The grumpy thread

[myglaren]

When did wiper blades become so expensive? £26 from my local factor.

Is there a wiper blade shortage?

Keep an eye out in Aldi & Lidl.

 

Aldi recently had Bosch and another respectable make for £2.99 each.

Would have bought some but I couldn't remember the sizes

 

Had the C5 six years and they have never been changed.

[PhilA]

Last set for my truck was $55. They know they can ream people because silly Bosch blades that don't sit flat in the middle and have a non standard mount to the end of the wiper arm (it's a good design, just not standard).

 

Plus when they go flat from the spring pressure of the arm against the screen and chatter one way and then don't wipe properly in the middle before they park.

 

I miss the days of 2.99 blade refills

[DeeJay]

Some of the best wipers I've had have been from Poundland, I've some crap ones from there as well.

It seems to be pot luck.

 

 

(When I say crap wiper I don't mean toilet paper)

[chaseracer]

One of my neighbours is a retired police officer.  One works for the council.  Both of them insist on parking in the 2 wider "blue badge" parking spaces allocated to my house even if there are other spaces available.

 

I have been that these spaces are "unenforceable" and I just have to live with it.

 

Sometimes I have to park on the road because I cannot get in or out of my car unless I have that additional space.

 

This makes me rather angry sometimes but usually very sad.

 

Inconsiderate feckers!

 

Are the spaces marked with the appropriate symbol?  Private houses or housing association?  Do you have a sharpened screwdriver to burst their tyres?

[OwdChina]

Last set for my truck was $55. They know they can ream people because silly Bosch blades that don't sit flat in the middle and have a non standard mount to the end of the wiper arm (it's a good design, just not standard).

 

Plus when they go flat from the spring pressure of the arm against the screen and chatter one way and then don't wipe properly in the middle before they park.

 

I miss the days of 2.99 blade refills

Wow that's a tad expensive, the last ones I put on the Ram were 20 odd bucks, 24inch RAIN-X from autozone. Great wipers and still good after 3 years baking in South Cal.

[Alanism]

Inconsiderate feckers!

 

Are the spaces marked with the appropriate symbol?  Private houses or housing association?  Do you have a sharpened screwdriver to burst their tyres?

 

Private houses with large symbols on posts and the floor.

 

I am a little less angry and upset about this as I was when I got home this evening.  I was just chatting to my missus about it trying to work out a plan that doesn't involve a risk of arrest.  

 

I need clarification of if I can leave a car in the parking area on SORN.  I would have thought I can as the parking space is completely unenforceable (apparently). If so I guess I could just park something really rubbish and leave it to rot.  That's my solution but my solution to most problems seem to revolve around buying rubbish cars and leaving them to rot.

[wuvvum]

The solution to pretty much every problem is to buy a rubbish car to be fair.

[John F]

Alanism, on 20 Jun 2018 - 7:31 PM, said:

Private houses with large symbols on posts and the floor.

 

I am a little less angry and upset about this as I was when I got home this evening.  I was just chatting to my missus about it trying to work out a plan that doesn't involve a risk of arrest.  

 

I need clarification of if I can leave a car in the parking area on SORN.  I would have thought I can as the parking space is completely unenforceable (apparently). If so I guess I could just park something really rubbish and leave it to rot.  That's my solution but my solution to most problems seem to revolve around buying rubbish cars and leaving them to rot.

 

Unlikely you can do that because the parking space is on a public road.

 

But tax / MOT-exempt vehicles do exist

[OwdChina]

Surely if the council take the trouble and expence to mark out parking spaces with road "paint" and also put signs up declaring this space is for use by a certain household then something can be done. It would be pointless marking it out else. Contact the council for advice. 

 

 

 

Edit: Just noticed you said "blue badge", if that means disabled parking then they are breaking the rules..........surely.

[DodgeRover]

The solution to pretty much every problem is to buy a rubbish car to be fair.

Only if preceded by let's go out and get drunk then see if it looks better in the morning

[Alanism]

I appreciate the input on this one.  The blue badge parking thing is quite bizarre and often misunderstood.  Essentially nobody has the "right" to park outside their house and any disabled space outside a house is not enforceable.  Those in the know (who choose to exploit this) fact are actually quite common and are quick to point this out if ever questioned.

