The grumpy thread

[beko1987]

12 minutes ago, High Jetter said:

In my experience, if the impellor won't turn with a screwdriver when everything has cooled down, it's dead. You used to be able to just replace the head (4 screws) but now they want you to buy their 'efficient' complete units which, of course, are more spendy. Selectrics are around £100 now I see, used to be £45 ish.

That may have been one of his troubleshooting things he did when I wasn't there... 😂 I hear him call out to come here and he had it running and showed me the precise level of smack to give it on the side so as to not crack the casing. Sounded bloody awful I'll give it that (sounded fine before it packed up but it was old. Wasn't replaced with the storage tank and boiler 11 years ago when we moved in anyway

[83C]

Today I'm grumpy because things are just less convenient. 

I need a V55/5 form to register the Sambar. No problem thinks I, the Post Office will do them. The local one didn't (not so much of a surprise) but they directed me to the big post office in town. They don't do them either, but sent me onwards to a smaller post office that is apparently the main post office in the area for DVLA forms - except the V55/5. 'Can't you just print one?' asked the clerk behind the counter, somewhat unhelpfully. Bit fucking difficult when I have no printer, which is why I'm stood here asking. If I could have printed the form at home I wouldn't have had a two day mission trekking around different post offices seeking what is apparently the DVLA equivalent of the Golden Fleece, the Holy Grail and a 10mm socket all rolled into one. 

Ok, I'll phone DVLA and order one. Anyone tried to find DVLA's phone number recently? Good luck. The .gov website tries to take you though a selection of questions that just make you end up at the online page with whatever form you want, which is no fucking use when you need a phone number. Eventually some googling threw up a number, and after being passed through 4 different departments I ended up speaking to someone who confirmed that yes, they could post me a V55/5 form, I'd just have to wait 10 working days for it to turn up - wouldn't I rather print it instead and get it instantly? Whilst the swear words that coursed through my mind came thick and fast, I managed to keep them away from developing into actual noises whilst muttering 'no thanks' down the phone. 

Two fucking weeks to drop a sheet of A4 in an envelope and stick it in the post. Mind you this is the same DVLA that insist the fee that accompanies a V55/5 must be in the form of a cheque. A fucking cheque. I had to order a chequebook, something I've not owned an example of for 15 years or more now. So a form that is deliberately difficult to get unless you go online, download and print it yourself has to be accompanied by a method of payment that is also a fucking ballache.

Fuck sakes. 

Bonus added side grump - pressure selling. I need to insure the Sambar as part of the registration application, initially on the chassis number. Adrian Fuck do VIN insurance, so I phoned them. Got the quote, wanted to get some comparisons from elsewhere, but could they send me the quote via email? The lady I spoke to tried everything to get me to buy on the spot, from saying the quote was only valid for this call and due to 'live pricing' could change, that I could buy now and if I find a cheaper quote elsewhere cancel and get my money back, was there an issue with the quote, why couldn't I buy now, etc. I get they have sales targets to meet but I absolutely will not buy when being pushed - if anything I'll go out of my way to get what I need elsewhere instead. Bollocks to it all.

 

[Mr Pastry]

25 minutes ago, 83C said:

So a form that is deliberately difficult to get unless you go online, download and print it yourself has to be accompanied by a method of payment that is also a fucking ballache.

I think you will find that you can get free internet access at your local library and you can then download and  print things for a small fee.  

[Mally]

46 minutes ago, 83C said:

Today I'm grumpy because things are just less convenient. 

I need a V55/5 form to register the Sambar. No problem thinks I, the Post Office will do them. The local one didn't (not so much of a surprise) but they directed me to the big post office in town. They don't do them either, but sent me onwards to a smaller post office that is apparently the main post office in the area for DVLA forms - except the V55/5. 'Can't you just print one?' asked the clerk behind the counter, somewhat unhelpfully. Bit fucking difficult when I have no printer, which is why I'm stood here asking. If I could have printed the form at home I wouldn't have had a two day mission trekking around different post offices seeking what is apparently the DVLA equivalent of the Golden Fleece, the Holy Grail and a 10mm socket all rolled into one. 

