stacey-lyn

Here ;-)

I have found that "Excuse me, you've dropped something" with a big smile works more often than not or at least stops them as they have no idea what they've 'dropped'. Unless of course they're one of those gits who pretend to be on their mobiles while their dogs are leaving a nice big dung heap for the rest of us to clean up or step in, whichever comes first.

We did for a long time. Finally, an explanation from a senior technician who said that some of the boxes (especially in this area) can't accommodate all the providers so it is not uncommon to find that Virgin's had been disconnected (one assumes by other providers). Took 5 minutes for him to reconnect it and hey presto. He said that if we have problems next time, ask the technician to check the box down the road (rather than spending ages disconnecting then reconnecting our internal fibre optics cables etc etc). Hope this helps.

Thanks Woodrot. These were copied examples of genuine concerns (& the research) from other consumers on various sites - some of which are clearly irrelevant. Nevertheless, the same companies in their various guises seem to have been around for while. There is clear legislation in place to protect consumers especially the vulnerable (Cancellation of Contracts Made in a Consumer?s Home or Place of Work etc Regulations 2008). " The provisions are particularly important for vulnerable consumers who?having invited a salesperson into their home?can feel pressured into buying something they do not want or need. Together with the unfair commercial practices directive, the measure sends a clear message that businesses that lack integrity and feed on fear will not be tolerated." I have seen the company's website, and I don't know how legitimate they are or not but I do know 2 things: 1. my neighbour did not want nor need 'home improvements' ie cladding and 2. they are working in tandem with a seemingly unscrupulous marketing company. In any event, the paperwork used is in clear breach of the law as there is only a consent section and no mention at all of any cooling off period nor of any right to cancel.These sales people are not honest and above board. Given that there are almost 500 No Cold Calling Zones nationwide, this is obviously a real problem. www.winchelsea.net/images/TSI.pdf I informed Southwark Trading Standards (thank you James).

Growing up in the South Pacific has given me a different perspective on tattoos. The 'tatua' or 'moko' is similar to an identity card. Traditionally it represented status, ferocity, virility etc. The wearer's position of power and authority could be instantly recognized in his/her tatua. Ancestry is indicated on each side of the face. The left is generally (but not always, depending on the 'tribe') the paternal side, while the right side indicates the maternal side. So, though I do not share the view that the Beckhams of this world are a disgrace and so on, I am bemused and bewildered by the popularity of "tribal" tattoos as mere adornments. I guess to the wearer, they are aesthetically pleasing but their true significance (genealogy etc) has been sadly lost in translation.

And then there's this: Apr 29, 2011 A girl just came to my door today and gave me a green card saying Certificate of Entitlement' and asked for my number as they will give me a call about exterior work to my house. Is this a scam as I have seen the name come up on a number of other forums? I'm Worried now! Hi Marketing Croydon, UK Reply ?|Report Abuse|Judge it!|#2Aug 6, 2011 Does any know of Hi Marketing (Home Improvement Marketing Ltd)? A guy came to the door offering a free condition assessment on the exterior of my home. I looked up the company and they do not seem to exist. I think it is a bogus company current operating in Croydon. BlueStar17 Croydon, UK Reply ?|Report Abuse|Judge it!|#3Aug 6, 2011 Just found this http://www.se23.com/forum/showthread.php... See what you think! RON E Bexhill, UK Reply ?|Report Abuse|Judge it!|#4Dec 14, 2011 Hi Marketing wrote: Does any know of Hi Marketing (Home Improvement Marketing Ltd)? A guy came to the door offering a free condition assessment on the exterior of my home. I looked up the company and they do not seem to exist. I think it is a bogus company current operating in Croydon. I LIVE IN SURREY AND A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO I WAS VISITED BY A MAN WITH ANOTHER TRAINEE CLAIMING NOT TO BE SELLING BUT MERELY OFFERING AN OUTSIDE SURVEY OF THE BRICKWORK AND RENDERING ON MY HOUSE. THE ASSESSMENT WAS BEING CARRIED OUT NATIONWIDE AND SOME OF MY NEIGHBOURS HAD ALREADY AGREED TO PARTICIPATE. THEY ALREADY HAD CERTAIN INFORMATION ON THEIR PAD AND AS I WAS TRYING TO GET OUT TO A MEETING I STUPIDLY SIGNED THE FORM A COPY OF WHICH WAS GIVEN TO ME. IT BASICALLY SAID SOMEONE WOULD RING UP TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. I HAD SAID AND IT IS ON THE FORM THAT THE BEST TIME TO CALL WAS THE EVENING. i WAS IN THE HOUSE AT 4.00PM TODAY WHEN I GOT A PHONE CALL TO CONFIRM THE INFORMATION THAT I HAD GIVEN. I GOT ANNOYED WHEN HE ASKED HOW LONG I HAD LIVED THERE WAS THERE A MRS ENTICOTT ( THERE ARE ACTUALLY SEVERAL MY PRESENT WIFE , MY FIRST WIFE, MY 2 SISTERS IN LAW THE WIVES OF MY TWO NEPHEWS ETC) BUT I DID NOT SEE THIS AS RELEVANT OR HOW LONG I HAD LIVED IN THE HOUSE. I SAID THAT I SAW NO POINT IN THE SURVEY AS IT WAS ONLY A FEW YEARS AGO WE HAD AN EXTENSION AND THE RENDERING WAS REDONE AND A LARGE AMOUNT O F NEW BRICKWORK. HE PERSITED AND IN THE END I SAID "YOU ARRE TOO PERSISTENT" AND HE PUT THE PHONE DOWN. I HAVE CHECKED ON THE COMPANY IT HAS A SHARE CAPITAL OF ONE POUND AND WAS ONLY FORMED IN MAY THIS TEAR. IT CLAIMS TO HAVE 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE! IT HAS A REGISTERED OFFICE IN LONDON AND HAS CHRISTINE ELIZABETH DILWORTH AS A DIRECTOR (SHE HAS 65 OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS)AND CITY EXECUTOR & TRUSTEE COMPANY LTD AS THE OTHER DIRECTOR. RED BALL IMPROVEMENTS (FORMERLY RED BULL IMPROVEMENTS HAS THE SAME REGISTERED OFFICE. IF YOU GET A VISITATION SEND THEM AWAY IT IS SUBTLE DOORSTEP AND TELEPHONE MARKETING.http://www.topix.com/forum/uk/south-croydon/T5Q9VCK26CO0UHPS5

