Considering Your Long-Term Needs It’s easy to buy a car based on your current situation, but failing to consider your long-term needs can lead to regret. Think about how your life might change over the next few years—family growth, commuting distances, or lifestyle changes—and choose a car that can accommodate those future needs. By considering your long-term goals, you’ll avoid the hassle and expense of having to trade in or sell your car sooner than planned. 4. Failing to Inspect the Car Properly Whether you’re buying new or used, every car should be inspected carefully. Skipping this step can result in unexpected repairs and costs down the road. For used cars, a pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic is essential. This step ensures that you’re aware of any potential issues before finalizing the purchase. Even for new cars, a thorough inspection can catch any defects that might have slipped through. 5. Not Choosing Brincat Auto Imports When buying a car, peace of mind is crucial. Brincat Auto Imports offers a reliable and stress-free car-buying experience, ensuring you get a quality vehicle without the usual hassles. Own your next car with the confidence that comes from choosing a trusted dealer. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can make a well-informed decision and enjoy your new or used car for years to come. Sponsored by Brincat Motors

Planning a barbecue in Malta can be an enjoyable and memorable experience, especially with the island’s stunning coastal scenery and warm Mediterranean climate. To ensure your barbecue is safe, eco-friendly, and successful, here are five essential tips to keep in mind. 1. Choose a BBQ-Friendly Location Before firing up the grill, ensure you are in a designated barbecue-friendly area. Malta has specific beaches and locations where barbecues are allowed, often requiring a permit from the local council. Popular spots include: Ghadira Bay: Permits are needed for the rocky areas. Armier Bay and Little Armier Bay: Both gas and charcoal BBQs are permitted with a permit. Mistra Bay: Requires a permit for both gas and charcoal BBQs. Paradise Bay and Slugs Bay: Permits are required for rocky areas. Anchor Bay, Rinella Bay, and Bahar ic-Caghaq: Permits are mandatory. Xghajra: No permit needed for the entire bay. Remember, sandy beaches generally prohibit barbecues, so always check local regulations beforehand. 2. Time Your BBQ Right Malta’s hot climate means it’s crucial to avoid peak sun hours. Plan your barbecue for early morning before 11 AM or late afternoon after 4 PM. This helps you avoid the hottest part of the day, reducing the risk of heat-related issues such as dehydration or heat exhaustion. Plus, it’s a great way to enjoy a cooler, more comfortable environment. 3. Keep Food Safe and Fresh Proper food handling is key to a successful barbecue. Follow these tips to keep your food safe: Cool Storage: Keep meat and poultry refrigerated until you’re ready to cook. Use coolers and keep them in the shade to maintain a safe temperature. Avoid Cross-Contamination: Use separate utensils for raw and cooked foods. This prevents harmful bacteria from transferring to your cooked meals. Defrost Properly: Never cook frozen food directly. Let it defrost fully to ensure even cooking and avoid foodborne illnesses. 4. Go Green: Avoid Disposable Items Using reusable plates, cutlery, and cups not only reduces waste but also saves you money in the long run. Consider investing in sturdy, reusable barbecue gear to help protect Malta’s beautiful environment. Eco-friendly alternatives like bamboo or stainless steel are great options that are both durable and sustainable. 5. Clean Up After Yourself Respect Malta’s natural beauty by leaving no trace of your barbecue behind. Ensure you have trash bags on hand and dispose of all waste properly. If there are recycling facilities available, separate your recyclables accordingly. Cleaning up after yourself not only preserves the environment but also ensures these spots remain open for future barbecuers to enjoy. By following these tips, you’ll not only enjoy having a barbecue with your family and friends but also safeguard your health and keep the environment clean for others to enjoy.