 

There are lots of sources of information that provides the information regarding this - usually discussed on disability websites.  Heres a few "examples" -

 

https://www.youreable.com/forums/showthread.php?10644-disabled-parking-space-at-houses

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=10&t=958294 - Pistonheads but covers it quite well. 

https://new.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/make-a-request/disabled-parking-bay/

 

Outside my house, there are two spaces that are considered "advisory" as there is only the wider. spaces and the wheelchair looking icon on the floor.  

 

It's really quite dull.  I wasn't aware of this until my well-informed neighbours informed me of this when I moved in.   There is a sign that has been put on a post nearby but this was placed by a previous resident and therefore does not apply.

 

So, there you have it, folks.  If its a busy road of terraces with a disabled space outside somebody's house (that they pay for as well as the blue badge costs) you can park in it.  By doing so you are at worst being "discourteous".

 

I have spoken to them.  They stopped for a while.  Now they continue.

 

I know in a lot of countries they are enforceable (I think this is true in Scotland but I am not 100% sure) but in England its fine.

 

If anybody can find me any concrete proof they I can take on them and the local authority and parking wardens with Id love to hear it.  I have spoken to all of them.  The only way I can get them ticketed is if there is no room to get a wheelchair down the side of their car and onto the path via the dropped kerb.  This once happened - I called the enforcement office and they didn't send anybody out anyway.  The following is from my local authority -

 

Transport in The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 and indicates a parking bay for use by any disabled person).

2. The road marking is not enforceable by the council’s Civil Enforcement Officers or any private enforcement organisation. It is only a courteous reminder that a parking space is required by a disabled person.

It seems there is nothing I can do.  It sometimes feels like a form of bullying.

[Tamworthbay]

I appreciate the input on this one.  The blue badge parking thing is quite bizarre and often misunderstood.  Essentially nobody has the "right" to park outside their house and any disabled space outside a house is not enforceable.  Those in the know (who choose to exploit this) fact are actually quite common and are quick to point this out if ever questioned.

 

There are lots of sources of information that provides the information regarding this - usually discussed on disability websites.  Heres a few "examples" -

 

https://www.youreable.com/forums/showthread.php?10644-disabled-parking-space-at-houses

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=10&t=958294 - Pistonheads but covers it quite well. 

https://new.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/make-a-request/disabled-parking-bay/

 

Outside my house, there are two spaces that are considered "advisory" as there is only the wider. spaces and the wheelchair looking icon on the floor.  

 

It's really quite dull.  I wasn't aware of this until my well-informed neighbours informed me of this when I moved in.   There is a sign that has been put on a post nearby but this was placed by a previous resident and therefore does not apply.

 

So, there you have it, folks.  If its a busy road of terraces with a disabled space outside somebody's house (that they pay for as well as the blue badge costs) you can park in it.  By doing so you are at worst being "discourteous".

 

I have spoken to them.  They stopped for a while.  Now they continue.

 

I know in a lot of countries they are enforceable (I think this is true in Scotland but I am not 100% sure) but in England its fine.

 

If anybody can find me any concrete proof they I can take on them and the local authority and parking wardens with Id love to hear it.  I have spoken to all of them.  The only way I can get them ticketed is if there is no room to get a wheelchair down the side of their car and onto the path via the dropped kerb.  This once happened - I called the enforcement office and they didn't send anybody out anyway.  The following is from my local authority -

 

Transport in The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 and indicates a parking bay for use by any disabled person).

 

• The road marking is not enforceable by the council’s Civil Enforcement Officers or any private enforcement organisation. It is only a courteous reminder that a parking space is required by a disabled person.

It seems there is nothing I can do.  It sometimes feels like a form of bullying.

Just saying.........

[dollywobbler]

I think it's time for an appearance in the local newspaper. Practice your angry face. PARKING SHAME BY EX-POLICEMAN.

[DodgeRover]

Is the council worker in a council vehicle?

[Alanism]

Haha.I guess that is one solution (the local paper route).  This is where it feels slightly "bully" like though.  It's probably easier just to get a bit ranty every now and again for the sake of a peaceful existence.  If I start making peoples lives a misery chances are it would be mine that would ultimately be the life made a misery.  I do appreciate the chiming in on this though.  When I wrote the comment I was just grumpy.  Now I think I'm looking more towards a solution.  I think I'm going to have to go round again and be polite about it.  

