The 80's are alive and well...

Message from my friend Iain

I am Jealous!

Hi Cos,

I went to a great concert last night with 3 80's bands playing. It started with Heaven 17, then ABC and finished off with the Human League. The concert was 3 1/2 hours long and they played all their hits. The tour is called the Steel City tour and started in Glasgow last night. Here's a few pictures.

Iain

Monty Python on You Tube

Blackheath Fireworks

Blackheath Fireworks

Wizz Air

The Cash Arrives!

Wonders will never cease!  But why was it such a struggle.

Several months of me chasing.  and it takes a blog to get them to react!

Gone Kiting mad!!

So I decided to get suicidal and bought a traction Kite! Next I will get a board to go with it. One step at a time…

And for a change..

Braun Tassimo Machine

Well, it makes a change to be writing something positive about someones customer services.

A couple of weeks ago my Tassimo coffee machine packed up.  We soldiered on for a while making pots of coffee but the strain of making coffee in the morning got to much so I cracked and started to look for some way to get it repaired.

After a long and fruitless search (ok 20 mins) I gave up and looked at the Tassimo website!  All the FAQ's were not a lot of use and so I left a message using their feedback form.  I carried on looking and after some digging I found a phone number.

I called them and a very helpful chap informed me that a, the warranty is 2 years! not 1 :) and b, the nearest repairer was in Southend (I live in London) :(.  He gave me the address and said I could post it:  But I was desperate so, last Saturday, I put it in the car and off I drove.  The repairer was a small Shaver Repair shop (of all things).  I dropped the broken machine off (an incredibly painless process) and with some trepidation departed.  The chap in the shop said it would take at least 2 weeks and I even considered buying another machine as the jitters were setting in.

On the Monday I received a message from Tassimo support asking what the status was and offering to assist to resolve the position!!  Very helpful.

You can imagine my surprise to get home today (Friday) and find a large parcel in my hallway.  I opened it and there was a BRAND NEW Tassimo machine!!  OH JOY!

I just wanted to express my thanks to Braun and the repair shop (Cowans Shaver Centre) for such excellent (and rapid) service.

Wizz Air

Wonders will never cease!

message from Wizz Air

Dear Cosma,

Thank you for your answer. We start the refund procedure with the given bank details, and it takes about 10-14 working days to receive your compensation (683 RON).

Best regards,

<Name withheld until I see the folding!>
Wizz Air Customer Relations Hungary

E-mail: customerrelations.bud@wizzair.com

All you need to know about the financial crash

Wizz Air

A Response!!

Well.  Wizz Air have offered a refund as I requested!  I will not hold my breath till it gets here.

But we have progress...

Wizz Air

The Saga Continues..

Finally fed up of waiting I have decided to call them again.

The allegedly head office number turns out to just be a Polish office.  They put the phone down on me when I tried to speak to them but, fortunately, I have Polish colleagues who spoke to them to find out that actually it is just a polish office and they recommended I call the usual, expansive, UK number.

I called it, and guess what!  They put the phone down on me!!!

I am now on hold waiting for <Customer Services Rep> to assist me.  60p a minute and I have been on hold for 5 mins and counting...

The <Customer Services Rep> has come back to me and has assured me that I will be hearing from Wizz Air Customer Relations today.  Apparently he has forwarded it to them.  I do not get this as he was able to find my message very quickly, and I did send it to customer relations so why does he have to forward it to them?

I have replaced his name with "<Customer Services Rep>" as he was helpful and sounded like he wanted to resolve my issue (unlike his 2 colleagues who put the phone down on me).

Apparently they do record calls so I have requested that he goes back and listens to the last call I made to see who it was that put the phone down (I can dream).

He also had internet access and looked at this Blog, so now they have most of the history of this sorry saga.  There have been more calls and emails that I have not recorded here but, strangely enough, I do have a life!

The clock is ticking (again).....

Wizz Air

Head Office Number

I have just called Wizz Air.  They are about as much use as a chocolate fire guard.

Apparently all the managers have gone home and there are only 3 members of staff in the call centre.  She did suggest that I call the airport in Budapest.  Not sure how that would help.

I now have an other email address for them (the third)  callcentre.bud@wizzair.com That I have mailed to.

I also have what is, allegedly, the head office number, 00 48 22 351 94 92 but it is not responding.

I shall try again in the morning, I am not holding my breath.

Wizz Air

Wizz Air Refuses to respond...

An Open Letter to Customer Relations..

A few weeks ago I sent you an email containing a copy of my Father in laws death certificate, as you requested, all I have received back is your standard auto response.

Are you planning on dealing with this issue?

Just so you know I am Blogging this issue at http://cosmap.blogspot.com/

It has already been seen and commented on by people in the same position as myself.

Can you please react before I start to take this further and take legal advice.

Regards

___________________________________________________
Cosma Papouis
Cosma Papouis Technology Services
www.cosmapapouis.com

Wizz Air

Budget Airlines.  Are they worth the aggro?

In an attempt to save some money we booked my in-laws on Wizz Air for their recent trip to the UK.  Other people we know have used them and assured us that they were OK.

Regrettably my father in law was taken ill shortly before the trip to the UK.  This is where the troubles began.

My wife flew out to Romania (extremely short notice flight arranged painlessly by BA) to see her father.  Regrettably he passed away.

