WAMT....what annoyed me today!

woof woof said:
My sister, after cutting all contact with our mother for the last years of her life, now wont sign the probate documents and wants an inventory of mams possessions in the house.

I did expect this so it's not really that much of a shock but how someone can cut all contact with their mother and then act like this after her death is still a bit... surprising, to some degree.
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What is the old adage....
You can choose your friends but not your family :(
 
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woof woof said:
There was a song years ago about a woman who wants one more dance whilst her husband is dying but rushes home when the will is to be read. This has been on my mind whilst thinking of the people who've come out of the woodwork after mams death.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NkjT2QAi7g
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I hope you can be strong at this time.........and please forgive the expression I use "this too will pass" and then you & your wife can get/move on with your lives ...... grieving as you need to without such family aggravation

Fingers crossed that the legal process can be moved on as speedily as appropriate and that your relatives don't put anymore hurdles in the way.
 
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woof woof said:
Thank you.

It's no exaggeration to say that the family troubles over our mothers care, her death and now this process have been the most difficult times in my life.
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Sorry to hear about your problems, they are similar to mine in a way. I put a caveat against my late father's probate in July, which should have stopped the process, but have found out that probate was granted in September.
 
Cobra said:
WAMT?
Royal mail.
I was expecting a delivery this morning,
I heard the garage door being opened and closed, (no one rang the bell) that's not unusual as they leave anything in there, if there is no answer.
I went shortly after to collect it, no parcel and a missed call card through the door :mad:
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Royal mail, I found another missed call card on the mat today, stating that there was no answer.
I'm sure they don't have the parcel, and just keep sticking cards through the door!

I've re-directed it now, to my local post office for collection, lets see if they mess that up!
 
Cobra said:
I've re-directed it now, to my local post office for collection, lets see if they mess that up!
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Which reminds me of the report on Radio 4 this morning, that "selected" post offices will now partner with DPD and Evri.

I imagine that means the big cities and towns will get a "better" service while the highlands and islands will soon get none...

:headbang:
 
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AndrewFlannigan said:
I imagine that means the big cities and towns will get a "better" service
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It can't get any worse :(
( can it? )

We have 2 very large sorting offices here, maybe they will get on board with those.
Meanwhile my "Local" post office is actually inside what is effectively a corner shop.
 
Cobra said:
Meanwhile my "Local" post office is actually inside what is effectively a corner shop.
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So is ours.

It's what the post office was when I was a kid: convenient and staffed by people who know you! (y)
 
AndrewFlannigan said:
Which reminds me of the report on Radio 4 this morning, that "selected" post offices will now partner with DPD and Evri.

I imagine that means the big cities and towns will get a "better" service while the highlands and islands will soon get none...

:headbang:
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Not just the Highlands and Islands. I moved at the beginning of the year from a small town/village pop around 1750 to a larger town pop around 20,000 both about 20 miles from a UK city guess which one was recently classified as offshore by a delivery company.
 
Barry Bannan, our captain had his red card rescinded. We still played 3/4 of the game with 10 men, because the numpty ref doesn't know the rules. We lost 1-0, which I doubt would have happened. :mad:
 
Marc said:
Standard of refereeing is appalling at the moment
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This ref has sent off something like 5 players in 9 games. Obviously trigger happy, (power crazed).
 
I've just had an interesting conversation with the guy who came to look at an armchair I was whinging about so I thought I'd share.

I was whinging because the base has lost its shape in less than a year. The three piece suite cost over £5k from SCS but as I know next to nothing about furniture I don't know if this is par for the course or expensive. I think it's probably par for the course but what do I know? It's one of those ones which have buttons which raise and lower the foot rest and back.

One chair has a seat which is sagging and gives you the feeling that you're sliding out. On the two cushion sofa one seat is heading that way and the other less so and we have one chair which is hardly used to compare the others to. So, as we'd had the thing less than a year I phoned the shop and they sent someone round to look at it. Apparently there are no manufacturing faults and it is what it is, which is pretty much what I expected.

He did say some interesting things though which I'll paraphrase.

Years ago a suite would last you decades. These days maybe 3-5 years. He said you can expect the seat to drop 20% and this is normal. A lot of these (including ours) are made in India and China, ours was made in China. The one you get might not be the same as the one in the shop as what happens is the shop receives one which is really well made with dense foam and the customers get one which isn't. He's known customers take cushions into the shop and compare them with the shop demonstrator and say "The foam is different. This is blue and mine is green."

He told me about his own suite which came with the house. It was years old but good quality and he told his wife they should keep it but she wanted rid and they got a new one which he's repaired three times. "If you have an old suite, keep hold of it" is what he said.

