OT energy companies and emails

[Penny]

When I returned from a week away I found I had missed 8 phone calls, all
from different numbers - astounding! no body ever phones me (except
scammers who have not yet been black-listed).

Two of these had left a message, one of which identified themself as a
company I'd never heard of and asked me to input my meter readings at
myreading.net. Wary of a scam I went to my energy supplier website and
entered my readings as usual. I noticed the previous reading of the
electricity meter had been done on 30 July but the gas meter had apparently
never been read by anyone but me. This suggested to me the meter reading
company get paid per meter and by trying to get me to enter a reading on
their website they could then claim it for themselves.

Having found no way to contact the energy company through their website
(it's my day for being astounded) I looked through emails and found they
are one of many companies who don't have the company name built in to their
email sending and are nested with others who prefer to be hard to identify,
showing only as ***@wherever

I wrote to them asking if sending a map of where my meters are relative to
each other would be helpful and if I was correct in assuming readings
entered on myreadings.net would mean more money for the incompetent meter
readers.

So far I received 3 replies, all sent at the same time, thanking me for my
message and promising to reply within 7 working days.

I often worry that we all depend too much upon the internet and if we lose
it everything will grind to a halt. I'm beginning to worry that with the
gradual loss of those who understood systems before the internet existed,
we are all doomed.

[Fenny]

Post by Penny
When I returned from a week away I found I had missed 8 phone calls, all
from different numbers - astounding! no body ever phones me (except
scammers who have not yet been black-listed).
Two of these had left a message, one of which identified themself as a
company I'd never heard of and asked me to input my meter readings at
myreading.net. Wary of a scam I went to my energy supplier website and
entered my readings as usual. I noticed the previous reading of the
electricity meter had been done on 30 July but the gas meter had apparently
never been read by anyone but me. This suggested to me the meter reading
company get paid per meter and by trying to get me to enter a reading on
their website they could then claim it for themselves.
Having found no way to contact the energy company through their website
(it's my day for being astounded) I looked through emails and found they
are one of many companies who don't have the company name built in to their
email sending and are nested with others who prefer to be hard to identify,
I wrote to them asking if sending a map of where my meters are relative to
each other would be helpful and if I was correct in assuming readings
entered on myreadings.net would mean more money for the incompetent meter
readers.
So far I received 3 replies, all sent at the same time, thanking me for my
message and promising to reply within 7 working days.
I often worry that we all depend too much upon the internet and if we lose
it everything will grind to a halt. I'm beginning to worry that with the
gradual loss of those who understood systems before the internet existed,
we are all doomed.

Last time I went away for a week, I had 7 phone calls from assorted
numbers, one of which left a message about who they were. Of the
other 6, 5 were not real numbers and the one that was had a dialling
code of 01372 (mine is 01327). When I called the number and asked why
they had called me, a woman said she didn't know who I was so didn't
know unless I gave my details - which I woudn't. I suspect a wrong
number.

As for trying to get in touch with companies, I regularly have
difficulty in tracking down an actual email address so that I can send
my issues in written form, rather than having to ring them during
working hours. I keep pointing out that not everyone uses the kind of
social media platforms that they are on and I don't view either FB or
Twitter as being a grown up form of business communication - and it's
not in the slightest bit secure.

[Penny]

On Mon, 06 Aug 2018 18:14:23 +0100, Fenny <***@removethis.gmail.com>
scrawled in the dust...

Post by Fenny
As for trying to get in touch with companies, I regularly have
difficulty in tracking down an actual email address so that I can send
my issues in written form, rather than having to ring them during
working hours. I keep pointing out that not everyone uses the kind of
social media platforms that they are on and I don't view either FB or
Twitter as being a grown up form of business communication - and it's
not in the slightest bit secure.

I don't have a phone number for them.
There were absolutely no contact details on the website once I'd logged on,
though they may exist somewhere if you are not already a customer. There
was a section for 'messages', mine was empty with no way I could see to
send one to them.

[Vicky Ayech]

Post by Penny
scrawled in the dust...

Post by Fenny
As for trying to get in touch with companies, I regularly have
difficulty in tracking down an actual email address so that I can send
my issues in written form, rather than having to ring them during
working hours. I keep pointing out that not everyone uses the kind of
social media platforms that they are on and I don't view either FB or
Twitter as being a grown up form of business communication - and it's
not in the slightest bit secure.

I don't have a phone number for them.
There were absolutely no contact details on the website once I'd logged on,
though they may exist somewhere if you are not already a customer. There
was a section for 'messages', mine was empty with no way I could see to
send one to them.

One thing I have tried on occasion is go through to bew business or
sales and get put through. They are keen to talk as think you will
change to them and then have to put you through. You could even say
are doing research to see what the contact procedure is before
changing to them. :)

[Nick Odell]

Post by Fenny

Post by Penny
When I returned from a week away I found I had missed 8 phone calls, all
from different numbers - astounding! no body ever phones me (except
scammers who have not yet been black-listed).
Two of these had left a message, one of which identified themself as a
company I'd never heard of and asked me to input my meter readings at
myreading.net. Wary of a scam I went to my energy supplier website and
entered my readings as usual. I noticed the previous reading of the
electricity meter had been done on 30 July but the gas meter had apparently
never been read by anyone but me. This suggested to me the meter reading
company get paid per meter and by trying to get me to enter a reading on
their website they could then claim it for themselves.
Having found no way to contact the energy company through their website
(it's my day for being astounded) I looked through emails and found they
are one of many companies who don't have the company name built in to their
email sending and are nested with others who prefer to be hard to identify,
I wrote to them asking if sending a map of where my meters are relative to
each other would be helpful and if I was correct in assuming readings
entered on myreadings.net would mean more money for the incompetent meter
readers.
So far I received 3 replies, all sent at the same time, thanking me for my
message and promising to reply within 7 working days.
I often worry that we all depend too much upon the internet and if we lose
it everything will grind to a halt. I'm beginning to worry that with the
gradual loss of those who understood systems before the internet existed,
we are all doomed.