Nowadays, a child’s entire educational needs are planned pretty much from birth. Which school to choose is likely to be one of the most anxiety-inducing questions for new parents as they debate that ever-controversial question: is a private school the answer? As with many things in life, this depends largely on your child, your personal circumstances and your educational expectations. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, so let’s take a look at the important considerations to take into account before reaching a decision. Advantages: a diverse curriculum and cutting-edge teaching practices Attending a private school comes with many advantages, the most notable of which tends to be a nuanced curriculum that includes more extra-curricular options than government or church schools usually do. Many parents whose children have a strong passion for extras will tell you that they chose that specific school for its well-equipped drama club, its dance school, its tennis coach… the list is never-ending. Moreover, private schools tend to employ more cutting-edge teaching practices. To mention one example, they’re likely to start leveraging AI in classes earlier than other schools. Typically, classes are smaller in size, which means students get more one-on-one time. Moreover, private schools are also likely to be better equipped to cater for students with special requirements. Disadvantages: cost and admissions process   Enrolling at a private school is likely to be one of the biggest financial burdens you will face as a parent caring for your children. Besides the cost of tuition itself, you will have to take into account additional fees for extra-curriculars and a variety of events such as ice-cream day, outings and so forth. While these are optional, the peer pressure to be part of school activities is high. While it may be easier to cope with the financial commitment if you have an only child, the arrival of siblings may complicate matters. Many parents have had to face a real dilemma and decide whether to pull out an older child from private school upon the arrival of a new baby. So is a private school the answer? There’s no straight ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer for this one. You can only reach the best decision by weighing up all the pros and cons carefully. Parents who are in a position to opt for private school tuition are likely to be very satisfied with the result, so if you feel that this is something your family can commit to you’ll find the best recommendations on Triedandtested.

There used to be a time when little choice and even less exposure to foreign practices meant that businesses had a lot more leeway in terms of standards, quality and customer service. This doesn’t hold true any more. As consumers become more demanding, businesses have had to up their game and to adhere to a code of best practices. Here’s why. Consumers are now more aware of their rights The advent of the internet means that we have knowledge at our fingertips. We know what our rights are, and we’re no longer going to be fobbed off with statements like: no guarantee, no after-sales, no refunds and the like. Moreover, if we’re not satisfied with the service or product of a particular business, we now have ways and means to get redress, such as by filing a complaint with the Ombudsman. Failing that, a bad Google or Facebook review can also go a long way. We have become more environmentally aware As climate change becomes a more threatening reality and we see our island changing before our eyes, many consumers now place a strong priority on environmentally conscious practices. The trend has changed in favor of businesses that have a sustainable program and that do their part to help our planet thrive. International standards have raised our expectations Nowadays most people travel regularly and are exposed to the world-class standards of global brands. And when we’re back home, we expect no less. The influx of Northern Europeans as part of the igaming and financial services industry also means that Maltese companies have had to match their business practices to those that expats are used to. More choice means that only the best survive With online shopping becoming the norm and more international franchises joining the Maltese market, there’s never been such a huge choice of products and services. Stands to reason that only those with a gold standard of business practices will survive, as those that fall short are forced to rethink their strategy or fold.

