What's made you not grumpy but not smile either today?

[vexorg]

Election nonsense for the next 6 weeks, and all the usual lies and desperation , like conscription.

I really dislike the extremes that come out, one party having to the the exact opposite just because they are on the other side. And a lot of the time there must be one best option for the public, not the party(s). In a way where they all sit and discuss like adults rather than children and say this plan works for most of the public, lets put that forward.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Election nonsense for the next 6 weeks, and all the usual lies and desperation , like conscription.

I really dislike the extremes that come out, one party having to the the exact opposite just because they are on the other side. And a lot of the time there must be one best option for the public, not the party(s). In a way where they all sit and discuss like adults rather than children and say this plan works for most of the public, lets put that forward.

His poster modelled on Hitlers from teh war, and this sort of thing, and the deportation of people to Rhiwanda says more about Mr Suak than words could possibly do. Thank God he does not have an army to start a war with. Its why we need to vote and to have changes to stop extremists getting entrenched. Even if the options are poor.

 

[portland_bill]

His poster modelled on Hitlers from teh war, and this sort of thing, and the deportation of people to Rhiwanda says more about Mr Suak than words could possibly do. Thank God he does not have an army to start a war with. Its why we need to vote and to have changes to stop extremists getting entrenched. Even if the options are poor.

Challenging, choosing the best shirthole to stand in.

 

[vexorg]

Challenging, choosing the best shirthole to stand in.

Maybe that's the real plan, everyone is so confused about who to vote for that he might just get away with it.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Maybe that's the real plan, everyone is so confused about who to vote for that he might just get away with it.

Yes make the other sides policies your own. Be a proper man.
I really think 5 years without parliament sitting at all would be a good idea.

 

[varesecrazy]

Car parts..

It's time for the 500's service,

Gave up with Europrats 7 years ago,

I do like S4p,

But have used GSF for the last couple of years ( generic service parts..) , discovered there is one on my drive home.. Easy

Got sent a voucher for last weekend,
Brilliant.. Order online, collect in the week

Only 33%, was stocked..
FREE delivery option.. Sounds ideal

After 1 failed delivery
1 cancelled delivery
And and Update on a planned Friday delivery that never came..

Get back to GSF.. phone rings and say 8:30 til 13:00 Saturdays.. Nobody picks up..

Used their messaging Bot.. no contact yet..

think the service will be a week away at this rate,
wonder If they can redirect the parts to their shop..

 

[The Panda Nut]

Car parts..

It's time for the 500's service,

Gave up with Europrats 7 years ago,

I do like S4p,

But have used GSF for the last couple of years ( generic service parts..) , discovered there is one on my drive home.. Easy

Got sent a voucher for last weekend,
Brilliant.. Order online, collect in the week

Only 33%, was stocked..
FREE delivery option.. Sounds ideal

After 1 failed delivery
1 cancelled delivery
And and Update on a planned Friday delivery that never came..

Get back to GSF.. phone rings and say 8:30 til 13:00 Saturdays.. Nobody picks up..

Used their messaging Bot.. no contact yet..

think the service will be a week away at this rate,
wonder If they can redirect the parts to their shop..

It makes S4p look like Angels. GSF used to be good but seem to be less so today. The supply chain is no doubt not helped by so many people fighting everywhere.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

It makes S4p look like Angels. GSF used to be good but seem to be less so today. The supply chain is no doubt not helped by so many people fighting everywhere.

Yup, I like S4p too and haven't had a bad experience with them yet. Very helpful and patient people when you phone them too.

GSF is that German Swedish French autoparts? Don't have any experience of them although I've seen the name. Not big up here although I think there's a branch in Glasgow? My local favourite, as many will know, is SRS at Bonnington who are now part of the massive Allaince Automotive Group. My local branch doesn't seem to have lost it's "local" feel though. After they were taken over there was quite a change in brands being offered, NAPA seeming to be much to the fore, Quality seems to be good though and prices offered to me still comfortably better than my next most favourite supplier.

 

[The Panda Nut]

We used to have Firstline Motor Factors locally but they seem to have gone. Lots of oldstockatgood prices. I now gotoMotor Parts Direct who set up almost on the same spot. The guy I see camefrom The Boston USA area and still has the accent. He didnt intend tostay.... but Norfolk is the graveyard of ambition. ECP have 2 branches but their drp links for my Laguna were poor quality, GSF tried todome out of £110 for the Seatdoor lockthat was onlysuitable for LHD so those two only used if no whereelse available. ECP nearest behas always done very good service though. Crossland stuff however NO WAY.