Ok, I'll phone DVLA and order one. Anyone tried to find DVLA's phone number recently? Good luck. The .gov website tries to take you though a selection of questions that just make you end up at the online page with whatever form you want, which is no fucking use when you need a phone number. Eventually some googling threw up a number, and after being passed through 4 different departments I ended up speaking to someone who confirmed that yes, they could post me a V55/5 form, I'd just have to wait 10 working days for it to turn up - wouldn't I rather print it instead and get it instantly? Whilst the swear words that coursed through my mind came thick and fast, I managed to keep them away from developing into actual noises whilst muttering 'no thanks' down the phone. 

Two fucking weeks to drop a sheet of A4 in an envelope and stick it in the post. Mind you this is the same DVLA that insist the fee that accompanies a V55/5 must be in the form of a cheque. A fucking cheque. I had to order a chequebook, something I've not owned an example of for 15 years or more now. So a form that is deliberately difficult to get unless you go online, download and print it yourself has to be accompanied by a method of payment that is also a fucking ballache.

Fuck sakes. 

Bonus added side grump - pressure selling. I need to insure the Sambar as part of the registration application, initially on the chassis number. Adrian Fuck do VIN insurance, so I phoned them. Got the quote, wanted to get some comparisons from elsewhere, but could they send me the quote via email? The lady I spoke to tried everything to get me to buy on the spot, from saying the quote was only valid for this call and due to 'live pricing' could change, that I could buy now and if I find a cheaper quote elsewhere cancel and get my money back, was there an issue with the quote, why couldn't I buy now, etc. I get they have sales targets to meet but I absolutely will not buy when being pushed - if anything I'll go out of my way to get what I need elsewhere instead. Bollocks to it all.

 

I am you.

Sometimes we are wrong.

[New POD]

50 minutes ago, 83C said:

Today I'm grumpy because things are just less convenient. 

I need a V55/5 form to register the Sambar. No problem thinks I, the Post Office will do them. The local one didn't (not so much of a surprise) but they directed me to the big post office in town. They don't do them either, but sent me onwards to a smaller post office that is apparently the main post office in the area for DVLA forms - except the V55/5. 'Can't you just print one?' asked the clerk behind the counter, somewhat unhelpfully. Bit fucking difficult when I have no printer, which is why I'm stood here asking. If I could have printed the form at home I wouldn't have had a two day mission trekking around different post offices seeking what is apparently the DVLA equivalent of the Golden Fleece, the Holy Grail and a 10mm socket all rolled into one. 

Ok, I'll phone DVLA and order one. Anyone tried to find DVLA's phone number recently? Good luck. The .gov website tries to take you though a selection of questions that just make you end up at the online page with whatever form you want, which is no fucking use when you need a phone number. Eventually some googling threw up a number, and after being passed through 4 different departments I ended up speaking to someone who confirmed that yes, they could post me a V55/5 form, I'd just have to wait 10 working days for it to turn up - wouldn't I rather print it instead and get it instantly? Whilst the swear words that coursed through my mind came thick and fast, I managed to keep them away from developing into actual noises whilst muttering 'no thanks' down the phone. 

Two fucking weeks to drop a sheet of A4 in an envelope and stick it in the post. Mind you this is the same DVLA that insist the fee that accompanies a V55/5 must be in the form of a cheque. A fucking cheque. I had to order a chequebook, something I've not owned an example of for 15 years or more now. So a form that is deliberately difficult to get unless you go online, download and print it yourself has to be accompanied by a method of payment that is also a fucking ballache.

Fuck sakes. 

Bonus added side grump - pressure selling. I need to insure the Sambar as part of the registration application, initially on the chassis number. Adrian Fuck do VIN insurance, so I phoned them. Got the quote, wanted to get some comparisons from elsewhere, but could they send me the quote via email? The lady I spoke to tried everything to get me to buy on the spot, from saying the quote was only valid for this call and due to 'live pricing' could change, that I could buy now and if I find a cheaper quote elsewhere cancel and get my money back, was there an issue with the quote, why couldn't I buy now, etc. I get they have sales targets to meet but I absolutely will not buy when being pushed - if anything I'll go out of my way to get what I need elsewhere instead. Bollocks to it all.

 

Remember 14 day cooling off period distance selling regulations apply once thd policy is in force, in case you or your armchair lawyer don't like the T&Cs. 

They can only prorata the cost before you cancel. Can not charge an admin fee in that 14 day period. 