There are no guarantees when you’re hiring for your jobs. Sometimes, even after you’ve done your homework to ensure the professional is vetted and even if they’ve come with a glowing review from a trusted friend, you may find you’re dissatisfied with the work provided. While these situations can be incredibly frustrating, it’s important to remember there are official procedures in place in Malta that are designed to help you as a consumer. So, if you’re unhappy with any work or services carried out in your home, you can follow these steps to better protect yourself and resolve the issue: Use a Verified Professional Listed on Tried And Tested The best way to avoid an unprofessional provider from the start is to hire a verified professional listed on our platform. That’s because we carry out a thorough verification process on each of our service providers to ensure they offer quality service, fair pricing, and excellent workmanship. You can even read through the genuine reviews and ratings left by past customers to get a better insight into which professional is right for your job. All this information will help you hire a genuine professional and enjoy a smooth process from beginning to end. Protect Yourself by Being Prepared At the start of any project with a professional, be sure to have all agreements in writing. This will ensure you have all the important information – such as sales contracts, costs, timelines, and promises of work to be completed – in hand should you ever need to lodge a complaint down the line. It’s also a good idea to keep photographic evidence of works, especially if you are concerned about how they’re progressing. If anything looks suspicious or not up to scratch, a simple photograph is the best way to record these problems. Such photographs will come in useful should you need to provide evidence to an outside organization to settle a dispute. Approach the Professional Directly In case of a dispute with a professional, it’s always recommended to first speak to them directly before escalating the issue further. Express your grievances as calmly as possible and request that they rectify the situation. Here, you can also rely on your saved documentation and photographs to clarify any issues. If you are dealing with a truly professional individual or company, they should recognize that their reputation is everything. An unsatisfied customer is bad news for a professional, as it will more than likely affect their business negatively. So, you may find they’ll be willing to find a solution to the situation as quickly as possible. Provide the Professional with an Opportunity to Resolve the Issue Following a verbal complaint, the professional is usually allowed a reasonable amount of time to resolve the issue. Should the professional not comply within a few weeks, then you should submit a formal complaint in writing which details the exact specifications of the task in question, your grievances with the works, and how you feel the issue should be reasonably and satisfactorily resolved. Written complaints should be sent via registered mail to the professional’s official business address. Ideally, post the complaint as a signed-for delivery letter, which will let you know your mail has been safely received. Alternatively, you can send complaints to the professional’s business email address. Check if your email provider offers the option to use a send/receipt notification. This will notify you when the provider opens the email, providing you with proof that they’ve seen the complaint. Keep in mind that any written complaints must be sent within two months from when you first realised there was an issue with works or services. Lodge an Official Complaint with the MCCAA If you find that the professional is ignoring your complaints or is unwilling to resolve the issue, then it’s time to escalate the situation. Locally, consumer complaints can be filed with the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA), which was set up to safeguard consumers’ interests and promote sound business standards in the local market. There are various ways to lodge a complaint with the MCCAA: Visit the MCCAA in person – You can submit your written complaint in person at one of the MCCAA’s offices in Blata l-Bajda, Valletta, or in Xewkija, Gozo. By mail – You can send your written complaint to the Director, Complaints and Conciliation Directorate, Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority, Mizzi House, National Road, Blata l-Bajda, HMR 9010. Email – You can send an email complaint to consumer.rights@mccaa.org.mt. Online – You can even lodge a complaint via the MCCAA’s Online Form. To ensure you don’t experience any delays in the process, you should include the following documents and information along with your complaint: Details of the case; Copies of all relevant documentation, such as copies of receipts, sales contracts, and guarantees; Your I.D. Number; Your address and contact numbers; The professional’s details and contact numbers. You must also make a statement in your email/letter giving consent to the MCCAA to divulge your details to the professional/entity involved in your case following the Data Protection Act. Next Steps Once the MCCAA has received and evaluated your complaint, you’ll be appointed an official complaints officer to oversee your case with the professional. The officer will do all they can to reach an amicable resolution between yourself and the professional. However, should no agreements with the provider be reached within 10 working days, the officer will guide you on the options available to you going forward, including how to take your case to the Consumer Claims Tribunal. Leaving a Review on Tried And Tested Should you ever have a bad experience with a local professional, you can really help your fellow consumers by leaving a review on Tried And Tested. Both your positive and negative feedback will provide other consumers with insight into your experience, allowing them to make more informed decisions about who they hire to carry out their jobs. Should we see that a professional listed on our site is not abiding by our standards, we will even remove their listing from our platform. With your help and through your reviews, we can help create a better system of accountability in Malta, ensuring that the professionals are lauded for their quality work and excellent customer service, while the amateurs are flagged for their unprofessionalism. CONTACT DETAILS Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) Phone: +356 2395 2000 Email: info@mcca.org.mt The Tried And Tested complaints team Phone: +356 2152 2202 Email: hello@triedandtested.mt

Malta may not have the biggest green areas in Europe, but that’s not to say that our countryside is not teeming with wildlife. A spring stroll around the island’s coastline is likely to reveal some surprises, so keep your camera at the ready and snap away. Always remember not to disturb any living creature! Hedgehogs You don’t have to venture much off-the-beaten track to spot hedgehog families sauntering around after sunset. Some of the quieter villages leave out milk, cat food and cardboard boxes offering shelter to the little prickly creatures, and you’re likely to a couple trying to cross country lanes, so always keep an eye out while driving. Pygmy Shrews While they’re surprisingly common across the Maltese Islands, you’ll need a bit of a trained eye to spot one of these tiny, yet super-fast, creatures. If you do, don’t mistake it for a mouse. You can tell if you’ve found a real shrew from the very pointed snout, but don’t attempt to touch it. Let it forage and roam in peace! Cat Snakes Malta’s famous lifa, a small snake that contains no venom, is closely tied to St Paul’s shipwreck in Malta. Legend has it that when the saint landed on the island during a storm, he got bitten by a lifa. As the Maltese looked on in horror, he performed a miracle and removed all venom from the reptile. Whatever you choose to believe, one thing’s for sure: this snake is harmless. Dolphins Keep your eyes peeled when crossing over to Gozo or Comino as commuters often come across shoals of friendly dolphins which continue swimming alongside the ferry. Sometimes they will even come close to shore and spend some time cavorting before swimming back to the open sea. Sea turtles Sadly not as common as they used to be, but some bays like Ramla l-Ħamra, Golden Bay and Ġnejna still get turtles laying their eggs there every summer. When this happens, it’s a sight to behold and the entire island springs into action to protect the eggs. Where to spot wildlife in Malta The Northern side of the island is always a good bet, as there are many country lanes and fields that are open to the public. The Southern side also boasts lovely greenery and is worth exploring. There are several nature reserves where wildlife is protected and is thus more abundant, the most well-known being Għadira, Simar, Salina and Buskett.

