The grumpy thread

[PicantoJon]

Twunt of the Month for March has a strong contender already... 

[Shirley Knott]

On 2/28/2023 at 9:52 PM, RoverFolkUs said:

Where are you getting discs, pads, handbrake cables from for £70? 

£369 sounds quite reasonable to me, admittedly the burst brake pipe sounds dubious 

£180-220 for discs and pads easily (to be done properly with half decent parts) - not just a pad slap with lashings of copper slip

Brake cables can be a bitch to do on VAG of that era because they will probably be seized into the guide tubes and break off, therefore needing new tubes as well as stripping out the rear half of the interior including the carpet.. 

Let's say a remaining £150-190 for the brake cables and replacing a brake line, also sounds ok. 

The option of just doing it yourself was there 🤷 sorry but it's hard to complain in that scenario!

MK4 Golf spares are fairly affordable TBH, here you go....

Rear discs and pads £32 (Comline) fitted lots of these and they're decent, handbrake cables £18 (Febi)- Both of these from Carpartsinmotion.

The rear brake line in question joins at the trailing arm and is available as a single/solid piece (Pagid) from ECP for £20.

Total - £70

Also I appreciate I have the option to work on my cars myself, I almost always do and in future I'll look to continue.

TBH the main focus of the grump was that they were asked to replace handbrake cables alone, and IMO, despite having agreed this was no issue, they'd clearly decided to set about fitting discs and pads before asking (Almost certainly damaging the rear line whilst in the process), giving them no option but to call me with a cock and bull story about it being necessary to fit discs and pads before they could "Let the car go'",  and claiming the brake line miraculously exploded as they pulled it onto the ramp - Essentially at this point effectively having me 'over a barrell' and the car held captive.

Hope that make sense?

 

[GrumpiusMaximus]

On 3/1/2023 at 10:30 PM, DavieW said:

A new "social housing" development was built a couple of years ago behind our estate.  Already there's been a  murder, a house fire bombed and the Police are in the area every other week. Tonight I saw a scrote on a crosser, no lights or helmet razzing about.

Might be a good time to invest in some discreet CCTV. 🤬

A couple of years ago we had a murder in some woodland near us.  Two weeks later they caught the killer partially due to residental CCTV and a gamekeeper getting close-up snaps when he was challenged tresspassing.

We spent two weeks not really going out much at all (certainly not on foot) as it was a nasty, random attack.

I could see his house from the back bedroom window, along with all the Police.  Less than 100 feet from my back door.  That was harrowing. Spent several days avoiding the gutterprint journalists that were milling about while the Police searched the place.

It took the jury just over an hour to convict and the trial was cut short when, despite the defendant's guilty plea, the evidence was so compelling as to his guilt that they effectively withdrew their defence.  He got life with a minimum of 37 years and I think is in Broadmoor.

[Zelandeth]

Apparently someone installed a cloaking device in the Caddy today.  Must have been nearly driven into half a dozen times in the space of an hour or so.  I do wonder how much of it is just being an old silver wheelchair van makes people just think it's driven by a 90 year old they can bully out of the way.  Which works...as it turns out I don't enjoy car accidents so will invariably take action to avoid you when you merge into the space I was just driving in/do an emergency stop to avoid T-boning you as you pull out in front of me/evade when you completely balls up the lane layout on that roundabout and try to light-cycle me into the HGV to my left.

I seriously need to get a goddamn dashcam fitted.

Having been driving the Renault quite a bit over the last couple of weeks, there is *definitely* difference in how other drivers behave around it - in general people seem to give me way more room, the obvious BMW/Audi crowd aside, but we know there's no helping them.

[eddyramrod]

In another thread I mentioned that a box of diecasts had arrived.  It contained four, of which one is undergoing paintwork and one has been drilled for stripping.

Four little model cars.

I am soooooooooooo in the doghouse!  I managed to marry someone who simply doesn't understand about having a hobby, and especially a collection of, well, anything.  What's worse is that she constantly threatens to "chuck them all in the bin,", constantly exhorts me to do the same, and treats literally every new arrival as a targeted personal attack on her.

Apart from actually doing what she says and binning the lot, I don't know what to do.  I'm quite sure the only answer is to give in, but that would be like sawing off my own hands.  Yes, both of them.  Bloody women!