Years back when I dealt with Chinese companies and products I was aware that the quality could drift... to put it mildly but really these things should be picked up by the importer who should really do their own checks. I don't think that always happens. In recent years I've come to believe that price is no guarantee of quality and this guy today has really just reinforced that feeling. These days I'm sure that you can buy a cheap thing which could be as good or sometimes better than the expensive thing. Sometimes.

Before he left he told me to look for suites made with cold cured foam. I'll try and remember that.

PS.
He mentioned a British sounding name but their suites are made in China too, and they get a lot of complaints similar to mine. He was going to one of those next.

Googling cold cured foam lead me to some suites and prices and we could have got a suite made with that for the same cost (made in Britain too) and they come with a 10 years guarantee. You live and learn. I'll likely be buying a cold cured foam suite next time.
 
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woof woof said:
I've just had an interesting conversation with the guy who came to look at an armchair I was whinging about so I thought I'd share.

I was whinging because the base has lost its shape in less than a year. The three piece suite cost over £5k from SCS but as I know next to nothing about furniture I don't know if this is par for the course or expensive. I think it's probably par for the course but what do I know? It's one of those ones which have buttons which raise and lower the foot rest and back.

One chair has a seat which is sagging and gives you the feeling that you're sliding out. On the two cushion sofa one seat heading that way and the other less so and we have one chair which is hardly used to compare the others too. So, as we'd had the thing less than a year I phoned the shop and they sent someone round to look at it. Apparently there are no manufacturing faults and it is what it is, which is pretty much what I expected.

He did say some interesting things though which I'll paraphrase.

Years ago a suite would last you decades. These days maybe 3-5 years. He said you can expect the seat to drop 20% and this is normal. A lot of these (including ours) are made in India and China, ours was made in China. The one you get might not be the same as the one in the shop as what happens is the shop receives one which is really well made with dense foam and the customers get one which isn't. He's known customers take cushions into the shop and compare them with the shop demonstrator and say "The foam is different. This is blue and mine is green."

He told me about his own suite which came with the house. It was years old but good quality and he told his wife they should keep it but she wanted rid and they got a new one which he's repaired three times. "If you have an old suite, keep hold of it" is what he said.

Years back when I dealt with Chinese companies and products I was aware that the quality could drift... to put it mildly but really these things should be picked up by the importer who should really do their own checks. I don't think that always happens. In recent years I've come to believe that price is no guarantee of quality and this guy today has really just reinforced that feeling. These days I'm sure that you can buy a cheap thing which could be as good or sometimes better than the expensive thing. Sometimes.

Before he left he told me to look for suites made with cold cured foam. I'll try and remember that.

PS.
He mentioned a British sounding name but their suites are made in China too, and they get a lot of complaints similar to mine. He was going to one of those next.

Googling cold cured foam lead me to some suites and prices and we could have got a suite made with that for the same cost (made in Britain too) and they come with a 10 years guarantee. You live and learn. I'll likely be buying a cold cured foam suite next time.
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Interesting customer experience and TFS

It has been more than 30 years since I worked in the synthetic foam industry but one thing sticks in my memory is the foam density.......at the extreme end they could be solid like concrete at the other end soft they felt like tissue paper.

IIRC the foams used in furniture manufacturing were varied but cushions in the higher end furniture would be two or more types in the cushions (a firmer core wrapped in a lower density outer). When combustion modified foams were introduced the chemicals required altered the foam performance.

In regard to the sofa & chair construction, it was always my understanding that coil springs out performed those using serpentine springing.

The furniture market for sure is one of caveat emptor! :(
 
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Box Brownie said:
Interesting customer experience and TFS

It has been more than 30 years since I worked in the synthetic foam industry but one thing sticks in my memory is the foam density.......at the extreme end they could be solid like concrete at the other di soft they felt like tissue paper.

IIRC the foams used in furniture manufacturing were varied but cushions in the higher end furniture would be two or more types in the cushions (a firmer core wrapped in a lower density outer). When combustion modified foams were introduced the chemicals required altered the foam performance.

In regard to the sofa & chair construction, it was always my understanding that coil springs out performed those using serpentine springing.

The furniture market for sure is one of caveat emptor! :(
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As you know my mam died recently. She had been complaining that her chair was uncomfortable and as I wanted her last years to have as much quality of life as possible I took her out to buy her a new suite. Foolishly I didn't do any research and as I have no interest in furniture at all and know nothing at all I should have.

The bit about customers receiving differently made furniture to what they see in the shop was a bit of a shock and if that is true the shops must know and yet seemingly it continues to happen. In a better world they'd be on to the factory and telling them to supply what was originally spec'd. Unless the shop (and I mean those in control, not the staff on the front line dealing with customers) are in on the deception, which I suppose is perfectly possible.
 
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Our pair of settees are 30 years old and sagging now. Looking at new stuff, it's quite variable in the shop, with different examples of the same type feeling different to sit on. £5k is a lot for a 'cheap' suite from SCS.
 
