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Vienne_Billygoats

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Posts posted by Vienne_Billygoats

    eBay

    in French Satellite TV, French Internet and Telephone

    Posted

    Yes I have a similar problem at the moment, BUT I cannot get my PayPal account to configure with any of my UKcredit cards or debit cards.  They are all now registered at our French home address, where we live permanently, but the PayPal update allows the credit card details to be updated, BUT ONLY with UK addresses.

    So it bounces me out, and & cannot use my PayPal account at all, as it will not accept the correct & bone-fide address that the card company uses in France - HELP!

    Mark

    wanadoo question

    in French Satellite TV, French Internet and Telephone

    Posted

    Hi Laura,

    We have just had your problem in reverse in the last 3 months!! - we appointed Cegetel - they didn't deliver, but cost us over 350 euros in all, we cancelled and are now with Wanadoo.

    Some points to note, both now & for the future:

    1. We triple checked all of the various "degroupage" type tests, well PRIOR to choosing Cegetal as our DSL provider, and checked their tariff structure on the "ADSLFacile" website for example. Even read some online customer reviews from web-user forums.

    2. Cegetel confirmed via their own web pages that 1MB ADSL was immediately available in our property (In a town location which already has assorted ADSL providers)

    3. I joined them online, paid for a 99euro wi-fi router, and they had a French bank mandate completed on line.  We were charged immedialty with the 99 euro modem/router fee & 1 months line charge of about 30 euros or so.

    4. Cegetal expected delievry date of the ADSL service was 10-15 days.  The ADSL router was received with log-in passwords etc ALL within 7 days!!

    5. We than had several emails & 2 letters from them advising of a further 2 weks dealy (twice), a letter dated December 2004!!, saying that our line was enabled etc etc etc.

    6. We contacted them via phone, but struggled, they had no English speaking assistants and their fench was peculiar??, we got a French friend (I her own Translation business) to question their customer help line, they were fobbed off with a 2 weeks delay. (We paid for that translation service!).  We wrote to them again via the same Translator, requesting a commencement date - now 2 months late!!. 

    7. Our Translator friend rang again - routed to North Africa!! - (That explained why we ere unable to get our point across she suggested!), she was advised after 20 mins on the phone, that Cegetal had not even enabled their own server software to make our town ADSL line line work - let alone our own property.  We advised them to cancell there and then!! - They said OK, just as easy as that, but offered us 500 free minutes to stay -we said NO!.

    8. Our Translor wrote a recorded letter to Cegetel cancelling the service, as they were materially unable to provide a service that they had said was available, and had been charging us for.  FRAUD springs to mind - she suggested the same to them (I love the way the French argue).  We requested a full refund of the 3 months line rentel/router fee etc - but have had nothing to date.WE ALSO IMMEDIALTEY WROTE TO OUR BANK (RECORDRD) AND CANCELLED THE CEGETEL DIRECT DEBIT etc)

    BUT, they have refunded nothing to date, just offset some 30 euros against a cancellation fee of some 30 euros?, and they have sent us a second ADSL wi-fi router in error.

    Being pragmatic, thay are a shower, but we are free of them, we cannot recover our abortive fees, their charges nor the fees of the lady who assisted us in cancelling their services.  BUT we have come away pretty cleanly from a TWO year contract - and they didn't even wince!

    So, I hope this tale helps you, we were really messed about by Cegetel, and I really needed that service to work from home....

    This is, and has been to date, our sole French frustraion in over 2 years  so take heart.

    Good luck,

    mark B

     

     

     

    Cocoa Powder

    in French Food and Wine

    Posted

    Hi

    Just wondering if the French have an equivalent to our cocoa powder, as I just used my last lot from the UK over Xmas and now need some for my Sons Birthday cake for his class at school.

    Have searched baking section and drinks section of our Intermarche and could find nothing I thought might be the same, all had rather alot of sugar content.

    Hope someone might have an idea/alternate suggestion otherwise will resort to carrot cake.

    Many thanks

    Extension Cables & Broadband - Don't work?

    in French Satellite TV, French Internet and Telephone

    Posted

    Hi,

    My ADSL will not work if I use an extension cable to extend the main pnone line to an upstairs study.

