What makes you grin? Antidote to grumpy thread

[Cavcraft]

Depends who he's with, Bol. If it's BT or Post Office then pressing *227# (star 227 hash) but you'd probably need to 'phone them first as I think they have to activate it their end, then it'll take a couple of hours or so to work.

Four quid a month (at least with the P.O) but you can turn it off again if you want. Note that anyone with a hidden number (inc. rozzers/hospital/fire brigade etc) can't contact you though.

 

Unfortunately going Victor Meldrew/ear piece warrior doesn't often work as the belligerant ones see it as a challenge to keep calling you back. The last straw yesterday was them ringing six times and asking me how to spell what I just said: 'F.U.C...' you get the picture.

[Richard]

I looked into how to stop these calls a few months ago (we're registered with the TPS) and the conclusion seemed to be that it can't be done because the calls don't come from the UK. You can screen out all international and/or unidentified calls, as Cavette has chosen to do, but I didn't want to do that.

[outlaw118]

^^^^Yep, I'm with Virgin Media, and registered with TPS; they advised that as well over half unsolicited calls come from "overseas", the TPS doesn't stop them. The only was to stop is to pay £xx per month to block "no numbers" type calls, but so far, I've not done it; to be honest, the main PITA was Grattans debt recovery department, whom I told to fuck off a few months ago and threatened them with a harrassment case, they've taken the hint now.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

Going apeshit on them may or may not work, but I find that being firm and asking them questions like "where did you get my number from?", "are you registered with the information commissioner?", "where and for how long are my data going to be stored?" and so on tends to scare them away.

 

The other thing you can do is to switch to a number that's outside the 'normal' residential range. For example, I have a VOIP account which has a number for incoming calls. It's 01163xxxxxx. 0116 is a Leicester code, but virtually every domestic landline in Leicester is 01162xxxxxx. I get no spam calls on that. I'm sure it's possible to get a number in the new range for a 'normal' landline (though it could be a while before you manage to speak to anyone half-competent at your phone provider).

[cort16]

Whoopedy whoop. Fixed the clutch on the Alfa by just bleeding it. All 6 gears have returned to their normal position. Big up to Mrs Cort for pointing out why it wasn't working and how I was being a fanny.

[myglaren]

After receiving numerous calls from dickhead cold callers/spammers/scammers (depite us being on the Telephone Preference Service thing) I have managed to block any witheld numbers from calling the landline.

Big bonus in all this? Missus rang the mobile and said she can't get through to the house phone from work

 

Yo cavette, my fatha is bothered on his landline by cold-calling wankers day in, day out despite being registsred with the TPS. Any tips on how to fook em off?

Same here - I just ignore the phone. Haven't answered it in god knows how long, only accept texts on the mobile

[quicksilver]

Had a good LOL at the local business rag that came today, complete with an ad for 'professional, friendly and honest ELECTICIANS' (sic). So professional they can't even spell the name of their own trade...

[quicksilver]

That Katy Perry has finally jacked that unfunny, egotistical, sarcastic wanker Russell Brand

Apparently she'd just bought him a 20 grand Capri for xmas so there could be a salty shitey reason behind the divorce

[M'coli]

My new year's resolution is the same as last years: 1024x768

[retrogeezer]

haha, I'm nicking that one...

[eddyramrod]

Since in the Grumpy thread we're talking about Jon (watanabe) on the radio... I was on the radio on Christmas Day! Our local English-language station, Rock FM, runs phone-in competitions all the time, and on Christmas morning over my breakfast, I was first in with the answer to win a board game. Paul, the presenter, said if I could come to the studio while the programme was still on, I could collect it immediately. So I did. And they put me on the air. Just enough to register my delight (suitably camped-up of course) and wish Merry Christmas to anyone involved in armed forces, or emergency services.

 

Meanwhile, there's a bloke in Illinois who wants to put me on-air to talk about classic cars, as he runs a local radio show about, well, classic cars! Trouble is, he goes out live on a Thursday, and the time difference means he would be calling me when I'm out at Quiz Night; the only regular night out in my week. Bugger. Still, it's nice to be in demand!

[cobblers]

 

Takes a bit to get going, but has brightened up my shittty new years day a treat!

[morris_ital_lover]

I was having a shite night out last night and waiting for a cab home when, amongst the dodgy almeras and skodas, a beautiful Peugoet 505 estate rocked up fully licensed and all... shame I wasn't able to take it.

