The grumpy thread

[DSdriver]

You know your day is going to be ruined when you get a letter that starts

...we are continually reviewing our offer to make sure we can give you the best service and value..."

 

It translates as

...we have just thought of a way to screw more money out of you by offering a service for which we are probably going to get fined by an ombudsman and have to give refunds in about five years time..."

[whitevanman]

trikes... basic vehicle contruction and use covers the building of them....as for who uses them? My other half does, she is shit on bikes but wants to be able to feel like she is riding one, as for bad ones, well it ain't like you never see a bad car or driver is it ??

[ayd]

Saab is in for it's MOT....it's going to fail

[chaseracer]

You know your day is going to be ruined when you get a letter that starts

...we are continually reviewing our offer to make sure we can give you the best service and value..."

 

It translates as

...we have just thought of a way to screw more money out of you by offering a service for which we are probably going to get fined by an ombudsman and have to give refunds in about five years time..."

 

Easily resolved...

 

 

[rml2345]

Not a grump but quite sad all the same. Preliminary report from the engineers is that the "Leyland" Yaris died in the accident on Monday. I'm going to miss the wee bugger

 

Grumpy that I spotted the council spreading grit on the same fucking road this morning...

[ruffgeezer]

trikes... basic vehicle contruction and use covers the building of them....as for who uses them? My other half does, she is shit on bikes but wants to be able to feel like she is riding one, as for bad ones, well it ain't like you never see a bad car or driver is it ??

 

The argument for or against trikes is always going to be personal taste. I hope that unlike this guy, your wife makes use of at least some sort of protection when she uses hers, the issue i have here is the was no protection at all and very poor road ettiquette, he kept a motorbike behind him for a good mile with his constant weaving in an attempt to pass.

[wuvvum]

A twit in an MG TD made me grumpy this morning. Normally I love seeing old motors out and about enjoying the sunshine, but I know for a fact that a TD is capable of cruising at significantly more than 37mph on a dry, clear A road. If you want to pootle along without a care in the world then fair enough, but don't do it at rush hour for mile after fugging mile and hold up people who are trying to get to work. Fortunately with the gobshites being off school the traffic coming the other way was light enough that the Rover, even in its current doomless state, managed to get past him OK - and as an added bonus, the fact that the fuelling's completely screwed up at the moment meant it kicked out a huge cloud of black smoke as I passed him.

[Negative Creep]

A twit in an MG TD made me grumpy this morning. Normally I love seeing old motors out and about enjoying the sunshine, but I know for a fact that a TD is capable of cruising at significantly more than 37mph on a dry, clear A road. If you want to pootle along without a care in the world then fair enough, but don't do it at rush hour for mile after fugging mile and hold up people who are trying to get to work. Fortunately with the gobshites being off school the traffic coming the other way was light enough that the Rover, even in its current doomless state, managed to get past him OK - and as an added bonus, the fact that the fuelling's completely screwed up at the moment meant it kicked out a huge cloud of black smoke as I passed him.

 

 

That car I can understand, but of late I've been stuck behind endless fuckwits who think 40 in a 60or 30 in a 40 is just fine. If the person immediately behind won't overtake, you're doomed to just sit in the queue. I would say do these people ever look in their mirrors, but the answer to that is obvious. If I were PM, these people would have their licenses torn up on the spot

[Danblez]

A twit in an MG TD made me grumpy this morning. Normally I love seeing old motors out and about enjoying the sunshine, but I know for a fact that a TD is capable of cruising at significantly more than 37mph on a dry, clear A road. If you want to pootle along without a care in the world then fair enough, but don't do it at rush hour for mile after fugging mile and hold up people who are trying to get to work. Fortunately with the gobshites being off school the traffic coming the other way was light enough that the Rover, even in its current doomless state, managed to get past him OK - and as an added bonus, the fact that the fuelling's completely screwed up at the moment meant it kicked out a huge cloud of black smoke as I passed him.