Malta’s Mediterranean climate has blessed the island with sumptuous seasonal produce, while our Arabic and Italian roots have given birth to a number of sweet and savoury delicacies that boast unique – and very moreish! – flavours. Where to find the best Maltese traditional foods to indulge in? The answers may surprise you. Artisan fairs Come Sunday, you’ll find a number of artisan fairs taking place in different locations around The Maltese Islands. Here, you’ll find independent artists and creatives showcasing jewellery, upcycled clothes, giftware and a variety of Maltese traditional foods. Look out for cake stands featuring the iconic coconut slices, pastini tar-raħal (village biscuits) and biskuttini tal-lewż (almond biscuits). These are always homemade and freshly baked, so you’re in for a treat. Farmers’ markets The weekends are also for dropping in at one of the farmers’ markets, the largest one being the one in Ta’ Qali. There are also other markets in Mġarr, Marsaxlokk and other villages, but these tend to be smaller. Here, you’ll find all the Maltese traditional foods you can yearn for, from the readily-cooked to the base ingredients or even the frozen stuff to take home and use at leisure. The variety on offer in Ta’ Qali is mind-boggling, and you can buy freshly baked ross il-forn (baked rice), pickled olives and capers, and seasonal produce transformed into luscious dishes or desserts. Village festas Even the most recent expats to Malta will be familiar with the summer village feasts, known locally as il-festa tar-raħal. These started off as religious celebrations in honour of patron saints, but nowadays they’re part of secular culture as entire towns converge for a massive street party of music, fireworks and – of course – traditional delicacies. You’ll find stalls selling Maltese pastizzi (pastries with a ricotta or mush pea filling), qassatat (the cousins of the pastizzi, but larger) and the beloved qubbajd. The latter is a nougat-like sweet paste that comes in different flavours. Be warned, it’s addictive! Roadside stalls This may sound like a weird one, but hear us out. If you happen to be driving alongside one of Malta’s roads and you spot a tiny stand selling imqaret, don’t pass up the opportunity. Cheap and very cheerful, imqaret consist of a sweet, fried pastry filled with a date paste and served piping hot. It’s a literal taste of heaven. You’ll find a permanent imqaret stand at the entrance to Valletta, while mobile kiosks pop up regularly on main thoroughfares in central towns like Birkirkara.

Young minds need to be kept constantly occupied, as boredom tends to settle in very fast. Which is why it’s so important to make the right choice when looking for summer schools. Our Triedandtested experts are on hand to guide you through the journey. Be aware of what you want to achieve Are you simply looking for supervised entertainment for your little ones? With very young children you’re likely to need someone to take care of them while you’re at work, so the schedule of subjects and activities may not be your main priority. However, if you have older children you may wish to help them stay on top of their educational journey by focusing on their weaker areas. In this case, when looking for summer schools you’ll need to be aware of the time dedicated to academic subjects. Always ask before enrolling, so you don’t end up with a completely different schedule to what you need. Make sure the timetable includes things your children enjoy Put it this way – it makes little sense to enrol a child that’s obsessed with theatre and music into a sports summer school. They won’t have fun and you won’t be nurturing their natural talents. Ask for detailed information about the activities and topics that are offered and pick the one that best matches your child’s personality. Consider the commute A summer school may be perfect in every way, but if it’s located on the other side of the island and you need to drive there everyday… well, that’s going to be an issue, isn’t it? You need to balance all aspects when looking for summer schools, otherwise you could very well end up with an additional burden instead of a reprieve. Engage with the teachers Sometimes it’s difficult to decide between two very similar options. If you get stuck, it can be helpful to ask for a quick chat with the teachers or supervisors. A vibe check can go a long way towards determining which school is a better fit for you and your family. And finally: what about your children’s friends? All kids want to spend the summer with their besties. When making your final decision, and all other things being equal, sometimes the answer is the simplest one. Pick the one where they can spend time with their friends.

