ebaynut

ANNOUNCEMENT MADE !!!!!!! SEE HERE

It's very late, and having terrible tech trouble with the forum lately, but thought I would let you know that this Thursday (3rd April) is a cheap listing day on the UK site. Good time to try it out? [;-)][:)] (Only 5p per item - regardless of start price - some exclusions apply) See: Details here

I have just been in contact with the DLA at Blackpool, who tell me an announcement is to be made on exportability of all the affected benefits on Thursday. The  lady  I spoke to said that it would be in the news and their web page would be updated at this time also. She had no idea what the news would be however. So we will get a definite answer then.  [;-)]

A rather odd change to the website announcement has been pointed out by Grecian in this thread [8-)] Let's hope it proves to be positive rather than sinister. This continual and seemingly never-ending worrying can't be good for anyones health!!!! [:-))]

Yes, very odd, and obviously a bit worrying. The anouncement still appears in a fashion on the Britons living abroad webpage, but again the reference to 5th April has been removed. It has only changed this morning, as we had checked it just last night! [8-)][:-))][:@]   European Court of Justice ruling On 18 October 2007 the European Court of Justice gave a judgment which deals with whether Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Carer's Allowance should be paid to people who move from within the UK to live in another country within the EEA (European Economic Area). It is not clear what this will mean for recipients of the affected benefits until the judgment has been fully understood. More details will be provided as they become available. Britons Living Abroad page    

[quote user="whigers"] As far as charges go - bear in mind that you will have eBay fees to pay as well as (possibly) Paypal fees too (once you have received a certain amount of money - the first few hundred is free I think). [/quote]   Not sure that this is quite correct I'm afraid. You will always be charged if you accept Paypal (this can be greedy, because they also charge for the added shipping costs!) Paypal fees Which roughly means approx 20p (UK) per transaction, plus 4% of total amount, which includes any other total invoice costs (ie Shipping). We generally add approx 5% to item start price to cover Paypal costs, plus listing & FVF fees. Ebay listing & FVF fees Bear in mind that you are no longer permitted by Ebay to add any charges to your invoice after the sale to cover these fees (you are only allowed to add 'reasonable' shipping & packaging costs), they have to be incorporated into the initial listing price.    

[quote user="inkflo"]While we are on the subject of E Bay & seem to have a few knowledgable folk here, can anyone tell me how they decide what to sell on E Bay UK? [/quote] What to sell?  [8-)]....ANYTHING, but try to make sure they are light in weight - at least LESS than 2K including packaging (it really gets expensive then!). Brit buyers will alway be looking for something a bit different that is not so easily available here. If you are looking to trade, try searching French/France and see what comes up on the UK/USA sites. I think you will find that there is a market for anything French shabby chic/antique lace, mainly the sort of stuff you might find in a tourist shop. You can always search for what your competition is listing, and how much they are asking for. Always choose an item/subject that you like and know about, and which interests you. Remember, you might find you don't sell it, and have to keep it! [I] Try looking here  [:)]

If you have only owned this property for nineteen months, and with house prices in the UK and France both going in one direction at present, if after deducting all the costs of buying, (immo fees, notaries fees, taxes etc, which are all far more in France then the UK and is "dead" money) plus any improvements that you have siret invoices for, you are left with a figure that needs to pay capital gains. I think that would be a good result. CGT is only payable on capital 'GAINS'. [:)]    

[quote user="Grecian"] I also telephone the DLA helpline enquiring if anything had been decided regarding the ECJ ruling on exporting the benefit, the gentleman I spoke said that they had not been informed of the decision regarding payment, but hopes it will be forthcoming shortly. I then proceeded to ask him a hypothetical question, that if the benefit is deemed exportable would this qualify for an E121, he seemed to think that it would, but I got the feeling that it was only his opinion. I know ebaynut is hot on this case, so I hope he/she has more luck that me, in trying to get an answer to the DLA/E121 position. [/quote] It's the same old 'head meets brick wall' coupled with the painfully slow waiting game scenario for us as well Grecian. [:(] All we can glean further is the anouncement on their web page, which states that: " We expect to provide full details on eligibility criteria by 5 April 2008. The first payments could be made to eligible customers shortly afterwards." So the agony should be resolved soon.........[8-)] Like you, when we have spoken with them, they imply that it will have to be deemed as a health benefit (which is exportable) as opposed to a special non-contributory benefit (which is not exportable), and thereby 'should in theory' be subject to the same treatment/rules. ie: Eligible for an E121. [quote user="Grecian"] Starting a gite business however small, just to qualify to join CMU, seems the best/safest option at the moment. [/quote] We seem to be on the same wavelength here too! [;-)][:)] As, like us, you are all too aware there is a desperate shortage of English run gite businesses in France at the moment! [:-))]