[High Jetter]

Oh that sounds shite. Has she no hobbies? Shirley she knew of your proclivities when she said "I do"

[junkyarddog]

1 hour ago, eddyramrod said:

In another thread I mentioned that a box of diecasts had arrived.  It contained four, of which one is undergoing paintwork and one has been drilled for stripping.

Four little model cars.

I am soooooooooooo in the doghouse!  I managed to marry someone who simply doesn't understand about having a hobby, and especially a collection of, well, anything.  What's worse is that she constantly threatens to "chuck them all in the bin,", constantly exhorts me to do the same, and treats literally every new arrival as a targeted personal attack on her.

Apart from actually doing what she says and binning the lot, I don't know what to do.  I'm quite sure the only answer is to give in, but that would be like sawing off my own hands.  Yes, both of them.  Bloody women!

I have to honest Eddy,when I saw you got a delivery my first reaction was she'll have his balls for that!!😮

[eddyramrod]

55 minutes ago, High Jetter said:

Oh that sounds shite. Has she no hobbies? Shirley she knew of your proclivities when she said "I do"

It doesn't exactly make life easy!  And yes, when we met I lived in a flat on my own, so it's not like there were no clues.  Everywhere we've lived I've had a "model room," that must say something.

She has no hobbies.  She wasn't raised to read for pleasure (like I was - another hurdle!).  She was a hockey player and footy fan in her teens, and will occasionally still watch a match, but her teens were a long time ago.  Tbh since she was so seriously ill in Cyprus 11 years ago there's very little that gives her pleasure anyway.

Don't worry, anyone; I'm not going to throw my collection.  It's just a pain.

[Bren]

Purchased some injector cleaner for the mondeo.

Cannot add it to the tank because the flap in the filler wont open - I have noticed it can be awkward getting the pump nozzle in when refuelling.

[RoverFolkUs]

Sometimes I'm glad I drive a shit old car that I don't care much about

Some obnoxiously oblivious and arrogant woman in some sort of modern BMW thing had parked the nose of it approx 1 foot into my parking bay and nudged the front of my Focus, and remained parked in that position. 

I waited around then quizzed her on it, she denied all knowledge of hitting the car and leaving it because "the alarm didn't go off" 

There's no damage apart from a small kink through the middle of the bumper which I'm not overly bothered about and it's cracked the number plate, which is slightly annoying as it was new a couple of months ago! 

No damage to her car whatsoever

She apologized. We moved on

But how can you be so oblivious to drive your car 1 foot into the bay in front of you, nudge the car and then stay parked in that position!? 

It's the principal of it more than anything else.

Must get round to installing a dash cam...

[eddyramrod]

She wouldn't accept "oh I never noticed" if you trod on her Jimmy Choos with your steel-toecapped boots though!  

[wuvvum]

7 hours ago, Bren said:

Purchased some injector cleaner for the mondeo.

Cannot add it to the tank because the flap in the filler wont open - I have noticed it can be awkward getting the pump nozzle in when refuelling.

The flap in the filler will only open for a nozzle the correct size.  You need to use the adaptor which should be in the tool kit in the boot - looks like a black she-wee, you push that in and then you can pour whatever into the tank - useful if you ever need to fill up from a jerrycan or whatever.

[Rustybullethole]

39 minutes ago, wuvvum said:

The flap in the filler will only open for a nozzle the correct size.  You need to use the adaptor which should be in the tool kit in the boot - looks like a black she-wee, you push that in and then you can pour whatever into the tank - useful if you ever need to fill up from a jerrycan or whatever.

I’ve a short length of 22mm copper pipe that does that job nicely. 

[Zelandeth]

Dentist appointment today.  First time we've been able to get there since COVID arrived.

Knew going in it was going to be a bit of a disaster, I have my mother's teeth which means they have a great tendency to dissolve.  Plus I knew I'd cracked at least one filling.

Yep... I'll be going back.  Seven fillings are going to be needed.  Reckon it will need three visits to get it all sorted.

Oh won't that be fun.

[Markeh]

Currys.

I'm after a new headset - the wire on this one keeps getting caught on things in the mess that is my office and if my headset comes ever so slightly unplugged my mic cuts out - and it is pissing me off in calls at work - I finally snapped today after nearly tripping over the wire and went to buy a wireless one. Same price as Amazon but it said click and collect today from a nearby store. Fine, no problem, I needed to head out anyway. Only the email with the receipt on it said 'Estimated delivery - Monday' and lo and behold I've not had the 'it's ready for collection' email. Everything up until me purchasing it said collection today.