    I have done this many times in the UK, but now a simple 7.5m French extension, bought from a DIY shed will not allow ADSL to work at all.  I have tried 2 different leads - is this normal, or can I get a higher grade lead from a better store somewhere?

    This is a real pain at the moment, I hope there is an easy way out...

    Many thanks

    Trains to Poitiers.

    in West (Bretagne, Pays de la Loire, Poitou-Charente)

    Posted

    Hi,

    I commute weekly from Poitiers to Stanstead, and the service for the cost is excellent.

    Ryan Air are efficient, extremely functional, friendly and cheap. 

    I would suggest the flight to Stanstead, then use the discounted train fare (tickets sold on board the flight) to London on the Stanstead Express train to Central London (Liverpool Streeet I think?).

    http://www.stanstedexpress.com/

    The scheduled timings to my mind are robust, with lateness infrequent.  Poitiers Airport has free carparking should you need to leave a car. 

    I believe, that taxable expeneses are only incurred/levied after 2 years in any single office/workplace location - not the 1 years as stated above.  Certainaly that is the Tax Rule that my Consultancy has been using, along with all of my colleagues, for the last 7 years worth of commisions, and is in accord with our Accountant & Tax Office Guidance.

    I hope this info helps - my commute now is really easy, low on stress & flexible - as rebooking flights is so cheap, should you need to change your agenda.

    Good luck,

    mark

    How & where do I sit my exams for a permit de chasse in Dept 86 or 16?

    in Sport, Leisure and Pastimes

    Posted

    Has anybody in Dept 86 or 16 sat for their permit de chasse?  If so, where, was it easy, where can you buy the briefing/examination revision pack etc?

    I envisage shooting on my own - in the grounds of the local Chateau, (with their blessing), but which is currently not shot over by any syndicate whatsoever, historic or otherwsie - they have the full rights but have not released them before.

    So, my joining a local shoot/syndicate will not resolve me of any need to secure a permis.

    Please help......

    many thanks, mark

     

    Canal Tile Ridge Repairs - Advice please...!

    in House Renovations

    Posted

    Hi,

    I have to replace several ridge tiles and associated canal tiles after the weekends winds & fair wear & tear I am afraid - so not really insurable.

    I am comfortable at height & have adequate professional scaffolding, minitowers & ladders/ridge ladders to access the job safely.

    However, I have only re-tiled our previous houses with Sussex peg - type tiles, and really want some smart tips on how to access various areas of our roof, whilst doing the minimum damage to the existing tiling.

    I need to mortar up under several ridge tiles, and replace some tiles at the corners, and errant ones in the middle of the pitch.

    How do I do it efficiently, safely and without major tile slippage.  Canal tiles seem so crude to me, and prone to slippage or cracking.

    When, recently our plumber installed a new chimney liner, I missed his "roof walking", & his response to my - "how did you do that?" was "Comme le chat!" - useless!!

    Please no pious responses, I am safe, working on my own home etc, I just do not want to break fifty tiles to replace 5.

    Many thanks fellow lay-roofers.

    Mark B

     

     

     

    I have an E109 - Carte Vitale next?

    in Health

    Posted

    Hi,  I have just received an E109 for my wife & I.  It does not mention our 5 & 3 yaer old children - but I suppose this is normal - yes?

    What exactly do I need to do next to get a Carte Vitale in the most efficient manner?, and then some sort of mutuelle top-up?

    I would be pleased to learn the best routes, such that I can start that process on Friday.

    Many thanks for (hopefully) contributing...

    Mark b

     

    Where do I buy clay pigeons?

    in Sport, Leisure and Pastimes

    Posted

    Hi, I have run out of clays, and have not yet bought a French Shooting magazine, to look for typical adverts yet.

    Has anybody got a supplier who delivers? and can I buy cartridges by the thousand, as I did in the UK?.  Presuming this is the most economical way.....

    So, any reliable suppliers details would be appreciated, with a general guide to prices etc.

    My internet searches have proven useless so far - sorry

    Many thanks,

    Mark B

    Where do I buy clay pigeons?

    in Sport, Leisure and Pastimes

    Posted

    Hi, I have run out of clays, and have not yet bought a French Shooting magazine, to look for typical adverts yet.

    Has anybody got a supplier who delivers? and can I buy cartridges by the thousand, as I did in the UK?.  Presuming this is the most economical way.....