 

 

That car I can understand, but of late I've been stuck behind endless fuckwits who think 40 in a 60or 30 in a 40 is just fine. If the person immediately behind won't overtake, you're doomed to just sit in the queue. I would say do these people ever look in their mirrors, but the answer to that is obvious. If I were PM, these people would have their licenses torn up on the spot

 

I am not sure what annoys me more, when this happens on the way to work or the way home.

[cobblers]

TBH the 40mph national speed limit twats usually carry on at 40mph when the limit drops to 30. I had one the other day - A twat in a van pulled out on me in Blyth and then did 40mph all the way to Rotherham whether the limit was 60 or 30.

 

To top it off he was on his phone for ages and all over the road, but the dash cam in my van isn't good enough resolution to pick the reflection through the mirror up or I'd have sent a copy of the video to the plod (and to his employer too)

[dollywobbler]

Spot on Cobblers. The "40mph everywhere and anywhere" brigade right royally piss me off. Do remember that speed limits are that though, not compulsory targets. Despite this, I feel guilty when I'm in a minibus doing the legal 50mph on a single-carriageway road. Other slow folk don't seem to get this. I had a bus with a binding brake the other day, so decided to limp it back at 40mph. I pulled over twice on that journey to let folk past.

 

There's a real danger that this common complaint will naturally turn to horseboxes. So I shall do so now. Again. When was the last time you saw one of those pull over to let people pass?

[vulgalour]

It's 7am. Small dog going Yapyapyapyapyap *pause* yapyap *pause* child screaming and yapyapyapyapyap. This will continue ad nauseum until 6pm. The past couple of nights I've been struggling to get a decent night's sleep so I'm really ratty about outside noises, especially the person that thinks 7am to 10am is the ideal time to fire up the garden strimmer and use it in such a way that it sounds like he's in the hallway outside my bedroom. I'm really looking forward to getting into regular employment as I shan't be here to be annoyed during the day and I'll be earning money for the privilege, the job hunt continues apace and there does seem to be a lot of stuff to apply for at the moment.

[chaseracer]

...horseboxes... when was the last time you saw one of those pull over to let people pass?

Ian, as mere serfs and peasants, we have no rights even to be on the Queen's Highway. Horseboxes are used by our betters to remind us that this obtains whether the Coelympics are on or not...

[messerschmitt owner]

The Olympics. Just show us the beach volleyball and sod the rest.

[Negative Creep]

...horseboxes... when was the last time you saw one of those pull over to let people pass?

Ian, as mere serfs and peasants, we have no rights even to be on the Queen's Highway. Horseboxes are used by our betters to remind us that this obtains whether the Coelympics are on or not...

 

Or caravans. In ten years of driving I have never, ever, seen one pull in to let people past

[wuvvum]

I had a bus with a binding brake the other day, so decided to limp it back at 40mph. I pulled over twice on that journey to let folk past.

This. Round here, (most) tractor drivers are the only road users who seem to manage this - caravans, horse boxes, Tesco lorries and old giffers just carry on completely oblivious to the queue of traffic behind them.

 

Isn't there something in the Highway Code which says that if you're driving at a speed that causes an obstruction to other traffic and you have more than a certain number of vehicles stuck behind you you're obliged to pull over when it's safe to do so and let them pass? Most road users that I've encountered - particularly old giffers - are more likely to start flashing, honking and gesticulating should you have the temerity to overtake them.

[willswitchengage]

Remember the NSL is 50 for vans and 40 for HGVs, although I don't think I've ever seen them being respected...

 

According to our local tv news there's a proposal for 40mph rural speed limits. Wtf? Genuinely don't get this, coming from somebody who is the most sedately driver on this interforum. Some bizarre tranquility iniative like the Windermere speed restriction?