Even better if the start date is a few days in advance.  

The optimum time to buy car insurance is 28 days ahead apparently. It gets more expensive the closer the start date. 

[LightBulbFun]

1 hour ago, 83C said:

Bonus added side grump - pressure selling. I need to insure the Sambar as part of the registration application,

unless your registering it to an address in Northern Ireland you dont need to insure the vehicle to register it, just make sure to SORN it when you get the new V5  

[jakebullet]

Hey hey it's the mad Jean:

I have been thrown off for no good reason off spring vale medical centre. This is a very unfair thing to do and have tried to force me onto sleights medical centre when we have always gone to Spring vale Medical centre in Heron Foods Whitby . My husband is 94 years old and i am 81. We were asked to go at 5 p.m. time and it cost us 30 pounds in cash out of our disability money in too cold weather aparg from been out of the town where we live and have done for 30 years we are too old and disabled to travel in taxis at 30 pounds a time out of our disability money. when i went it was not at all to see a doctor it was to trap us into seeing a social presciber who had the cheak to tell me to leave my husband and she wanted to send me to a womans refuge in scarb., i told her i will not i don,t want to leave my ill husband who i have bedn married for for over 60 years, how dare she suggest this to me? the bad person. we live here in whitby but, because of a very nasty towards me talked to me like a dog i got thrown out of the Whitby practice, it should have been her that should have gone or at least had some proper training, i should not, therer was a woman when i was waiting to see the doctor and she heard the upsetmrnt and when i went to sit by her said she is a very wicked person that receptionist that she had actually helped to kill her husband and i said to this lady i can beleive it so is so nasty and there is no call for it whatsoever.  The marriage breaker up at sleights will not be seeing me again, k have not signed any forms requesting to be on their list and i have told them how i was put into contact with them because, the paramedics twisted me into going therr at 2 p.m. early morning they recconed that they booked me in as a member of slights list and this was a big lie i was listening and there was nobody there ,they tried to trick me to be on Sleights list but , i don,t wish to be and have rang and told them i am not on your list, your marriage breaking up list so make sure that i am not because i am Not. and WILL NOT BE EVER. THIS NEEDS A COPY TO BE SENT TO THE PRIME MINISTER AND QUICK, HE NEEDS TO GET THAT ONE SORTED OUT.
 

She actually got dumped because she sent them a nastygram by post demanding X Y & Z members of staff must be fired or she's leaving, and doctors wrote back with you're no longer on our list from X date, so sorry to see you go....

She could have avoided £30 from her disability money by getting in the car in her garage and driving there (it's a huge 4 miles away).

Get on it Sir Keir!

[myglaren]

I thought she lived over Hadley's?  that is about half a mile from the Heron Foods shop on Baxtergate, unless they have moved it.  Seems odd to have a doctor there though.

But Springvale doctors is where my brother goes and although it is a bit further away from Bridge Street, it is only about a mile and a half on foot.

I had previously got the impression that she lived on Castle Road/Stakesby Road, even closer to the doctors.

Can't say I remember many Jeans though.  One died in the seventies, one is the same age as me, was at school with both of them and the third may be about the right age but only just.

All very confusing.

I'm intrigued and wondering if I know her, she is a bit older than me but not much.

[High Jetter]

2 hours ago, Mr Pastry said:

your local library

I'm guessing that might be a bit of a trek too

[High Jetter]

1 hour ago, jakebullet said:

She could have avoided £30 from her disability money by getting in the car in her garage and driving there (it's a huge 4 miles away).

£30 for a 4 mile cab ride? Did she run up waiting time bending the driver's ear? Even £15 each way sounds spendy.

[Remspoor]

My 307 the car the just keeps giving. Due for the Spanish equivalent of the UK's MOT. Checking the lights and the high level brake light is not working. Uncliped the plug and   sprayed contact cleaner, still not working. Tried to test the circuit with a lamp. That worked. So the unit is broken. Close inspection seems like one of the pins on the metal circuit of the unit is loose. But just about hanging. Been to 3 scrapies nothing. Looking online nothing on fleabay, nothing on other second hand car part websites. So SW 3rd brake lights are very different to normal hatchbacks.

Cancelled the test until resolved.