We decided that her mother would come to the UK anyway and my wife would fly with her using her fathers ticket.  We called Wizz Air to make the necessary arrangements and were told that, regardless of the situation, they could not help and she would have to purchase another ticket.  I would have to email their customer relations office to get a refund of the unused ticket.  I tried calling and emailing their customer relations, but all I got was a standard response saying that they would get back to me eventually.

After some arguing, on the ticket line, we managed to get them to change a ticket to my wife's name so she could come home on it, but only after we paid £80.  Again we were told to contact customer relations.

Over the past month I have emailed them, I have tried to call them, I have even tried to Fax them, but with no response.

Finally today I get through to someone who tells me that the supervisor is not about and so she cannot check the other email address, but if I email to a new address they may be able to help me.

I will be sending a copy of the death certificate to them with details of what I want.  I am not holding my breath.

Remi Rides Again!

Remi Rides Again!
Originally uploaded by CosmaP

RE: Thanks!

I also would like to add my thanks to Ian and everyone else. I can’t remember the last time I hung out with a bunch of reprobates like you lot and it was a lot of fun J

Can I also ask that if someone has the pic of me with my mouth around a young ladies nipple, that you not upload it to facebook as if the missus finds it, my nuts won’t be any use to me ever again! lol

Regards

Kevina sends her love

Thanks to Ian

Actually, on a more serious note....

Thanks to Ian for all his efforts in organizing a great weekend, from the bit's of paper with all the phone numbers on to providing us with a good laugh (by getting kicked in the nadgers) it all worked brilliantly.

Have a great wedding Kev and sorry I can't be there :(

Thanks!

If anyone was looking after Kevin's best interests I want them lined up against the wall so we can paintball them. I thought the idea was to do as much damage as possible in the time allowed! Actually it appears that the best man was the only one that was damaged when he received a clout in the family jewels. Photographic evidence available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/cosmap/tags/kevinsstagdo/ and on facebook.

Oh, and there is also a video at http://qik.com/video/148154

2008/8/7 Kevin Maude

Guys,

I want to say thank you for making the effort to come and give me an awesome send-off for my stag-do. I had a phenomenal weekend and I hope that you all enjoyed it too. I felt very humbled to have so many of my friends their and to have so many of you safeguarding my best interest.

Even when you were shooting me I could feel the love. Speaking of which, Kevenna says "hello!"

For those of you that will be at the wedding, I look forward to seeing you next week. For those that can't take care till I see you next and stay safe.

Loads of love,

Kevin.

What a crock of S(&%$

Holiday Scam

 

I have just had a phone call from this crowd  http://www.onceinalifetimeholiday.com/index.html  Apparently I have just won a competition which gives me the "opportunity"  to buy a holiday from them at a discount price.  Lucky me!

 

The person on the phone started by telling me that I had completed a competition entry form, this is not true.  When I pointed this out to her she said that I had used my MasterCard or Visa card, but I have not given them permission to use my details!  She was not sure which card I had used and tried to get info from me.  When I refused to give her any info and tried to get some info from her she put the phone down.

 

I have called their UK contact number and, surprise, surprise, it redirects to an overflowing mailbox in the US.

 

They must be desperate for business if they have to make these sort of calls to the UK to try and fleece people.  I really hope the credit crunch hits them and takes them out.  Problem is that they are probably totally fake and are just praying on peoples gullibility and greed, I doubt if there is a real holiday company behind this.  You pays your money and you gets bugger all.

 

Over and out.

American Idiot

They sure can produce a better class of idiot!

Virgin media

Hello Dear Reader,

Are we sitting comfortably?

Good, Then I shall begin....

Once upon a time there was a company that pretended to offer cable TV service. This company was called NTL.

Unfortunately it was crap!

But one great day they were bought by the Great Richard of the Branson and all the people rejoiced as Virgin was known to give great customer service. And thus was born...

 

 

 

Unfortunately they too proved to be crap. Here is an email I have just sent them.....

Where to start? Here we go................

1, I am paying £31.50 for my service. I have a phone line that I do not want or use and do not have broadband. If I drop the phone line my cost goes up!!

If I get the broadband My cost stays the same, but I have to agree to a 12 month contract. This is madness. Why can I not just have TV service and pay just for that?

2, Your auto attendant is awful!

3, People on your help desk just do not listen to what is being said to them!

I thought things would get better when you became Virgin, but Nothing has changed!

Unique Automation at Cidea

Skater Boy

Skater Boy
Originally uploaded by CosmaP

So it seemed like a good idea to go Skating.....

This is the first time in about 15 years that I have been on skates and so I was quite proud that I did not kill myself or doing any serious damage.

This photo was taken at the beginning of the evening. The river path is about the worst surface I have ever skated on, but needs must. We went all the way from Surrey Queys to Spice Island (or whatever it is called now) and back. Next time we will have to find some decent roads.

Yes I know they are not blades. I just can't come to terms with those silly things and so I will stick to what I know!

Onwards and upwards.

Natal Curry Contest

Note: Please take time to read this slowly.    
For those of you who have lived in Natal, you know how typical this is.
They actually have a Curry Cook-off about June/July.
It takes up a major portion of a parking lot at the Royal Show in PMB.
 
Judge #3 was an inexperienced food critic named Frank, who was visiting from America.
 
Frank: "Recently, I was honoured to be selected as a judge at a Curry Cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking for directions to the Beer Garden when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges (Natal Indians) that the curry wouldn't be all that spicy and besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted".
 