[autofive]

fucking BT

 

fault with the phoneline and broadband speeds lower than dialup.

reported last wednesday morning

 

"we aim to rectify the fault within three working days"

 

so this morning i, foolishly, expected progress. no knock on the door, or calls to the mobile, or emails. i emailed BT to complain and received a reply that they tried to contact us but the contact details were wrong (yeah, right) and now they say it will be rectified by the end of the 26th - so 6 working days then

 

twats

 

 

not only twats but lying twats; they sent another email at 18:10pm

 

Firstly accept my apologies for the ongoing fault on your line and the level of service we have given you.

 

Because of the inability to reply to your initial email the fault was not sent to the engineers until today and so the standard commitment time starts from today. As of now the engineers are hoping to deal with this fault on 25/07/2012. We will check this again tomorrow to see if there is any movement and update you accordingly.

 

We will certainly try to find out why we were not able to respond to your initial report via email as it is most unusual.

 

With regard to rebates etc., we will be able to credit your account for the period you were without service.

 

Once again, please accept my sincere apologies for the difficulties you have encountered, I hope this information helps and if you should have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact us again by responding to this email.

 

Thank you for contacting BT.

 

finally sorted it out, still denying that a complaint was made last week, but theres an answer phone message from last thursday acknowledging the email. Time for a chat with ofcom i think

[Spiny Norman]

I can't honestly say I mind that much if I get stuck behind something like a big HGV or a Digger. They've got jobs to do and are probably going as fast as the road/their vehicle/the law allows, but I do get really pissed off with "Mr. 40mph regardless..."

 

Also on the same subject, why do people react like such dicks when you overtake them?

Again, this tends not to be the HGV driver, but the previously timid, ditsy, twat who's just been meandering along at about half the speed they should be doing suddenly remembers where the accelerator is and speeds up as you pass?

Memo:- The slower of my 2 cars has a power-to-weight ratio of about 125bhp/ton, so unless you're in something properly fast I am getting past.

[chaseracer]

...horseboxes... when was the last time you saw one of those pull over to let people pass?

Ian, as mere serfs and peasants, we have no rights even to be on the Queen's Highway. Horseboxes are used by our betters to remind us that this obtains whether the Coelympics are on or not...

 

Or caravans. In ten years of driving I have never, ever, seen one pull in to let people past

Not generally an issue with the maternal parenting unit. If ever a green Allroad/2-berth Lunar combo hoves into view on a road between Malvern and Cannock Chase, mid-Wales or Lyme Regis, she WILL pass you at the earliest appropriate opportunity...

[garycox]

None of my cars are both MOTd and working.

 

The Simca is especially 'not working'.

 

BALLS.

[Pillock]

Remember the NSL is 50 for vans and 40 for HGVs, although I don't think I've ever seen them being respected...

 

According to our local tv news there's a proposal for 40mph rural speed limits. Wtf? Genuinely don't get this, coming from somebody who is the most sedately driver on this interforum. Some bizarre tranquility iniative like the Windermere speed restriction?

 

This has been blown up a little by the press.

The recommendation is that "some" roads will get a 40mph limit - i.e. there won't just be a blanket 60mph covering all non-residential roads. In actual fact this has already started to some extent and there are increasing numbers of rural roads with high accident rates that are now 50mph limit.

 

What annoys me about it is that it's only an issue because new drivers seem to lack common sense and the ability to read the road ahead - they see the NSL sign and assume it's safe to do 60mph EVERYWHERE. Including a series of tightening corners, hump-backed bridges etc. If drivers were better, the majority would not be punished (and it IS a punishment).

[cort16]

I can't find my new pissing trade insurance certificate. I remember it coming in and putting it down on a shelf but now it's disappeared. There's only two of us live in this house and I didn't move it and she denies it. Until I find it my shite fleet is in dry dock incase I get stopped by the rozzers. bollocks.

[meggersdog]

On the subject of Mr 40mph everywhere, yesterday myself and many other road users were stuck behind an old giffer doing 30mph on a B road.When we came to a 40mph speed limit he dropped to twenty.At a T junction where nearly all the drivers needed to turn right this old fool used the opposite lane effectively blocking it for (luckily no) on-coming traffic.Then finally when it was safe to overtake as the first car was pulling out to overtake the old fool must have panicked and slammed on the brakes.