Last time I went away for a week, I had 7 phone calls from assorted
numbers, one of which left a message about who they were. Of the
other 6, 5 were not real numbers and the one that was had a dialling
code of 01372 (mine is 01327). When I called the number and asked why
they had called me, a woman said she didn't know who I was so didn't
know unless I gave my details - which I woudn't. I suspect a wrong
number.
As for trying to get in touch with companies, I regularly have
difficulty in tracking down an actual email address so that I can send
my issues in written form, rather than having to ring them during
working hours. I keep pointing out that not everyone uses the kind of
social media platforms that they are on and I don't view either FB or
Twitter as being a grown up form of business communication - and it's
not in the slightest bit secure.

There's been correspondence in the Grauniad about the way older people
are far more inclined than youngsters to pick up any old telephone call
because in ye olde dayes any phone call was an important event.

Not this oldie. Ruthlessly refusing to pick up any call unless I knew
the number in advance has brought attempts at spamming and scamming
calls down to fewer than one a month. The S&S computers seem to
interpret my refusal to play their game as an abandoned number.

Nick

[Penny]

On Mon, 6 Aug 2018 23:17:02 +0100, Nick Odell

Post by Nick Odell
Ruthlessly refusing to pick up any call unless I knew
the number in advance has brought attempts at spamming and scamming
calls down to fewer than one a month. The S&S computers seem to
interpret my refusal to play their game as an abandoned number.

Nah, they're just lulling you into a sense of security.
I'd had none for months and assume the 6 I had last week, 5 of which were
made between 10:21 and 10:26 on different days and 2 pairs of those came
from curiously similar numbers. Only on timed for just-before-TA in this
batch but I don't think they're learning anything.

[Jenny M Benson]

Post by Penny
On Mon, 6 Aug 2018 23:17:02 +0100, Nick Odell

Post by Nick Odell
Ruthlessly refusing to pick up any call unless I knew
the number in advance has brought attempts at spamming and scamming
calls down to fewer than one a month. The S&S computers seem to
interpret my refusal to play their game as an abandoned number.

Nah, they're just lulling you into a sense of security.
I'd had none for months and assume the 6 I had last week, 5 of which were
made between 10:21 and 10:26 on different days and 2 pairs of those came
from curiously similar numbers. Only on timed for just-before-TA in this
batch but I don't think they're learning anything.

It's odd. My sister gets bombarded with spam calls, despite constantly
blocking numbers, but I hardly ever get one. For about 10 years after
he died I would get the occasional call asking for Mr Previous Tenant or
was I Mrs Previous Tenant? (I don't think there ever was a Mrs PT, or
if so she pre-deceased him.)

I think I might have had 2 spam calls this year.

[Fenny]

Post by Penny
On Mon, 6 Aug 2018 23:17:02 +0100, Nick Odell

Post by Nick Odell
Ruthlessly refusing to pick up any call unless I knew
the number in advance has brought attempts at spamming and scamming
calls down to fewer than one a month. The S&S computers seem to
interpret my refusal to play their game as an abandoned number.

Nah, they're just lulling you into a sense of security.
I'd had none for months and assume the 6 I had last week, 5 of which were
made between 10:21 and 10:26 on different days and 2 pairs of those came
from curiously similar numbers. Only on timed for just-before-TA in this
batch but I don't think they're learning anything.

I'm getting more spam calls because I've changed provider and no
longer have the option of blocking. But I tend to redial selected
numbers just to prove that they are scams, so I can add them to my own
little list.

I'm seriously considering changing my answerphone message to one that
includes mention of GDPR and consent in respect of silent calls. I'm
quite happy to report companies who call me and don't leave a message
when I've asked them to contact me via email or make sure they leave a
message as to why they've not contacted me via email.

[Sam Plusnet]

Post by Penny
On Mon, 6 Aug 2018 23:17:02 +0100, Nick Odell

Post by Nick Odell
Ruthlessly refusing to pick up any call unless I knew
the number in advance has brought attempts at spamming and scamming
calls down to fewer than one a month. The S&S computers seem to
interpret my refusal to play their game as an abandoned number.

Nah, they're just lulling you into a sense of security.
I'd had none for months and assume the 6 I had last week, 5 of which were
made between 10:21 and 10:26 on different days and 2 pairs of those came
from curiously similar numbers. Only on timed for just-before-TA in this
batch but I don't think they're learning anything.

Odd that.
We can go for some time without any spam calls & then, almost as though
a switch has been thrown, two or three a day becomes the norm.

The answerphone deals with all of them - except when we are expecting a
call (about the return of defective goods or whatever) & then we pick-up
just in case.

[Vicky Ayech]

Post by Penny
When I returned from a week away I found I had missed 8 phone calls, all
from different numbers - astounding! no body ever phones me (except
scammers who have not yet been black-listed).
Two of these had left a message, one of which identified themself as a
company I'd never heard of and asked me to input my meter readings at
myreading.net. Wary of a scam I went to my energy supplier website and
entered my readings as usual. I noticed the previous reading of the
electricity meter had been done on 30 July but the gas meter had apparently
never been read by anyone but me. This suggested to me the meter reading
company get paid per meter and by trying to get me to enter a reading on
their website they could then claim it for themselves.
Having found no way to contact the energy company through their website
(it's my day for being astounded) I looked through emails and found they
are one of many companies who don't have the company name built in to their
email sending and are nested with others who prefer to be hard to identify,
I wrote to them asking if sending a map of where my meters are relative to
each other would be helpful and if I was correct in assuming readings
entered on myreadings.net would mean more money for the incompetent meter
readers.
So far I received 3 replies, all sent at the same time, thanking me for my
message and promising to reply within 7 working days.
I often worry that we all depend too much upon the internet and if we lose
it everything will grind to a halt. I'm beginning to worry that with the
gradual loss of those who understood systems before the internet existed,
we are all doomed.

I think most companies not being contactable by email is disgraceful.
I prefer not to phone them and hang on for ages to get through after
trawling through menus and then I have trouble now with some accents
if the voice is not clear as my hearing is worse, and also I want a
written record of what was said.

I don't know who your energy company is but I'm with Bulb now, thanks
to umrats' recommendations, and recently got £50 for being the first
to give Fenny a link to move to them too :). She got £50 too. Bulb
reply to emails reasonably quickly and the website works quite well.
They are green more or less and seem a good price.

