Collywobble

Hi Llwyncelyn, With regards to the duty of care and gov. pound of flesh collection aspects, this is more or less what I thought to be the case.    I had previously been told  that they were about the same level of education and role as a solicitor, however I thought they sat somewhere between a notary public and a conveyancer which seems to be closer to the mark, in a manner. As I say, I was just curious. There was a really good documentary on Radio4 a few months back. (I listened to it via the web) It was fascinating, focusing on the interaction between the folk in the communities involved and how they coped with each other once the dust settled. They tend to recycle these things on R4. Thanks for that and all the best for the Phd.

Hi I know what they do, that's not the question. From what I can tell, they are more qualified/responsible/empowered that a British Notary Public (yes I know there are differences within the UK) but not as qualified/responsible/empowered as a Solicitor?[8-)] The question is simply one of curiosity. Cheers

This sort of thing can be addressed (up to a point) with off-shoring, but you really need to be earning BIG bucks to employ the right/qualified people to keep you on the straight and narrow. It probably will just over complicate your life unless you have huge potential tax liabilities. Cheers

[quote user="Patmobile"]Apparently, when quite new in the Prime Ministerial job, Tony Blair asked a charming, and somehow familiar-looking lady, whom he met at reception at a European summit  of some kind, what job she was now doing. "Oh, I'm still the Queen of the Netherlands", she replied, offering him some cocktail nibbles from a dish she was circulating with. Moral:  Don't ask - it could be someone whose job you really ought to know already. Patrick [/quote] ROFL Tones of Jim Hacker in that one.[:)]

[quote user="tetley"]Where are you collywobble?  if you are in Dordogne, I have a number of someone to help you.  She speaks very good english, and is in a department specifically aimed at helping brits start up their businesses (non profit making government thing).[/quote] Hi Tetley, that would be great, please feel free to email/pm me her details.   Thanks

[quote user="Hoddy"]Collywobble, I don't know if she had a sister, I suspect that if she did they would be out of your age bracket. Hoddy[/quote] Hoddy, Yeah, I was afraid that might be the case, given the fact that the company was founded in1911.....I wonder if they are in the market to adopt.?[:D] cheers

[quote user="Cassis"]This one? http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/786751/ShowPost.aspx [/quote] Thanks Cassis, this had info on waiting 2 3 5 years etc and the implications of tva. I couldn't see details on builder requirements, but I may have been distracted while trying not to cut myself on the barbed comments.[:)] cheers

Wow Afy. I did that about 18 months ago and regretted it soon afterwards but I also know that if I had stayed I would have been miserable- in all aspects! So if you hated it that much, then you have done the right thing. Upwards and onwards!! Goodluck with whatever you choose to do.

EDIT:  Renamed post. Can someone please point me to the post about...what the requirements are for becoming a registered builder? Or tell me the answer [:)] I saw the info a few weeks ago, but I can't find it. The search function is a bit limited. From memory it was:  - Apprenticeship / C & G type papers and references for 3 trades (All translated) - Min experience two years each? Was there a construction exam or just the standard 5 day "run a business" course? Does anyone have a list of trades that qualify toward the experience list?  I'm guessing its Carpentry, Bricklaying, Roofing, Plumbing and Electrical Thanks for any advice as it will help me put some longterm plans in place. Cheers

[quote user="Hoddy"]Thornton's started off in these parts as a small local firm. He'd married one of the daughters. Sorry, I didn't think I was being obscure. Hoddy[/quote] I thought that was what you meant, but I didn't want to miss out on some esoteric pun.[:)] Cheers PS Does she have an available Sister?[:D]

[quote user="Hoddy"]I once asked a man at a party what he did for a living and he replied, "I married a Thornton's chocolate." Hoddy[/quote] OK, I'll 'bite' [;-)]  Huh?

[quote user="Pierre ZFP"]and its actually not too far off topic either!  [/quote] That depends on whether the topic is France or a smouldering F***y  [:D]

Missy, thats an interesting slant on it.[:)]

Chipie, that's very impressive. I once had a agent volunteer to put on her marigolds and scrub that bathrooms and paint the livingroom so the property could be rented out (I was overseas). She did accept payment when offered, so your guy wins hands down.[:D] that was a considerable amount of work he took upon himself to manage.