Here are the scorecard notes from the event:
 
CURRY # 1 - SEELAN'S MANIAC MONSTER TOMATO CURRY...
Judge # 1              A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick.
Judge # 2             Nice smooth tomato flavour. Very mild.
Judge # 3 (Frank)     Holy shit, what the hell is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames out. I hope that's the worst one. These people are crazy.
 
CURRY #2 - PHOENIX BBQ CHICKEN CURRY...
Judge # 1    Smoky, with a hint of chicken. Slight chilli tang.
Judge # 2    Exciting BBQ flavour - needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
Judge # 3    Keep this out of the reach of children. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich manoeuvre! They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.
 
CURRY # 3 - SHAMILA'S FAMOUS "BURN DOWN THE GARAGE" CURRY...
Judge # 1    Excellent firehouse curry. Great kick.
Judge # 2    A bit salty, good use of chilli peppers.
Judge # 3    Call 911. I've located a uranium pill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drain Cleaner. Everyone knows the routine by now. Get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I'm getting pissed from all the beer.
 
CURRY # 4 - BABOO'S BLACK MAGIC BEAN CURRY...
Judge # 1    Black bean curry with almost no spice. Disappointing.
Judge # 2    Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a curry.
Judge # 3    I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Shareen, the beer maid, was standing behind me with fresh refills. That 200kg woman is starting to look HOT... just like this nuclear waste I'm eating! Is chilli an aphrodisiac?
 
CURRY # 5 – LAL'S LEGAL LIP REMOVER...
Judge # 1    Meaty, strong curry. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive.
Judge # 2    Average beef curry, could use more tomato. Must admit the chilli peppers make a strong statement.
Judge # 3    My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chilli had given me brain damage. Shareen saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lips off. It really pisses me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw them.
 
CURRY # 6 - VERISHNEE'S VEGETARIAN VARIETY...
Judge # 1    Thin yet bold vegetarian variety curry. Good balance of spices and peppers.
Judge # 2    The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb.
Judge # 3    My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulphuric flames. I am definitely going to shit myself if I fart and I'm worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that Shareen. Can't feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my arse with a snow cone ice-cream.
 
CURRY # 7 - SELINA'S "MOTHER-IN-LAW'S-TONGUE" CURRY...
Judge # 1    A mediocre curry with too much reliance on canned peppers.
Judge # 2    Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chilli peppers at the last moment. (I should take note at this stage that I am worried about Judge # 3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably).
Judge # 3    You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a thing. I've lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with curry which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava to match my shirt. At least, during the autopsy, they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop breathing - it's too painful. Screw it; I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air I'll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach.
 
CURRY # 8 - NAIDOO'S TOENAIL CURLING CURRY...
Judge # 1    The perfect ending. This is a nice blend curry. Not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence.
Judge # 2    This final entry is a good, balanced curry. Neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge #3 farted, passed out, fell over and pulled the curry pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor man, wonder how he'd have reacted to really hot curry?
Judge # 3  No Report. 

NatWest

So the Cheque has arrived

Got a cheque from NatWest, and have banked it. A bird in the hand and all that jazz. I still have not decided if I am going to report them to the information commissioner. I want to as I just do not like their attitude and they have never convinced me that they give a shit about my documents.

Or I guess I could call Watchdog. Is it worth the aggravation? Probably, just need to make the time.


Not sure what this will do. Just playing

NatWest

NatWest has issued me with their "Final Response"

Basically it says "Tough Luck, we have lost your stuff and you have to live with that!"

I have spoken to the Financial Ombudsman and it appears that they do not think there is much they can do unless I have documentary evidence of financial loss due to the banks actions, this I do not have, apart from my time.

I have also spoken to the Information Commissioners office. It appears that NatWest have a duty of care to my information (I believe that is rule 7) and it does not look like they have been taking any care, as they have lost it twice! I will have to ponder weather it is worth the agro to pursue this. I do have a month to make my mind up.

NatWest

A reply, at last...

 

Well I finally, after sending another email, have a reply from Elisabeth Mann.

 

Basically they are saying "like it or lump it".  I have turned down the £250 so they are calling my bluff to see if I will go to the banking Ombudsman.

 

The fact is that they have wasted a lot of my time, have lost my documents and have failed to give me a reasonable explanation or even an apology!  For the sake of £250 I think I will call their bluff and take it to the Ombudsman.  This should be interesting.

Greenwich Council

Bins Removed!

 

Well After much aggravation, phone calls and gnashing of teeth they have finally removed the bins, The local paper were interested in doing a story, but they wanted me to dump the rubbish in front of the council offices, I guess that would have been a story, but I was just interested in having the bins cleared.

 

We now understand the new "system" let's hope all stays well....

 

The End??

Greenwich Council

Greenwich's new waste disposal Cockup - 4 Weeks without a garbage collection

Letter to local paper

Hi,

Am I the only one that is suffering because of Greenwich councils messed up "new" garbage collection system?

For 4 weeks now they have failed to pick our bin up. I believe that it is because the bin is "contaminated", if that is the case they are supposed to put a notice through my door or put a sticker on the bin. This has not been done.

I have been on the phone every day since last Tuesday trying to get them to collect the bin. I am willing to say we may have messed up, but there is no way forward other than them taking away and us getting it right in the future.

I have been keeping track of the events (most of them) here http://cosmap.blogspot.com/

I refuse to go through the bin and sort the rubbish as it is now 4 weeks old and that would be unhygienic. I am tempted to deposit the whole bin on their doorstep!

