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General => The Shed => Topic started by: Jeannine on January 25, 2010, 10:38:02

Title: All the ills of the world..
Post by: Jeannine on January 25, 2010, 10:38:02
I often see threads turning a bit off colour when topics that start folks speaking their mind get on the forum.

I don't know if this will work but maybe we put the hot ones here, or whatever.

I know there are rules on the forum but if this topic gets a bit heated , well we are all aware up front it might, and folks don't have to read it.

For eg, there is a lot of talk about scam requests for money here in Canada to help Haiti, we are advised to ask a lot of questions before we give.

Another thing, there have been folks offering B&B to visitors to the Olymipcs, many have been found to be bogus but the folks had to pay up front and now have lost their money as the "sellers" have skipped.

 And finally I was appaled when looking into tickets fro the Mens Figure Skqting I found the only ones available are  $1800 as they were bought by scalpers, now that makes me so mad.

Oh and  ever so discreetly, just how many names does out "friend" have who posts rather inappropriately. I have tried to figure  it out  myself so I can avoid them but not sure if I ahve it right, or is  there more than one person doing it.

 Feel better for that grumble

XX Jeannine

Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: emmy1978 on January 25, 2010, 11:30:17
Well, maybe it's moany Monday but I feel a bit like that too! It's awful that whenever there is a crisis or charity event there are people using it to make money for themselves.
We caught a guy one Children in Need day collecting in our pub. He had no official stuff and didn't seem to realise that CIN don't just send random collectors out. He scarpered once the customers clocked what was happening.
I am also suffering ticket meltdown. Have been trying to get hold of Glasto tickets since June last year-waited for them to come on sale, sat on the mailing list, nothing, dealt with xmas and guess what? Sold out. It's not until June!!!!!
I'll pm you the info sent to me regarding our cheerful friend.  ;D
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: Pesky Wabbit on January 25, 2010, 12:20:39
I don't think one thread would be enough for all the ills of this world, perhaps there should be a whole sub-forum, perhaps off the Watershed, called, maybe, Lets Fight ?  :-\

As for Glastonbury tickets, although last year there were several thousand unsold, I think this year will be a sell out.

Isn't it an anniversary year   (140 years of Status Quo, or something like that), in which case the touts would have bought all available, ready to sell on.  >:(
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: emmy1978 on January 25, 2010, 13:24:27
I don't think one thread would be enough for all the ills of this world, perhaps there should be a whole sub-forum, perhaps off the Watershed, called, maybe, Lets Fight ?  :-\

Woohoo-I'm with ya!!  ;D

3000 tickets to be sold in Feb. No doubt the touts will get in there but I'll still try. Rumours of David Bowie headlining this year!
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: manicscousers on January 25, 2010, 14:19:24
Leaving a sack of really good clothing out for scope and some ***** coming around, sticking a sign on his scabby van and taking the lot  :-X >:(
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: PurpleHeather on January 26, 2010, 13:03:02
Funny how so many people have never caught on to the biggest scam of all. Religions.

Financially backed by the wealthy,  telling every one to ' work hard all your life serve your master and you will get your reward in heaven'. When you die.

Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: emmy1978 on January 26, 2010, 13:09:54
Do you have gold you no longer need?
Have you been in an accident that wasn't your fault?
Are you struggling to meet your monthly credit repayments?

Then for heaven's sake don't watch daytime tv.

Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: saddad on January 26, 2010, 13:27:05
I can think of several examples in the New Testament, where Jesus is recorded as saying exactly the opposite of
Quote
work hard all your life serve your master and you will get your reward
:-\
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: gwynnethmary on January 27, 2010, 00:45:59
I would agree that "religion" isn't the real thing- Jesus wasn't a big fan of religion too- he had very harsh words for the religious leaders of His day, who lthought they were better than everyone else because they kept the rules of their religion, but didn't have love for God or people in their hearts. 
The idea that Christianianity is about working hard, serving your master and getting your reward in heaven is, with respect, a misrepresentation of the real message of the gospel, which simply means "good news", and let's face it, we all need some of that!
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: Jeannine on January 27, 2010, 05:15:34
Hear hear!! Very well put Saddad and Gwynnethmary, I couln't agree with you more.

