OMG! It’s gooorgeous! Or, so good I’ve mentioned it twice.

30 November 2007

Samsung LE19R86WDX LCD TelevisionOur new television arrived today only 2 days since I ordered it. The company rang me yesterday to ask if I would like it delivered on Monday, but it came today. I’m not complaining.

Jim chose it and I did the ordering, so I hadn’t really looked at it apart from the price, which is my job to OK. Jim earns it and I OK spending it; a perfect arrangement I say. Anyhow, I told Jim it was here and of course he had to down tools and come and see. He said he’d set it up for me. Yeah, right. More like he had a new toy and wanted to play! Read more

Arghh, the TV went

28 November 2007

Samsung LE19R86WDX LCD TelevisionOur bedroom TV finally passed away last night. It had been ill for some time and would switch itself off whenever it had had enough, so in fairness it was a kindness when it finally went last night. It had had a good innings and we will have fond memories of it.

Anyway, enough sentimentality. I need a new TV. As an emergency measure we brought the dining room TV into our room. I was watching some programmes I’d Sky Plused and it was really quite poor timing. Luckily Jim had already researched new TVs as he wanted one to match a games console we have. He has decided on this TV not just because it is white, but it HD ready and has built in freeview. Read more

Drive Assist update and thank you

23 November 2007

I noticed from our website statistics that many people have been searching for information on the report from Watchdog this week. I have complained already and got nowhere and have used the contact address supplied on the BBC Watchdog site ;
bbcwatchdog@driveassist.co.uk

There is also a contact number - 01827 305555.

I had heard nothing, but wasn’t too surprised as they must’ve had quite an influx of complaints. Today I checked my bank account and there was a refund of £155 from Drive Assist. I could be picky and ask for all my calls and time etc to be reimbursed. I could ask why I wasn’t sent an email or letter (which of course could be in the post), but I’m happy today knowing that the original amount has been refunded immediately.

I only complained on Tuesday evening, so well done and thank you Drive Assist. Good luck to anyone else who is waiting to hear.

UPDATE - 24th November

I have received a letter in the post today from Drive Assist to apologise. It seems like a standard letter. There’s no actual mention of any of the specifics from my complaint. I have to laugh that they are now very apologetic, which is a massive change from the previous dismissive letters I received before Watchdog stepped in. Now I wonder can Watchdog help me to turn around some other people with equally annoying and blinkered attitudes?

However, with regard to my complaint to the FSA that was not successful. Drive Assist advised in their penultimate letter that I could complain to the FSA, which I had already done prior to Watchdog’s involvement. I received a letter from the FSA after receiving the refund, which said that car hire per se is not covered by them, but I may still have a complaint through my insurance company. If Watchdog had not stepped in I fear that like many before I would have coughed up and that would’ve been the end of it.

JANUARY 2008
I notice that people are still looking for information on Drive Assist and I hope that this information and that supplied by Watchdog is of help.



Child benefit records lost

21 November 2007

I am one of the reported 25 million who receives child benefit into their bank account and therefore my details were on the ‘lost discs’. I heard this on the news last night and to be honest my first thought was not to panic. I wondered if I should? In the wrong hands the passwords protecting the discs could be hacked and then who knows? For now I’m not particularly concerned, but then my details haven’t yet been used!

The advise so far is as follows:

  • check your bank accounts regularly for any unauthorised transactions.
  • change your passwords if they include your children’s names or any other details that were included on these discs - name, date of birth, National Insurance Number, address etc
  • contact your bank or building society if you see any transactions that are unfamiliar.

If any fraudulent transactions occur weare being told that they will be reimbursed.

As flippant as it may sound there is little else we can do. I feel for the person who posted the discs, who is reported to have resigned today.

For more information you can read here on the BBC news website. A special helpline has also been set up for anyone who is worried, which is 0845 302 1444.

In the meantime I will continue to check my account daily as I always have done and sit and wait to see what happens next.

Today I’m on a roll…

20 November 2007

I have been meaning to contact Asda for sometime and today I did. I take an elderly relative shopping each week, who sadly can’t cope with a change in supermarket or I’d be taking her to one of the many other nearby supermarkets. What has Asda done to upset me so much? It forces me to use plastic bags! Forces me, I tell you!

Strata Composter 220lt by from Greenfingers Trading LtdOK, I’m never forced to do anything, but our local store and two others I recently visited have the habit of putting the shopping into their plastic bags despite us having our own reusable bags. Everybody talk of ’saving the planet’, ‘global warming’ ‘recycling‘ etc and so here at Fourjay Towers we try to do our bit. Everything we can recycle is recycled; glass, plastic, cardboard, paper etc. Our local council has provided new recycle bins and are now recycling more materials. We have a compost bin in the garden for peelings, coffee, tea bags etc and consequently our bin is usually fairly empty.Odour Free Compost Caddy 9 Litre by from Greenfingers Trading Ltd

Cambodian Recycled Rice Bags (Poppins Shopper Pink) by Firebox from FireboxNow what gets my goat is the supermarket putting my goods in to plastic bags even when I ask them not to. As soon as they spot some bleach, raw meat or a non food item they can’t resist! Out comes the Asda bag and in it goes! And out it goes as I repeat no thanks I don’t need a bag. I swear one day that’s what I’ll do; swear! Instead I have contacted Adsa and now wait to see what their response will be.

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