Greenwich Council

Lost for words.......

After all the promises and assurances they still have not picked up the BIN!!!

They are telling me it WILL get done. For some reason I do not believe them.

Greenwich Council

A Call Back...

 

What a shocker!  I have been called back by Celia Johnson.  Poor lady sounded somewhat beleaguered.  I guess she is having to take all the flack for the rubbish rubbish service we have.   She has promised a special pickup today so we can go forward with a clean slate, so to speak.

 

Again I have no choice but to wait and see....

 

Seems to be the story of my life.

 

NatWest

Progress??...

 

So i called Elisabeth to find out what her reaction to my last email was.  Clearly I have shocked her as she has decided to go away for a week.  I, again, requested that the branch manager from Eastbourne contact me.  and Guess what??  He did!!

 

I repeated the whole sorry saga again and he has said he will look into it.  I remain to be convinced.

 

Greenwich Council

Another week Begins...

 

Having had no joy over the weekend I am on the phone again.

 

1st called the "Help" desk.  As usual everybody is in a meeting and all they would do is take my details.

2nd, Called the Chief exec's office.  Spoke to lady who is Mary Ney's PA.  She wanted to put me thought to Celia Johnson, who is supposed to be dealing with these issues (They have so many issues that they have to have a specific named person to deal with them).  I have been promised she will call me today.

 

What a complete shower they are.  We had a working waste disposal system in place and in an attempt to "improve" it, they have messed the whole thing up.

 

And London is to host the world for the Olympics!  ho ho bloody ho!

NatWest

FAO: Elisabeth Mann

Dear Elisabeth,

I actually feel quite insulted by your offer. £250 is approximately 3 hours of my time. I have spent more than 3 hours trying to deal with this.

You have still failed to answer some basic questions.

1, I came to the Eastbourne Branch and filled in some forms and gave some one some ID. This has all vanished. How?
2, I filled in some more forms (as did my sister and mother) and gave you copies of my ID. This was lost. How?
3, I filled in some more forms (as did my sister and mother) and gave you copies of my ID. It transpires that we were sent all the wrong forms and I am not on the account correctly! Why?
4, I have requested that the manager from the Eastbourne branch call me to discuss this. You are not sure if he will, why is that?

What is with the adverts "There is another way" It is just a cynical advertising ploy! How are NatWest different to any other bank? I am still dealing with a call center.

Additionally to this it took you from January 18th to get back to me following our last call.

Greenwich Council

Three weeks without a garbage collection!

Some background....

A short while ago Greenwich Council changed the waste disposal system. We used to have a simple system that any fool (me??) could understand. Rubbish went in to the bin (in the house) and was then transferred to the bin outside the house. Recycling went in to the recycling bin. Two bins, Two purposes, no problem.

Now...

Recycling goes in to the Recycling bin.. Great, I understand that... Nappy's go in to Orange nappy sacks.. Hmmm.. OK, but where are my nappy sacks? I ordered them quite a while ago... A month to be precise! Then these bags get put on top of the other bins, Oooohhh... that will be smelly in the summer. OK, I can deal with that. Garden waste goes in to the other bin (green top), OK, I can deal with that. Food waste goes in to the green top bin, still OK.... What about the other general waste? Put it in black black bags, but not just any old black bag, a "compostable" one, fine and?? put it in the green top bin? Nope. Just pile it up with the nappy bags on the floor!

So outside my house I have...

A Full blue topped bin for Recycling... OK
A Slightly full green topped bin for Food and garden... OK
A pile of orange bags full off smelly nappy's... NOT OK!
A pile of black bags full of... The rest... NOT OK!

The only real difference here is that the general rubbish is moved out to black bags and the nappy's to orange ones, the green bin will be empty most of the time as I do not do much gardening and we do not have that much food waste.

Would it not have made more sense to have the garden waste in the bags and the general waste and nappy's in the bin, away from fox's and, when it comes, heat.

The Problem

For the last 3 weeks they have not collected my rubbish, I have called repeatedly and been told they would do a missed collection, but it has never happened. We do not throw that much away, but the bin is now full! They have not deemed to tell us why they will not collect it. I suspect that this is because of the nappies, but no one will confirm this. It would be nice if they would send us the orange sacks so we can conform to the grand plan.

The thing is that they will not pick the bin up.
I will not climb into it to resort it.

So we have an impasse....

Right this minute I feel like taking the bin to Greenwich Councils offices and depositing the contents on their doorstep!

I have spoken to several Greenwich residents about this, some of them work at the council, would you believe, and they all agree that this is a silly system and whoever thought of it needs a slap with a wet kipper. Apparently they had a very high volume of calls initially, this has now dropped to a constant rumble, so I cannot be the only one suffering from this foul-up.

At last, after me calling them 10 million times I have had a call back from the directors office and a very nice lady, who's name I will not mention as it is not her fault, has said she will see what she can do. It is a bit late in the day for this (literally), but I have been trying all day...

NatWest

Called Elisabeth!!!!

Finally got through to her.
Apparently her number has changed to 020 8236 8119.

The bottom line is that although NatWest have dropped the ball repeatedly on this, it still falls to me to fill in all the bloody forms again! from scratch and go to the bank and give them my identity information AGAIN! so they can loose it AGAIN!

They are going to offer me some "compensation" let's see if this is anywhere near the cost of the amount of time I have wasted on this.

I am furious at their incompetence and inability to show some basic customer service and rectify the issue.