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

In message <***@4ax.com>, Vicky Ayech
<***@gmail.com> writes:
[]

Post by Vicky Ayech
I think most companies not being contactable by email is disgraceful.

+1.

Post by Vicky Ayech
I prefer not to phone them and hang on for ages to get through after
trawling through menus and then I have trouble now with some accents
if the voice is not clear as my hearing is worse, and also I want a
written record of what was said.

It's that last point that I consider most important. I always feel that
if I give them a 'phone number, I'll get a call from someone who doesn't
understand the point/query/whatever, and what is worse won't
realise/accept that they don't get it, thus wasting everybody's time.
(Of course, I'll get the same ignorance/insolence via email, but at
least I then have a copy of their idiocy.)

Post by Vicky Ayech
I don't know who your energy company is but I'm with Bulb now, thanks
to umrats' recommendations, and recently got £50 for being the first
to give Fenny a link to move to them too :). She got £50 too. Bulb
reply to emails reasonably quickly and the website works quite well.
They are green more or less and seem a good price.

I'll look at them next time I'm thinking of switching. Do they fit
second-generation "smart" meters (i. e. ones that continue to work if I
switch away)?

[Mike]

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
[]

Post by Vicky Ayech
I think most companies not being contactable by email is disgraceful.

+1.

Post by Vicky Ayech
I prefer not to phone them and hang on for ages to get through after
trawling through menus and then I have trouble now with some accents
if the voice is not clear as my hearing is worse, and also I want a
written record of what was said.

It's that last point that I consider most important. I always feel that
if I give them a 'phone number, I'll get a call from someone who doesn't
understand the point/query/whatever, and what is worse won't
realise/accept that they don't get it, thus wasting everybody's time.
(Of course, I'll get the same ignorance/insolence via email, but at
least I then have a copy of their idiocy.)

Post by Vicky Ayech
I don't know who your energy company is but I'm with Bulb now, thanks
to umrats' recommendations, and recently got £50 for being the first
to give Fenny a link to move to them too :). She got £50 too. Bulb
reply to emails reasonably quickly and the website works quite well.
They are green more or less and seem a good price.

I'll look at them next time I'm thinking of switching. Do they fit
second-generation "smart" meters (i. e. ones that continue to work if I
switch away)?

Currently, all meters being fitted are I think, still Smets1 type; the
Govvy keeps telling us that Smets2 are almost ready for roll out. (Guffaw).

[Vicky Ayech]

Post by Mike

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
[]

Post by Vicky Ayech
I think most companies not being contactable by email is disgraceful.

+1.

Post by Vicky Ayech
I prefer not to phone them and hang on for ages to get through after
trawling through menus and then I have trouble now with some accents
if the voice is not clear as my hearing is worse, and also I want a
written record of what was said.

It's that last point that I consider most important. I always feel that
if I give them a 'phone number, I'll get a call from someone who doesn't
understand the point/query/whatever, and what is worse won't
realise/accept that they don't get it, thus wasting everybody's time.
(Of course, I'll get the same ignorance/insolence via email, but at
least I then have a copy of their idiocy.)

Post by Vicky Ayech
I don't know who your energy company is but I'm with Bulb now, thanks
to umrats' recommendations, and recently got £50 for being the first
to give Fenny a link to move to them too :). She got £50 too. Bulb
reply to emails reasonably quickly and the website works quite well.
They are green more or less and seem a good price.

I'll look at them next time I'm thinking of switching. Do they fit
second-generation "smart" meters (i. e. ones that continue to work if I
switch away)?

Currently, all meters being fitted are I think, still Smets1 type; the
Govvy keeps telling us that Smets2 are almost ready for roll out. (Guffaw).

When checking them out to join I asked about a smart meter and they
said those would be done middle of this year. They have not yet. I
believe the next generation are being sent out and that was why they
were waiting.

[Mike]

Post by Vicky Ayech

Post by Mike

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
[]

Post by Vicky Ayech
I think most companies not being contactable by email is disgraceful.

+1.

Post by Vicky Ayech
I prefer not to phone them and hang on for ages to get through after
trawling through menus and then I have trouble now with some accents
if the voice is not clear as my hearing is worse, and also I want a
written record of what was said.

It's that last point that I consider most important. I always feel that
if I give them a 'phone number, I'll get a call from someone who doesn't
understand the point/query/whatever, and what is worse won't
realise/accept that they don't get it, thus wasting everybody's time.
(Of course, I'll get the same ignorance/insolence via email, but at
least I then have a copy of their idiocy.)

Post by Vicky Ayech
I don't know who your energy company is but I'm with Bulb now, thanks
to umrats' recommendations, and recently got £50 for being the first
to give Fenny a link to move to them too :). She got £50 too. Bulb
reply to emails reasonably quickly and the website works quite well.
They are green more or less and seem a good price.

I'll look at them next time I'm thinking of switching. Do they fit
second-generation "smart" meters (i. e. ones that continue to work if I
switch away)?

Currently, all meters being fitted are I think, still Smets1 type; the
Govvy keeps telling us that Smets2 are almost ready for roll out. (Guffaw).

When checking them out to join I asked about a smart meter and they
said those would be done middle of this year. They have not yet. I
believe the next generation are being sent out and that was why they
were waiting.

Our gas and electricity smart meters fitted a week ago last Thursday are
Smets1 and the engineer thought he might be fitting a Smets2 ‘shortly’. Of
course the co’s encouraging you to have sm’s are happy with Smets1 type as
it is another obstacle to you changing supplier - a disincentive if you
will.

[Sid Nuncius]

Post by Mike
Our gas and electricity smart meters fitted a week ago last Thursday are
Smets1 and the engineer thought he might be fitting a Smets2 ‘shortly’. Of
course the co’s encouraging you to have sm’s are happy with Smets1 type as
it is another obstacle to you changing supplier - a disincentive if you
will.

A very good point, Mike.

[Mike]

Post by Sid Nuncius

Post by Mike
Our gas and electricity smart meters fitted a week ago last Thursday are
Smets1 and the engineer thought he might be fitting a Smets2 ‘shortly’. Of
course the co’s encouraging you to have sm’s are happy with Smets1 type as
it is another obstacle to you changing supplier - a disincentive if you
will.

