The grumpy thread

[SiC]

hmm, that looks like it might be a pig of a job - I wonder should I just get it recovered home and have a look in January, I'm just glad the civic didn't sell so at least I'm still mobile.

With Christmas and whatever right now, it might be a good idea. Put it to one side and sort it in the New Year. Garages maybe quieter too in January and so more willing to take these sort of jobs on.

[Kiltox]

£47 for changing the air filter??? What did that consist of, undo four screws, remove old filter, insert new, and retighten screws?

On a modern there’s probably not even screws just clips!

 

That engine bay doesn’t look nice to work in mind.

[SiC]

£47 doesn't sound too bad for a air filter change. £12 filter and £35 for half hour labour (at £70 per hour)?

[Kiltox]

Half an hour to change an air filter??

 

At that rate the £496 service must take nearly all day

[beko1987]

Half an hour to change an air filter??

 

At that rate the £496 service must take nearly all day

Set yourself a coffee drinking challenge! That's what I did when kwik fit forgot about the air con regas we were sat there for...

[Kiltox]

I will not be paying £496 to service a van that if they HPI check has a void warranty.

[twosmoke300]

Any vat reg garage that uses genuine parts / oils can do the service and keep the warranty

[DodgeRover]

Damn it it's Monday evening and not Friday and it's not the weekend tomorrow

[sierraman]

Any vat reg garage that uses genuine parts / oils can do the service and keep the warranty

Good luck with proving that it’s been done to the satisfaction of how the main dealer has done it if there’s a problem. Occasionally as well the software is updated (or so they tell you) as well.

 

I’m not criticising your workmanship here, I’m just saying the manufacturer will do literally anything to get out of paying for something. So if the engine goes bang they’ll pull apart how the cars been serviced and ‘find’ something that’s not to their satisfaction despite you probably having done the job more thoroughly than the relentless stream of cars they’ll be whipping through at the dealers.

[twosmoke300]

Autodata etc have the manufacturers service schedules to print off and tick etc. But I know what you mean

[Kiltox]

It’s a Cat C anyway!

[twosmoke300]

Find a nice small old village garage

[MarvinsMom]

put the xmas tree up this morning.

 

while putting up the fairy lights on said tree, i noticed that i had a couple of bulbs out.

 

this afternoon, i've been into town for some bits of food shopping, so i thought that i'd get tome more bulbs and replace the duff ones.

 

only i've failed to find anywhere selling spare bulbs, and after asking parents, it seems that on one DOES sell spare bulbs, as it is now "cheaper" to throw away old lights and go and buy some new ones...

 

FFS, this country is fucked......

[sierraman]

When my mate worked at MG Rover, the rule was if it wasn’t likely to get checked, it wasn’t done. Consequently stuff like pollen filters etc had to pass if they were tight for time. Needless to say you still got charged.

[sierraman]

Just watching a documentary on Bentley, seen that hideous new off reader they make that looks like something Loveyoulonglife Corporation of Beijing would make. My disdain was further reinforced when I discovered it’s also available with a diesel if running costs are a concern. It’s like buying a house up the Kings Road then fitting a Formica kitchen from MFI in it.

[dollywobbler]

put the xmas tree up this morning.

 

while putting up the fairy lights on said tree, i noticed that i had a couple of bulbs out.

 

this afternoon, i've been into town for some bits of food shopping, so i thought that i'd get tome more bulbs and replace the duff ones.

 

only i've failed to find anywhere selling spare bulbs, and after asking parents, it seems that on one DOES sell spare bulbs, as it is now "cheaper" to throw away old lights and go and buy some new ones...

 

FFS, this country is fucked......

 

Seriously? Just buy them online! If actual shops aren't going to stock the things, sod 'em.

[cobblers]

only i've failed to find anywhere selling spare bulbs, and after asking parents, it seems that on one DOES sell spare bulbs, as it is now "cheaper" to throw away old lights and go and buy some new ones...

 

FFS, this country is fucked......

The country isn't fucked, you can get a set of LED christmas lights for a fiver from poundland and they'll last ten years +. Why would any retail shop waste shelf space at this time of year on spare bulbs of various voltages and wattages for old xmas lights? They'd have to charge a few quid for a few spare bulbs to make it worth bothering, by which point it genuinely is cheaper to get a new set.

I'm sure you can get some spare bulbs off ebay, if you really want to keep the old set going. As a rule I absolutely hate all christmas decorations with a passion, but I do appreciate the glow of an old filament bulb so I can see why you might want to keep the old ones going, just don't expect an xmas retailer to help you, cos they won't.

[Pillock]

I've not seen a mains powered bulb set of tree lights for years, it's all LED battery ones now and generally soldered rather than replaceable because LEDs last longer than toffee pennies in a box of quality street.

[New POD]

This morning I have been to Wolverhampton and dropped had all my security documents photocopied by the people at my next contract.  I was there at 7:15 having left home at 5:30, so that bodes well for the plan to go home one night a week - although the evening return trip will be a pain in the arse.  M6 or A41 for the return.

WV10 to L37 ?