[mattblack]

Listening to 'Popmaster' this morning in the car, the answer to one of the questions was The Steve Miller Band... at which point the O/H annouced that "Carl at work is named after The Steve Miller Band"...

[CIH]

Making me grin; Munchy Seeds. Also, I may finally have a solid plan for getting out of the motor trade and into soomething where I may be able to carve out a future with a proper trade and much better money. Hopefully, no dealing with joey-public, too.

[cms206]

My 65-year old boss fixing the yard lights four days before Christmas...

 

We're gonna need a bigger bus... by cms206, on Flickr

[dollywobbler]

Now that's what I call wading!

[richardthestag]

After receiving numerous calls from dickhead cold callers/spammers/scammers (depite us being on the Telephone Preference Service thing) I have managed to block any witheld numbers from calling the landline.

Big bonus in all this? Missus rang the mobile and said she can't get through to the house phone from work

 

Yo cavette, my fatha is bothered on his landline by cold-calling wankers day in, day out despite being registsred with the TPS. Any tips on how to fook em off?

 

If it is UK based tell them you are TPS registered and will be reporting them if they call again. works so far for me.

 

Or if you want fun

 

Telesales : "we have rep in area to talk about fitted kitchens"

Me: " facking hell, I was just sitting down to eat my wedding anniversary dinner with the mrs and we was just chatting about a new kitchen "

then hang up, telesales cretin calls back

Telesales: "Hi, yes just talking about kitchens and we got cut off"

Me: "yes not sure what happened, all I did was press this"

cut them off again, maybe let it ring out to the answer machine

see how many times they call back, the last time is normally to call you a rude name

 

and for all those non-UK "Hi I am Dennis from Microshit dot com calling about your computer" or a.n. other scumster

 

they often have caller numbers like 0123456

 

Anyway no point going mediaeval at them hang up or have fun , try sell them a car, or double glazing, or answer with best terry fuckwit answers, or repeat everything they say. The laydee callers may get my worst chat up lines or "are you from baps escort agency? look I said I like baps you send me bloomers and frankly I am not happy about that at all, now what are YOU going to do about that". If busy I ask them to hold while I get a pen and then leave the phone to one side to see how long they hold on for. Or explain that I am in the middle of taking a post curry dump and there is no way that this is a one wiper so I may be some time.

 

Yesterday I was Bates, master Bates and the kids were messing about in the background. "You will have to speak up I'm fraid sir there is some noise on the line" then spoke at the same time as them about absolute nonsense. 30 seconds later they have gone, I have a smile on my face and I can get on with life.

 

If you don't want to speak then either;

 

Hang up immediately if the line is silent when you first pick up - couple of times this has blocked up my line for 10mins or so or let the answer machine kick in and then answer. for some reason the scummers systems hang up if they think they have an answer machine.

 

if you bar withheld numbers then you will not get calls from doctors, hospitals, or any other legitimate traffic that you are expecting. PLUS x-directory callers will be blocked. etc etc

[myglaren]

and for all those non-UK "Hi I am Dennis from Microshit dot com calling about your computer" or a.n. other scumster

 

I answered one of these a while back, told him to piss off, hung up then regretted it.

I should have let him get on with it and see the confusion as he tried to walk me through 'fixing' a Linux computer

[The Moog]

Just got back from Cambodia last night. Spent an amazing 3 weeks volunteering working with underprivileged kids. It was fantastic and shows how happy some people are with nothing. Personally the best christmas I have ever had!

 

Come back to the UK and straight away the sour faces and miserable grumpy people ruin it. Journey back was horrendous due to weather and almost crash landed at Heathorw last night before last second change of mind by the pilot and at 4 metres off the tarmac powered off again and diverted to Stansted.

 

Loved it so much that I think we might be going back for a year in July as we have been asked to get involved in the charity more.

 

No shite over there though becasue it is all Mopeds, Tuk Tuks, and Toyota Camry's.

[dollywobbler]

Nice one The Moog. Volunteer work can be exceedingly rewarding. The work I do puts me in contact with people who are more than happy with their situation. They're often glad to be alive and couldn't give a toss about football, fashion, celebrityness or having the latest 'must have' items. I love it.

[eddyramrod]

glad to be alive and couldn't give a toss about football, fashion, celebrityness or having the latest 'must have' items.

 

You just described me, Ian! And yes, despite what I just put in the Grumpy thread, all the above still holds true.

Well done Moog too, glad you enjoyed it.