A very good point, Mike.

And another thing... I note that the display indicates variations in
electrical consumption within about two or three seconds yet, gas
consumption changes take approximately 20 minutes to be displayed. Any
ideas techrats please?

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

Post by Sid Nuncius

Post by Mike
Our gas and electricity smart meters fitted a week ago last Thursday are
Smets1 and the engineer thought he might be fitting a Smets2
‘shortly’. Of
course the co’s encouraging you to have sm’s are happy with Smets1 type as
it is another obstacle to you changing supplier - a disincentive if you
will.

A very good point, Mike.

What happens, both to the readout thingy they give you and to meter
readings, if you _do_ get a smets1 meter and then switch? Does the
readout thingy stop working altogether? Do the meter parts still have
_some_ display on them - if not, how does the meter reader from the
company you've switched to take a reading? (I presume that after
switching you're back to sending a man in to look at the meter.)

[Mike]

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)

Post by Sid Nuncius

Post by Mike
Our gas and electricity smart meters fitted a week ago last Thursday are
Smets1 and the engineer thought he might be fitting a Smets2
‘shortly’. Of
course the co’s encouraging you to have sm’s are happy with Smets1 type as
it is another obstacle to you changing supplier - a disincentive if you
will.

A very good point, Mike.

What happens, both to the readout thingy they give you and to meter
readings, if you _do_ get a smets1 meter and then switch? Does the
readout thingy stop working altogether? Do the meter parts still have
_some_ display on them - if not, how does the meter reader from the
company you've switched to take a reading? (I presume that after
switching you're back to sending a man in to look at the meter.)

.... or woman... but I must admit, all the energy consumption monitoring
agents I have meant appear to be male...

[Sam Plusnet]

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)

Post by Sid Nuncius

Post by Mike
Our gas and electricity smart meters fitted a week ago last Thursday are
Smets1 and the engineer thought he might be fitting a Smets2
‘shortly’. Of
course the co’s encouraging you to have sm’s are happy with Smets1 type as
it is another obstacle to you changing supplier - a disincentive if you
will.

A very good point, Mike.

What happens, both to the readout thingy they give you and to meter
readings, if you _do_ get a smets1 meter and then switch? Does the
readout thingy stop working altogether? Do the meter parts still have
_some_ display on them - if not, how does the meter reader from the
company you've switched to take a reading? (I presume that after
switching you're back to sending a man in to look at the meter.)

I haven't looked into the details of smart meters, since I don't see
much of an advantage in our case - but I was interested to find out how
the smart gas meter is powered.

Googling tells me the gas meter has a battery - but the battery should
last a long time since "it only has to transmit its data a short
distance to the electricity meter".

Interesting!
Our two meters are at the furthest points of the building - and the gas
meter is built _within_ a wall - which should play havoc with the signal
strength.

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

Post by Sam Plusnet

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)

Post by Sid Nuncius

Post by Mike
Our gas and electricity smart meters fitted a week ago last Thursday are
Smets1 and the engineer thought he might be fitting a Smets2 ‘shortly’. Of
course the co’s encouraging you to have sm’s are happy with Smets1 type as
it is another obstacle to you changing supplier - a disincentive if you
will.

A very good point, Mike.

What happens, both to the readout thingy they give you and to meter
readings, if you _do_ get a smets1 meter and then switch? Does the
readout thingy stop working altogether? Do the meter parts still have
_some_ display on them - if not, how does the meter reader from the
company you've switched to take a reading? (I presume that after
switching you're back to sending a man in to look at the meter.)

I haven't looked into the details of smart meters, since I don't see
much of an advantage in our case - but I was interested to find out how
the smart gas meter is powered.
Googling tells me the gas meter has a battery - but the battery should
last a long time since "it only has to transmit its data a short
distance to the electricity meter".
Interesting!
Our two meters are at the furthest points of the building - and the gas
meter is built _within_ a wall - which should play havoc with the
signal strength.

Interesting. I was going to say what about the people who only have one,
but I suppose that's more likely to be the other way round - I don't
suppose there are many who don't have electricity. Though what happens
if you get them from different "suppliers", which lots of people are?

(As for your one inside a wall, I presume they'll try to give it an
aerial that isn't.)

[Fenny]

On Tue, 7 Aug 2018 10:45:15 +0100, Sid Nuncius

Post by Sid Nuncius

Post by Mike
Our gas and electricity smart meters fitted a week ago last Thursday are
Smets1 and the engineer thought he might be fitting a Smets2 ‘shortly’. Of
course the co’s encouraging you to have sm’s are happy with Smets1 type as
it is another obstacle to you changing supplier - a disincentive if you
will.

A very good point, Mike.

If I had a SM, it's lack of connectivity to other suppliers would be a
long way down my list of reasons not to change. Until all SMs are
changeable, I'm not convinced they're of any use to me.

[Jenny M Benson]

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
I'll look at them next time I'm thinking of switching. Do they fit
second-generation "smart" meters (i. e. ones that continue to work if I
switch away)?

I'm very surprised that so many Umrats indulge in this switching lark.
Who do you think is paying for all the admin of switching and the
rewards to "recommenders"? It's partly the poor sods like me who are
not costing the fuel companies anything in terms of admin switching and
recommendations.

As for the Guvverment keeping on telling me how much money I am going to
save if I have a smart meter ... How does that work out? Are they
going to reward me with a reduction in fuel charges simply because I
have one? I think not. I use as much fuel as I need to. I am not
suddenly going to find the flat doesn't get as cold or I can see better
in the dark because (at more expense to everyone) I have a smart meter.

[Mike Ruddock]

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
I'll look at them next time I'm thinking of switching. Do they fit
second-generation "smart" meters (i. e. ones that continue to work if
I switch away)?

I'm very surprised that so many Umrats indulge in this switching lark.
Who do you think is paying for all the admin of switching and the
rewards to "recommenders"?  It's partly the poor sods like me who are
not costing the fuel companies anything in terms of admin switching and
recommendations.
As for the Guvverment keeping on telling me how much money I am going to
save if I have a smart meter ...  How does that work out?  Are they
going to reward me with a reduction in fuel charges simply because I
have one?  I think not.  I use as much fuel as I need to.  I am not
suddenly going to find the flat doesn't get as cold or I can see better
in the dark because (at more expense to everyone) I have a smart meter.