    So, any reliable suppliers details would be appreciated, with a general guide to prices etc.

    My internet searches have proven useless so far - sorry

    Many thanks,

    Mark B

    Where do I buy clay pigeons?

    in Sport, Leisure and Pastimes

    Posted

    Hi, I have run out of clays, and have not yet bought a French Shooting magazine, to look for typical adverts yet.

    Has anybody got a supplier who delivers? and can I buy cartridges by the thousand, as I did in the UK?.  Presuming this is the most economical way.....

    So, any reliable suppliers details would be appreciated, with a general guide to prices etc.

    My internet searches have proven useless so far - sorry

    Many thanks,

    Mark B

    Pls When is the French Coarse Fishing Season?

    in Sport, Leisure and Pastimes

    Posted

    Hi, Just a quick question, when does the French Coarse fishing season run from for RIVERS, and do licences run from the same seasons/periods?

    I would like to buy a season ticket for the rivers in Dept 86, but have heard that the licences expire in December.  So is this true, or am I best off buying daily/weekly tickets until the new year?

    PS. I am an experienced angler, but did not reckon on the drag effect of living so close to La Vienne, until after I had completed my building works - not before!!

    I deliberately have avoided asking this question until now, but the fish are so huge, and apparently plentiful, if you do not mind the big ones!!

    Any advice on licences & or edible fish types very welcome.

    Many thanks,

    Mark B

     

    cars from Belgium

    in Driving in France

    Posted

    Hi Damon,

    We just purchased a second hand Belgian Citroen Berlingo for my wife, and the whole operation was completely hassle free and enjoyable.

    Registration took me about 10 mins at the local Prefecture, with the Certificate D'Immatriculation arriving some 10 days after.

    If you private mail me, I will kindly give you the brokers contact details, he is 100% reliable, helpful & friendly, is English & trades both privately & through ebay (UK).

    We intend to buy another larger car (Chrysler Voyager perhaps?) early next year, from him without doubt.

    By the way, the Berlingo we got, was top specification, full service history, ultra reliable and some 3000euros under the typical French Price.

    Belgium seems to have far greater supplies and turnaround of cars, with full model & specification choices - rather than the bog-standrd models which France seems to prefer.

    All Belgian cars can come with a 1 month Transit plates & insurance, or 3 months including a full Belgian Controle Technique (aka MOT), which is very stringent, and a good indicator of roadworthiness & maintenance standards.

    Good luck - I certainly will be doing this again.

    Mark

     

    A serious question about scholl toilets etc

    in French Education

    Posted

    Well having read your responses, I went in this morning having learnt a few useful words to do with toilets and hygiene and with my daughters pockets full of spare tissues, only to find that the caretaker/janitor was installing a paper dispenser for each toilet and a soap dispenser at the sink. Still no towels but who cares the main problem seems to be resolved, without me having to embarrass myself using my rather basic French on such a delicate matter.

    Many thanks

    A serious question about scholl toilets etc

    in French Education

    Posted

    Hi, This is a serious question, when our 4.5yr old daughter started at the local Ecole Privee Primarie yesterday, she said that they did not have any toilet paper in the communal toilets.

    We noticed the same, but wondered if that was what the 2 boxes of tissues which each child brought, were destined for...?

    But what is the scenario? - our daughter had a really good time yesterday & today, but does not know what to do about the non-existant toilet roll.

    Do they ask for a sheet (spelling!!) before they go?, or is there some other cunning plan?

    Please respond soon, she goes back on Thursday, and we will have to ask the teacher otherwise - which is quite embarassing.

    Many thanks,

    VB

     

    Do I buy fruit trees in England or France?

    in Gardening

    Posted

    My wife had chosen a large quantity of specific apple, pear and soft fruit trees, on specific root stocks, all from an excellent fruit tree nursery in the UK.  Which we really need to order now for the autumn availability.

    Should we go through with our order & collect in our covered trailer, or can we make a similar order through French channels?

    Does anybody have any websites showing French fruit tree dealers etc - as we want to buy either specific known varieties and or root stocks or reliable serious fruit trees, not just the types sold in supermarkets etc.

    We are supplementing & replacing our elderly/defunct orchards, so your advice is most welcome.  We are in dept. 86, and close to the border of 16.

    Many thanks

    Mark

     

     

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