Orion

Hi Les thanks for the help - after many attempts to confirm this with merceds i sent in the application with the info as described - I cannot for the life of me understand why i need to provide this particular information to Mercedes as they have it all anyway. orion

Thanks Les I have found the plate under the seat with four weights noted like this:      2590 kg      4590 kg 1-  1380 kg 2-  1500kg I know the 2590 kg is the Revenue weight which I suppose must be the the poids vide - will the PTAC be the 4590 kg and what are the other 2 weights all about? Thanks for your kind help (and BTW Mercedes won't answer the phone to help me) Orion

I have an application for for a certificate of conformity for a Mercedes van. Two of the questions on the application form for the CoC are:           Poids a vide du vehicule: Carrosse...... kg  AND P.T.C. du vehicle...... kg I have found only one weight mentioned on the V5 which is Revenue weight 2590kg gross. What is this? Apart from that I have no direct info on weights.  Can I extract this info from the VIN? plates or anywhere else on the van? Thanks for any help on this and yes I do find it a little irritating that this is info for Mercedes who know all this anyway. Thanks Orion

Hi I have a book giving some basic details of French telephone wiring which seems to suggest I can have up to 130 metres of cable on the circuit and there is only wiring in series in the schematic. Can I 'tee off'' and if so how does this affect the 130 metre 'rule' if that is indeed the case. Thanks Orion

[quote]Every single artisan in the building trades here if he trades as a business MUST provide adequate insurance Deçennale and Civile. Having a SIRET number means nothing at all where insurances are concer...[/quote] Hi Val2 can you substantiate this please above and beyond being asked for your AD on one occasion by a gendarme? same question but still waiting for an answer for anyone who this might concern. same question and still waiting for an answer Orion

Thanks BJSLIV I have looked at the link which looks excellent. The relevant part which I have muddled through due to limited French seems to relate to companies that build new houses from scratch? question 1 - what is BJSLIV all about? question 2 - is the Spinette law the limited to new build like a 10 year NHBC guarantee or does it have wider implications? thanks again Orion

[quote]Tell me why the gendarmes demanded to see a policy when they did a spot check after being told we were working on the black? I care not what others get upto unless they are ripping unsuspecting client...[/quote] Hi val2 In the past on a couple of occasions I have been asked to do things by police officers in the UK which in my view were unwarranted. Both times I asked for the basis of such a request i.e.what authority under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) was being exercised to make such demands; on both occasions the officers desisted and went on their way. I also have direct knowledge of police officers having less than a perfect understanding of the powers and responsibilities of the law they were were purporting to exercise. Can I infer from your posting that the basis for your assertion that Assurance Decennale is necessary for all artisans is simply that you were asked for it once by a gendarme? If so, you are in a weak position to maintain that this is in fact the case aren't you? The moral of the story is a request by an official may have no proper basis in law. Is it at all possible that your assertion may be wrong? This forum's primary function (in my humble opinion) is to provide information that hopefully is useful to others.  Normally to be of use information needs to be accurate. If anyone posts a view that claims to be the true position and has that view challenged what's the problem. When a senior member of this forum regularly posts an opinion on the legal position of artisan's insurance (which may servr to influence the decision making of many people)  one might expect and hope for a better response.  So if anyone out there knows the true position based on the law perhaps they can settle this important issue.  

[quote]Mr korigan[/quote] I thought the same - no Tyrone wisdom for a while + absent in the UK at last posting  on the forum - it all adds up. BUT would even 'tyre valve destructur'  & scum basher' TK be so sad as to check all these cars having just got off the ferry?