Emmy you made me laugh, I have a pet peeve with commercials..I  don't think you get the ones about "male enhancement"  pills in the UK, I don't remember them , they seem to be on all the channels  here all the time, they are unbelievably funny,especially the really serious ones. John  gets quite annoyed with them... maybe I should switch some for his thyroid pills..oh I am bad!!

Save me a ticket if you organise the fight, I haven't had a good row in years.

I love the idea of a moaning Monday.

XX Jeannine

Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: emmy1978 on January 27, 2010, 11:11:52
I like religion. It makes people nicer. As long as they are not extremist (of any religion.)
I've had a lot of jobs in my short years and the nicest, kindest, most thoughtful people I ever worked with were at the YMCA. This was most prominent in the younger members of staff who seemed marvellously well-adjusted and because they had been involved with charity work and volunteering most of their lives had such a good positive outlook on life and had such a lot to offer.
Religion and faith give people hope and comfort and that can't be a bad thing surely?

Jeannine-That made me laugh so much! Poor John  ;)

We do get so many of these ads and it makes me steam-we don't get the ones for "male enhancement" (love that-I'd think they meant: picks up his socks, cleans the bathroom from time to time and buys flowers every week!)

 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: tonybloke on January 27, 2010, 12:04:17
I like religion. It makes people nicer.
'well, apart from all those Catholic Priests who abused children for years, the Christians who were involved in the slave trade,  The Jews who steal land from the palestinians, the Palestinians who bomb the Israelis, The Christians who are bombing Iraq / Afghanistan, the Christians in Africa who killed the Muslims and threw their bodies into wells to poison the whole area, ( http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8478335.stm ) the list goes on and on and on and on and........
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: emmy1978 on January 27, 2010, 12:06:10
 :-[ I did say
 
As long as they are not extremist (of any religion.)

I meant your average day to day soul, on a day to day level. Not nutters. I have the same issues with extremism and the evil carried out in the name of religion that you do and I know I just sounded like a total airhead but I'm not-I am very aware.
If religion disappeared overnight it wouldn't end abuse, murder, slavery, poverty. They would still exist.
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: Mortality on January 27, 2010, 12:11:24
Telephone cold callers and the stupid recorded messages..usually when i'm expecting a call or when my youngest is sleeping... >:(
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: Digeroo on January 27, 2010, 12:20:51
I get tired of all the news being bad news.  Why can't the TV and newspapers report good news.  I went to Austria a few years ago and found their new programmes much more elating.  Even when there was bad news (at the time flooding), they put a positive spin on it and concentrated on the efforts being make to overcome the problems.   So we saw footage of people working round the clock to relocate the telephone exchange and people turning up and removing landslides.  At least 25% of each news programmes was purely good news and success stories.

I also hate people who ring up and proclaim they are not selling anything.  They are not selling insurance, kitchens or double glazing.  Especially when I have nodded off.
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: Unwashed on January 27, 2010, 12:22:02
I can think of several examples in the New Testament, where Jesus is recorded as saying exactly the opposite of
Quote
work hard all your life serve your master and you will get your reward
:-\
Yup.  Paul said pretty much exactly that too.  The problem so often is not the religion, but the religeous.  And I'd include religeous bigots like Richard Dawkins in that definition too.
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: tonybloke on January 27, 2010, 12:22:38
 Em, I totally agree with you, all fundamentalists are basically 'nutters', and 'having religion' does not automatically make anyone a 'nice person'  ;)
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: betula on January 27, 2010, 12:28:19
Waiting to complete a house move......surely designed to drive the sanest person nutty. :-\
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: Pesky Wabbit on January 27, 2010, 12:39:31
Waiting for a plumber to reconnect my toilet - 3 days now and still waiting.
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: emmy1978 on January 27, 2010, 12:39:52
Em, I totally agree with you, all fundamentalists are basically 'nutters', and 'having religion' does not automatically make anyone a 'nice person'  ;)


So glad we understand each other.  :-*
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: emmy1978 on January 27, 2010, 12:42:14
Waiting to complete a house move......surely designed to drive the sanest person nutty. :-\

Yes, definately! Why is it all so slow????