[PhilA]

Wow that's a tad expensive, the last ones I put on the Ram were 20 odd bucks, 24inch RAIN-X from autozone. Great wipers and still good after 3 years baking in South Cal.

Dodge have a standard arm fitment. Chevy from 2007 to 2013 used a new clip-in style piece that is unique so that is the "reason" for the extra price, which is so much baloney.

 

The humidity kills blades here, coupled with the sun. The wiping part tends to flop over and get stuck there so the things chatter going up and wipe badly going down. Average life of blades here is under a year.

[Aston Martin]

My buddy rang, her buddies 2006 Big Cunto was dead outside her house.

 

Everything lights up, but it wouldnt turn over. I couldn't hear a fuel pump kick in, there was nothing.

 

We give it one final bump and it starts, however the brake pedal is rock hard, it doesn't steer properly. The brake light effects the nearside rear indicator, but not when the sidelights are on... Then all the rear lights die completely, the dashboard is lit like a Christmas tree. A quick run around the block and all is well, kind of...

 

To top it off, it's having an MOT at 9am.

 

Update: it's dead again.

[cros]

Haha.I guess that is one solution (the local paper route).  This is where it feels slightly "bully" like though.  It's probably easier just to get a bit ranty every now and again for the sake of a peaceful existence. 

 

Or just fit the wanker with one of these.

[omegod]

Or just fit the wanker with one of these.s-l400.jpg

 

What the fuck is that? Haribo cock ring applicator ?

[drum]

Almost. For castrating lambs, I think.

[robinmasters]

This makes me grumpy too. Disabled space opposite me; unpleasant little scrote a couple of doors up was parking his van in it for months.

 

I contacted the council to be told the same, although they did say it was possible to apply to have the space made an official disabled space, so that they could enforce it, and we did have a letter round saying that they were making this application - and did we want to object!

[SiC]

I believe a painted square is just advisory. A proper sign next to the painted square noting that it's disabled, is enforceable.

[cros]

What the fuck is that? Haribo cock ring applicator ?

Elastrator, usually applied to things that have done nothing wrong. Praps not effective right away but will definitely work in the long run.

[Sloth in a bowl]

My buddy rang, her buddies 2006 Big Cunto was dead outside her house.

 

Everything lights up, but it wouldnt turn over. I couldn't hear a fuel pump kick in, there was nothing.

 

We give it one final bump and it starts, however the brake pedal is rock hard, it doesn't steer properly. The brake light effects the nearside rear indicator, but not when the sidelights are on... Then all the rear lights die completely, the dashboard is lit like a Christmas tree. A quick run around the block and all is well, kind of...

 

To top it off, it's having an MOT at 9am.

 

Update: it's dead again.

Needs new battery

[mercrocker]

 I think I'm going to have to go round again and be polite about it.  

 

Sadly for the inner chimp in me, this has proved to be the best strategy.   I used to get cunts parking across my gates - its an unadopted road with no paving or footpath or markings of any kind.  Legally, a no-win minefield but nevertheless if some prick blocks me in I can't get out.     

 

First couple of times it ended up with me smashing my substantial wooden gate repeatedly against whatever shitbox was there (my gates open outwards) Vic Reeves style.   After that it was a case of finding the culprit and fist-banging their front door by which time I was apoplectic.   

 

Realising it was only me that was getting high blood pressure and risking arrest, a broken nose or heart attack I wound myself back in to polite-but-persistent pest mode.   Nobody does it anymore.   Got a really polite sign, too, instead of the F.O.Y.C. I was planning.   

 

Good luck, I am not in any way impaired mobility-wise so I can only imagine how bloody frustrating your situation is.

[Cavcraft]

Council worker deliberately deprives constituent of disabled parking bay? Local press should eat that up.

The head of our local hospital used to park his car across two disabled parking spaces and when challenged he couldn’t give a flying one.

[Bren]

Shed and buried.

 

Fill various outbuildings with scrap and ask twice its value if somebody shows in interest.

 

This could be why outbuildings are full of scrap that have not seen daylight for decades.

[Richard]

I've seen karma strike a persistent and unrepentant disabled space abuser. I wouldn't have anyway, but I definitely wouldn't misuse a disabled space now.

[DodgeRover]

Did it strike in the way of fruit rammed deep up the tailpipe?

[Richard]

Karma, not retribution. He lost the use of his legs.