RogerM

Have others the same experience as me? I cannot get my insurance company (Pacifica/Credit Agricole)to recognise my English no claims bonus. I have a letter from the UK company showing 9 years claims free but the French company say there is no such thing as no claims bonus in France. As my policies (2) with them are due for renewal in October I may have to go elsewhere. Your experiences welcome. RogerM

I, too, have used this guy (I live in Chantonnay). My French is passable but techno jargon is out of the question for me (...it was in England!). I found him helpful and knowledgable. The shop is tiny and a tad untidy but his quality of service is testified to by the fact that there are always folk gathered there chatting away, a bit like a club, so you need to "insert" yourself and ask for service otherwise it will be assumed that you, too want to "hang out"! RogerM

[quote]" However, I find the exchange rates and the transfer charges difficult to compare for value." So do we. We are in the same boat except that Building Societies like C&G are going to close account...[/quote] Incidentally, as why the B.Soc. are concerned over foreign held A/C's is the accusation that they may be coniving at non declaration for tax purposes, there should not be a problem with a "....Govt. pension..." because these must be taxed in the UK. and cannot be taxed in France...or so I am told. Not yet had to complete a French Tax return. RogerM

Like you my former employer and pension payer (a local authority) would give me no flexibility on who carried out the transmission to France and they insisted on doing it monthly. This is why I keep two A/C's in England. I would prefer to use the Nationwide Building Soc. for everything but I am aware that they may close an A/C with a foreign address. If they do I shall use my son's address as they offer super services, are prompt and helpful. Their Internet Banking is the best I have found on the net. I thought about writing myself a cheque in £ and paying it into CA. I accept that the rate may not be the best but it should avoid transfer charges. RogerM

I am aware that I must put a child proof enclosure around my pool (or fit an alarm?). Can anyone please direct me to the details e.g. height of barrier; kind of entrance; type of alarm etc? Thanks in advance. RogerM

A slight change of direction within this topic..... I have lived permanently in France now for 4 months. I have a Credit Agricole A/C, a UK bank account and a UK Building Soc. A/C. I have my pension paid into my Building Soc. and I am fortunate enough only to need to call down money to my French A/C about to or three times per year. However, I find the exchange rates and the transfer charges difficult to compare for value. How do others manage? RogerM