I will be considering where to take this from here, I may have the bit between my teeth will push this all the way. Then there is always TV, Newspapers.

She has offered to give me the information for the banking ombudsman...

NatWest

Called Elisabeth!!!!

No call since the last time, which was so long ago that I forget so I called her.

She is not there, but I have left a message for her to call me.

 

Apparently she gets in at 10:00 am.  We shall see.

 

This is getting really tedious.  The Ads say "there is another way"  Yes there is, it's called another bank!

Bathomatic, The Automated Bathtub Filler, Hits ISE

A unique integrated device that Connects to AMX and Crestron control systems for automatic bathtub filling.

read more | digg story

Integrated Systems Europe

The final day!   It has been a great show so far.

 

We have made many contacts and have many promises.  Now we have to see if they will turn to something real.

 

We have a couple of journalists threatening to come and put us in some magazines…  Oh the tension!  I will have to go and make myself look beautiful (this could take some time). 

 

Thanks to AMX for the party last night.

 

OK, so it is 8:30 and I am not up to speed yet.  I am going for a coffee and may add some more after normality has been returned.

 

Integrated Systems Europe

So here we are.  Second day of the show.  Lots of great feedback and interest in the product.

 

There seems to be a lot of potential in Russian and all of the former Soviet countries.  We have had lots of interest from Hungary, Poland, and all points east.   Actually we have also had interest from Kuwait and some Far Eastern locations.  Very exotic, I shall look forward to going there to “Supervise” the initial installations.

 

These two pictures show our arrival at Rai in Amsterdam and the stand before the mayhem began.

 

I will post more pictures to Flickr when I get to a better internet connection.

 

NatWest

Finally get hold of Elisabeth!!!!

Well I waited till 14:30 for a call and did not get one, so I called her.  Found here on the 1st try!

 

Apparently, though I am on the account I am down as an addition not a regular user!  No cheque book, card or access (unless I go in to the branch in Eastbourne).  This is useless.

 

I cannot even get Internet Access!

 

Elisabeth is going to call the branch to see what is going on.

 

I did mention that I have not been sent back the identification papers that I explicitly requested back.  She will investigate.

 

I also mentioned I am BLogging all this, she was not interested.

 

I have an email address I can use.  It is not hers, but it goes in to a pool and I may get a response in 24 hours!  Welcome to the dark ages.

 

In case you are interested...   customer.relations@natwest.com

 

 

NatWest

I am on the Account.  Nice of them to tell me! NOT!!!!

My sister went to the branch yesterday, apparently I am on the account, but no one has deemed to let me know or to give me any details of how I can access it!

 

Call to Jackie to try and put this to bed

 

• Start at 10:40  Surprise Surprise I am on hold..
• Apparently she is expecting my call.  I have given her the account details and she will call me back.
• 15:00  A call back.  Apparently I am only allowed to talk to Elisabeth Mann.  020 8236 8140.
• I left a message for her to call me tomorrow.  I will not hold my breath.

 

Westminster Council Cave

I have received a letter from Westminster Council.  The long, tall and short of it is that they have cancelled the Ticket! (PCN).

 

The lectured me about parking, and did not apologise for ticketing a disabled vehicle, but they did cave.

 

So take heed all you disabled people out there.

 

WESTMINSTER COUNCIL DO NOT WANT YOU ON THEIR TERF!

 

Basically they do not recognise disabled badges and do not give parking concessions.

 

Heartless gits!

 

NatWest

Still Waiting........

So it has now been 18 days since my mum and sister signed the allegedly final piece of paper to get me added to this blasted account.

Guess what?? Nothing has been heard from Eastbourne.

I am now trying to get hold of Jackie to see where we can go with this.

20 mins on the phone talking to Amy Burgess. All she did was stonewall. I did not have the account number to hand and she would not connect me to Jackie without it. She would not even book a call back.

Finally she has booked a call back between 9 and 12 tomorrow morning.

I will believe that when I get it!

NatWest

An Update..........

After an extended hiatus (our fault) My Mother and sister finally managed to get the forms signed. My sister went 1st, as my mother had already done here part, but, after over an hour in the bank filling things in, she was told that there was more for my mum to do!

The pair of them returned last week and spent anther 2 HOURS! in the bank. We have now been told that it is all done.

It has been over a week with no update, so I am not sure. I will chase next week.

On point of information. My last communication with them requested that they confirm reception of the paperwork and that they return my identification documents when they are done. IN the light of last weeks Government cock-up you would think that they would be extra careful. This does not appear to be the case as they have done neither of my requests!

Not happy.

Lets see if they can finish!

Westminster Council Take the Piss!!!!

This from their automailer. The Pesky parking ticket did not ask me to put the reg number and ticket number in the subject line!! Thank goodness I read the response and can cut and paste! I wait their response... _____________________________________________________________________________________
From : Parking@westminster.gov.uk

Thank you for your correspondence to Parking Services.

We will investigate and respond in writing to your query in due course.

If you have not included your full name and postal address please do so immediately as we cannot reply to your query via email.

Also please ensure that you have included the Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) number and the Vehicle Registration Mark (VRM) in the 'Subject' heading on your email.

Your email will now be processed and responded to in date received order.

Please do not reply to this automated email. If you have any further enquiries you can call Parking Services on 020 7823 4567.

On Behalf of

Parking Services

Westminster City Council

For more information about parking Westminster visit: www.westminster.gov.uk/parking

Westminster Council Take the Piss!!!!