Fact – Malta summers are a killer. They’re tough on even the fittest and most sensible among us, let alone on our fur babies who probably have no idea why they suddenly feel like their energy packed up and went on holiday. Add climate change to the mix, and we’re suddenly looking at a pack of parched and pooped pets. It doesn’t have to be that way, of course. Here are our top tips for keeping your pet cool in the summer. Schedule your dog walk very early or late in the day This can be a bit of a pain, especially if you’re used to an energising walk as soon as you clock off work. Trust us when we say that the 5PM Maltese sun is no place for a pooch. This holds even more strongly if you have a WFH arrangement and you’re thinking of a lunchtime stroll. Wait until after sunset, or bite the bullet and get a quick run in right after your morning coffee. Put some ice cubes in their water bowl Don’t you just hate ‘room’ temperature water that’s been sitting in a hot space? Chances are, so does your pet. Drop in a couple of ice cubes to keep the water fresh to help them lower their body temperature. And do make sure they have continuous access to fresh water as, in the hot months, most pets will need to drink more. Air-con too expensive? Use wet towels This simple trick is safer, and more environmentally and budget friendly than leaving the fan or the air-conditioning on. Dip a couple of towels in cold water before you leave for work and leave them lying around in the room where your pet usually hangs out. Freeze one of their favourite toys This might sound like a weird one, but it works. Leave the toy in the freezer for a few hours and then hand it over and watch them chew. There’s a double benefit to this technique – besides keeping them cool, it also keeps them entertained for an hour or so. Don’t leave your pet trapped in a small space Locked cars are an obvious no-no, even for five minutes as things escalate pretty fast thanks to the greenhouse effect. If you’re leaving your pet in a yard or a garden, make sure there is adequate shelter from the sun at all times, as well as access to water. If you’re leaving your pet alone at home you will also need to ensure that there’s a fresh passage of air. Finally: Use your common sense If you’re feeling too hot, chances are your pet is feeling even worse. A smidgeon of sensibility goes a long way!

Should you use social media to search for a reliable product or service? In a nutshell – no. There’s nothing reliable about social media searches for businesses, and the likelihood is that the information you access will be heavily biased, for a variety of reasons. Let’s delve into some of these below. Social media reviews are neither independent, not objective Many businesses boast a full five stars on platforms like Facebook or Instagram. And yet, these five stars are subject to heavy bias. Consider that friends and relatives of the business in question are often asked to leave positive reviews to show their support. Some businesses will go as far as to create fake profiles so that they can drop in a few good reviews themselves. Others still offer payment or services in exchange for these reviews. This is the exact opposite of how the TriedandTested team carries out reviews. Scam alert! How real is the business being presented? Ever found the perfect service provider on a social media platform, the kind that looks too good to be true…. Only to discover that it was, indeed, too good to be true. Not all brands that have a social media presence are legit. Some are there just to gather your data; others to take your money and scram; others still will return sub-standard services or products in exchange for your hard-earned money. Very often, there’s no way of getting compensation. By contrast, all businesses listed on TriedandTested are verified by a team of experts. Social media listings are dictated by the algorithm Social media algorithms have a lot to answer for. They promote quantity over quality, paid posts over genuine reviews and popularity over authenticity. In short, you can’t trust social media to give you an accurate and full picture. You may think that the business that keeps coming up on top of your search has earned its top position thanks to a strong reputation. This is not the way social media works: businesses who snatch the number 1 spot do so either because they’ve paid for it, or because the algorithm has decided that it aligns with your interests. TriedandTested search filters, on the other hand, put you in control, resulting in a curated list of businesses that actually fit your needs. Negative comments?  Just click delete There’s a good reason why most businesses you find listed on social media only appear to have outstanding compliments on the comments section. All the bad ones get deleted. And, while you can’t really blame a brand for carrying out damage control, this means that you don’t get a true picture of that business’s standard of service. On TriedandTested, we don’t try to hide any negative elements related to a business. We use them to decide whether that business should be listed with our recommendation. If the answer is ‘no’, it’s not going to pop up anywhere on your feed. Does this mean anything you find on social media is evil? Of course not. There are plenty of honest businesses on social media. The trick is not to trust platforms like Facebook or Instagram with making the decision for you. Spotted a business you’re interested in? Head over to TriedandTested to get the full story – you may even find something better.