 

[portland_bill]

Euro at least state the brand. GSF often don't, just classifying products as basic or better. Their prices look massive, so always buy when there are discount codes on their website.
CarParts4Less is Euro mail order, but has fewer options.
https://www.carparts4less.co.uk/
Used to be better prices than Euro, but sometimes not. Their mail order has always been good for me.
Otherwise, if time is not important, Autodoc works for me, but only buy products marked as in stock, otherwise the alternative may disappoint. They charge delivery, so quantity of stuff ordered needs to be enough to cover that against higher prices locally.
Recently found these guys: https://www.partsinmotion.co.uk/
Good stock, good prices, and quick delivery, now my primary source.

 

[portland_bill]

ECP nearest behas always done very good service though. Crossland stuff however NO WAY.

Crosland used to be a good name, but ceased trading. Euro bought the name, but the filters are made elsewhere, so definitely not the quality we'd expect from the name. My choice is Mann or Bosch.

Lucas were once good, then poor, then adequate. The brand is now owned by TRW, a very big name in OE and aftermarket parts worldwide.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Euro at least state the brand. GSF often don't, just classifying products as basic or better. Their prices look massive, so always buy when there are discount codes on their website.
CarParts4Less is Euro mail order, but has fewer options.
https://www.carparts4less.co.uk/
Used to be better prices than Euro, but sometimes not. Their mail order has always been good for me.
Otherwise, if time is not important, Autodoc works for me, but only buy products marked as in stock, otherwise the alternative may disappoint. They charge delivery, so quantity of stuff ordered needs to be enough to cover that against higher prices locally.
Recently found these guys: https://www.partsinmotion.co.uk/
Good stock, good prices, and quick delivery, now my primary source.

I shall look at parts in motion. Agree mail order hasadvantages. Ifyoucanmake an order for free delivery. All these outfits though dont match S4P. S4P havemissed things off, and Ihavehad thefaultythermostat, but thequality andspeed of service, and excellent response whenqueied are 100% so I will use themeven if things are a bit more pricey on occasion.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Crosland used to be a good name, but ceased trading. Euro bought the name, but the filters are made elsewhere, so definitely not the quality we'd expect from the name. My choice is Mann or Bosch.

Lucas were once good, then poor, then adequate. The brand is now owned by TRW, a very big name in OE and aftermarket parts worldwide.

Google Mann oil filter test. The film I Saw was impressive. A TOP BRAND I think.

 

[portland_bill]

Somewhere I mentioned a lawn mower purchase that disappointed. A Mountfield electric, but with poor build quality, biggest issue being the handle not being level, and not adjustable. I sent an email to their customer services, requesting a full refund, and they arrange collection.
After 10 days, sent a reminder.
Coincidentally, got a request for a Trustpilot review, so I gave it 1 star (zero not being an option). That was yesterday. Today, a reply to the review, saying they have no record of any email correspondence from me, and giving a different email address. I'd used the one stated in the product literature, presumably now discontinued. A search of their website shows finding their email difficult. Their shop terms & conditions shows another different email, a hybrid between the original and current one.
When changing emails, it is possible, especially for businesses, to tie the old email to the new one to ensure stuff gets forwarded. Apparently the same attention to that was given, as to their build quality.

With a poor review, I have their attention now, and have forwarded my original email to the new address. We await a response.

 

[varesecrazy]

Euro at least state the brand. GSF often don't, just classifying products as basic or better. Their prices look massive, so always buy when there are discount codes on their website.
CarParts4Less is Euro mail order, but has fewer options.
https://www.carparts4less.co.uk/
Used to be better prices than Euro, but sometimes not. Their mail order has always been good for me.
Otherwise, if time is not important, Autodoc works for me, but only buy products marked as in stock, otherwise the alternative may disappoint. They charge delivery, so quantity of stuff ordered needs to be enough to cover that against higher prices locally.
Recently found these guys: https://www.partsinmotion.co.uk/
Good stock, good prices, and quick delivery, now my primary source.