Eggs-Acktly

Mike Ruddock

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
I'll look at them next time I'm thinking of switching. Do they fit
second-generation "smart" meters (i. e. ones that continue to work if
I switch away)?

I'm very surprised that so many Umrats indulge in this switching lark.
Who do you think is paying for all the admin of switching and the
rewards to "recommenders"? It's partly the poor sods like me who are
not costing the fuel companies anything in terms of admin switching and
recommendations.

Yes, it's a Great Con, put in place purely as a sop to those who claim
that putting monopolies into private hands is a licence to print money.

Post by Jenny M Benson
As for the Guvverment keeping on telling me how much money I am going
to save if I have a smart meter ... How does that work out? Are they
going to reward me with a reduction in fuel charges simply because I
have one? I think not. I use as much fuel as I need to. I am not
suddenly going to find the flat doesn't get as cold or I can see better
in the dark because (at more expense to everyone) I have a smart meter.

Of course you aren't. https://www.asa.org.uk/make-a-complaint.html - not
that individual ones will have any effect, but if they get enough of
them ...

(And while we're at it, it _must_ be possible to do something about the
adverts for Duracell and that pain-killer whose name I keep forgetting,
both of which basically say "our Skoda can carry more people than a
bicycle".)

[Sid Nuncius]

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
I'll look at them next time I'm thinking of switching. Do they fit
second-generation "smart" meters (i. e. ones that continue to work if
I switch away)?

I'm very surprised that so many Umrats indulge in this switching lark.
Who do you think is paying for all the admin of switching and the
rewards to "recommenders"?  It's partly the poor sods like me who are
not costing the fuel companies anything in terms of admin switching and
recommendations.
As for the Guvverment keeping on telling me how much money I am going to
save if I have a smart meter ...  How does that work out?  Are they
going to reward me with a reduction in fuel charges simply because I
have one?  I think not.  I use as much fuel as I need to.  I am not
suddenly going to find the flat doesn't get as cold or I can see better
in the dark because (at more expense to everyone) I have a smart meter.

I'm absolutely with you on the smart meter issue. I don't want more
internet-dependent (and possibly hackable) devices in my home, gathering
information for others from which I derive no observable benefit,
thanks. My view is that those wanting to install one may use them as a
suppository and I shall continue to use the completely stupid meters
which have worked reliably for me for decades. No doubt I shall be
compelled to change at some point, though.

As for switching, I do think there is benefit in it. Large existing
companies have been transporting the urine with excessive charges and
I'm pleased that I switched. I don't jump around every year chasing the
lowest rates, but a couple of switches in the last 5 years or so have
saved me several hundred pounds a year compared with what my long-term
old suppliers, EDF and British Gas, would have charged.

I'm highly dubious about there being much real competition in the energy
market, whatever exponents of privatisation may say, but I'm prepared to
use what there is to avoid being exploited by a huge private business.
I'd prefer to be exploited by a small one. :o)

[Vicky Ayech]

On Tue, 7 Aug 2018 10:03:07 +0100, Sid Nuncius

Post by Sid Nuncius

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
I'll look at them next time I'm thinking of switching. Do they fit
second-generation "smart" meters (i. e. ones that continue to work if
I switch away)?

I'm very surprised that so many Umrats indulge in this switching lark.
Who do you think is paying for all the admin of switching and the
rewards to "recommenders"?  It's partly the poor sods like me who are
not costing the fuel companies anything in terms of admin switching and
recommendations.
As for the Guvverment keeping on telling me how much money I am going to
save if I have a smart meter ...  How does that work out?  Are they
going to reward me with a reduction in fuel charges simply because I
have one?  I think not.  I use as much fuel as I need to.  I am not
suddenly going to find the flat doesn't get as cold or I can see better
in the dark because (at more expense to everyone) I have a smart meter.

I'm absolutely with you on the smart meter issue. I don't want more
internet-dependent (and possibly hackable) devices in my home, gathering
information for others from which I derive no observable benefit,
thanks. My view is that those wanting to install one may use them as a
suppository and I shall continue to use the completely stupid meters
which have worked reliably for me for decades. No doubt I shall be
compelled to change at some point, though.
As for switching, I do think there is benefit in it. Large existing
companies have been transporting the urine with excessive charges and
I'm pleased that I switched. I don't jump around every year chasing the
lowest rates, but a couple of switches in the last 5 years or so have
saved me several hundred pounds a year compared with what my long-term
old suppliers, EDF and British Gas, would have charged.
I'm highly dubious about there being much real competition in the energy
market, whatever exponents of privatisation may say, but I'm prepared to
use what there is to avoid being exploited by a huge private business.
I'd prefer to be exploited by a small one. :o)

The old meters didn't always work and working out what you are charged
from them was often impossible. The companies did cheat. The new
meters are supposed to show clearly what you use and how much it
costs.

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

In message <***@4ax.com>, Vicky Ayech
<***@gmail.com> writes:
[]

Post by Vicky Ayech
The old meters didn't always work and working out what you are charged
from them was often impossible. The companies did cheat. The new
meters are supposed to show clearly what you use and how much it
costs.

Other than that they're newer and thus on the earlier part of the
bathtub curve, I'm not aware that the actual metering part of the
"smart" meters is any more reliable than the old ones; in the case of
the gas ones, at least, I'm not even aware that the mechanism is any
different, other than having some electronics tagged onto it.

I've never had any trouble "working out what I am charged" from
old-style meters: OK, the actual bills were and are often arcane,
especially where estimated readings are involved, but I can't blame that
on the meters - nor would I expect it to be any different with a "smart"
one, other than that there shouldn't be any estimated readings. (Which I
agree is a good thing - though AIUI the biannual "safety check" will
still be required, so the main attraction of a "smart" meter is lost to
me.)

[Mike]

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
[]

Post by Vicky Ayech
The old meters didn't always work and working out what you are charged
from them was often impossible. The companies did cheat. The new
meters are supposed to show clearly what you use and how much it
costs.

