MikeandSue

Having made yet another trip to Auchan, I have now, after another hour and a half of waiting, got my money back.  I think it being'no brainer', rather inappropriate if you have the knowledge.  The problem was getting passed the vendeurs, who continually fobbed me off and pretended not to understand, isn't that what they can do so well when they want to?.  When I found a vendeur in another department, who was prepared to get a manager, then I made progress.  I made demands to see a manager on several occasions, but I was continually stone walled. I'd like to thank everybody for the suggestions.  I have downloaded a copy of  the Consumer Code http://www.afas-siamois.com/textes_code_consom_l_211-4a14.htm 0r English version   http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.afas-siamois.com/textes_code_consom_l_211-4a14.htm&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DCode%2Bde%2BConsommation%2B%252BL211-7%2B%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DG from a website, which gives me rather more confidence now, and I am keeping a copy in the car  

Thanks for all the responses.  I have now got onto French News at Perigeuex.  There was no surprise when the store in question, Auchun, was mentioned.  It seems that their after care service leaves much to be desired.  Be warned, we won't be shopping there again   Sue and Mike

I bought a 'débroussailleuse' during April 2005 at a well known supermarket in Marsac, Perigeuex.  The weather was so wet for the following three weeks, that we were unable to use it.  When we did, it started, ran for ten minutes and then failed to start again.  I returned it to the shop, asked for my money back, which was refused, then a replacement, again refused.  Since then it has broken down on two further occasions after first time of use.  It has been in the apres vente since September 2005, and also because I complained that the plastic casing got so hot it burnt my arm (the casing also melted around the exhaust), it has since been sent away for tests.  I have told them since I have had it in my possession for only two of the fourteen months, that I should be given my money back.  I have travelled in excess of 600kms to this supermarket to try and resolve this problem, I have written numerous emails, letters, faxes, but seem to be unable to get to anyone in the company to respond.  It is apparently in Bordeaux and the person dealing with it now refuses to acknowledge my emails.  Has anyone got any ideas please,as to how I can get them to respond to the EU consumer laws? Mike Cope www.courdufleuve.com

We've been reading this discussion with interest, but again found the colouring difficult having tries different combinations.  We have been using a sand that is slightly reddish yellow.  We have seen some in a trailer which was a much paler yellow and would match our the work on our existing walls.  We'd appreciate it if anybody around Bergerac to Sarlat could tell us if they've managed to locate sand of this colour.

We've been reading this discussion with interest, but again found the colouring difficult having tries different combinations.  We have been using a sand that is slightly reddish yellow.  We have seen some in a trailer which was a much paler yellow and would match our the work on our existing walls.  We'd appreciate it if anybody around Bergerac to Sarlat could tell us if they've managed to locate sand of this colour.

A thank you for the replies.  It's encouraging to know that there is a vehicle that enables us to learn, so thanks again to the organisers and the respondents.

Can anyone help, I'm sure that I've seen somewhere that if you are renovating a property, you pay something like 4.5% tva.  Also, on one of these many house programmes that are presently aired, that it is possible to get a grant when renovating older properties to gites.  Am I mistaken?