Waiting for a plumber to reconnect my toilet - 3 days now and still waiting.

If you're in the Midlands I'll send the OH round!  ;D
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: tonybloke on January 27, 2010, 12:48:29
Waiting for a plumber to reconnect my toilet - 3 days now and still waiting.
who dis-connected it, and why?
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: emmy1978 on January 27, 2010, 12:56:22
Yes, did think that it's a very bad plumber who left a disconnected lav. Tut tut.
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: Pesky Wabbit on January 27, 2010, 13:19:04
I'm having the bathroom redone. I talked to the boss of the company yesterday and again this morning.

"The fitter is off with a bad stomach, but there'll be someone round to reconnect today"


Yeah, right. 13:15 and no-one yet. >:( The fitter will have more than a bad stomach by the time I've finished with him.

Its a good job the compost heap is in a secluded place and that it gets light late and dark early.  :-[
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: Jeannine on February 02, 2010, 11:49:53
Your stomach is going o be bad if he doesn't come back soon XX Jeannine
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: Pesky Wabbit on February 02, 2010, 13:09:26
Oh, someone did turn up, about 3:30, took one look and said there were some parts missing and needed  to go and get them - he wouldn't be long !!  >:( >:( >:( >:(


Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: Pesky Wabbit on February 02, 2010, 13:14:59
He then re-appeared at 5:30 and was there until 8:45 and said he'd have to finish the job tomorrow.

 >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(



But my bathroom was usable.

 :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)



Did he turn up the following day ? Take a wild guess.  
>:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: emmy1978 on February 02, 2010, 13:17:02
Did he come back? I would complain to the boss of the company. I am pretty sure they are not allowed to dis-connect your lav and leave it. I mean-legally not allowed. OH has been late back so many times because of complications/missing parts to be found but the job has had to be done as he cannot leave them without sanitation. (Not that he would anyway) I'll ask OH when he gets back but you may be able to save yourself a few quid on the cost of this job. Take photos.  :)
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: emmy1978 on February 02, 2010, 13:21:11
Sorry PW-we must have posted at exactly the same time!!! 2 hours to get simple loo parts is unacceptable unless you live in the sticks with no B&Q or plumb centre or wickes or similar for 20 miles. I would remind this chap that the majority of his business comes from word of mouth and what is he going to do to make up for this enormous inconvenience and possible breach of the law.
Lots of plumbers are registered with GasSafe now (was Corgi). Is he? If so, tell him you'll be dropping them a line. This really is appalling service.  >:(
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: Pesky Wabbit on February 02, 2010, 13:25:59
The whole job was completed to my satisfaction on Saturday - hurray - at last.

What is it with workmen ? They start a job then dont turn up for days, never turn up when they say they will and drag a three day job over two weeks.

Can you get away with this in any other profession?
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: Pesky Wabbit on February 02, 2010, 13:36:43
2 hours to get simple loo parts is unacceptable

I suspect realising there was a lot to do, he went home to get something to eat.

I've spoken to the manager of the company, but just the usual flanell, ... how he's got so many jobs on the go, and when half his staff don't turn up for work etc. ...  but I was his number one priority etc etc.