I could've had the damn thing off Prime by tomorrow for no extra money without leaving the house. Utter bollocks.

[High Jetter]

1 hour ago, Zelandeth said:

Dentist appointment today.  First time we've been able to get there since COVID arrived.

Knew going in it was going to be a bit of a disaster, I have my mother's teeth which means they have a great tendency to dissolve.  Plus I knew I'd cracked at least one filling.

Yep... I'll be going back.  Seven fillings are going to be needed.  Reckon it will need three visits to get it all sorted.

Oh won't that be fun.

At least you've got in, don't knock it. Tooth decay isn't hereditary, AFAIK.

[New POD]

6 hours ago, Markeh said:

Currys.

I'm after a new headset - the wire on this one keeps getting caught on things in the mess that is my office and if my headset comes ever so slightly unplugged my mic cuts out - and it is pissing me off in calls at work - I finally snapped today after nearly tripping over the wire and went to buy a wireless one. Same price as Amazon but it said click and collect today from a nearby store. Fine, no problem, I needed to head out anyway. Only the email with the receipt on it said 'Estimated delivery - Monday' and lo and behold I've not had the 'it's ready for collection' email. Everything up until me purchasing it said collection today.

I could've had the damn thing off Prime by tomorrow for no extra money without leaving the house. Utter bollocks.

Cancel 

[GrumpiusMaximus]

I don't know what you've bought @Markehbut my work got me a Jabra Evolve2 65 with the charging stand and it's the nuts.

[Lankytim]

Mrs Lankytim booked some tickets for her and the kids to go to the  local ice skating rink but was immediately told by said kids they didn’t want to go. She rang up 20 mins after booking the tickets online to cancel but was told that it’s not their policy to refund. £50 odd down the pan! Bloody kids. 

[Rust Collector]

4 minutes ago, Lankytim said:

Mrs Lankytim booked some tickets for her and the kids to go to the  local ice skating rink but was immediately told by said kids they didn’t want to go. She rang up 20 mins after booing the tickets online to cancel but was told that it’s not their policy to refund. £50 odd down the pan! Bloody kids. 

Could you and the mrs just go together without the kids? Ice skating is good fun, even better without having to keep an eye on the kids 😅

[Lankytim]

25 minutes ago, Rust Collector said:

Could you and the mrs just go together without the kids? Ice skating is good fun, even better without having to keep an eye on the kids 😅

I was out visiting Dad unfortunately. (The booking was for the same day)

[Markeh]

1 hour ago, GrumpiusMaximus said:

I don't know what you've bought @Markehbut my work got me a Jabra Evolve2 65 with the charging stand and it's the nuts.

I'm using it for gaming as well so gone Logitech G535 to replace my existing HyperX Cloud II. Sadly my company's budget will stretch to the cheapest nastiest USB headset.

[Pieman]

2 hours ago, Lankytim said:

Mrs Lankytim booked some tickets for her and the kids to go to the  local ice skating rink but was immediately told by said kids they didn’t want to go. She rang up 20 mins after booking the tickets online to cancel but was told that it’s not their policy to refund. £50 odd down the pan! Bloody kids. 

Next time they beg to go somewhere tell them you don't want to take them, maybe then they'll learn not to be so ungrateful.

[Lankytim]

34 minutes ago, Pieman said:

Next time they beg to go somewhere tell them you don't want to take them, maybe then they'll learn not to be so ungrateful.

Sounds like a plan!

[Back_For_More]

Firstly..... I cycle..... I do long hauls on occasion too.... My mates and I are off in April on a Trappist beer distillery tour. 

Slight grump - I don't like beer

GRUMP - lanes here are rural to say the least..... 

Just back from Belgo land, all smooth sailing and a happy grin on my boat when I almost ended up in a field. 

2 lane road and pootling at 40....... Around the corner and I kid you not, a full on herd of lycra clad 2 wheelers RIGHT ACROSS THE SODDING ROAD a la Tour De Where-the-fuck-ever.... 

Nowhere to go so just slammed on..... 

Cars behind me also a bit perturbed as they probably usually hit way over 40 and I was already too cautious in their eyes..... (I've seen the Sunday morning brigades before so wasn't taking any chances) 

Cue - Blazing row with chief bearded tosser about the highway code and them being utter goat felchers..... 

