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Kergohy

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Everything posted by Kergohy

  1. Girl in our bank reckoned this was the first time she'd done this money laundering stuff.... find it hard to believe, but there you are.  Will keep you posted about the HSBC possibilities. 
  2. You might want to ask the bank what they have done with your funds - we have just had all sorts of trouble with our branch of CA (Cotes d'Armor) who seem to have taken to anti-money laundering with enthusiasm.  We were obliged to spend 1.5 hours in our local branch, having been told that as we had transferred more than 8000E, the source of our funds had to be identified.  We were also told that we had to tell them exactly what the money was for.  The funds left our UK a/c on 18/7 and the first time the bank tried to contact us was on 27/7 ....  In addition, despite being assured that there would be no problem with the funds, when we tried to get a banker's cheque on the morning of 1/8 to pay for a car, it took them another half an hour to find out that the money would be credited to the account (pobably) that afternoon. Not a word of apology for the messing about, simply a "c'est la loi" and 'it's not my fault '.....  We never did tell them what the money was for - suggested that the clerk might consider how she would feel if she only got her pay cheque from the bank after telling what she planned to spend the money on......  Funds were finally credited to our a/c by the end of the 1/8, but if we'd been in the UK, we'd never have known the money hadn't got to our a/c.  Tomorrow, we are off to see HSBC France (ex CCF, I think)  We can apparently transfer funds online without charge between a/c and between currencies (apart from the usual exchange rate stuff) - so we'll see how that works.  It does sound like the answer to over-enthusiastic anti-money laundering ..... M  
  3. I'm sure there is someone here who could have an answer?  I'm looking for a good kennel for my dog while I'm back in the UK sorting out house moving - again!  I've been to look at one kennel and left horrified - still trying to work out how an individually heated run goes with open wire mesh on 3 sides.....  Somewhere in the Loudeac area would be great, but recommendation would be better! Thanks in advance M
  4. Thanks for that info Liz - I'm in the middle of a dispute with a large supplier of wood (destined for a timber frame house - details elsewhere) and later this morning I am being visited by a representative of the CTBA and the timber treatment company employed by said supplier to bring the timber they sold up to the advertised Class 2.  I'm expecting that this will have to go to court and it's heartening to know that it's possible to win.  Good artisans and suppliers are worth their weight in gold, but the mess made by those less scrupulous can be disastrous.  And it's the biggest who're the worst..... M PS  Which court did you go to?  Premier Instance?     
  5. Hi - one of those daft questions no doubt, but I'm sure there will be someone who could help?  What do you do for a decennale assureur if MAAF thinks it is unable to insure you (no reason given, btw)   All contributions gratefully received. K
  6. Thanks Will - the nyh has covered himself by VAT registration in France, but remains a UK company.  Eventually, there will also be a French company (Gawd help us!) but not just for the mo.  Might be easier to use the new version of the cheque emploi, but why o why does France make it so hard to get people off the unemployable list..... Will also have a chat with the ANPE on Monday - if they're keen enough to find a new home for someone on RMI, there might be something they know about.... Here's hoping!
  7. I know there are lots of threads on all the things you have to pay out as an employer but what I was really hoping for was someone who could point me in the right direction?  My not-yet-husband has a building company in the UK and has registered for TVA in France for any work carried out here.  I am just about to become resident here (France - sorry!).  What I am trying to find out is what he, as an employer, will have to do to take on an employee in France while remaining a UK company?  There is a local resident who would be ideal and who is eligible for the new CIRMA 'get back in to work' contract.  Obviously we know about the assurances needed for the nyh to do building work in France, but is there anyone who can give us a bit of info?  My French is reasonable but I'm getting completely lost with all the websites full of writing!! ....[8-)] Practical advice borne out of experience in a similar field would be so much appreciated ...  
  8. Sorry, can't help on the Pajero.  But can tell you about the Pont l'Abbe - anyone remember the ship on 'Triangle'?  that's her!  And on the subject of reregistered Japanese cars - does anyone know where I might find LHD 'feu de croissance' for a 2002 Toyota Celica?  Got to get the lights sorted for the contre visite for the CT asap.  Suggestions (polite of course) gratefully received.   Thanks
  9. Just wondering if anyone has got themselves assurance ouvrage dommages while doing their house renovations etc?  Any info would be gratefully received.   Thanks
  10. Sorry to add another one about insurance - I found this article on the 'Que Choisir' website after I got the penitent email from Wanadoo that probably a lot of us have had.  I'm now worried - the company that did my timber treatment may or may not outlast the 'guarantee' they've given! http://www.quechoisir.org/EnqueteDetail.jsp;jsessionid=1D6BA92F77B7A3F764E295D188571BA6?id=Ressources:Articles:8BE4612F3C957B0AC1257118004E4802&catcss=LOG102&categorie=NoeudPClassement:4110B8435E3EAAA5C1256F0100348F8A  
  11. I've learned a lot more about insectes xylophages than I would want - are your vrillettes big or little?  the little ones are woodworm.....  The others are the noisy variety, as far as I know.  Bonne courage.
