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Causette

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Everything posted by Causette

  1. For any price change, the agent should by law have a letter from the seller authorising the change - you can always ask!  I agree with Arnaud about the Bon de Visite.  My boss refuses to use a Bon de Visite as he says legally, it isn't worth the paper it is written on. On price changes, we have a house for sale on our books for 276,000 euros.  This weekend, I have seen it for sale with a UK based agency for 297,633 euros for the same house!!!!  I thought it might be the notaire fees (which we don't show), but apparently not.  I do find this sort of behaviour scandalous - but how to stop it?      
  2. WtC wrote: Causette - we are very tolerant here. As with any forum there are one or two people known to be a little on the reactionary side, but we have a code of conduct that is enforced.   Glad to hear it Will ! (and all the LF regulars!)  there was a time back there when it was difficult to post anything without a queue of people waiting to pounce (and I'm not a reactionary, more of a big girl's blouse  , so I mooched off elsewhere!).    I'll certainly drop by from time to time.  I had such a lot of help from this forum when we were planning our move over here, and in 3 years (I know, not nearly as long as some of you), some of our experiences may be recent enough to be of help to others. 
  3. This is my first visit back to this forum for at least a year... I moved across to using the TF and AI fora when I found the atmosphere on here was becoming somewhat spiteful.   I thought I'd have another look to see if it was any more tolerant on here nowadays... ...!! I too have had postings deleted on AI, often without the courtesy of an acknowledgement or explanation.  One deletion, was apparently because, in reply to a question, I gave the title and price of a book for sale that advertises brocantes and vide greniers in the region - yet 3 months later, a virtually identical reply has been posted by someone else!   But I have to say, although I do post on AI,  I don't visit the English run pubs, or buy overpriced baked beans; I'm legally registered to work and I have the 'joy' of paying my share of cotisations and taxes in France... oh, and I'm not an idiot.  
  4. I'd always been a firm fan of FC, but my enquiries are way down since they revamped their site.  I enquired about why I had so few enquiries via FC (thank goodness I have lots of repeat bookings!) and asking their advice, and their suggestion was not to update the availability pages, as people would enquire, and I could persuade them to take a different week!  
  5. How about using the railway station car park at Lisieux and hopping on the train to Paris? 
  6. [quote]"I cover the whole of the Vaucluse, Var, Alpes Maritime, small part of the Gard, most of the Bouches du Rhone and small part (as far up as Nyons only) of the Drome Provencale." How on earth can you c...[/quote] Mr Clark may indeed have a point to make, but I suspect it is more to do with his own property search business than Elayne's area of coverage.  This is what I personally objected to in his reply: Look at the unnecessary statements in each paragraph:  'How on earth' (ie I don't believe you); 'You cannot possibly' (ie I don't believe you); 'Assuming that you sell... ' (ie I don't believe you); ...'must present problems'  (why 'must'?); In our area...  good agents.... are content to ...'  (implying anyone who isn't is not a good agent); 'Perhaps they are doing somethng wrong' (ie perhaps they are not).  The final paragraph manages to cast aspersions on all the UK based advertisers in Living France (many of whom are actually very good, and don't profess to know the products, which is why they often work together with French agencies) and suggests Elayne has no real knowledge of the area she covers.  Good one! I'll probably regret pressing the 'Post Reply' button, as I'd replied privately to Mr Clarke, trying to avoid contributing to the sort of exchanges for which Living France is infamous!  And why I don't visit or post on here much these days!   I'll duck my head back down below the parapet now.....  
  7. I'm sorry to differ...  I've just checked out Elayne's website again, and among other areas, she covers the whole of Vaucluse.    
  8. Elayne, the Provence Granny (www.grannynetwork.info), will certainly know who the good ones are!
  9. Hi Robert, Don't know if you have found anywhere yet, but you could try asking the Brittany and Provence Grannies (via www.grannynetwork.info) as they have loads of contacts! Good luck with your house hunting - certainly 2 very different areas!
  10. My approach is the same as Music Monkey's, and a ring binder with all the pages in plastic sleeves makes it so easy to update as necessary.   I keep tourist info in separate wallets (children, restaurants, culture, walks etc) I chose to supply a welcome pack though, and find that guests have really appreciated it.  It doesn't need to cost much and sometimes can make you the favoured option, esp if someone is trying to choose between 2 similar gites on offer. My welcome pack usually includes baguette or croissants (depends if the latter is on special offer at the supermarket that day!); home made jam (I always make too much anyway, and the small jars go down a treat!); butter; 6 eggs (free from neighbour's hens as I produce things on the PC for her from time to time); orange juice; a small local cheese - whichever is cheaper that week.  It is a very small percentage of the cost of the cottage rent, and my return rate is so high I must be doing something right!   Returning guests get a bottle of cider added to their basket (I buy it from a local producer at a good price in exchange for putting some of his cards on the kitchen noticeboard). There is always a supply of tea, coffee, condiments, dishwasher tablets and plenty of loo roll.  The latter I found important to tell guests beforehand, as otherwise, they will bring lovely thick Andrex with them, which fosse septiques just detest Hope this is helpful,
  11. Causette