Today, while parked near Covent Garden I was given a very shady parking ticket.

I was correctly parked on King Street and was displaying a valid Disabled Badge.
I was within the 3 hours allowed by the Badge.

The PCN was therefore incorrectly issued.

Upon seeing the notice I called the number on the back of the notice and was told that we should have made a "Contribution" to the parking. I looked everywhere around the car and all all the pillars near by (see attached picture) and was unable to see any indication that this was the case.

I then spoke to Community Officer number CW 7373 who looked with me and agreed that there was no indication that a "Contribution" was required (and can verify this if asked).

When I spoke to the "gentleman" on the phone he was not sure how much this "Contribution" should be.

It strikes me as very unfair that a disabled person should be expected to call the parking c redit card line and make a payment of unspecified value when they have a parking permit that allows them to park with out paying. I repeat there was no indication that Disabled Badge holders have to pay.

I trust have appealed this and will let you know what happens. Rest assured I will fight this all the way!

A Blast from the past!

This is Seth, Cosma (Me) and Iain, in the late 80's taking a look around London, in a break between lectures. Click on the picture or the link below to see some more blasts from the past.

Click here for more Pictures of the Boys!
More from the College Archives...
Originally uploaded by CosmaP

NatWest

The Current Position...........

I received some forms, filled them in and sent them to the address I was given. Somehow they went from Borhamwood to Chatham! They called me wanting to know what they were for. I told them to contact Elisabeth Mann. They did not know who she was!!!

I provided THEM with the phone number and they called her. Here is the response.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: 24-Aug-2007 13:07
Subject:

> Dear Mr Papouis
>
> I have just received a telephone call from Jenny who is based at our
> Chatham Customer Service Centre (CSC). She tells me that the form you had
> completed had arrived at the CSC and as she didn't have all the paperwork,
> hence her telephone call to you and then to me. To keep you up to date I
> have asked her to send the form to James Beeston, via Internal mail, so he
> can collate all the paperwork and then send it to the CSC when it is all
> complete.
>
> I shall be out of the office next week, but if you need to leave a message
> for me, I will deal with it on my return. However, in my absence Nicole
> Cooper will be managing my case load and you can speak to her if you
> urgently need to contact Customer Relations.


How many MORE people will get involved in this simple process???

I JUST WANT TO BE ADDED TO AN ACCOUNT!!!!!

By the way, I have still to receive the confirmantion, that I explicitly requested, that my paperwork has made it to the correct location!

NatWest

Missing post!

You will be pleased to know I have received the form from you. I have signed it, as has my mother, and I shall return it to you asap.

Alas the form from Eastbourne has not arrived, are we sure he has posted it?


On 16/08/07, ~ NatWest CRU <Customer.Relations@natwest.com> wrote:

> Dear Mr Papouis
>
> Further to our telephone call, you can send the signed form to me at
>
> Ground Floor
> National Westminster House
> 225 Shenley Road
> Borehamwood
> Herts
> WD6 1TE
>
> I will then forward it in our internal mail service to James Beeston at
> Eastbourne. Or alternatively James tells me that he has enclosed a self
> address envelope to Eastbourne branch.
>
> If you need to contact me at any stage please do not hesitate to send me
> an e-mail or telephone me.
>
> Yours sincerely
>
> Elizabeth Mann
> 0208 236 8140
> Customer Relations Unit Borehamwood

Norwich Union Direct

The Fun Continues....

Letter sent to NUD in response to a letter from them telling me I owe them money!

Hello Hanna,

Hate to be a pain, but...

I have received a mail from NUD telling me I owe you £10.53.

I have called your Customer services (on 0800 068 3661) and Prem (He will not give me a full name ex - 51408) tells me that it is a result of the cancellation and reissue you did.

I pointed out that this must have been an over site and, after leaving me on the phone for a while, he came back and agreed to waive this cost.

He then adds insult to injury by trying to scratch the £10.53 back by trying to sell me RAC cover! I asked him not to sell me anything and he said that he was not selling, he was offering a service. He did not seem to get it when I explained that if there was a cost associated to this "service" then he was selling!

Anyway. This has now been resolved, but I thought I would inform you.

Perhaps this can be used in training. i.e. When a customer calls with a charge enquiry DO NOT TRY AND SELL HIM MORE!

Thx

NatWest

NatWest's Eastbourne Branch Speedy as ever...

I just had a call from Elisabeth Mann.  James Beaston in Eastbourne is not responding to her calls.  She sounded quite exasperated.  and has promised to escalate this if they do not get back to her.  What is it coming to when the left hand willnot eaven SPEAK to the right hand?

 

Still waiting...........

NatWest

No Paperwork from NatWest...

I find it hard to believe that a letter cannot make it from Eastbourne to London in 3 days

Some Numbers for reference..

Complaints switchboard - 020 8736 8000
Elisabeth Mann DDI - 020 8236 8173

Trying to talk to Elisabeth, On hold for 20mins....

She is not in. Left a message for her to call me tomorrow.

NatWest

The Wondering Paperwork Returns!

 

Having lost my paperwork again, NatWest have (after 2 days) managed to find it in Eastbourne.  Frankly I do not believe this.  Elisabeth Mann told me that she had taken copies of my documents before sending them to Eastbourne, so I think she has sent them down there again.

 

Apparently James Beaston has been told to deal with this personally, and not f%^* it up.