I remember my parents friend had an issue with a three piece they had bought less than a year before when the rep came to look at it he asked "have you been sitting on it?". When they comfirmed they had he told them "these suites are just for show"

I was gob smacked why else would you buy a three piece??!!!!!
 
ancient_mariner said:
Our pair of settees are 30 years old and sagging now. Looking at new stuff, it's quite variable in the shop, with different examples of the same type feeling different to sit on. £5k is a lot for a 'cheap' suite from SCS.
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I've googled but as you know google gives you a blizzard. Sorting the results in shop (I chose SCS) by the most expensive first makes ours look cheap so maybe it's more mid than top end, from SCS anyway.
 
woof woof said:
I've googled but as you know google gives you a blizzard. Sorting the results in shop (I chose SCS) by the most expensive first makes ours look cheap so maybe it's more mid than top end, from SCS anyway.
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Sorry, wasn't trying to be rude. I see SCS, DFS etc as cheap suppliers. Our suite was from DFS.
 
luthy said:
"have you been sitting on it?". When they comfirmed they had he told them "these suites are just for show"
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That's the problem isn't it? they look good in the showroom, but you have no way of knowing what they will be like or how they will stand up [sic]to being sat on, after a couple of years.
Unless you know someone with the exact same suite you are thinking of buying, which is highly unlikely.
 
ancient_mariner said:
Sorry, wasn't trying to be rude. I see SCS, DFS etc as cheap suppliers. Our suite was from DFS.
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For me the location was a big factor. SCS is very near by so I could take mam there with little hassle / discomfort. I first took her to an even closer shop but they had nothing suitable so SCS it was.

And no, I didn't think you were being rude.
 
luthy said:
I remember my parents friend had an issue with a three piece they had bought less than a year before when the rep came to look at it he asked "have you been sitting on it?". When they comfirmed they had he told them "these suites are just for show"

I was gob smacked why else would you buy a three piece??!!!!!
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Completely 'barking'.

If he was willing to put that on record........a case for trading standards!!!!
 
My "original" American made La Z Boy has been going strong for around 18 years and is now residing in the conservatory because it is "looking a bit faded" (SWMBO). The new ones (made in PRC) which replaced it have both sagged, creak and are literally a pain in the a*se! We were told that they were made to "strict La Z Boy criteria and quality control". Hah! I beg to differ!
 
I really should listen to me.
I've bought a few things from Amazon market place, each time I do, there is a problem, of some kind,
to a greater or lesser extent.
I swear that I'm never using market place again.

I did it again, recently, seemed like a reasonable priced item.
until I had to return it, and that cost me 8 quid :(

OK so prime tends to be a little more expensive, but TBH the hassle free & free returns is probably worth that little extra.
I now refer to it as "insurance".
 
Ebay! Sent off an item to a buyer. He decided that he didn't like it, so said that it didn't match the pictures or description. It did! He didn't get his facts right! It's just easier to refund than argue but it costs you postage. Twice!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Relisted!
 
Cobra said:
I really should listen to me.
I've bought a few things from Amazon market place, each time I do, there is a problem, of some kind,
to a greater or lesser extent.
I swear that I'm never using market place again.

I did it again, recently, seemed like a reasonable priced item.
until I had to return it, and that cost me 8 quid :(

OK so prime tends to be a little more expensive, but TBH the hassle free & free returns is probably worth that little extra.
I now refer to it as "insurance".
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I have had a couple of times when the goods from the Amazon market place did not match the description. The contract is with Amazon so why can you not claim back from Amazon. They tried it on that I should deal with the Market Place Company but they would not accept responsibility so I insisted that Amazon refund in full which they did.

Dave
 
Dave Canon said:
The contract is with Amazon
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It was supplied and delivered via the market place merchant.
I clicked return, and it took me to their store, with their T&C's ( returner pays postage, and if its opened there is a 20% restocking fee)
I hadn't opened it at that point, and TBH I guess Icould have tried to push it with Amazon, but in reality it was worth the 8 quid, to wash my hands of it.
It also states that goods must be retuned, RMSD...
Another seller added to my black list.
 
Dave Canon said:
I have had a couple of times when the goods from the Amazon market place did not match the description. The contract is with Amazon so why can you not claim back from Amazon. They tried it on that I should deal with the Market Place Company but they would not accept responsibility so I insisted that Amazon refund in full which they did.

Dave
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Cobra said:
It was supplied and delivered via the market place merchant.
I clicked return, and it took me to their store, with their T&C's ( returner pays postage, and if its opened there is a 20% restocking fee)
I hadn't opened it at that point, and TBH I guess Icould have tried to push it with Amazon, but in reality it was worth the 8 quid, to wash my hands of it.
It also states that goods must be retuned, RMSD...
Another seller added to my black list.
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This is why I now stick to "supplied by Amazon". IIRC they always side with the buyer where the source is a third party
 
Mrs WW recommended Temu and I was a bit reluctant but we've used them a few times now with no issues. Delivery is slower than Amazon but it's free and some of the prices are unbelievably low.