    Lost Kitten

    A really pretty little black cat (not much more than a kitten) has been left behind in Normandy (near Orbec, 14) when the house owners went back to UK  Without wishing to get into the moral arguments of this, I would really like to think that I could find a home for this little creature.  I've no idea how she is surviving.  I'd take her home myself, but my 2 spaniels would object somewhat! I'm trying to find out whether she has been vaccinated, spayed, tatooed or chipped...  Please PM me if you can help find her a home. TY,  JudyM
  12. I know, nightmare, isn't it?  TOH has a gov't pension (RAF), and we never quite knew how many euros we would have for any one month.  We now use Worldwide Currencies (www.wwcurr.com)   We book a forward rate, and transfer a lump sum at a time, and they do not charge us any fees.  It gives us certainty on our income.      
  13. Yes, as Will said, it is difficult to find a job in Normandy, especially as unemployment is running at 10%.    But there is work to be had, it all depends on your attitude and ability.  For example, I found work, TOH works (both of us legally, I hasten to add!), and Will and his wife work, plus many others I know who post on here - so it is not impossible.  Rate of pay is atrocious though, and social charges very high.  There are organisations to help you find work, and in some areas there are even cheap/free French lessons. Some Brits coming over discover an entrepreneurial streak they didn't know they had and set up their own businesses (beware aforementioned high charges). A useful site to look at is www.anpe.fr  (That's from memory - doubtless someone will correct it if I'm mistaken!) and the Chambre des Metiers can also advice. Research everything thoroughly - and Good luck! JudyM (14)  
  14. The post title reminded me of an Italian friend who came to stay with us in UK a few years ago.  He spoke hardly any English and we have next to no Italian, so we had an interesting week!  He kept saying he wanted 'Chicken Wine', and we just couldn't work out what he meant, so we took him to the supermarket to show us on the shelves.  He pointed triumphantly to 'Famous Grouse' whisky! 
  15. Hi Espen,  Yes, I should imagine that a Norwegian speaking French lawyer might be difficult to find ! Another solution might be to contact an English firm specialising in French law.  One I know of is either Matthew Cameron or Kathie Murray-Lacey at Pretty's solicitors in Ipswich ( www.prettys.co.uk)  (I have no financial connection with this firm at all), but doubtless others can recommend other firms...  Judy M (14)   
  16. Depends where you are buying/have bought, but I know of a couple of English speaking notaires in eastern Calvados.  There are also a couple of people (English with fluent French,and fully registered and insured to do the work) working as translators where the notaire isn't English speaking. E-mail me if you are interested, Judy M (14)
  17. Eating caterpillars sounds exactly the sort of thing Merlin's brother Jarvis would do!  above?!  Our boys are 2 on 1st March, and as first time spaniel owners, it has been an enriching experience!  I'll try and put up a picture of them...  Jason looks as though he could be a brother to Jarvis and Merlin! And Nicola - gastro enteritis sounds nasty enough - especially if you're having to clean up after him!  Hope he is soon on the mend...
  18. Thank you SO much for your message - grateful for your support.  Merlin had to stay in the vets overnight, as he had had a fit.  But he has made a good recovery and has just been brought home - MERCI BEAUCOUP to the vets in Lisieux!  I found out this morning that a neighbour's dog died last night - a lovely young fox terrier, with the same symptoms as Merlin - but he didn't get medical attention in time.  Merlin and the terrier have both had blood tests to determine what the poison was. Village rumours are that (a) it is a farmer putting down poisoned meat to attract foxes, or (b) it is les chasseurs doing the same thing in the woods at the end of our garden Take care, everyone who has animals in the countryside - and act quickly if you suspect poisoning.
  19. [quote]A friend working as négociatrice for an estate agency approached me and asked whether I would be willing to pose as a prospective purchaser and view properties sold by competitors, find out where they...[/quote] Well, I don't often stick my head above the parapet, but I really have to say that I think your friend's behaviour is appalling.  I work bl**dy hard to mandate properties for sale, and I know that these disreputable agents exist who will snatch the mandate out of your hand given half a chance.  Frankly, I would rather go hungry than use these tactics.  We have even had 'rival' agents photographing our office window displays! If I have occasion to visit other agencies (perhaps to do an 'inter-cabinet' joint sale - with shared commission, natch ),  I scrupulously avoid, as trained, looking at the products on sale in their classeurs, so that I can't be accused of behaving dishonourably.  Sorry if that sounds a bit HTT  :sickholier than thou), but that's how I'm able to sleep at night! The problem of course, stems partly from the fact that the seller is free to advertise anywhere they like, at no cost to them, as it is the buyer who pays the fees...    
  20. Thank you, Margaret, for those kind and generous words.  We do our best to please   I must add though, that for some reason, our Charente Maritime Granny, Angie Moore (who posts on here, too!) wasn't included in the article - she must be on the cutting room floor!    JudyM (14)
  21. A bit of a soppy request, but there you go.  It also comes with a warning to animal owners over here too. My gorgeous young cocker spaniel, Merlin, has eaten something (we know not what) poisonous this morning and has been at the vet's since midday.  He looked awful.  Every time the phone rings, I'm hoping it's not bad news... We have been and warned all the nighbours to take care of their pets - and asked if anyone has put poison down.  Of course, no-one has...    The dogs (there is a brother cocker) are never out of our sight and certainly never out of our garden and boundaries. So!  Fingers firmly crossed for Merlin please!   
  22. I'm in Lisieux, and very often drive through Moyaux.  A very pretty village   -  as is Cormeilles
  23. Hi Bob, Best thing to do is ask David Foster (0044 208 464 5888) or e-mail him ([email protected]) as our circumstances may differ?  I think a lower rate offered may be so the company can 'spread the risk' or even out the peaks and troughs of the exchange rate or something.  Hey!  You could start a bidding war - see if WWC can beat HIFX rate !!  JudyM
  24. My husband's RAF pension is paid into our French account via Worldwide Currencies.  They have recently dropped all their admn fees, so their service is completely free!  There is an offer currently for a free DVD, which explains currency exchange very clearly.     
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