[quote]thankyou vey much, took a while to come but eventually some really helpful information, much appreciated!! my intentions are very simialar so very relevant to me. one other thing, did you set up under...[/quote] I have seen many posts from forum users e.g. Val2 that Assurance Decennale was compulsory for all artisans. Is it really the case or is it a manifestation of self preservation or self promotion for those who have it? Recently, I was told by a French macon that assurance decennale is not compulsory for all artisans. He said it is open to an artisan to mark on the devis something like 'sans assurance decennale' and then it is up to the customer. He also said that many macons who work in 'petit maconnerie' never have such insurance.  Provided it is made clear to the potential customer that there is no AD there is no problem.  Just taking this a little further, he said that most macons would not quote for or issue AD for certain jobs because it would be a nonsense using an example of making a window opening in a wall that was probably in need of underpinning or substantial repair. Before the usual suspects ask if am I working au noir etc etc, I am am not working at all... and I have never worked in France either. I may do so in the future but that is the future. Orion

David It might be worth checking on prices of imported cars form within the EU. (try the French motoring press or thr internet) Austria, Luxembourg and Belgium are often sources of much cheaper new cars with Europe wide warranties. I had one from Austria (a Citroen) with a discount of approx 18%. i also got the car quicker than was available from local dealers (who BTW only offered token discounts). Good luck Orion  

[quote]I am amazed at the the number of people who would rather ignore this problem. Prehaps it is because they are in fact guilty of these crimes themselves...? To see a crime being commited by so many and...[/quote] Dear TK Can I digress for a moment and ask you to cast your mind back a bit please. Can I ask how your prices were 'too low' before you did your stage and therefore before you were registered? Could this be an unintentional admission that you were working au noir? Should someone shop you for taking the bread out of the mouthes of all the registered artisans etc? In addition, should I encourage someone to find one of your autoportee's and cut out your tyre valves? Oh and by the way if this troubles you I'm only joking ..just like you do all the time. On a more serious note you have been inciting criminal damage (against persons unknown with situations unknown). Criminal damage is an offence which is imprisonable in the UK. Neither lack of Road Fund Licence or insurance is imprisonable - both are fine only with points for no insurance.  You preach a reponse to a problem which is far more serious in UK law than the problem your approach attemts to deal with. Sensible - hypocritical - others can judge but from my point of view your purported joke is in very bad taste and is just plain wrong - glass houses and all that. Orion

My 4 'local' building material suppliers will all match each others devis. One will look at devis from the other 3 and match each price and normally beat one to make the deal - the discount on this item is normally nominal. I have now completed this exercise 4 times but sometimes it is hardly worth the effort. I think LeClerc Bati and Bricomarche offer the best prices on their promotions but the offers are limited in time and of course the range of materials.  I have found that delivery costs are flexible for larger orders. My experience with artisans is (1) 50% don't come to quote and (2) 50% of those who come don't quote - so they are something of a precious commodity.  When I asked a question about the cost of an item the first reponse to me was that's the price and it will not change - it actully wasn't the answer to the question I asked. I wouldn't haggle with an artisan if I didn;t like the price I would look elsewhere. I bought a swimming pool and have had some succes at haggling. Umlike other metiers these businesses make and keep appointments - they are hungry for work. Part of my approach was to get a basic price for the pool with identical specs - show thw cheapest to the other companies and arrive see if they woulod match the price. When I was happy with the basic price I lasked for extras at or near cost e.g pool covers and roller and robot. I arrived at a price which I was happy with and I presume the company I chose was happy with. Overall its a mixed bag but what's the harm in asking? Bill

[quote]Why do you want one and what will you use it for ? They moved on to concrete much earier than the UK[/quote] Hi Anton I recently saw them used  in 3 ways in a holiiday village in Provence. For steps, for making/containing small raised plant beds and for making mini-terraces on slopes i.e making flat mowable areas on a slope.  All of the above uses interest me. Thanks Bill

Hi Does anyone ot there know a supplier of railway sleepers not too far from Dordogne/Lot et garonne border (South of Bergerac)? Also what are they called in French and what are they likely to cost? Thanks Bill

Hi Simon Thanks for the reply - I didn't know about Cat 6 - what's the difference with Cat 5 and what outlets do I  use for the phone and computers etc - RJ45? Bill

I am rewiring my house and at the same time adding modern telecoms facilities.etc. Are there likely to be any problems developing (e.g. degradation of satellite signal) from putting Satellite (2 wire shotgun type), Cat 5 cable , telephone cable & analogue TV coax cables al in same 25mm gaine? Thanks Bill

Hi 1938 If you mean regular bricks as sold at builder's merchants and brico sheds they are always for sale individually or more cheaply by the palette load.  I have bought small and large amounts of both bricks and parpaings (breeze blocks) without any problems. good luck Bill