[quote user="Russethouse"]the assistant came to the pile of boxes - went about 8 down took out the fittings I needed and then sealed up the box and put it back in the pile !!! [/quote] I've been the mug who bought that box sooooo many times![:'(] Now I either won't even touch ones that appear to have been opened, or I open them myself, pour it all over the floor and count the bits [;-)] As for plumber prices (F.I.L. was one) I had to get a boiler replaced (UK) and while I was on the phone getting a price from one 'artisan' and he told me which make/model bolier he would supply, so I googled it while he was talking and the rest of the conversation went like this: (btw, I can't remember the exact £ amounts) Plumber:  "The xyz brand boiler will cost £700 + my labour of £300" Me:   "Is that the same xyz boiler, part number xxxxx  I can see on the screen infront of me for £350?" Plumber:  ".......Yes" Me:  "Is it still £700 where you buy it?" Plumber:  "Yes" Me:  "Bye" In the trade we often mark stuff up a bit, but that was ridiculous, especially when I knew what was involved and what the prices were. Basically he was too busy to bother. The frustrating thing was that my corgi registered father-in-law had selfishly popped his cloggs a few months earlier.[;-)]

[quote user="PeterG"]Slight irony there. It must be psychologically challenging for her and I wish her well .......[/quote] Whoops. I only just clicked.[:$]

I don't mean to turn this into a medical forum ingeneral, but speaking of life changing, I noticed this today: http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/the-blind-will-see-bionic-eyes-to-help-restore-sight/2007/02/17/1171405502417.html

Chipie, You may not have intended to do a comparison, but in a way, that is what you did when you gave two examples. So lets just say I found your noncomparative experience interesting..[:)]

[8-)] Which  bit is apples and oranges? You described the UK and French (rural?) markets and how different they are and the corresponding effort from the agents. Ergo, we aren't comparing apples with apples [:D]

[quote user="Dick Smith"]A sensible answer, if it was a serious question, she seems to be doing well. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6190612.stm France has now done three, the UK and China one apiece. [/quote] Dick, that is amazing and I imagine truly life changing for the people involved. thanks

As I mentioned above our French house was with 4 agents, agents A & B were valued the same, agent C was 5,000 euros higher and agent D was 14,000euros higher, you can guess which agent we went to see the house through, and we still got a 30,000 euros reduction[:D] They all had agency fees included in their advertised price,  the property had been on the market for two years, so I would think that the vendor had maybe only informed agents A & B that he was prepared to lower his asking price? all agents were French with an English option on their web sites[blink]   Chipie, that is interesting. The scenario is a bit of a comparing apples with oranges and differences are to be expected to accommodate the local markets. cheers

I’m defintely not interested in class structure and personally I don't mind being asked. I am genuinely interested in people and what makes them tick.  Talking about football, religion, politics etc can be a bit boring. Well maybe not boring, but repetitive.   Also, sometimes (but not often) people have or previously had  interesting jobs, or simply,  intersting stories about their work. We must all have one or two tell, surely.   For example, a friend of mine was doing some work in a clients loft. When he was finished, the clients asked him what the problem was. He needed to explain that their teenage children’s sunlamps – for the hemp plants, of course – were causing an electrical problem. Apparently the parents went ballistic [;)] Stories like that are great. Most people have at least one . Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. Like I say, bugger all  to do with pigeon holing folk.   cheers    

[quote user="PeterG"]Nobody recognises her.............................[/quote] boom boom..[:)]

Have their been any updates in the French media with regards to the progress of the lady who received the face transplant? I'm simply curious to see how she is progressing. Well I hope. Cheers

[quote user="Russethouse"]The forum comes with certain presets - that looks like one of them![/quote] Well, that's just **** dandy *** then *** *** **** because **** with a **** *** ouch****, then again *** *** **** ***** *** inhumane *** *** couldn't sit for a week!!! [:)]