ClareC

How do you judge "beyond their means"? Interest rates can go up and down but how much fluctuation skyward is reasonable to expect and ensure you can afford? I would agree that interest rates rising 1 or maybe 2% should be anticipated, however, if they were to increase to the rates seen in the 80's I suspect a large percentage would struggle, including those with relatively small mortgages.

hmmm same again this morning on the 176, was at the bus stop at 8 am, 176 didnt turn up until nearly 8.15 and then didnt stop as so full up! Fortunately another arrived withing 5 mins, also appearing very full in the standing area but with plenty of seats upstairs!?!?! I never have understood that! Looks like I need to be catching the 176 an hour earlier to ensure a frequent service :( Or walk..... which is quite tempting!!!!!

Has anyone else noticed the (in)frequency of the 176 of a morning? I waited around 20 mins for one yesterday morning, when one fimally came it was abolutely ram packed! This as happened on a fairly regular basis :(

The company that administers online ticket sales for the the theatre was "www.london-theatreland.co.uk, powered by TicketSwitch" This wasn't really apparant until after the transaction. I think I will pop into the theatre's direct in future!! I didn't realise you could do that :-$

Just bought some theatre tickets online for Oliver. I went to the theatre's own website and booked direct, albeit the link to buy tickets going through to their ticket agent. It wasn't until I had bought and paid for the tickets, that I was notified (via the confirmation email) that my @?60 per seat tickets were actually only ?45 each, the other ?11.30 per ticket being a "Payment Processing Fee", ?45.20 for the transaction! In addition a delivery cost / transaction fee of ?1.60 was added. Is this normal? I expected a booking fee but not to the tune of 25% of the ticket cost! The really irritating part is that despite buying the tickets 6 months in advance of the show, I am expected to collect them from the theatre on the day of the show 1/2 hour before the show and present both my confirmation and credit card - The tickets are actually a gift so I wanted them to give to the recipient, also neither I or my credit card will be there on the day to collect. Is it possible to buy tickets in advance without being ripped off like this?

I really do not see the problem with Sue's post, she simply gave a warning about something that may or may not have been a genuine mistake. She was very clear that that it may have been a genuine mistake. I cant believe the grief she has had from certain people!

My understanding of the thread is that they did (miss out)....... but one forumite thought another had said they didnt miss out, so subsequently chastised said forumite for being rude, when they hadnt been rude, which in turn caused confusion, and then a subsequent apology to the accused forumite from the forumite that made the rude allegation......(tu)

Sounds good to me :)) I called BG to change to them - 3 separate comparison sites said they were the cheapest. Was told all the paperwork will be through soon and I have a 7 day cooling off period upon receipt of the contract - all good so far! Yesterday a woman from BG called me at work, asked if I had a couple of minutes - I explained I had a conference call shortly so was fine to speak as long as it was just a few minutes. All started well with her asking if I was happy with the agent that got me to change....... erm pointed out there was none, it was off my own back etc. She confirmed a few general details which I thought a little odd seeing as if they were wrong I would advise them when the contract came through. Then came the crunch.... did I want my transfer fast tracked. Of course I did, however, I cottoned on that what she was actually trying to do was get me to waive my legal right to the cooling off period despite not having seen the T&C's or checked its accuracy. Hmmmmmmm it really wasnt obvious, I only realised as I work as a Solicitor so know how the law works around these things, I suspect, without that knowledge I would have accidentally lost my rights and been tied to a minimum contract at goodness knows what cost...... I am now having second thoughts about BG given this tactic of trickery.... why do they need to trick people like this?

Fair enough :)

Horsebox Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > That's quite an accusation. That's rather harsh, I didnt read Sue's post as an accusation. It could or could not have been a genuine mistake, which is what I think she said......

Just did an online price comparison - British Gas seems to come out tops although price increases of between 20 and 30% are expected soon.

Just checked the bill, the price per kW of electricity seems to have increased from 8.834 to 10.855, the standing charge of 13.390 per day has remained the same. Gas was 2.515 pe kWHand has increased to 3.441, again the standing charge as remained the same at 9.990 per day I have 10 days to change provider.

I have had a letter from Scottish Power wanting to increase my monthly direct debit from ?68 pm to ?118pm, I know gas and electric as gone up but this seems rather excessive given its the end of summer and the heating hasnt been on for months!!! Does this sound reasonable for a Victorian house ( 4 beds inc loft conversion)? Has anyone researched which energy company is best value in this area?

Brendan Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > ClareC Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > > No heat, light, hot water, broadband...... it's > > fun working from home!!!! > > Eh? :-S The broadband went off.... I am using 3G now and battery power (while it lasts) - WFH :(

Maybe worth a wander then :)) No heat, light, hot water, broadband...... it's fun working from home!!!! Definitely an office need to go to the pub I think!!!

There goes my plan of heading for the Bishop!!!

Has anyone else got a power cut...... or have I forgotten to pay the (excesive) bill?

AllforNun Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > No you can still patent something, you just have > to the first to do it. I'm afraid not.... once in the public domain it is now longer patentable:(

Course if a fantastic, innovative idea was thought up and posted on here that would put pay to any patent being registered :(

dawdlers blocking the pavement. People standing on the left side of the escalator. Able bodied people crowding the downstairs area of the bus even when upstairs is half empty joe public driving round Dulwich park.

AllforNun Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Next to those shops are peoples houses so maybe > your dog pissed outside his front door. No..... nowhere near, it was between the barbers and the fabric shop, most definitely on the pavement and nowhere near the shop "fronts" given the sort of front garden arrangement those shops have.

Tee hee, a Turkish man tried to swap a carpet for my sister! Naturally I spotted the bargain but she was a little cross to say the least!

I was aged 12/13 my sister was under 10, neither of us drank alcohol or were inappropriately dressed, we simply stood out due to our colouring. I dont think there was mention of feeling unsafe, just getting unwanted attention despite not being "up for it".

I agree. Having blonde hair seems to be enough to be deemed "up for it" in mine and my sister's experience- we were very young at the time and with our parents!!!

OMG how can a cartoon be so scary and sad! I had forgotten about Watership Down!