I'm sure he had his usual script handy. I wonder how many times a day he uses it ?
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: emmy1978 on February 02, 2010, 15:19:40
No respectable company operates like that. Certainly none OH has ever worked for. He's always worked under the threat of a serious rocket for costing the company money for jobs going over.
As I say and OH has confirmed you cannot leave a person with no sanitation. If you took the loo out yourself that's a different matter but if they did then you should tell the manager to forget his flannel and you want money off the price of the job.  ;D
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: Pesky Wabbit on February 02, 2010, 16:00:20
I haven't received the invoice yet, so I think I'll start writing a letter. 

Thanks for the info.
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: Jeannine on February 10, 2010, 08:29:50
I bet you were  quickly relieved when he finshed  ::) ::) ::)

XX Jeannine
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: grawrc on February 10, 2010, 08:53:14
 ;D ;D ;D ;D

I think I've been really lucky. I've had 3 different firms in for various things so far this year and all have arrived on time, done the work to schedule and to my satisfaction. Building work, floor sanders and decorators.

It surely don't come cheap though!  ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: betula on February 10, 2010, 09:00:02
Yes a builder I used a while ago was fantastic if not slightly temperamental.........I pointed out a slight prob with the tiles and he said

What do you want Mrs,a bathroom for the Queen Mother :o :o :o???

He was reliable though and did a really good job  ;D
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: Digeroo on February 10, 2010, 11:34:29
I have found a fantastic odd job man/builder.  Not only is he brilliant, but he is a one stop shop for finding other reliable people.  So all I do is call him with the problem and someone turns up to fix it.  He does sometimes rush off in the middle of a job to sort something out, but I know he will come and sort me out urgently if need be.

Best of all he is quite happy for me to go and buy parts so I do not have to pay him for shopping/driving time.   A previous electrician charged me much more than B&Q and also added an hour to the bill.  I do hate paying an expensive experts to go shopping, get trade discount, add a percentage to the bill and have a coffee break at my expense.

OH brilliant too but he takes absolutely ages to fix things.
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: asbean on February 10, 2010, 13:38:17
I have an excxellent man-who-does, he lives down the road and works locally and doesn't need to advertise - all word of mouth.

One time I sent him an SOS text and he was knocking on the door in less than 5 minutes. The odd quick jobs that he does like tap washers he doesn't charge me for, but I keep him and his wife supplied with tomato, bean, pepper plants every year.
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: Vinlander on February 10, 2010, 14:07:22
Most building companies (most other kinds too) will never refuse a job (at the right price) and will never say it can't be done when you want it (or even need it).

This is because waiting for work is worse than waiting for buses - either too many come or none at all.

They then try to keep all their customers 'happy' by time-sharing - in fact ending up pleasing nobody but their bank manager.

The only reason anyone ever does work on time is when they have nothing better to do (or they are working for their wife) - or there are penalty clauses.

The fact that penalty clauses only exist on very large jobs gives the illusion that very large firms are more reliable.

If you tried to use penalty clauses you'd a) lose the best workers* and only get the ones nobody else wants and b) end up in the small claims court as often as not.

* if you don't lose the best workers it's because nobody has enough work - and in that case you hardly need penalties - heads you lose, tails they win.

Sorry to be so unpleasantly realistic - I could go one step further and be cynical:- even when they haven't got anything else to do they will still take their time - because raised expectations from a regular customer only increase the risk of tears before bedtime the next time they need work done.

Cheers.

PS. console yourself by musing on Murphy's law - it's a universal rule, but applies to itself too - so very occasionally it goes wrong, and things go right...
Title: Re: All the ills of the world..
Post by: Mortality on April 27, 2010, 17:38:15
I remember getting estimates from a couple of electricians to remove an old light fitting (a 3 bulb effort where all the bulbs would blow except one) and replace it with a new single bulb one.
One guy came out a waffled on about needing more wiring, fuse box, bla bla total estimate bill just short of £300.
The next guy who came said £50 and he could get the new light fitting and do it all the next day, no prizes for guessing who we chose.
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