Posts

Paralympics 16th September 2016 3:07 PM

I haven't watched so much of this but have been overwhelmed by Team GB's performance.  Despite the ad breaks, Channel 4 coverage has been very good, or is it just Clare Balding.  "The Last Leg" is great, will really miss it!

I also had one of those days recently when I received call from an online directory who I won't name (have the "walking" fingers!).  I cut him short, telling him I'd already said no to a £2500+ website and the reduced price one.  Took it to another stage by complaining online.

Got a call few days later from their Customer Service Department wanting to find out why I was so dissatisfied.  Very quickly became apparent that I had mistaken the original caller for one who had originally tried to sell me the website.

Call ended with me apologising for my terse attitude and them apologising to me for what, I haven't quite worked out yet!!

Last week I noticed group of guys going from door to door, trying to sign up donators for British Red Cross.  I did answer the door (thought it was neighbour!) and politely said no when asked if I wished to donate by direct debit.  

Over six hours later, one of the guys returned to a neighbour who was out when they originally called.  It was around 8pm.

Is this a record for persistence, or was their remit to get an answer from every house, be it yes or no before they got paid.  

GB at the Rio Olympics 24th August 2016 1:03 PM

And a 58-year-old with a hip replacement won gold!

Amazing picture of Max doing gymnastics in First Class, would have liked to see him try it in Economy.....

Customer Confidentiality at Chemists 24th August 2016 12:59 PM

Was tempted to post this on customer service thread, but thought it warranted a separate one.

My mother uses her local chemist's prescription collection service then collects medication from them.  About four months ago, her neighbour collected her medication without her permission.  She only found out when his son handed her the opened bag.  Obviously she visited the branch (it's the company beginning with L) to find out how this had happened.  No-one was able to recall why so notes were made to ensure it was not repeated.  She has never appointed him as her representative and nor would she.  It wasn't a mix-up with his as he uses a different doctors surgery and chemist.  

I have complained to the company concerned and they were concerned that, although it hasn't happened again since, it should not have happened in the first place.  Will see if there is any follow up.

Which brought me onto another chemist-related issue.  Why when collecting a prescription, are you expected to divulge your address to a shop full of strangers.  If I'm the only customer then I will do it.  However, if there are others there then I show my driving licence.  It causes some difficulty until I explain about security.  The UK should adopt the Spanish system whereby a plastic card is issued which contains the customer's medication details. The card is swiped and details checked on a computer.  If you don't present your card, you don't get your medication.  

GB at the Rio Olympics 12th August 2016 4:08 PM

At the London Games in 2012 it was observed that GB won a lot of medals for sitting down sports.

However, we are now "branching out" with success in diving, swimming, shooting; with the promise of medals to come in upright events.  Just witnessed two more golds in the rowing, so we're still doing well in the sitting down events!! 

Congratulations to Rebecca 12th August 2016 3:43 PM

Congratulations Rebecca!

Aircraft Evacuations 12th August 2016 3:41 PM

Steve, central locking is a good idea but the aviation industry moves very slowly and it could take up to 15 years for approval.  Taking carry on allowances bag to, say, 10 kilos would be something the airlines could do very quickly.  Also, they should get the emergency cards reprinted with a suitable graphic for leaving bags behind.

Bizarrely, Dubai Government has imposed a ban on residents saying anything about the crash on social media.  That's why my contact there was unusually reticent; he works at the airport.

Twitters response to Rios Green Pools 12th August 2016 3:35 PM

Reminds me of the green "jelly-like" stuff I used to put on my garden to get rid of neighbours cats!

Aircraft Evacuations 4th August 2016 10:25 AM

Very sad news that a firefighter lost his life at Dubai Airport yesterday.  Speculation is rife on the cause of the accident. My contact there has not added anything apart from saying the investigators have arrived.

What really annoys me are people who are unable or unwilling to follow instructions.  Videos taken inside the aircraft show passengers trying to retrieve their hand luggage whilst cabin crew are shouting instructions to evacuate the aircraft.   Not only are they putting their own lives at risk, but those of the crew and firefighters.  Trying to get a wheeled bag down the chute is not only a hindrance, but could actually puncture the chute and render it useless.  Not clever when there are 300 people trying to escape.  

One suggestion I have seen this morning is that the overhead bins have a central locking system, which cabin crew activate before take off and landing, as they do with the toilets.  Keeping ticket/money/passport in your pocket is better.  

Don't want to be a scaremonger as these events are very rare, but really.......