Author Archives: Terry

About Terry

I am a specialist in methodological issues (discrete choice modelling) and applied areas such as quality of life and end-of-life care. Specifically: I am a recognised world expert in best-worst scaling, with a particular interest in its use in health care and public policy. Together with the inventor, Jordan Louviere, and Anthony Marley, we are completing the definitive book explaining its use, to be published by Cambridge University Press in 2014. In the meantime a good introduction to the method is provided in my paper: Flynn TN. Valuing citizen and patient preferences in health: recent developments in three types of best-worst scaling. Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research 2010; 10(3):259-267. It should be noted that maxdiff scaling and associated terms are incorrect, misleading and primarily used by marketing companies. I am also co-developer of the ICECAP-O instrument, together with Professor Joanna Coast at the University of Birmingham. I am a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for the Study of Choice (CenSoC), at the University of Technology, Sydney, as Head of Social Policy and Economic Evaluation.

Was ASDA malpractice and fraud against my phone a coincidence?

So, my previous complaint about ASDA is here. Their (subcontracted?) company doing the blood tests were obviously horrified and promptly reimbursed me for the delivery fee that I paid for but which was not fulfilled.

Thus I thought the matter over.

This morning it became clear my main mobile phone number has been spoofed. The calls and texts are on average every 20 minutes: “I have missed call from you – who are you?” After the first call I smelt a rat and haven’t answered the calls but the texts made it clear what the problem was.

I’ve got a police cyber crime case set up but sadly there is “nothing anyone can do at this stage”. I have made NO allegations. But I have noted the coincidence of the ASDA debacle and this. Draw your own conclusions. Do ASDA sell your phone numbers to criminals?

The police will be investigating.

ASDA refuse refund after breaking contract

I recently ordered an online-blood-test kit from ASDA paying £3.99 extra for 24 hour delivery.

This was not honoured despite me ordering before the 4pm cutoff time.

Royal Mail initially promised the next day (Sunday) instead. No delivery Sunday either. It arrived Monday, 48 hours late.

I contacted ASDA for refund of the £3.99. I was contacted by a Californian company by phone who asked personal questions that banks insist you NEVER give answers to “in order to facilitate refund”.

ASDA and Royal Mail both insisted, upon calling them out on X, that I use WhatsApp to facilitate call and sort things out. Last time I reluctantly returned to WhatsApp I got spammed bigtime so I will not use it. ASDA also use WorldRemit and without authorisation set up an account for me to facilitate refund. I believe this is in violation of the UK Consumer Credit Act and have escalated things to the National Action Fraud Team of the police as well as my credit card provider. Neither ASDA nor Royal Mail are interested in dealing with me via conventional telephone or email.