[jakebullet]

1 hour ago, myglaren said:

I thought she lived over Hadley's?  that is about half a mile from the Heron Foods shop on Baxtergate, unless they have moved it.  Seems odd to have a doctor there though.

But Springvale doctors is where my brother goes and although it is a bit further away from Bridge Street, it is only about a mile and a half on foot.

I had previously got the impression that she lived on Castle Road/Stakesby Road, even closer to the doctors.

Can't say I remember many Jeans though.  One died in the seventies, one is the same age as me, was at school with both of them and the third may be about the right age but only just.

All very confusing.

I'm intrigued and wondering if I know her, she is a bit older than me but not much.

She's at the other end of church street near the boat yard, I think heron foods is a bit of random madness. Doubt you know her, she's not native to Whitby.

[myglaren]

Probably not then as I left there in 1968.

[MikeR]

well rung up scotty power today and pointed out that the meter bloke did not turn up to do the change ....and basically went like 

so would I like to book another appointment and we will make sure it happens  ... ?     err no 

why ?

because its winter now , I have ill and disabled people at home , I will think about it in the spring 

err ok , I will put a note on the file ....

[richardmorris]

5 hours ago, 83C said:

Today I'm grumpy because things are just less convenient. 

I need a V55/5 form to register the Sambar. No problem thinks I, the Post Office will do them. The local one didn't (not so much of a surprise) but they directed me to the big post office in town. They don't do them either, but sent me onwards to a smaller post office that is apparently the main post office in the area for DVLA forms - except the V55/5. 'Can't you just print one?' asked the clerk behind the counter, somewhat unhelpfully. Bit fucking difficult when I have no printer, which is why I'm stood here asking. If I could have printed the form at home I wouldn't have had a two day mission trekking around different post offices seeking what is apparently the DVLA equivalent of the Golden Fleece, the Holy Grail and a 10mm socket all rolled into one. 

Ok, I'll phone DVLA and order one. Anyone tried to find DVLA's phone number recently? Good luck. The .gov website tries to take you though a selection of questions that just make you end up at the online page with whatever form you want, which is no fucking use when you need a phone number. Eventually some googling threw up a number, and after being passed through 4 different departments I ended up speaking to someone who confirmed that yes, they could post me a V55/5 form, I'd just have to wait 10 working days for it to turn up - wouldn't I rather print it instead and get it instantly? Whilst the swear words that coursed through my mind came thick and fast, I managed to keep them away from developing into actual noises whilst muttering 'no thanks' down the phone. 

Two fucking weeks to drop a sheet of A4 in an envelope and stick it in the post. Mind you this is the same DVLA that insist the fee that accompanies a V55/5 must be in the form of a cheque. A fucking cheque. I had to order a chequebook, something I've not owned an example of for 15 years or more now. So a form that is deliberately difficult to get unless you go online, download and print it yourself has to be accompanied by a method of payment that is also a fucking ballache.

Fuck sakes. 

Bonus added side grump - pressure selling. I need to insure the Sambar as part of the registration application, initially on the chassis number. Adrian Fuck do VIN insurance, so I phoned them. Got the quote, wanted to get some comparisons from elsewhere, but could they send me the quote via email? The lady I spoke to tried everything to get me to buy on the spot, from saying the quote was only valid for this call and due to 'live pricing' could change, that I could buy now and if I find a cheaper quote elsewhere cancel and get my money back, was there an issue with the quote, why couldn't I buy now, etc. I get they have sales targets to meet but I absolutely will not buy when being pushed - if anything I'll go out of my way to get what I need elsewhere instead. Bollocks to it all.

 

If you want email me the form link and I will post it to you? Just donate the stamp cost to the forum?

[richardmorris]

2 minutes ago, richardmorris said:

If you want email me the form link and I will post it to you? Just donate the stamp cost to the forum?

I’ve just done it from the gov website. Pm me your address if you want and it will go in the post 9am.

[richardmorris]

2 hours ago, High Jetter said:

£30 for a 4 mile cab ride? Did she run up waiting time bending the driver's ear? Even £15 each way sounds spendy.

My parents have a taxi to Wrexham maelor hospital now as parking is impossible without a half mile walk. Which dad can’t which is the reason for the hospital appointments. It’s £4,50 ish for four miles.