Had poor service from all except S4P,

Parts in motion were particularly hopeless.. Sent wrong items (non fiat)
And had no idea how when questioned


Quality seemed OK, if only the transit parts would fit a Panda

 

[The Panda Nut]

Somewhere I mentioned a lawn mower purchase that disappointed. A Mountfield electric, but with poor build quality, biggest issue being the handle not being level, and not adjustable. I sent an email to their customer services, requesting a full refund, and they arrange collection.
After 10 days, sent a reminder.
Coincidentally, got a request for a Trustpilot review, so I gave it 1 star (zero not being an option). That was yesterday. Today, a reply to the review, saying they have no record of any email correspondence from me, and giving a different email address. I'd used the one stated in the product literature, presumably now discontinued. A search of their website shows finding their email difficult. Their shop terms & conditions shows another different email, a hybrid between the original and current one.
When changing emails, it is possible, especially for businesses, to tie the old email to the new one to ensure stuff gets forwarded. Apparently the same attention to that was given, as to their build quality.

With a poor review, I have their attention now, and have forwarded my original email to the new address. We await a response.

My new mower had an email address on the box for customer services. The mower is a new model. It wasfrom the first batch sent for sale. The email and phone numbers were the same as yours. The manufacturer did seem concerned and said it would be corrected. Aldi couldnt care less!

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Crosland used to be a good name, but ceased trading. Euro bought the name, but the filters are made elsewhere, so definitely not the quality we'd expect from the name. My choice is Mann or Bosch.

Lucas were once good, then poor, then adequate. The brand is now owned by TRW, a very big name in OE and aftermarket parts worldwide.

Aye, you have to be very careful when relating past big names to present day quality. Bosch is a name found on many suppliers shelves up here, I've used them myself and never known a problem. My friend sold Mahle (before he was forced to shut down due to illness) and I've used them for many years without even a hiccup. Been using NAPA branded filters for about 18 months now, since SRS became part of Alliance Automotive and all well so far. Don't see Mann very often.

Listening to you guys I realize how lucky and spoilt I am with all these big factors within a stone's throw for me to choose from.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

My new mower had an email address on the box for customer services. The mower is a new model. It wasfrom the first batch sent for sale. The email and phone numbers were the same as yours. The manufacturer did seem concerned and said it would be corrected. Aldi couldnt care less!

A few years back I invested in a friend of mine who wanted to start a company making gates and bars to go across doors and windows, he was from South Africa and those sort of things were pretty common down there.

We set up the company I supplied him with some kit to get started and set up an email address that was safetygate@…… . Com

Turned out this was an email address that for some unknown reason Aldi were printing on the paperwork for their baby/stair gates I still have the email address and for years now I have got emails from people complaining about their gates or asking where they can get replacement parts from, I used to reply and tell them the email address was wrong but for that 12-15 years I have just ignored them….

I’ve not checked it in a while I wonder if I am still getting them ?


Edit: apparently 2020 is the most recent request for parts

It seems more recently I have been getting emails from the Egyptian Arab land bank asking for documents for workers for something? No idea what as they don’t have much detail and I have to translate from Arabic

 

[StevenRB45]

Currently trapped here...by the NHS.

Is probably how the telegraph would phrase it.

What's actually going on is I have a phone appointment to get some blood tests back this morning nothing particularly concerning just keeping the wife happy in that had a blood pressure reading at work which oddly enough was sky high. So had an ECG, blood tests and had to monitor my blood pressure for week..a week in which work was on fire unfortunately but never mind still squeaked just under stage 1 hypertension on average. Who would have thought on a morning before work I've got healthy blood pressure and in the evening after it not so much, mysterious.

Anyway I have a phone appointment at 10:15, I usually run 10k on a Monday morning to de-stress and wind down a bit..so I timed it so I could be sitting on a bench 3/4s of the way round where I've got signal.

If I go any further I'm in signal black spot..she's got another 5 minutes before I risk it I could have been home by now.

 

[portland_bill]

I reported elsewhere about a new mower, not fit for purpose. After a bit of a struggle, Mountfield arranged for it to be collected by DPD.
I had unpacked the mower carefully, then repacked it, without damaging the box.
DPD driver arrived a few minutes ago, took a photo, attached his return label, then instead of tilting the box to get a hand under it, he poked a hole in the top, stuck a finger in and lifted it. Pure genius.
I've emailed Mountfield with the news that the damage in not mine. DPD photo will confirm.