 

But guess what??  They have forgotten to get me to sign 1 more piece of paper!  This is now being sent to me.

 

And Aldersgate branch (Colin Harold) have never called me back!

 

This has gone beyond funny.... 

NatWest

They have done it AGAIN!

 

I have just had a call from The NatWest customer services department.

 

Guess what!!

 

They have lost my paperwork AGAIN!  That makes it 3 times. 

Elisabeth Mann tells me that she stuck it in the post and then went on holiday. There have been some postal strikes so that's OK it is stuck in the post between her and Eastbourne.  I pointed out that I was assured the last time that it went missing that they use secure couriers and if it was lost it was in their internal system.  Sounds like another lie to me!  is this the "Other Way??"

 

I specifically requested that they contact me to let me know where my paperwork was, no one has done that.

I specifically requested that they return the originals to me.  No good they have lost them AGAIN!

 

Elisabeth tells me that it is OK as she took copies of my copy's, let's not worry where my copies have gone.

 

This just smacks of total incompetence.  NatWest bank are incapable of sending some important personal identification between two if their branches without loosing them.

 

But it's OK, they will compensate me, OK that may cover the wasted time, but what about the identity loss??

 

I will give them a chance to rectify the situation, then consider where to go from there.

 

NatWest

Deafening silence from NatWest... 

 

Well on July the 11th NatWest received copies of my documentation again.  Since then I have heard...

 

NOTHING!!!

 

I have just tried to call them and spoke to a colleague of Jackie's, foolishly I did not take her name. Apparently Jackie is in meetings all day.  I left my name and number for her to call me back.

 

I am now going to try and get through to the Aldersgate Street branch on 0845 3017948

 

Mr Judge is not available.  Try to speak to Colin Harold.  Apparently he is with a client.  I will hold....

They cut me off!!!

I called back and, after the receptionist (Emma) tried to fob me off, he mysteriously became instantly available!

 

He will contact Mr Judge to see what he has done with the documents.  I did point out that I had specifically requested that the service centre contact me to conform that the documents had been received.

 

What a farce!

Norwich Union Direct

Cheques have arrived... 

 

and been paid in.  The end of this chapter...  Let's see what the next year brings....

Norwich Union Direct

A Conclusion is Reached!!

 

So after all the faffing we have come to a conclusion.  Many thanks to the people in the UK offices of NUD who have managed to resolve this silly situation.  It transpires that apparently it takes 14 days to update the DVLA DB (This I do not understand, but lets take their word for it).  Due to the fact that my insurance policies coincide with my road tax (silly me I thought it would make life easier) there is no way that I could get the road tax electronically.

 

The only way round this is to cancel and recreate my insurance, the very nice lady at NUD has done this for me.  Let's see what happens next year.

 

This whole mess has just highlighted the failings of call centers.  The fact that they could not give me a working email address, the fact that they did not seem to have the ability to call me back when they said they would.

 

I will not labour the point as I have had long conversations with NUD about this and they seemed receptive to my comments.  They seem to be aware of the issues, but the question is "What can be done about it?"

 

I do not believe that this is limited to NUD, It is a failing of all call centers and it is down to us, the users, to say NO I will not accept this level of service.  The call centers seem to be OK as long as you are on their "script".  The minute you want something different, BANG!  you are in undiscovered country.  At the very least they need an escalation process that includes the UK.  It should go, 1, Call center staff, 2, Call center supervisor, 3, Call center manager, 4, UK Customer Support.....  This should be process, it should not need me to do all the chasing!!!    Arrrghhh!!  Do not get me started again!

 

Norwich Union Direct

Problems with NUD.. Well I seem to be going up the NUD internal ladder....

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Hannah Kiteley &lt;Hidden to protect the currently Innocent>
Date: 17-Jul-2007 17:22
Subject: Problems with NUD

Dear Mr Papouis

Further to the post left by Becca Sibley on your blog space concerning the problems you've had with NUD.

Becca has asked me to take a look at these for you.

I can't get you on your landline or your mobile number, but I will try again tomorrow. The telephone number below is my direct dial number, and you can get me on that any time between 10:00 and 17:00.

Thanks

Hannah Kiteley (Miss)
Customer Relations Manager
Chief Executive's Office
Sales and Service

I have actually Spoke to this lady. She seemed very nice. Ho Humm.... are we making progress?

Linked In

Take a look at my Linked in Profile

Norwich Union Direct

Thanks to Ramesh...

For NOT providing me witha valid email address!!!!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: mailto:postmaster@cos-c.co.in<postmaster@cos-c.co.in>
Date: 15-Jul-2007 11:10
Subject: Delivery Status Notification (Failure)

This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification.

Unable to deliver message to the following recipients, due to being unable to connect successfully to the destination mail server.

mailto:Ramesh.chandran@direct.cos-c.co.in

Final-Recipient: rfc822;Ramesh.chandran@direct.cos-c.co.in
Action: failed
Status: 4.4.7


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Cosma Papouis"
To: mailto:Ramesh.chandran@direct.cos-c.co.in
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2007 11:03:43 +0100
Subject: Just Checking

You may wish to take alook at this..........

http://cosmap.blogspot.com/

--

Norwich Union Direct

An email and a call from NUD, I nearly fall off my chair...  Again...! 

• Becca. From the Support email number
• Sounded very nice and helpful (and extreamly cheerful :) )
• Let's see where this take us............

 

Norwich Union Direct

My Response

I would love you to address the issues.

