smd1

You may have already transferred the money from the sale of your house Norman, but someone else might be thinking of transferring directly to a currency exchange account. We sold on 21th Dec, late afternoon, and the money was transferred into the currency exchange account we set up by 28th December. Taking into account we sold on the Friday, it was Christmas eve on the Monday, I think to get the transfer done by the 28th December was good. Susan

I had my eyes tested on a visit to Kent. I went to an opticians in Hythe, and because I am over 60 with an EHIC card issued by the UK did not have to pay for the test. I ordered my glasses from there, posted to my address in France, but they would have tested my eyes for free even if I had bought them elsewhere. Susan

I now know the reason I was charged €8.45 on top of the price of shower gel from the pharmacy. It is the extra cost of a non generic drug prescribed to my husband during a visit to an eye specialist. This prescription was collected in August 2008. Obviously, they had forgot to charge him at the time and perhaps only now got around to auditing the paperwork. Most visits to the chemist involve a long wait to be served, and when you see the huge amount of drugs many of the people collect in their large hessian bags supplied by the pharmacy, it is understandable the administration must take up a great deal of their time. Over three years in this case. Many thanks to everyone who took the time to offer their plausable explanations for the extra €8.45. Susan

Thank you Coops, I have never paid any attention to compatibilty view before.  I learn something every day, and thankfully there are always kind people willing to point me in the right direction. Susan

Thanks to both of you for your replies. The pharmacie does operate tiers payant, hence I never pay for the prescription. I only pay for a visit to the doctor and the reimbusement is always a couple of euros less than the amount I have paid, which I assumed was an amount collected by CPAM. Looks like a visit to the pharmacie to try and sort out what the €8.45 is for. Many thanks, Susan. P.S. please excuse any typing errors in this post, the font in the message box is so small I have great difficulty reading what I have typed.

You are probably correct Norman, but this is the first time this has happened. I collect a prescription every month for my husband for two items and one item for myself, I dont make a payment for this and have never been asked to pay €1.50 for the last six years. The reimbursement for a visit to the doctor, which we pay him for, from our top-up is and has been for a long time a couple of euros or so less than I would have expected I cannot check the 'detail des versements' from L'Assurance Maladie because I no longer received them, but prior to 2009 it always itemised €1 for franchise a retenir, Is this the same thing? Susan

I visited the chemist today to collect a prescription for my husband as well as some shower gel suitable for someone who has eczema. The assistant gave me a receipt and when I checked it at home I noticed it listed the prescribed drugs with a payer 0.00 euros, shower oil a payer 15.90 euros. Then at the bottom Crédits Anterieurs 8.45 euros. I was charged €24,35 I realise it means a previous credit but cannot understand the reason for this on my bill, I am not aware of ever owing the pharmacy any money in the past. Does anyone know of it meaning something else before I return and make a fool of myself arguing about an everyday procedure. Susan

Thanks for your advice cross67. I don't think it is worth the risk and I shall stay at home until things have improved at the garages. Perhaps, there has been a spate of people filling up their tanks whereas they would normally buy €40 of fuel or thereabouts, and by next week they will not need to buy anymore. Thank you for posting the links Cooperlola smd1

Thanks for the links Jay. I remember red diesel and know what it looks like, my oil for the central heating isn't red. smd1

I went to buy some diesel this morning, all three of my local garages had sold out. If the lack of fuel for sale continues, could I possibly take some fuel out of my central heating storage tank to use in my car? Is it the same as diesel sold in the garages, and would it be safe to use in my car without causing any damage or breaking the law? smd1

I have the same as Russethouse an SD-255, it is the best machine I have used. In the past I have had a Kenwood, a Morphy Richards and they both were nowhere near as good as the Panasonic I have now and the paddle does stay in the pan, also replacement pans and paddles are easily available should you require one. smd

Chris, yes you can have the same for €34.90 plus €3 for your livebox. This includes free calls within Europe, plus 100 other countries. This is with VOIP but Phone French Telecom on their English speaking line on 0969363900, you can ask about the options and change your contract with them. Competition has made them reduce the price of their options

That's why I asked the question. I changed the formula in my name to Net + 2010 and today received a contract and prelevement authorisation, with all the correct bank details printed, in my husband's name. They did this before when we went from a French Telecom landline and Internet to Internet VOIP only. It took 18 months and numerous letters to get the money back off them. I telephoned FT/Orange to query this and confirm Orange would not take two payments from our bank every month. The girl assured me that "no, that will not happen" she told me they sent the contract to my husband because the telephone line (cancelled three years ago) is in my husband's name and the Internet is in mine. I am not convinced and suspect I shall have to chase it up again when the bills come in. Susan

Howie, did Orange send you a new prelevement authorisation to sign when you changed the deal? Susan

I too changed to this deal today. I thought my previous formula would automatically change on 1st July and telephoned to confirm this. I was told the July change was only for Net +, not any older formula such as net. The unlimited calls are for 100+ countries, including Europe, USA, Canada, Australia. I pay approx. €50 per month because of calls I make to England, in future I shall pay €37.90 (€34.90 + €3 livebox). For me this is a good deal. Susan