Other than that they're newer and thus on the earlier part of the
bathtub curve, I'm not aware that the actual metering part of the
"smart" meters is any more reliable than the old ones; in the case of
the gas ones, at least, I'm not even aware that the mechanism is any
different, other than having some electronics tagged onto it.
I've never had any trouble "working out what I am charged" from
old-style meters: OK, the actual bills were and are often arcane,
especially where estimated readings are involved, but I can't blame that
on the meters - nor would I expect it to be any different with a "smart"
one, other than that there shouldn't be any estimated readings. (Which I
agree is a good thing - though AIUI the biannual "safety check" will
still be required, so the main attraction of a "smart" meter is lost to
me.)

Wot ‘biannual “safety check”’ is that then? EMNTK!

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

[]

Post by Mike

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
I've never had any trouble "working out what I am charged" from
old-style meters: OK, the actual bills were and are often arcane,
especially where estimated readings are involved, but I can't blame that
on the meters - nor would I expect it to be any different with a "smart"
one, other than that there shouldn't be any estimated readings. (Which I
agree is a good thing - though AIUI the biannual "safety check" will
still be required, so the main attraction of a "smart" meter is lost to
me.)

Wot ‘biannual “safety check”’ is that then? EMNTK!

SSE (pretending to be "M&S Energy") say they have to physically look at
my meter at least once every two years.

I've has similar puzzlement when I've mentioned this elsewhere, so I
think it may be a funny of theirs; I may ask them about it next time
they want to do it. Now that I'm broken*, it's less of a problem, but
still tedious.

*not working

[Mike]

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
[]

Post by Mike

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
I've never had any trouble "working out what I am charged" from
old-style meters: OK, the actual bills were and are often arcane,
especially where estimated readings are involved, but I can't blame that
on the meters - nor would I expect it to be any different with a "smart"
one, other than that there shouldn't be any estimated readings. (Which I
agree is a good thing - though AIUI the biannual "safety check" will
still be required, so the main attraction of a "smart" meter is lost to
me.)

Wot ‘biannual “safety check”’ is that then? EMNTK!

SSE (pretending to be "M&S Energy") say they have to physically look at
my meter at least once every two years.
I've has similar puzzlement when I've mentioned this elsewhere, so I
think it may be a funny of theirs; I may ask them about it next time
they want to do it. Now that I'm broken*, it's less of a problem, but
still tedious.
*not working

;-))) I too am ‘broken’ Jpeg as I have been retired almost six years now. A
few years (5-6 maybe) someone called to read our electricity meter and
checked physical integrity, noted the serial number and model and told us
that it was with a view to replacement at the appropriate time - heard
nuffink from no-one until a few months ago when we were ‘invited to have it
and the gas meter replaced with less dumb units.

[Mike]

Post by Mike

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
[]

Post by Mike

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
I've never had any trouble "working out what I am charged" from
old-style meters: OK, the actual bills were and are often arcane,
especially where estimated readings are involved, but I can't blame that
on the meters - nor would I expect it to be any different with a "smart"
one, other than that there shouldn't be any estimated readings. (Which I
agree is a good thing - though AIUI the biannual "safety check" will
still be required, so the main attraction of a "smart" meter is lost to
me.)

Wot ‘biannual “safety check”’ is that then? EMNTK!

SSE (pretending to be "M&S Energy") say they have to physically look at
my meter at least once every two years.
I've has similar puzzlement when I've mentioned this elsewhere, so I
think it may be a funny of theirs; I may ask them about it next time
they want to do it. Now that I'm broken*, it's less of a problem, but
still tedious.
*not working

;-))) I too am ‘broken’ Jpeg as I have been retired almost six years now. A
few years (5-6 maybe) someone called to read our electricity meter and
checked physical integrity, noted the serial number and model and told us
that it was with a view to replacement at the appropriate time - heard
nuffink from no-one until a few months ago when we were ‘invited to have it
and the gas meter replaced with less dumb units.

Mine dew, in 1985/6 our then electricity meter became time expired and was
duly replaced - with a unit that even counted electricity we weren’t using!
When we discovered this, contacted SEB who of course quoted the usual
nonsense and said this was extremely unlikely; furthermore, if we wanted it
checked, we would be charged..... I pointed out we could see the disc
rotating whilst every single appliance and electrical device was
disconnected.... at this point, they threw doubts on my ability to know
what I had connected etc. but eventually, agreed to test the meter. The
engineer who came confirmed my findings and the meter was replaced, so now
we are on the fourth electricity meter since we moved in in 1985.

[Vicky Ayech]

Post by Mike

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
[]

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
I've never had any trouble "working out what I am charged" from
old-style meters: OK, the actual bills were and are often arcane,
especially where estimated readings are involved, but I can't blame that
on the meters - nor would I expect it to be any different with a "smart"
one, other than that there shouldn't be any estimated readings. (Which I
agree is a good thing - though AIUI the biannual "safety check" will
still be required, so the main attraction of a "smart" meter is lost to
me.)

Wot ‘biannual “safety check”’ is that then? EMNTK!

SSE (pretending to be "M&S Energy") say they have to physically look at
my meter at least once every two years.
I've has similar puzzlement when I've mentioned this elsewhere, so I
think it may be a funny of theirs; I may ask them about it next time
they want to do it. Now that I'm broken*, it's less of a problem, but
still tedious.
*not working

;-))) I too am ‘broken’ Jpeg as I have been retired almost six years now. A
few years (5-6 maybe) someone called to read our electricity meter and
checked physical integrity, noted the serial number and model and told us
that it was with a view to replacement at the appropriate time - heard
nuffink from no-one until a few months ago when we were ‘invited to have it
and the gas meter replaced with less dumb units.

Mine dew, in 1985/6 our then electricity meter became time expired and was
duly replaced - with a unit that even counted electricity we weren’t using!
When we discovered this, contacted SEB who of course quoted the usual
nonsense and said this was extremely unlikely; furthermore, if we wanted it
checked, we would be charged..... I pointed out we could see the disc
rotating whilst every single appliance and electrical device was
disconnected.... at this point, they threw doubts on my ability to know
what I had connected etc. but eventually, agreed to test the meter. The
engineer who came confirmed my findings and the meter was replaced, so now
we are on the fourth electricity meter since we moved in in 1985.