I suppose the test would be if we had a problem and I'm not sure I'd want to buy anything expensive from them but compared to the lottery of ebay I think I actually prefer Temu.
 
Box Brownie said:
This is why I now stick to "supplied by Amazon". IIRC they always side with the buyer where the source is a third party
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As per my opening post on the subject. Its about time I learned my lesson :headbang:
 
woof woof said:
Delivery is slower than Amazon but it's free and some of the prices are unbelievably low.
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It worries me when prices are too low to be real on routine sales (i.e. not a stock clearance). Someone or something somewhere is taking a hit, probably in terms of resources and the environment.
 
ancient_mariner said:
It worries me when prices are too low to be real on routine sales (i.e. not a stock clearance). Someone or something somewhere is taking a hit, probably in terms of resources and the environment.
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:agree::plus1::police:
 
ancient_mariner said:
It worries me when prices are too low to be real on routine sales (i.e. not a stock clearance). Someone or something somewhere is taking a hit, probably in terms of resources and the environment.
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I'd never heard of it, so I googled, well DuckDucked anyway :D

Temu is an online marketplace based in Boston, Massachusetts and operated by the Irish-based Chinese e-commerce company PDD Holdings. It offers heavily discounted goods, which are mostly shipped to consumers directly from China.

You have your answer, Toni
 
Cobra said:
I'd never heard of it, so I googled, well DuckDucked anyway :D

Temu is an online marketplace based in Boston, Massachusetts and operated by the Irish-based Chinese e-commerce company PDD Holdings. It offers heavily discounted goods, which are mostly shipped to consumers directly from China.

You have your answer, Toni
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Just to be clear, I'm not taking a pop at Alan.

I was aware of Temu's business model, which is why I made the comment, and have used Chinese 'direct' sites myself in the past. It's hard to pass up a bargain, but I'm trying to do better.
 
ancient_mariner said:
It worries me when prices are too low to be real on routine sales (i.e. not a stock clearance). Someone or something somewhere is taking a hit, probably in terms of resources and the environment.
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ancient_mariner said:
Just to be clear, I'm not taking a pop at Alan.

I was aware of Temu's business model, which is why I made the comment, and have used Chinese 'direct' sites myself in the past. It's hard to pass up a bargain, but I'm trying to do better.
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One suspicion could be that someone is harvesting data but I'm nor sure what use details of what I'm ordering and where I live are to the hard line communists in China. Another worry is slave or low paid labour but I/we simply can not be sure about this and of course there could be some tax dodges but this is also likely with ebay and Amazon.

I have reasoned that the free delivery was a case of Temu losing money on some orders and making a profit on others. As to the quality of the products, as I said above I think price is little indicator these days and quality seems to be a lottery as so much of what's in the shops these days is the same cheaply produced stuff with seemingly zero quality checks. I do wonder what the difference is between a Chinese made widget bought from Temu and a widget probably made in the same area and maybe the same factory bought from Amazon or your local retail park.

I do take the point about environmental damage and I do wish our leaders had functioning brains. A factory shut here means fewer jobs and a reduction in tax receipts but any drop in emissions in the UK doubtless counts as a carbon reduction even if that reduction will likely be dwarfed by the carbon emissions from less clean factories in China and the shipping emissions. I can't this this as a factor against using Temu as if you buy from ebay or Amazon you're likely getting the same product with the same impacts.

I'd rather buy British and keep people employed here and the tax rolling in to fund the latest batch of diversity managers for the NHS and likely keep emissions down and worker conditions and benefits up but when no British product is available or is very difficult to find if it does exist all I can do is chose where to buy the Chinese made stuff from. Ebay, Amazon, Temu, maybe little difference apart from price and delivery time.
 
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Cobra said:
I'd never heard of it, so I googled, well DuckDucked anyway :D

Temu is an online marketplace based in Boston, Massachusetts and operated by the Irish-based Chinese e-commerce company PDD Holdings. It offers heavily discounted goods, which are mostly shipped to consumers directly from China.

You have your answer, Toni
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When I first saw the ads popping up on my phone (in free games apps) I made me think of the "fast fashion" business model.

Their promo goods and prices are just so cheap and clearly 'loss leaders' to attract customers.

But like "fast fashion" even the most cost aware customers will see Temu goods as disposable........so more landfill and difficult to recycle products.

I can perceive that they will grow but am concerned about the waste aspect, especially in regard to plastic & e waste :(

PS the Chinese government, because domestic demand has stagnated/fallen, appear to be pushing their export economy very very aggressively!
 
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