One contractor I've been working with in Derby is staying on, but happens to live in Wolverhampton. He bought the 3.2 LPG Vauxhall Monterey that someone advertised on here a couple of months back and an old Merc that I spotted in the ebay bargains.

And recently purchased a 1200 cc motorbike engine rascal pickup, car sized trailer and a second hand 4 poster lift.  

His plan is to sell his daily Duster and buy a Porsche, and use the merc for comuting.

Anyway, he's offered me digs, and it's in a nice bit of Wolverhampton, so I may as well.

[omegod]

Driving home from work today in mild fog, my retinas are burned out with all the rear fog lights burning away at lights and front ones coming at me, no fucking need at all, got home and moaned at the wife, apparently our new Seat Ateca gave her a bollocking for putting the fog lights on needlessly and prompted her to turn the fuckers off    must be something in the front radar system  

[chaseracer]

Anyway, he's offered me digs, and it's in a nice bit of Wolverhampton, so I may as well.

 

The AS Midlands Massiv welcomes you!

[fordperv]

you can get a set of LED christmas lights for a fiver from poundland

They are going to have to change their name if they carry on at this rate

[clayts450]

Gutted I missed out on a diesel Rover R8 for £375 due to poor health and shit weather which prevented me getting down to Hinckley to see the bloody thing. One lady owner, FSH, MoT till June, £375, 96K miles (nowt for a XUD). 218SD with the turbot. Nightfire Red. Only 17 of these SDs on the road. Right up my street.

 

Now I'm back to wading through heaps of ads for shitty 206s and Focuses, which seem to be the only fucking cars for sale around here.

[PhilA]

I've not seen a mains powered bulb set of tree lights for years, it's all LED battery ones now and generally soldered rather than replaceable because LEDs last longer than toffee pennies in a box of quality street.

 

Bought these for seven bucks. 24 lights, 7 Watts each. Pack of five replacement lights is two bucks. And a sideways picture.

 

 

Real filaments and everything. They even get hot. Same C7 light bulbs that have been in use here since the forties.

 

Just to even the balance I stood in a massive dog shit in the middle of my yard after taking that picture.

 

Phil

[wuvvum]

My fugging broadband has shat itself, just in time for Christmas. Superb. Just got off the 'phone to the helpline dude, there wasn't owt he could do, says he's escalated it and I should hear back within 72 hours. To be fair it's the first time I've lost my connection in about 4 years, but it doesn't make it any less annoying. Thank feck for 4G.

[wuvvum]

Aaaand it's working again.  No, I have no idea either.

[Ghosty]

a nice bit of Wolverhampton

Eh?

[BorniteIdentity]

The country isn't fucked, you can get a set of LED christmas lights for a fiver from poundland and they'll last ten years +. Why would any retail shop waste shelf space at this time of year on spare bulbs of various voltages and wattages for old xmas lights? They'd have to charge a few quid for a few spare bulbs to make it worth bothering, by which point it genuinely is cheaper to get a new set.

I'm sure you can get some spare bulbs off ebay, if you really want to keep the old set going. As a rule I absolutely hate all christmas decorations with a passion, but I do appreciate the glow of an old filament bulb so I can see why you might want to keep the old ones going, just don't expect an xmas retailer to help you, cos they won't.

 

My FiL has a shoebox FULL of christmas tree lights.  Various voltages and colours.  If you tell me what you're after I'll ask him to have a dig.  He's kept our early 60s set going for years - and I know we've got plenty in future for my 80s icicle lights.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

The country isn't fucked, you can get a set of LED christmas lights for a fiver from poundland and they'll last ten years +. Why would any retail shop waste shelf space at this time of year on spare bulbs of various voltages and wattages for old xmas lights? They'd have to charge a few quid for a few spare bulbs to make it worth bothering, by which point it genuinely is cheaper to get a new set.

I'm sure you can get some spare bulbs off ebay, if you really want to keep the old set going. As a rule I absolutely hate all christmas decorations with a passion, but I do appreciate the glow of an old filament bulb so I can see why you might want to keep the old ones going, just don't expect an xmas retailer to help you, cos they won't.

 

The country is a bit fucked, but I think it’s fair to say that there are a large number of other reasons more influential than the limited high-street availability of oldskool fairy light replacement hardware

[Des]

The answer to all your mains powered fairy light issues is surely to take a leaf from the upcycling brigades book.

A rather fun and educational project that can involve the whole family would be to rewire the receptacles in parallel and then provide power via one of those downlighter transformers which are falling from grace these days.

Next time a lamp fails the rest will soldier on regardless, lessening the urgency of finding a replacement.

Be warned that there is a possibility of a difference in the brightness between the nearest and furthest lamps from the transformer, this feature could be imaginatively used to compliment your decoration experience, alternatively you risk seeing yourself fixating on this shortcoming, finding it reflects the sinister unspoken hierarchy rule that pervades all stratum of society instilling dark thoughts and aggressive outbursts.

Or you could just melt birthday cake candles to clothes pegs and clip those fuckers around your artificial tree.