Ruined a perfectly pleasant trip back for no reason than dipshittery...... 

Still grinding my teeth.... If I'd have hit any of them..... 

Another in need of fitting a dashcam methinks..... 

[Remspoor]

4 hours ago, Back_For_More said:

Firstly..... I cycle..... I do long hauls on occasion too.... My mates and I are off in April on a Trappist beer distillery tour. 

Slight grump - I don't like beer

GRUMP - lanes here are rural to say the least..... 

Just back from Belgo land, all smooth sailing and a happy grin on my boat when I almost ended up in a field. 

2 lane road and pootling at 40....... Around the corner and I kid you not, a full on herd of lycra clad 2 wheelers RIGHT ACROSS THE SODDING ROAD a la Tour De Where-the-fuck-ever.... 

Nowhere to go so just slammed on..... 

Cars behind me also a bit perturbed as they probably usually hit way over 40 and I was already too cautious in their eyes..... (I've seen the Sunday morning brigades before so wasn't taking any chances) 

Cue - Blazing row with chief bearded tosser about the highway code and them being utter goat felchers..... 

Ruined a perfectly pleasant trip back for no reason than dipshittery...... 

Still grinding my teeth.... If I'd have hit any of them..... 

Another in need of fitting a dashcam methinks..... 

I am sorry to say but I am confused.

Firstly trappest beer is Brewed in Belgium (note it is not distilled) and there they do not use the highway code.

If you are in Belgium then the rules of the road are different to the UK, and every other part of Europe.

[Split_Pin]

Your energy is too precious to waste time arguing with people who are stupid and arrogant like that. They're not worth the shit off your shoe.

[High Jetter]

22 minutes ago, Remspoor said:

I am sorry to say but I am confused.

Firstly trappest beer is Brewed in Belgium (note it is not distilled) and there they do not use the highway code.

If you are in Belgium then the rules of the road are different to the UK, and every other part of Europe.

Back from Belgo land in 4th para, so uk soil?

[barefoot]

I've done my best to fit in here over the years, but a couple of things still irk me. Chod & Bork. Whatever Chod may mean, it cannot be interpreted as an old car, no matter how borked it may be. 

Which leads me to borked - from Bob Bork, who was blocked, defamed & vilified but was never broken.

I appreciate that you'll not be giving a fuck, but you'll know. And more importantly, I'll know that you know.

Chod may refer to:

• Chief of Defence, the highest ranked commissioned officer of a nation's armed forces
• Chöd, a spiritual practice found in certain schools of Tibetan Buddhism
• CHOD-FM, a Canadian radio station
• Chöd drum or chöda, a damaru (drum) used in Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism
• Chod region (Czech: Chodsko, German: Chodenland), an ethnographical region around Domažlice in West Bohemia, Czech Republic
  • Chodové (sometimes called the Chod people), inhabitants of this region
  • Chod dialect, spoken in this region
• Ch'od, a fictional character in the Marvel Universe

Robert Heron Bork (March 1, 1927 – December 19, 2012)^[1] was an American jurist who served as the solicitor general of the United States from 1973 until 1977. 

According to columnist William Safire, the first published use of "bork" as a verb was possibly in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution of August 20, 1987, two months prior to the final vote: "Let's just hope something enduring results for the justice-to-be, like a new verb: Borked."^[42] Perhaps the best-known use of the verb "to bork" occurred in July 1991 at a conference of the National Organization for Women in New York City. Feminist Florynce Kennedy addressed the conference on the importance of defeating the nomination of Clarence Thomas to the U.S. Supreme Court, saying, "We're going to bork him. We're going to kill him politically. This little creep, where did he come from?"^[43] Thomas was subsequently confirmed after the most divisive confirmation hearing in Supreme Court history to that point. In March 2002, the Oxford English Dictionary added an entry for the verb "bork" as U.S. political slang, with this definition: "To defame or vilify (a person) systematically, esp. in the mass media, usually to prevent his or her appointment to public office; to obstruct or thwart (a person) in this way."^[44] Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh used the term during his own contentious Senate confirmation hearing testimony when he stated that "The behavior of several of the Democratic members of this committee at my hearing a few weeks ago was an embarrassment. But at least it was just a good old-fashioned attempt at borking."

[loserone]

Thankfully we're not the French, so words still mean what the writer and the reader take it to mean, whether that's formally recognised or not.