Before you attempt to sell anything at all, it is a good idea to build up your feedback profile a bit, i.e 10+ positive. Just buy lots of small inexpensive things from different sellers, and it will quickly grow. Buyers like to think they are dealing with someone who is established and trustworthy. When you actually get around to selling, I would wholeheartedly recommend that you download 'Turbo Lister'. http://pages.ebay.com/turbo_lister/  It will save your adverts forever (otherwise you have to create a new advert each time you list), and you can still edit and adjust them as required. (A digital camera is necessary, buyers like to see what they are buying!, but even a phone pic can be used). There is no need to feed ebay's coffers by upgrading all your adverts, with fancy gimmicks/reserve price etc - if buyers want it, they will buy it, whether it has a fancy page/larger pics or not! By using Turbo Lister, you can also choose to sell on a particular site, i.e USA or UK, which will alter the currency automatically (make sure you know what the exchange rate is first). You have to download the extra details for the sites concerned. We often advertise just on the USA site, and there is no problem with that, but we always use TL. You can create your listings and upload to Ebay in seconds, much quicker than doing it through the Ebay sales pages. Selling worldwide is easy, postage costs are the problem, particularly if the item is heavy, and can often put buyers off. But, if the item is special and they want it enough, it shouldn't be a sale killer. Also, don't forget to add all your ebay/paypal costs into the price of your item, and don't be fooled into thinking that your item will always go up in value, if you advertise it for 99p - IT COULD SELL FOR 99p - too late then!  [:-))] [:(] Don't be disheartened if your item doesn't sell first time, or second time, just make sure you keep on top of your charges, and add it to the price you want - it should sell eventually, so long as you don't outprice it's worth that is. The higher the price of the item, the more the advert costs. You often find you wont get any interest in some auctions, and yet they then fight for it in others. Depends on the activity/interest on that particular day! [8-)] More experienced buyers wont bid until the dying seconds (sniping) so it's never over until the larger lady sings! [Www] Ebay have cheap listing days several times a year, and can dramatically cut your listing costs, so you can always wait for them to keep more of the profits. Also, ALWAYS answer questions, no matter how silly they might be, this could be your buyer, and if you don't answer them they wont have trust in you. Good luck! - Mrs E

[quote user="5-element"] For some reason I am having difficulties loading with the forum at the moment, so I can't  post the link to the thread in question, [/quote] http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/1044921/ShowPost.aspx  

Dave41278 You opened a new thread in 'food & wine', which asked where this particular thread had gone, to which I answered - it is in the 'shopping' thread. But.....................that has now disappeared![:-))] Lost in cyberspace it seems (or by the hand of the mods/gods) [8-)][:)]

It's in the 'shopping' forum http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/1181567/ShowPost.aspx   [:D][:D][:D]

Have sent you an email. Good luck [:D]  

As I understand it, Incapacity Benefit is only available for people of working age, (and who have paid the required amount of NI contributions), who are unable to work, and therefore surrendered when you become eligible for state retirement pension, which is in effect a replacement benefit. If you are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance, this is replaced at pensionable age with Attendance allowance, neither of which is means tested, and continues to be paid during retirement, and is also one of the benefits under review by DWP regarding eligibility for exportation following the ECJ ruling of October 2007.

  I fear that the muddy waters just get muddier and murkier when it comes to fairness and clarity for 'womens pensions and NI contributions'.[:(]

Ron, Don't know, but this might be worth investigating further. http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/1045932/ShowPost.aspx RH posted a very useful link to moneysupermartket. [:)]

Keni, I believe they will contact your daughter's doctor with a form for him to fill in, and probably any hospital specialists who are treating her. But, I believe that epilepsy is a condition which is considered lifelong, although manageble with medication. (Much the same as diabetes or high blood pressure for instance). This would therefore continue to be accepted even with periodical re-assessment, and should in theory 'almost' guarantee continued qualification. Her qualification regarding DLA rests with whether the middle rate will be sufficient for exportation, and therefore an E121, but I believe that so long as it includes the 'care element' it should suffice. We are all waiting on what their decision will mean in terms of whether it will achieve an E121, but having spoken with someone at DWP it was their own interpretation that it would have to be treated just the same as Incapacity Benefit, which does qualify for exportation and an E121. (They also suggested that it could also include the mobility element at some future stage). I would advise that if you are not already claiming Carers Allowance, you should do so immediately. There are thousands and thousands of people who care for people in the UK who do not even realise that they could be eligible for this benefit, and subsequently do not claim.  I am sending you a pm.