This happened to us years ago with gas, British I think at the time.
We were out of the country for 6 months and everything turned off and
got a bill so had the meter checked even though they said it can't be
wrong and we'd have to pay. We were right. Banks do it with
unauthorised charges on cards etc too, deny it can happen. How many
umrats are reading umra now and what chances that two of us had it
happen? Does that make it less frequent that one would hope?

[Sam Plusnet]

On 07-Aug-18 15:13, Mike wrote:

snip
The

Post by Mike
engineer who came confirmed my findings and the meter was replaced, so now
we are on the fourth electricity meter since we moved in in 1985.

Interesting. We have had our meters changed (AFAICR) only once since 1980.

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

[]

Post by Mike

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
they want to do it. Now that I'm broken*, it's less of a problem, but
still tedious.
*not working

;-))) I too am ‘broken’ Jpeg as I have been retired almost six years now. A
few years (5-6 maybe) someone called to read our electricity meter and
checked physical integrity, noted the serial number and model and told us
that it was with a view to replacement at the appropriate time - heard
nuffink from no-one until a few months ago when we were ‘invited to have it
and the gas meter replaced with less dumb units.

Knowing your and Chris's sight problems, if they insist - or, even,
apply a lot of pressure (I _think_ they can't actually _insist_) on
giving you a "smart" meter, I'd ask if it would be possible to see
(working!) examples of the readout part of the proposed meter(s), to see
if you could actually use it/them. In case you don't know, this is an
object you can place (I think) anywhere in your house (might have to be
within a _certain_ distance of the meter[s], I'm not sure), which tells
you about your energy use.

The only one I've seen is the one my blind friends in Newcastle were
given, which is no use to them at all - they have no sight. (I presume
they either accepted the smart meter as it removes the need for someone
to read their meter, or didn't realise they had a choice; I can't
remember if I've ever asked them.) It's IIRR about 2/3 of A4 in size,
white plastic, with a foot so it stands up like a photo frame. It has an
LC display, which can show a graph of various durations (last hour, day,
week, that sort of thing), or figures in either kilowatts or pennies -
either per something (minute? hour?) you're currently using, or how much
in the last (again selectable). IIRR, if left to its own devices (i. e.
you don't press any if its buttons), it cycles round a subset of these
options. It also has a green, yellow, and red light, which give an
at-a-glance indication of current use: I think the whole thing is only
electricity; normally the green light is on, but if they turn on a
moderate load it changes to the yellow one, and kettle and cooker at
once certainly the red.

I presume there are different models, and I'd have hoped that your
pushing company would have someone set up to demonstrate them. On the
one I've seen, I'm not sure whether you'd be able to see all of the LCD
readout. The red light _could_ be a useful reminder that one has left
the cooker on.

[Mike]

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
I presume there are different models, and I'd have hoped that your
pushing company would have someone set up to demonstrate them. On the
one I've seen, I'm not sure whether you'd be able to see all of the LCD
readout. The red light _could_ be a useful reminder that one has left
the cooker on.

We are able to see the led display easily enough, earning the pension to
pay the bills is another matter of course;-))). Reading the externally
mounted gas meter was a PITA and the internal electricity meter was not the
easiest task in the circs., a torch being a necessity and crouching to
read the damn thing another.

[John Ashby]

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
[]

Post by Mike

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
I've never had any trouble "working out what I am charged" from
old-style meters: OK, the actual bills were and are often arcane,
especially where estimated readings are involved, but I can't blame that
on the meters - nor would I expect it to be any different with a "smart"
one, other than that there shouldn't be any estimated readings. (Which I
agree is a good thing - though AIUI the biannual "safety check" will
still be required, so the main attraction of a "smart" meter is lost to
me.)

Wot ‘biannual “safety check”’ is that then? EMNTK!

SSE (pretending to be "M&S Energy") say they have to physically look at
my meter at least once every two years.

Biennial, Shirley?

john

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

[]

Post by John Ashby

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)

Post by Mike

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
agree is a good thing - though AIUI the biannual "safety check" will
still be required, so the main attraction of a "smart" meter is lost to
me.)

Wot ‘biannual “safety check”’ is that then? EMNTK!

SSE (pretending to be "M&S Energy") say they have to physically look
at my meter at least once every two years.

Biennial, Shirley?
john

Yes, I'm pretty sure you're right. Just that the -ennial ending always
makes me think of celebrations, mainly of the razzmatazz American kind.

[Sid Nuncius]

Post by John Ashby
Biennial, Shirley?

Nugger. Should have learned to read to the end of the thread before
posting.

Sorry, John and John.

[Sid Nuncius]

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)

Post by Mike

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
I've never had any trouble "working out what I am charged" from
old-style meters: OK, the actual bills were and are often arcane,
especially where estimated readings are involved, but I can't blame that
on the meters - nor would I expect it to be any different with a "smart"
one, other than that there shouldn't be any estimated readings. (Which I
agree is a good thing - though AIUI the biannual "safety check" will
still be required, so the main attraction of a "smart" meter is lost to
me.)

Wot ‘biannual “safety check”’ is that then? EMNTK!

SSE (pretending to be "M&S Energy") say they have to physically look at
my meter at least once every two years.

Erme...isn't that "biennial"? Not that it happens either biannually or
biennially here. :o)

DINTAFPOU?

[krw]

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
SSE (pretending to be "M&S Energy") say they have to physically look at
my meter at least once every two years.

I think the requirement is to read the meter every two years to ensure
all of the estimates and customer readings are not drifting far from the
truth. Your supplier may dress it up as H&S.

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

Post by krw

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
SSE (pretending to be "M&S Energy") say they have to physically look
at my meter at least once every two years.

I think the requirement is to read the meter every two years to ensure
all of the estimates and customer readings are not drifting far from
the truth. Your supplier may dress it up as H&S.

I wouldn't mind if that (checking my readings) were the case, but - if
so - I object to the lie. (But when I've mentioned the alleged
"requirement" - here or elsewhere - I've I don't think found anyone else
who has encountered the requirement at all.)

P. S.: weird - my spellchecker just objected to the word "case". [And it
isn't that I'd typed a funny character - it objected to it again at the
end of the sentence before this one.]