Following my previous 3 questions I have a supplemental query about electrical cabling. Can cable (u - 1000 - R2V I think) be used in gaine internally.  I have voids along both sides of the 1st floor (combles) where I can easily and quickly run these cables ( I bought lots at a bargain promotional price) and then they will go down into solid stone walls or into timber/plasterboard stud walls to the prises, switches and wall lights.  I understand that I shouln't run the u - 1000- R2V in the stud walls 'bare' as these are not 'vides de construction' Can I for example run from the fuse board to a junction box in u - 1000 - R2V cable and switch to the individual 'fils' in gaine for the down parts of the circuit in the walls? Thanks Bill

Hi Punch I was up early this morning too - 2 of the 3 kids had nigtmares. In the meantime I have been trying very hard to ge my own answers from a very comprehensive book by Thiery Gaillauziaux 'L'installation electrique' Good news for me about no requirement for an earth line to the light switches (as qualified). Re covering the gaine etc I really meant to ask about covering the gaines with cover panels. I have seen some for sale in plastic but they appear to be very expensive indeed. I have a supplemental query now - can cable (u - 1000 - R2V I think) be used in gaine internally.  I have voids along both sides of the 1st floor (combles) where I can easily and quickly run these cables ( I bought lots at a bargain promotional price) and then they will go down into solid stone walls or into timber/plasterboard stud walls to the prises, switches and wall lights.  I understand that I shouln't run the u - 1000- R2V in the stud walls bare as these are not 'vides de construction' Can I for example run to a junction box in u - 100 - R2V cable and switch to fils in gaine for the down parts of the circuit in the walls? Thanks for your swift reply Punch. BTW where are you based? Bll  

Sorry if these have been answered in the past but I can't find answers in the search facility. 1. Can an earth wire be shared by 2 different circuits ? 2. Are there rules about the surface on which the coffret d'electrique (fuse board) can be mounted? 3. Are there rulles concerning the covering for/ covering of the gaines/cables supply to and from the fuse board? Thanks to all in advance and thanks to Punch for answers to previous questions. Bill  

Hi I have an English sourced HP officejet which I connected to the French telephone sytem using a RJ45 plug that goes into a french telephone plug. It has worked without any problems for a year and half so far. Bon chance Bill

Hi I want to instal a perimiter alarm as well. Can I join the line please. Thanks Bill

I'm just letting off a bit of steam here. Over the years people I have employed to do work for me who have used my tools without my permission and broken / blunted / misused and abused etc but experience has led me to hide them or lock them away or just make it clear at the start that my stuff is not to be used wihout permission. This week during the course of a central heating installation whilst sitting on the loo I noticed an unusual plumbing accessory that was very colorful sitting amongst the array of plumbing gear. Something looked familiar about it and in curiosity I moved some of the gear aside; lo and behold it was a very scorched childrens book (belonging to our children). I had to wait a few hours before I could confront this 'professional plumber' concerning the apparent book burning.  His response was strained and centred on the lame excuse " I couln't think of anything else to put there to stop the carpet being burnt". He explained that during the course of installing central heating and soldering joints he used one of my children's books to shield the flame of the blowtorch to prevent damage to the wall and flooring etc. He added that he couldn't think of anything else to stop dsamge to te carpet.  He boasts of only living 5 minutes away. The nearest shops are close too. Selfish, moronic, pathetic or all of the above? Has anyone any experiences to share on this topic - it may make me feel better  - it might prevent me fashioning a doll in the likeness of this man and sticking pins in it. Bill  

Does anyone out there know the price and normal load size of ready mixed concrete? I need 18-20 cubic metres and would consider using a concrete pump - how much are these to hire/ Big bucks? Thanks Bill

This is my current position relating to Lot et Garonne (Dept 47) Having applied for a Carte Vitale back in April at the Villeneuve sur Lot office and having heard nothing I have tried contacting CPAM by phone.  Unfortunately now the only number to contact them is an 0825 number which is answered by a machine and requires a CPAM or social secuity number to access the sytem. I have neither. The office that I made the application at using E106 etc has now closed which seems to leave only the Agen office which is a long way away. Any suggestions to make contact without actually visiting Agen? Thanks Bill