Keni, As I understand it, if either you or your partner are carers, you ought to elligible for 'Carers Allowance', (I think the criteria is equal to 35 hours per week - but don't quote me on that), which is one of the conditions curently under review for exportation throught the ECJ decision, which 'should' also lead to qualification for an E121. The DWP site statement says: European Court of Justice ruling On 18 October the European Court of Justice gave a judgment which deals with whether Disability Living Allowance (care component only), Attendance Allowance, and Carer’s Allowance should be paid to people who move from within the UK to live in another country within the European Economic Area. It is not yet clear what this will mean for recipients of the affected benefits. We expect to provide full details on eligibility criteria by 5 April 2008. First payments could be made to eligible customers shortly afterwards.   You can find out more about Carers Allowance 'here' And 'this' gives more info for Disability Living Allowance. I don't think your daughter will qualify for Incapacity Benefit I'm afraid, unless she has paid NI contributions for the last two years. Check with DWP about this. [:(] Hope this helps. [:)]

[quote user="cooperlola"] Soh failure is a pre-requisite for personel at border crossings.  What is it with the "are you carrying any firearms" bit.  Like I'm going to tell them if I'm smuggling a boot full of Uzis... [/quote] [:D][:D][:D] I think a uniform and peaked hat gives them an overbearing air of authority - the 'jobsworth' mentality! Reminds us of a trip to the US, when being fascinated in a gun shop, we got chatting to the owner, who told us that the requirements of a licence was to fill in a form which asked such questions as: Are you an illegal immigrant? Do you intend to commit any criminal activity with this weapon? To which he was often astonished that some people actually ticked the boxes to confirm???????????????[:-))] When we got to the California/Arizona border, and was stopped by a very bullish, heavily armed border guard, in body armour, we expected the drugs/arms/ammo questions, yet was asked "Are you carrying any fruit, such as tomatoes or anything...[8-)] (looking for the California fruit-fly apparently!) Clearly far more dangerous than your average, armed illegal immigrant, intent on furthering their cross-border criminal activities!

Thanks SD [:D]

[quote user="Sunday Driver"] You must carry your registration document (ie, V5C or French carte grise), insurance certificate (and MOT certificate if it's a UK registered bike) at all times. You must have your headlamp on during the day (and at night, of course). French registered bikes don't require a periodic controle technique (MOT) - but beware, unapproved technical modifications can result in fines and confiscation of the bike. Other than that, the rules of the road are the same as for anyone else in France.   [/quote] S/D, Could you please clarify something for me.  Does that mean then if someone was to ride say a Triton (Triumph engine/ Norton frame) in France, the police could confisicate it or fine the rider on the spot [:-))], or would you just be completely unable to register such a bike in France?  Does this modification ruling apply to just French registered bikes, or any visiting the country that are UK registered? [8-)] Thanks.

Thanks Sweet 17 Found this, and this on Google, amazing and chilling times! There was also a film, which we remembered after reading about it, starring Trevor Howard. That is just the sort of thing that we are looking for. Many thanks [:D]

Can anyone help us with this please? [8-)] We have been following with interest the threads about Oradour Sur Glane, and WB's book about the Civil War in the Vendee, and wondered how we can find similar info for the Charente region. Would anyone know how we can find out the history,  for the Ruffec PC (16) area? Books - websites - old maps - videos/DVD's, etc. Would be particularly interested in the 20thC.  Many thanks

[quote user="raindog"][quote user="powerdesal"][quote user="Clair"][quote user="raindog"]I enter the roundabout flat out, overtaking other cars on the inside as I go round, then chop across to the outside to take the exit. [/quote] Are you French then?[8-)] [/quote] Sounds more Arabic style driving than French [/quote] [:D] [/quote] Aaahhhh!..... Is this you? [8-)][:D]