Really should not be on the road and especially at 5pm

[willswitchengage]

Who's to say that MX5 owner quickly pursuing an ASer a while back isn't writing similar posts on his forum? Sorry to sound like arguing for the sake of it but people like to drive at different speeds, and will always antagonise each other in the process. I followed a seven and a halfer at 30 all the way home the other night, obviously got home later than I would have like but it really doesn't matter if its a lorry, old person, really fast Cyclist etc. Not worth getting hung up about, you never know they may just be driving cautiously due to being on the phone/drinking heavily

 

Propa grump: this was written from a friend's ipad and sqfe to say it's a piece of buggy shit and safari in no way "the best way to do internet"

[Negative Creep]

On the subject of wankers, I gave someone a dose of the full beams for the first time in ages. Said prat was in the outside lane "overtaking" a line of cars that were doing 67.8mph at about 67.9mph. Although it was rather amusing to see him wobble about the road as said flash woke him up.

[barrett]

I still don't have a car. The man who is supposed to be bringing it hasn't even phoned me yet. It's probably upside-down on fire in a field or something by now. I REALLY WANT TO HAVE IT NOW PLEASE!

 

Edit to add also, looking at BMC_Dan's Harpenden photos and seeing some of the AMAZING stuff we missed there today. Total bummer.

[willswitchengage]

Bird Shit!

The sticky kind that the jet wash doesn't remove. The kind that reacts with bug and tar remover to turn into an oily sticky mess.

 

Also, the hot rinse at the jetwash that isn't.

 

Leave wet paper towling on it for an hour and it will wipe straight off

 

Also Baz I'm down your road again, lolz.

[Ross_K]

Fucking tonsils.

 

Got mine out the other week and it wasn't much fun.

 

I was looking forward to spending two weeks watching Netflix when I got out, but I ended up with no broadband for ten days thanks to my local friendly cable company. Fuckers.

 

Having no tonsils is great though - once you get over the initial pain, bleeding, etc. I should have got rid of the bastards years ago.

 

The "doctor" who discharged me messed up my painkiller prescription and gave me a line for 100 Tramadol instead of 10 so it wasn't all bad...

[scaryoldcortina]

I'm properly annoyed about this.

 

I recently fitted a wiring loom to a beetle, as a call out job done on the customer's driveway. I quoted £50, and because he's a fairly regular customer I didn't charge any more than that despite the job not exactly being as described (car was a stripped shell, "new" loom was in fact old and damaged) and it taking 2 1/2 days instead of a couple of hours - I'd quoted £50, so that's what he paid. Loom was fitted, everything worked at the time.

 

That's not the annoying bit.

 

2 days ago, I got another call from him asking if I would come out and make the engine run as he was having fuel problems and couldn't get it to go - he said it was urgent, and he had money waiting so I went straight over and spent over an hour sorting out the mess (fuel pipes back to front on the pump, pump didn't actually work, and the fuel cutoff solenoid on the carb had lost its spade connector. First replacement pump worked, but leaked like a sieve, second one did the job) so the car ran. Then I spent another half hour putting right some of the wiring that "someone" has played with since my last visit (different steering wheel) and made the horn work again. I charged him £40.

 

Again, not the annoying bit.

 

This afternoon I got a phone call. His son and son-in-law have been round to see him, and tried to convince him that I'm ripping him off on the grounds that I only charged £50 the first time so £40 for 3 hours of professional time and a 20 mile round trip must be too much - they also believe that the £50 loom fitting should include a lifetime warranty on all electrical items on the car and also they say that I should get the car to MoT standard for free to make up for it. Thankfully, he's a sensible old fella and isn't doing that, but he did feel that he needed to phone me and tell me what they were saying.

 

That's the annoying bit. Cheeky beggars. Try getting "ABC auto-electrics" or whoever else is first in the yellow pages to a/ work on a beetle or b/ do anything beyond pointing and laughing for £50. BAH!