[Lord Sterling]

They're often glad to be alive and couldn't give a toss about football, fashion, celebrityness or having the latest 'must have' items

 

This is something I learnt very long ago, coming the background I do, Fatha_Sterling was always adamant I understand that there are people in world who are just glad to be alive so I can appreciate what I've got. When I see people in this country caring only about football, fashion, celebrityness or having the latest 'must have' things I really do feel like I dont belong here.

 

Well done Moog for taking your time to help others, I'm sure you feel much better than most of us miserable bastards. Volunteer work can be very rewarding.

[ashmicro]

Nice one Moog. Hat doffed.

[Cavcraft]

Aye, good on you Mooglestone.

 

 

Going back to telesales twats occasionally I'd just keep them on the phone for ages and ages. Getting to repeat things a lot, asking technical questions and just generally hanging the bag. Then when I'd had enough I'd give them a phone number and a name, and when they asked who the person was I'd say he was the head of the council as we lived in council house. That royally pissed them off I can assure you.

[Lord Sterling]

YO! Warning - New car content. Please feel to scroll past if you are not interested.

 

Took a relaxing trip down to Longbridge today to test drive the new MG6 GT and MG Magnette. Some shit pics first I think:

 

MG6 GT:

 

 

 

 

Have a Sniffpetrol NOT ADVERT:

 

Took these 2 cars for a test-drive today, I was allowed to take them out on my own (which was better option) for about half an hour with each car so had to be quick with pics as all I wanted to do was drive them. I absolutely blasted my way around Licky Hills and the outer parts of Birmingham.

 

First one was the MG6 GT, mid-spec range, great handling car, holds the road well (Particularly when its wet on the roads and your listening to Metallica - Wherever I May Roam at some volume ) very responsive, though at 2nd and 3rd gears feels a bit breathless/constricted. They do rev alot, though all in all not bad for a 1.8 K-series.

 

The suspension is a firmer-sports suspension coupled with 17' wheels which aint bad, it sucks up bumps in the road so the ride is not crashy.

 

Interior is very Germanic, lots of tough materials, leather, tough rubber-like plastics, very unlike the previous olde-worlde wood 'n' leather of old Rovers, not much in the way of plushness. General dashboard layout is pretty simple and stylish, though a bit sparse for the money. The seats are fairly firm but hold you in your seat well. Basically a good effort and well screwed together and very tough, but lacks character/individuality.

 

Its got the Mercedes-like plastic sensor key. Starting the car is interesting, insert plastic key, keep foot on clutch and press key in to start car.

 

Then I took the Silver MG Magnette out. I really liked this car, it felt better handling wise and more agile. The Magnette I took is the top spec TSE Magnette saloon with full leather interior, electric drivers seat, reversing camera, I took the car up through Lickey Hills then whilst on my way back I spotted a random Rover 75 and took some pics for comparing.

 

In conclusion I found these cars utterly enjoyable to drive, good handling, pretty tough, a good all rounder if a little salty pricewise.

 

Wooo, look at me, trying to be like Earl

[Felly Magic]

Chinese made with only final assembly at Longbridge, comes in containers via Felixstowe and is going down like a lead brick with the public. November registrations were 4 (Other MG sales in Nov were Motorpoint TF's) . Sorry Sterling, but shifting that few a month to the general public doesn't bode well for the brand, plus having the same VED band as a petrol Rangey, and a diesel still around 10 months away has destroyed its chances in the marketplace. The Avis deal is iffy too, as will feck up 2nd hand values even more when they are dumped on the car supermarkets/Arnold Clark etc .Future shite????..Oh yes.

 

And yes I have had a play with one at Kerridges, and actually thought it was a severe mixture of old styles, with a rear end similar to the old Primera, and the stupid black inside the headlamps. What is that all about?

And why the hell aren't they being advertised here? That does seem really odd to me.

[Lord Sterling]

Yawn. Who gives a fuck. I drove one, it made me smile, I gave an opinion, end of story. If people like them, they'll buy em, if not, they wont. Not everyone thinks like you thankfully.

 

Good luck to MG I say, bollocks to naysayers.

[Volksy]

Wow, 80mph and all the warning lights are on!

 

Start as you mean to go on i guess..

[cort16]

I actually think it looks alright but I'm not sure I'd spend my own hard earned on one. I'd like a shot and if I got one as a hire car I wouldn't be disapointed.

I'll be interested to see what they cost when they start getting discounted by the car supermarkets.