[wuvvum]

I bought an Android stereo for the Merc off eBay on 27th October.  It was dispatched with Royal Mail 48 hour tracked, seller posted it on 28th so it should have been with me by 31st at the latest.  Tracking just said "Accepted at parcel shop" and didn't move on from there.

Tuesday last week postie put a card through my letterbox saying that the parcel had insufficient postage on it and I needed to pay another £3.  Bit of an annoyance but no biggie - I've had it happen a couple of times now with eBay postage and I got the stereo pretty cheap so I didn't mind too much.  Went online, paid the £3 and selected the option to have the stereo redelivered on Thursday.

Thursday came and went, no sign of the stereo, tracking still resolutely stuck at "Accepted at parcel shop".  Today I went online and it's finally been updated - to "Redirection in place - item forwarded".  What the actual fuck?!  The Royal Mail website is, as one would expect, about as useful as a chocolate fireguard.  I have no idea what's going on, who requested a redirection or why they didn't deliver it when they were supposed to, and I have no way of finding out.  I know it's a minor grump in the scheme of things, but corporate incompetence like this really gets on my tits.

[myglaren]

55 minutes ago, richardmorris said:

My parents have a taxi to Wrexham maelor hospital now as parking is impossible without a half mile walk. Which dad can’t which is the reason for the hospital appointments. It’s £4,50 ish for four miles.

Daughter tells me that a taxi to The Galleries (shopping centre) which is a mile from me is a tenner.

[maxxo]

Burglar alarms

just had a frantic Facebook message from one of my parents neighbours and a good friend of mine saying her alarm is going off and won’t stop

welp, guess a 30 odd mile round trip in the freezing weather is in order to sort it

i get there and sure enough it’s in alarm and going ballistic (ADE accenta panel), right open the panel and yep 2 massive skid marks on the PCB, so that’s fucked

anyway time to kill it

and here is the grump, whatever fucking stupid bastard fitted it wired the mains in alarm cable

8 core alarm cable

4 cores for live, 4 for neutral 

one of the live cores had come out and was hanging free

now this was while it was still going off, diagnostic time so to say

my fucking hand brushed against the live core

in doing so propelled it backwards at high speed

right into the side of the gas meter bracket

why yes I said, this does hurt a little bit and what an undesirable situation……… or words to that effect starting with F, C, T and B

anyway got it silenced and time to leave to drive back home to county durham

not before I slip over leaving her house and smack my arse into the pavement

so now I’m home, I’m in pain and I’m cold, I can taste copper and my arm is still slightly tingly

im now sat in bed eating chocolate cos why the hell not

but it was good to help someone out, roads were lovely and quiet too

 

 

ironically enough I’ve been fitting an alarm to my house today, sick of the sight of them for one day

[Pieman]

Does anything in your life EVER go right?

[maxxo]

11 minutes ago, Pieman said:

Does anything in your life EVER go right?

Yes actually the vast majority these days seems to be going right

its just there’s always some added chaos in there, but I just always try and find the funny side of it, no point dwelling on the negatives

[83C]

5 hours ago, richardmorris said:

I’ve just done it from the gov website. Pm me your address if you want and it will go in the post 9am.

Thanks fella, much appreciated!

[Yoss]

5 hours ago, maxxo said:

Burglar alarms

just had a frantic Facebook message from one of my parents neighbours and a good friend of mine saying her alarm is going off and won’t stop

welp, guess a 30 odd mile round trip in the freezing weather is in order to sort it

i get there and sure enough it’s in alarm and going ballistic (ADE accenta panel), right open the panel and yep 2 massive skid marks on the PCB, so that’s fucked

anyway time to kill it

and here is the grump, whatever fucking stupid bastard fitted it wired the mains in alarm cable

8 core alarm cable

4 cores for live, 4 for neutral 

one of the live cores had come out and was hanging free

now this was while it was still going off, diagnostic time so to say

my fucking hand brushed against the live core

in doing so propelled it backwards at high speed

right into the side of the gas meter bracket

why yes I said, this does hurt a little bit and what an undesirable situation……… or words to that effect starting with F, C, T and B

anyway got it silenced and time to leave to drive back home to county durham

not before I slip over leaving her house and smack my arse into the pavement

so now I’m home, I’m in pain and I’m cold, I can taste copper and my arm is still slightly tingly

im now sat in bed eating chocolate cos why the hell not

but it was good to help someone out, roads were lovely and quiet too

 

 

ironically enough I’ve been fitting an alarm to my house today, sick of the sight of them for one day

Liked for the chocolate in bed, not the electric shock obvs. 