Indeed Salsaboy, I Googled last night and found that too. Unfortunately I just found out that my elderly neighbour (terminally ill) signed the paperwork (ie contract) for a "free" property survey. Will get on to Trading Standards asap.

A young woman just turned up at ours (E. Dulwich Rd) saying that they are doing a 'survey on old houses in the area'. When pressed for information and asked if she was selling anything, she said no, but they 'are a company'. What company, I asked. "Bayer Global Group and we're looking at what's needed to be done to the old houses." She was pleasant enough but really wanted to get her foot in the door to do her 'survey'. I declined in no uncertain terms.

Not a van but a bus, according to the Transport incident investigator there.

my friend's bag was stolen from the same S at DKH car park as she was loading her car. S staff were useless. she gave chase in her car and caught up with them and their white van. police told her they are romanians who are known to the old bill and work the area.

Received this email from London Transport yesterday evening, if it helps anyone: TRANSPORT FOR LONDON Dear , I am writing to let you know that the ASLEF union have called a Tube strike. There is likely to be significant disruption to Tube services throughout Boxing Day, Monday 26 December. Bus, DLR and Tramlink services will operate, although some of these will have a reduced service. Cycling or walking may be practical options for many. Please check local news and travel reports before you travel. To plan your journey in advance, or for live travel news on the day, please visit tfl.gov.uk Please also note that on Christmas Day, Sunday 25 December, there is no service on the entire network. On Boxing Day, Monday 26 December there will be no London Overground service. For a comprehensive guide to services during the festive period please visit tfl.gov.uk/festivetravel Yours sincerely, Mike Brown Managing Director London Underground Journey Planner and Live Travel news are available on your mobile. For the latest information, visit tfl.gov.uk

A forewarning from Appeal Now which some may find useful in order to avoid PCN's over the holidays: " . . . To calculate the statutory Bank Holidays as Christmas falls on a Sunday this year the Christmas Bank Holiday is therefore on Monday 26th December and the Boxing Day Bank Holiday on Tuesday 27th December. You should be aware that if Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year's Day fall on a Saturday or Sunday some councils treat those days as normal days for parking enforcement where single yellow lines and metered or pay and display parking bays are involved, i.e. normal Saturday and Sunday restrictions apply. Double yellow lines are always enforced 24/7 and this includes public holidays. Yellow Box are always enforced 24/7 and that includes public holidays. Similarly any restrictions applicable to residents' parking bays and loading bays also apply to public holidays as if they were ordinary days. So for example this year Christmas and New Year fall on Sundays and if a residents' bay is restricted to residents Monday to Sunday from 8:30 am to 10:00 pm, that restriction would apply on those days. Additionally Bus Lane enforcement treats all bank holidays and public holidays as ordinary days so if there is a bus lane restriction on Sundays this will also apply on Christmas and New Year. My advice is to check with the local authority regarding their parking enforcement on Sunday 25th December 2011 and Sunday 1st January 2012 for single yellow lines and metered or pay and display parking bays. Increasingly local authorities are putting this information on their websites but there have been cases where the website said that there was no enforcement this was then changed and teams of civil enforcement officers sent out to ticket motorists who relied on the original webpage."

We received 2 erroneous PCN's on 2 separate occasions 1. wrong reg (in Westminster) 2. wrong street name (in Southwark). Submitted letters stating grounds for appeal as per the PCN within the designated time limitations (send the correspondence 'signed for' so you have a record) and both were successful.

That's right - noone else noticed, or so it seems. It went like this: 2 men carrying a bag with the loot (weekend takings) are heading from the edt to the bank on LL when would be thief snatches the bag. The 2 manage to snatch the bag back and in doing so, the bag opens and money spills on to the road on LL. Now, that in itself would grab anyone's attention, yes? Would be thief then runs down Frogley and disappears while the 2 are on all fours on the road gathering up the money. While we are dialling 999, other 'regular folk' are walking by nonchalant without a second glance or a pause. Money recouped, 1 heads back to the edt while the other waits for the met (btw, response time was very impressive). Just a few minutes later, the school kids were all out and about - now that would have been fun. How many notes did we get - at the risk of being run over by the 176 or 185? What do you think ;/ ?

Thanks for your pm's. It was the edt's takings.

At about 3.20pm this afternoon, a shed load of notes were being frantically scooped up on LL near the corner of Frogley after a foiled attempted robbery (unarmed, snatch & grab, opportunistic crime). Given this was a busy time with lots of passers-by, only 1 other person (young mum with baby in pushchair) seemed to pay any attention other than myself & hubby. After some 20 years in ED, I wonder if this is a sign of the times. . .

Though no real surprises, this makes an interesting read (also featured on this evening's London Tonight). http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/11/24/family-shame-coward-who-burgled-them-in-open-letter-posted-around-neighbourhood-115875-23586080/][/url]

posted in wrong section.

I noticed the flowers etc @ the site opp Vale pub - which were largely unnoticed by passers-by. (Valid) comments aside, very sad to see yet another roadside 'shrine'.