What has p*ssed you off today...part II
Nov 30th 2020, 1:10 pm
Concierge
Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 17,071
Re: What has p*ssed you off today...part II
Originally Posted by el collado kid
It took nearly half an hour to connect to the internet this morning,why is it only when you want to use some thing it does not work, why can't it not work when you are not using things.This would be far better
and then when you use it, it works yeah sorted!
and then when you use it, it works yeah sorted!
Nov 30th 2020, 1:40 pm
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: City of Broad Shoulders
Posts: 59,179
Re: What has p*ssed you off today...part II
Originally Posted by spouse of scouse
Things might not be working when you're not using them as well, did you ever think of that, hmmmmm
Schrodinger's internet. It's a known thing.
Nov 30th 2020, 1:42 pm
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: City of Broad Shoulders
Posts: 59,179
Re: What has p*ssed you off today...part II
Originally Posted by macliam
One impact of us staying on in Portugal is that SWMBOs car in the UK can't be taxed (because it also needs an MOT and the tax notification is by snail-mail only). So we decided to declare it off road (SORN).... Except, you need to quote the V5 identification number to do that online - and we don't have it here.... No option to use the reg number (also supplied by the DVLA), that would be too obvious.
So SWMBO wrote online to the DVLA, explaining we are not in the UK and asking for advice. After 2 days the reply comes back, ignoring what had been written and **helpfully** suggesting we phone their callcenter on a UK non-geographic number... yeah right, wait in a queue in an international call, obvious really!
So she then asked what information would be required, so she could limit the time neeed on the call. After 2 days the reply came back (you guessed it) ignoring what had been written and suggesting she call the callcenter and they **might** be able to help SORN the car. What point an online enquiry service? Chocolate teapots come to mind!! Oh, there was a rider on this second answer...... **Due to COVID** the callcenter is very busy so wait times are extended!!
4 times so far...... no call less than 5 minutes and not a sniff of an answer. Looks like we'll be sorting it out on return to the UK, when they attempt to fine her for not taxing her car
So SWMBO wrote online to the DVLA, explaining we are not in the UK and asking for advice. After 2 days the reply comes back, ignoring what had been written and **helpfully** suggesting we phone their callcenter on a UK non-geographic number... yeah right, wait in a queue in an international call, obvious really!
So she then asked what information would be required, so she could limit the time neeed on the call. After 2 days the reply came back (you guessed it) ignoring what had been written and suggesting she call the callcenter and they **might** be able to help SORN the car. What point an online enquiry service? Chocolate teapots come to mind!! Oh, there was a rider on this second answer...... **Due to COVID** the callcenter is very busy so wait times are extended!!
4 times so far...... no call less than 5 minutes and not a sniff of an answer. Looks like we'll be sorting it out on return to the UK, when they attempt to fine her for not taxing her car
Have you got a nosey neighbour in the UK who could go and get the vehicle id number for you? In the US the number is on the inside of the car frame, but also on a metal plate screwed onto the dashboard by the windscreen, and is visible from the outside.
Nov 30th 2020, 1:57 pm
Resident Cynic
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Suffolk,UK; Alentejo, Portugal
Posts: 7,863
Re: What has p*ssed you off today...part II
Originally Posted by Lion in Winter
Have you got a nosey neighbour in the UK who could go and get the vehicle id number for you? In the US the number is on the inside of the car frame, but also on a metal plate screwed onto the dashboard by the windscreen, and is visible from the outside.
However, my main gripe is the total unwillingness of the DVLA to help... and worse, to provide an online contact facility that is useless (tick the box).
Last edited by macliam; Nov 30th 2020 at 1:59 pm.
Nov 30th 2020, 1:58 pm
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: City of Broad Shoulders
Posts: 59,179
Re: What has p*ssed you off today...part II
Originally Posted by macliam
No, that's the VIN..... I think the V5 ID is just another number assigned by the DVLA. It is on the Car tax letter as well as the V5 document, but the letter is snail-mail only. Why the DVLA need an identifier other than the reg numbr they assign, I have no idea..... maybe it's just because of possible reuse of the reg number (you can transfer it between vehicles) - but even so, it's only applicable to one vehicle at a time..
Nov 30th 2020, 2:24 pm
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 35,946
Re: What has p*ssed you off today...part II
Originally Posted by macliam
...After 2 days the reply comes back, ignoring what had been written...
Nov 30th 2020, 2:45 pm
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2019
Location: At home
Posts: 534
Re: What has p*ssed you off today...part II
Yes, very perturbing. Our phone bill to Canada Pension was 75 euro. That price got us absolutly nothing squared on my Pension. I was put on hold and told to call a different number, none of the numbers were toll free. Imagine, expecting a pensioner who isn't able to collect their pension to pay for all these phone calls to Canada and still no pension! Yes, a d how many times did we tell them we couldn't get what we needed from the web page without a code that only they can provide over the phone? Three times I think it was and again I was told to call yet another phone number I would have to pay overseas charges for!
Nov 30th 2020, 2:49 pm
SUPER MODERATOR
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 83,843
Re: What has p*ssed you off today...part II
Originally Posted by tumbleweedly
Yes, very perturbing. Our phone bill to Canada Pension was 75 euro. That price got us absolutly nothing squared on my Pension. I was put on hold and told to call a different number, none of the numbers were toll free. Imagine, expecting a pensioner who isn't able to collect their pension to pay for all these phone calls to Canada and still no pension! Yes, a d how many times did we tell them we couldn't get what we needed from the web page without a code that only they can provide over the phone? Three times I think it was and again I was told to call yet another phone number I would have to pay overseas charges for!
Last edited by Jerseygirl; Nov 30th 2020 at 3:23 pm. Reason: Typo
Dec 1st 2020, 9:04 am
Banned
Joined: Jul 2019
Location: jalon valley costa Blanca
Posts: 3,680
Re: What has p*ssed you off today...part II
It seems my wifi connector thing jig is not working so we have had to hard wire the thing and now it is fine as long as the connection lead is long enough to reach where you are using the computer
Dec 1st 2020, 5:54 pm
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 26,867
Re: What has p*ssed you off today...part II
Originally Posted by Jerseygirl
******* snow. 
And despite the early fall snow we got, the first 2 weeks of December at least are expected to be warmer than usual, and less precipitation courtesy of some high pressure that has parked over parts of BC.