The Blog that you have just posted to details all the communications I have had with NUD.

In Summary....

• I paid for my insurance with you.( I was promised 2 * £25 vouchers that I have not seen)
• I waited a few days then I tried to get my Road Tax.
• The Motor Insurance database had not been updated.
• Then follows numerous calls with NUD trying to resolve this.
• I have been lied too. (People offering to call me back and failing to do so)
• People have not recorded information that they have been given (repeatedly)
• It is impossible to talk to a manager - you only ever get "Supervisors"
• My data is still not updated so I had to go to the trouble of finding a post office and buying my road tax.
• No one at NUD ever reads the clients file before asking the same questions again! (case in point NOW)
• You taken through "Security" repeatedly during every call...
• Shall i continue?

Please read the BLOG or your internal records.

Someone read my BLOG!!!

On 13/07/07, Becca Sibley wrote:

Becca Sibley has left a new comment on your post " Norwich Union Direct":

Hello
My name is Becca Sibley and I work in Customer Experience at NU, if you would like me to I can have a look into the issues you are having with us?

My email address is <Blocked out to protect the Innocent, I can always put it back later..>, please feel free to email me and let me have some details.

Becca



Posted by Becca Sibley to Cosma's Life at Fri Jul 13, 03:57:00 PM

Norwich Union Direct

A Call from NUD, I nearly fall off my chair! 

• Gerard.   A manager.
• support@norwich-union.co.uk - A general email address.
• Has not read the log, but does so as we progress through the call
• He suggests that I phone the DVLA and order the road tax as their website sometimes fails
• I point out that this happened last year as well
• Oh!!??
• I tell him that I have road tax now as I ran out of time and had to go buy it at the post office
• So what is the problem now?
• Well I want to know why NUD staff have consistently lied to me, not called me back, not escalated my complaint, not raised my complaint, not logged my comments
• Why bother recording calls when you do not listen to the recordings?
• He said he would send me a letter responding to my concerns and would provide me with the chief executives details if I wish to escalate the issue
• I will ponder this........
• Finnly he offers me a £25 voucher as a "Good Will"  gesture.  This reminds me that they already owe me 2 vouchers from when I placed the insurance.
• Let's see if this arrives.......

Norwich Union Direct

No call from NUD so I am forced to call them again......

• Ask to speak to Ramesh Chandran - 666445.
• As usual I am on hold........... 6 mins and counting!
• As usual this person does not know the story and has not read the database
• Has not read his email and, thus, did not know to call me. (12 mins and counting....)
• Apparently no one sent him an email to call me!
• Finally he acknowledges that I have been getting poor customer service.
• On hold AGAIN. He says it will be 1 minute. Currently 5 mins (17 in total, and counting....)
• Ramesh.chandran@direct.cos-c.co.in
• Alegedly he will call me back. 25 mins on the phone!

NatWest

NatWest get my papers AGAIN! 

• So I went to the branch yesterday.
• The chap there ( I shall not mention his name yet as he has not dropped the ball yet) did not know what was going on and was not interested when I told him.  He got me to sign some papers and took copies of my docs.  I made him certify some further copies and give them to me.
• I have also requested that they a, Confirm reception of the docs at the service centre, b, Send me the orignal copies back when they are done (not destroy them)
• We will see

 

NatWest

Back to the NatWest Saga 

• I have spoken to the local Aldersgate branch who, at the behest of Customert Relations, have contacted me to go through the whole tedious process again.
• I went in there today, but the chap was not there.  I will try again tomorrow

 

Norwich Union Direct

Called NUD to see if they are processing my Complaint 

• Spoke to Fari Velu - 666412
• Explained the situation AGAIN!!!!
• She apologised to me, and I explained that an apology does not make up for my lost time on the phone and the inconvenience I have been put to by NUD.  I have the road tax now, as I did not want to be done for not having it, but I still do not know that my details are on the database.  Will they be there next year???
• She asked me to hold while show speaks to someone
• On Hold for 10 mins!!!
• She informs me that my data should now be updated.  I told her that this does not help me as I have my road tax now and she seemed happy to end the call there.  I explained that I have made a formal complaint and NUD have not responded in any way.  She puts me on hold and goes to check the "Complaints Database".  Not sure why I have to be on hold listening to cheesey music for this to happen.  Call duration 25 minutes and counting.
• Apparently it is not on the database.  She is going to add it.  It will take 48 hours for them to call me back that will be her manager Ramesh Chandran - 666445
• Not sure how he was planning to call me back as she did not have my PHONE NUMBER!!!
• This also puts a mockery on their assertion that Santhosh had tried to call me! 
• I gave her the details and insisted that Ramesh a, reads the call log, b, listens to the call recordings.  I want him to hear that I have been reasonable all the way through and have never shouted or used bad language at his people.  All that I have done is ask them to provide a service that I have paid for.  They, on the other hand, have constantly lied to me and failed to do what they have promised to do!
• Yet again we have to wait!  At least this time I have the road tax and am not against the wall.  I will, however, do some research in the UK to find their head office.

Is this the kind of service we deserve?

Norwich Union Direct

I give up!

• Finally gave up
• I did not want to get caught with no road tax and so I had to go buy it at the post office.  So much for modern technology!
• This bunch of clowns have NOT quoted me happy!
• They have consistently NOT called me back and NOT come through with their promises
• I WILL be reconsidering who I use for my car insurance next year 

What a bunch of clowns!