Grumble Thread

[Serial_Apologist]

There seem to have been lots of problems surrounding this Autumn's jabs. When I responded to an email from the NHS, I was told that I could have a flu jab at a GP surgery but not a Covid jab, a Covid jab at a pharmacy or both at a pharmacy. I opted for the last of these, entered my post code as requested, and was asked to pick a time for an appointment at a pharmacy some 2 miles from my home. I was told by a friend that my GP surgery is offering Covid flu jabs on Saturdays only, and the pharmacy with which it shares a building 'isn't doing Covid jabs yet'.

Reminds me of the sketcy, possibly on Not the Nine O'Clock News, where a man queues up for something, and when he reaches the counter is told that the counter next door deals with that - only to find the same woman serving both counters!

[kernelbogey]

Just for the record I had both Covid and Flu shots at my GP surgery on Saturday.

[HighlandDougie]

I'm about to start 6 months of chemotherapy (adjuvant therapy following surgery in August), and asked my GP, on the advice of the oncologist, about getting this year's Covid jab early, as my immune system will be compromised, and it makes sense (at least to me).
But I've just been told that, because I'm not yet 75, I'd have to wait until the chemo started and I became immuno-compromised before I qualified to have the Covid jab, so to get in touch again later.
Is this utter madness or what? I was hoping to be as fighting fit as I could be before starting the chemo course.

The very best for the chemo - and other therapies. Hope that it's not going to diminish your energy such that your posts may continue to flourish. Anyway,

[smittims]

I was 'grumbling' yesterday (and more) over my gas bill.

It wasn't so much the bill itself : there were two different problems that needed correcting, but they were straightforward . What enrgaed me was the difficulty of getting British (I first typed 'Brutish Gas' (sic) ) Gas to do anything. They really don't want me to complain . To complain online I have to 'open an account' and that means agreeing to 'go paperless' which I cannot do. I was reduced to using the 'chatbot' which is like having a conversation with 'Professor' Stanley Unwin (if you remember him).

It took several attempts before my interlocutor understood the problem, after asking me the same questions twice , and longer before I was satisfied that her answers resolved the problem. And yet they keep assuring us that they love our feedback and want us to feel valued. .

[LMcD]

I was 'grumbling' yesterday (and more) over my gas bill.

It wasn't so much the bill itself : there were two different problems that needed correcting, but they were straightforward . What enrgaed me was the difficulty of getting British (I first typed 'Brutish Gas' (sic) ) Gas to do anything. They really don't want me to complain . To complain online I have to 'open an account' and that means agreeing to 'go paperless' which I cannot do. I was reduced to using the 'chatbot' which is like having a conversation with 'Professor' Stanley Unwin (if you remember him).

It took several attempts before my interlocutor understood the problem, after asking me the same questions twice , and longer before I was satisfied that her answers resolved the problem. And yet they keep assuring us that they love our feedback and want us to feel valued. .

If anybody decides to conduct a 'Most Hated Innovation of Recent Years' poll, I shall vote as frequently as allowed for 'chatbot'.

[french frank]

Postperson left my front gate wide open this morning after delivering a letter for my next door neighbour through my letterbox. Not sure which was the insult and which the injury.

[LMcD]

Postperson left my front gate wide open this morning after delivering a letter for my next door neighbour through my letterbox. Not sure which was the insult and which the injury.

A greater insult might have been to follow the example of Amazon and Evri and leave it on your doorstep!

[Petrushka]

A greater insult might have been to follow the example of Amazon and Evri and leave it on your doorstep!

In common with most places, there are widespread complaints about Amazon, DPD, Royal Mail, Evri etc round here, but whether it's just luck or something else I personally have little to complain about. Amazon did once throw a parcel over the fence into the garden (it wasn't found until 6 months later), but that's about it.

One summer, I watched as a Yodel delivery driver, unable to get a response from a neighbour, proceeded to push a parcel through a partly open window. Cases have also been reported locally of Amazon drivers making entry through an unlocked door and dumping a parcel on a sofa or chair! One Facebook poster claimed to have just come out of the shower at the same time as the delivery driver was in the room with a parcel!

FF would seem to have got off lightly!

[smittims]

I must put in a word for DPD here. I was delighted with their service, keeping me informed by e-mail of the eact time my new turntable would be delivered and by whom. I contrast this with Royal Mail, who,sadly, seem to go worse and worse. No mail for a week, and then thirteen letters all at once.

[oddoneout]

In common with most places, there are widespread complaints about Amazon, DPD, Royal Mail, Evri etc round here, but whether it's just luck or something else I personally have little to complain about. Amazon did once throw a parcel over the fence into the garden (it wasn't found until 6 months later), but that's about it.

One summer, I watched as a Yodel delivery driver, unable to get a response from a neighbour, proceeded to push a parcel through a partly open window. Cases have also been reported locally of Amazon drivers making entry through an unlocked door and dumping a parcel on a sofa or chair! One Facebook poster claimed to have just come out of the shower at the same time as the delivery driver was in the room with a parcel!

FF would seem to have got off lightly!

Perhaps remember the saying about shooting the messenger? My understanding is that the demands made of the delivery people by companies such as Amazon leads to much(most?) of the behaviour that causes problems for customers. Mind you, there is also the contribution made by customers expecting 'instant' delivery to the pressures placed by companies on such people.

[gradus]

For connecting us to a main sewer Building Control have to inspect the connections. It took about one minute, the charge - £485, 'avin' a larf or what.

[french frank]

A greater insult might have been to follow the example of Amazon and Evri and leave it on your doorstep!

I seldom order anything online that won't go through my letterbox. I've given up buying. And there's no problem with Amazon, Evri or DPD in our street as they leave parcels with me and I deliver them to the intended recipients when they get home from work.

[Jonathan]

Amazon reviews. Grrrrrr...... When I published my first novel back in 2023, within 24 hours of it appearing as available, someone posted a 1* review with no text. At that point, I'd not sold any copies! Sometime later, someone else posted a 1* review claiming to be someone I know, it's not them because I know for a fact that they haven't read it. Amazon's so called "help desk" is about as much use as a chocolate fireguard and I've been passed to 3 different departments trying to make them understand that the reviews are clearly fraudulent. It's taken and hour to get to this stage...Apparently they'll call me within the next 24 hours...

[Andrew Slater]

Postperson left my front gate wide open this morning after delivering a letter for my next door neighbour through my letterbox. Not sure which was the insult and which the injury.

Surely the gate was a kindness, as you were saved the bother of opening it on your trip next door to deliver a letter...

[LMcD]

I must put in a word for DPD here. I was delighted with their service, keeping me informed by e-mail of the eact time my new turntable would be delivered and by whom. I contrast this with Royal Mail, who,sadly, seem to go worse and worse. No mail for a week, and then thirteen letters all at once.

What used to be called a 'bumper bundle' on Family Favourites, I believe.