[Mally]

12 hours ago, jakebullet said:

Hey hey it's the mad Jean:

I have been thrown off for no good reason off spring vale medical centre. This is a very unfair thing to do and have tried to force me onto sleights medical centre when we have always gone to Spring vale Medical centre in Heron Foods Whitby . My husband is 94 years old and i am 81. We were asked to go at 5 p.m. time and it cost us 30 pounds in cash out of our disability money in too cold weather aparg from been out of the town where we live and have done for 30 years we are too old and disabled to travel in taxis at 30 pounds a time out of our disability money. when i went it was not at all to see a doctor it was to trap us into seeing a social presciber who had the cheak to tell me to leave my husband and she wanted to send me to a womans refuge in scarb., i told her i will not i don,t want to leave my ill husband who i have bedn married for for over 60 years, how dare she suggest this to me? the bad person. we live here in whitby but, because of a very nasty towards me talked to me like a dog i got thrown out of the Whitby practice, it should have been her that should have gone or at least had some proper training, i should not, therer was a woman when i was waiting to see the doctor and she heard the upsetmrnt and when i went to sit by her said she is a very wicked person that receptionist that she had actually helped to kill her husband and i said to this lady i can beleive it so is so nasty and there is no call for it whatsoever.  The marriage breaker up at sleights will not be seeing me again, k have not signed any forms requesting to be on their list and i have told them how i was put into contact with them because, the paramedics twisted me into going therr at 2 p.m. early morning they recconed that they booked me in as a member of slights list and this was a big lie i was listening and there was nobody there ,they tried to trick me to be on Sleights list but , i don,t wish to be and have rang and told them i am not on your list, your marriage breaking up list so make sure that i am not because i am Not. and WILL NOT BE EVER. THIS NEEDS A COPY TO BE SENT TO THE PRIME MINISTER AND QUICK, HE NEEDS TO GET THAT ONE SORTED OUT.
 

She actually got dumped because she sent them a nastygram by post demanding X Y & Z members of staff must be fired or she's leaving, and doctors wrote back with you're no longer on our list from X date, so sorry to see you go....

She could have avoided £30 from her disability money by getting in the car in her garage and driving there (it's a huge 4 miles away).

Get on it Sir Keir!

Are the ages at 81 and 94 correct? If so I feel this could go some way to explaining  things.

I'm likely to be like that, well before reaching 94.

I'm hoping I'm gone by 81 to avoid the situation arising.

[EyesWeldedShut]

Whoever came up with the idea of putting the washer motor on a Sevel van in the most inaccessible spot possible (but still in view just to drive you mad) should get a feckin' medal. If I was left handed and my fingers weren't freezing off then I'd maybe not be so grumpy.
That and I need to retrieve two picks that I dropped onto the engine undertrays and will I get a new one my Sunday. 

I need some breakfast.

[jakebullet]

5 hours ago, Mally said:

Are the ages at 81 and 94 correct? If so I feel this could go some way to explaining  things.

I'm likely to be like that, well before reaching 94.

I'm hoping I'm gone by 81 to avoid the situation arising.

Yes, accurate ages. But she's always been nuts, I think a lot of current stuff is she's bored and trying to get attention, and doesn't realise if she keeps saying "He's violent" at some point he's going to be taken away.

[barefoot]

30 minutes ago, jakebullet said:

... at some point he's going to be taken away.

Where do they take them all to?

Loggerheads?

[andy18s]

We used to live in Loggerheads.  . 

[Mally]

1 hour ago, jakebullet said:

Yes, accurate ages. But she's always been nuts, I think a lot of current stuff is she's bored and trying to get attention, and doesn't realise if she keeps saying "He's violent" at some point he's going to be taken away.

I've had a rant at a Dr's receptionist. They cancelled a home visit to my wife as too busy. I took her to A +E and she passed on within a fortnight.

I get what's going on, from both sides. But I do have some sympathy for mad Jean.

If she was always slightly deranged this is bound to push her over the edge.

It's a rant, but a good one on some points.