  12. Just wanted to say thank you for the excellent rundown on the French plumbing world!  You've confirmed for us everything we've found so far.  Have to say your observations on commissioning of oil boilers by French plumbers is borne out by friends' experience.  I'm also told by the other half of 'we' that whoever did the plumbing in the pix is a 'good plumber' - huge praise from a UK building contractor!!  At least French plumbing seems to be getting there, but it's still got a long way to go.[:)]
  13. Can't remember what it cost us for the concrete for the floor - do remember that the digging out the earth floor took ages (no way to get the digger in the door!). What an improvement when we got the dry slab down tho (dpm plus insulation) and the rest of the walls up - in timber frame construction, btw. The next big thing in France apparently - if they get the treatment sorted out..... (see my note about beware treatment!) Stud walls apparently don't need to be treated, so you should be fine. Happy digging!
  14. So that's what that lovely black and yellow newt thing was! We've had a few here in south 22. After the UK, it's great to see so many birds and beasts here - we've got resident kestrels, black and white woodpeckers, wrens and lots of others that I've only heard tell of before!
  15. A cautionary tale..... My partner and I are in the middle of a large construction and conversion project in Brittany using timber frame within the existing buildings. He has worked in timber frame for 30+ years but we have still run into problems. Not anything technical on our part, but more to do with the timber supplied. We found a supplier of the right kind of timber - marketed by one of the largest merchants/ importers of timber in France. We asked all the right questions, got the right answers, ordered the right timber and got the wrong timber. After two full deliveries in February and March, suspicions grew, out of experience, that the timber was untreated. It took months of pressure on both the French head office and the UK head office of the holding company to get stamped treatment certificates of conformity for the timber. Unfortunately, 3 days later the company admitted that the timber hadn't been treated at all..... All the new timber frames in the historic 'big house' had been exposed to the interesting collection of timber munchers taking flight and breeding in spring and summer this year. The company 'graciously' brought in a treatment company to try to treat the frames in situ and the roof timbers - when the building was safe to go in again, we found thousands of euros worth of damage to the painstakingly restored and finished oak work. We are now running a serious delay in our schedule which means opening a year late. Our arguments continue with the UK office on resolving this and can't really be gone into in detail here. However, what we do want to do is alert users, professional and diy alike, to problems with the treatment methods used in France for Class 2 use. I'm sure everyone is used to seeing nice yellow treated wood, dip treated in tanks. We have been told by the DDCCRF (Concurrence, Consommation, Repression des Fraudes) that this treatment has a life of 3 months. Not quite what we expected to hear when we complained about untreated timber frame timber..... Anyone know a good lawyer? More info available if you mail me.
  16. A cautionary tale..... My partner and I are in the middle of a large construction and conversion project in Brittany using timber frame within the existing buildings. He has worked in timber frame for 30+ years but we have still run into problems. Not anything technical on our part, but more to do with the timber supplied. We found a supplier of the right kind of timber - marketed by one of the largest merchants/ importers of timber in France. We asked all the right questions, got the right answers, ordered the right timber and got the wrong timber. After two full deliveries in February and March, suspicions grew, out of experience, that the timber was untreated. It took months of pressure on both the French head office and the UK head office of the holding company to get stamped treatment certificates of conformity for the timber. Unfortunately, 3 days later the company admitted that the timber hadn't been treated at all..... All the new timber frames in the historic 'big house' had been exposed to the interesting collection of timber munchers taking flight and breeding in spring and summer this year. The company 'graciously' brought in a treatment company to try to treat the frames in situ and the roof timbers - when the building was safe to go in again, we found thousands of euros worth of damage to the painstakingly restored and finished oak work. We are now running a serious delay in our schedule which means opening a year late. Our arguments continue with the UK office on resolving this and can't really be gone into in detail here. However, what we do want to do is alert users, professional and diy alike, to problems with the treatment methods used in France for Class 2 use. I'm sure everyone is used to seeing nice yellow treated wood, dip treated in tanks. We have been told by the DDCCRF (Concurrence, Consommation, Repression des Fraudes) that this treatment has a life of 3 months. Not quite what we expected to hear when we complained about untreated timber frame timber..... Anyone know a good lawyer? More info available if you mail me.
  17. Thanks both for replies... I kinda guessed that things could get nasty if the DDE takes against you, despite the Maire being on our side. Not being invited to the meeting arranged with the DDE architect from Paris was somewhat surprising - and not just to us! I would be v interested in knowing more about the mediation service - I think we are reasonably aware of French culture etc, but I'm always willing to learn more and I suspect a formal complaint could get messy, tho this particular fonctionnaire has a history of exces de pouvoir.....
  18. Really don't know if this is the right thread for this, but since I'm trying to renovate I guess it's worth a try! Is there anyone out there who can tell me how to complain about my local DDE?? To say that the person handling our dossier for the permis de construire is a 'casse pieds' is an understatement... All contributions gratefully received K 22
  19. Some time ago on LF there was discussion about the possibility of a new airport or significant expansion of an existing airport. I wasn't able to follow that up at the time and was wondering if anyone could fill me in on that topic? Thanks
  20. As the owner of a nice old property needing lots of work, from its earth floor upwards, I'm hunting for info on what insurance might be needed by us as a business as clients of artisans. The property will be used for letting, as well as our permanent home in due course. I've not been able to find out whether we need public liability insurance to cover people working for us on the project, despite diligent searches thru LF pages. I know artisans are required to carry insurance - does that cover them getting hurt while working for us, or causing damage to our property or that of others? I'd really appreciate any help given
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