[Sam Plusnet]

Post by krw

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
SSE (pretending to be "M&S Energy") say they have to physically look
at my meter at least once every two years.

I think the requirement is to read the meter every two years to ensure
all of the estimates and customer readings are not drifting far from the
truth.  Your supplier may dress it up as H&S.

Our meter reader dressed up as an employee of a sub contract outfit who
do the work for quite a few 'Energy Suppliers'.

I don't think I've seen one for quite a while, so that "every two years"
figure might be honoured in the breach around here.

[Sally Thompson]

Post by Vicky Ayech
On Tue, 7 Aug 2018 10:03:07 +0100, Sid Nuncius

Post by Sid Nuncius

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
I'll look at them next time I'm thinking of switching. Do they fit
second-generation "smart" meters (i. e. ones that continue to work if
I switch away)?

I'm very surprised that so many Umrats indulge in this switching lark.
Who do you think is paying for all the admin of switching and the
rewards to "recommenders"?  It's partly the poor sods like me who are
not costing the fuel companies anything in terms of admin switching and
recommendations.
As for the Guvverment keeping on telling me how much money I am going to
save if I have a smart meter ...  How does that work out?  Are they
going to reward me with a reduction in fuel charges simply because I
have one?  I think not.  I use as much fuel as I need to.  I am not
suddenly going to find the flat doesn't get as cold or I can see better
in the dark because (at more expense to everyone) I have a smart meter.

I'm absolutely with you on the smart meter issue. I don't want more
internet-dependent (and possibly hackable) devices in my home, gathering
information for others from which I derive no observable benefit,
thanks. My view is that those wanting to install one may use them as a
suppository and I shall continue to use the completely stupid meters
which have worked reliably for me for decades. No doubt I shall be
compelled to change at some point, though.
As for switching, I do think there is benefit in it. Large existing
companies have been transporting the urine with excessive charges and
I'm pleased that I switched. I don't jump around every year chasing the
lowest rates, but a couple of switches in the last 5 years or so have
saved me several hundred pounds a year compared with what my long-term
old suppliers, EDF and British Gas, would have charged.
I'm highly dubious about there being much real competition in the energy
market, whatever exponents of privatisation may say, but I'm prepared to
use what there is to avoid being exploited by a huge private business.
I'd prefer to be exploited by a small one. :o)

The old meters didn't always work and working out what you are charged
from them was often impossible. The companies did cheat. The new
meters are supposed to show clearly what you use and how much it
costs.

We don't have (or want) a smart meter. We read our own and submit readings
to Bulb every month. That way we know exactly what we're using.

[SODAM]

Post by Sally Thompson
We don't have (or want) a smart meter. We read our own and submit readings
to Bulb every month. That way we know exactly what we're using.

Good choice. My daughter has a smart meter. There is house building going
on nearby and every time the builders switch off the power, her meter goes
awry. *From using £4-5 per day, the meter began to register £80 - 100.
Repeated complaints brought a visit from the smart meter company after
about six weeks. It was reset. Then the power was switched off again. **

Repeat from * to ** over and over again. She never bothers to look
nowadays. How is she saving money? Her bills are the same as they always
have been.

[Kate B]

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
I'll look at them next time I'm thinking of switching. Do they fit
second-generation "smart" meters (i. e. ones that continue to work if
I switch away)?

I'm very surprised that so many Umrats indulge in this switching lark.
Who do you think is paying for all the admin of switching and the
rewards to "recommenders"?  It's partly the poor sods like me who are
not costing the fuel companies anything in terms of admin switching
and recommendations.
As for the Guvverment keeping on telling me how much money I am going
to save if I have a smart meter ...  How does that work out?  Are they
going to reward me with a reduction in fuel charges simply because I
have one?  I think not.  I use as much fuel as I need to.  I am not
suddenly going to find the flat doesn't get as cold or I can see
better in the dark because (at more expense to everyone) I have a
smart meter.

I'm absolutely with you on the smart meter issue.  I don't want more
internet-dependent (and possibly hackable) devices in my home, gathering
information for others from which I derive no observable benefit,
thanks.  My view is that those wanting to install one may use them as a
suppository and I shall continue to use the completely stupid meters
which have worked reliably for me for decades.  No doubt I shall be
compelled to change at some point, though.
As for switching, I do think there is benefit in it.  Large existing
companies have been transporting the urine with excessive charges and
I'm pleased that I switched.  I don't jump around every year chasing the
lowest rates, but a couple of switches in the last 5 years or so have
saved me several hundred pounds a year compared with what my long-term
old suppliers, EDF and British Gas, would have charged.
I'm highly dubious about there being much real competition in the energy
market, whatever exponents of privatisation may say, but I'm prepared to
use what there is to avoid being exploited by a huge private business.
I'd prefer to be exploited by a small one.  :o)

We had an interesting experience with smartmeters linked to OVO. We
acquired a small house in Edinburgh last year. We plan to retire there
in due course and meanwhile it's rented out long-term. It had
smartmeters and I must say they were extremely useful during the period
of renovation, which included a very cold spell in November when we
couldn't get up there - we could see when the builders were active (not
always when they said they were), and we could make sure that the
heating came on for a while to avoid any frost damage. When someone
inadvertently turned it off we noticed within a day and got it turned
back on again. OVO were excellent communicators and all our dealings
with them were very straightforward and intelligent. Of course, then the
house was let out, the new tenants took over the energy, and we
suspended the OVO account until further notice.

Having remote access to the meters was extremely useful while the house
was unoccupied. I cannot imagine, though, what earthly use they are when
you are actually on the premises, and I agree with Sid completely about
having minumum hackable electronics in your home. Even the now-essential
things, like one's computer, are monitored by goodness knows how many
agencies - I switched off the egregious Google Assistant on my tablet as
soon as I realised it was listening to our conversations.

(Scary story: I thought I'd dismissed the Assistant, but then I was
taking to Ralph about deleting temporary internet files and suddenly a
voice pipes up from the tablet 'I have suggestions for managing your
temporary internet files'. You can't delete this thing, but if you go
into the deepest oubliette of the settings you can disable it permanently)

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

In message <***@mid.individual.net>, Sid Nuncius
<***@hotmail.co.uk> writes:
[]

Post by Sid Nuncius
I'm absolutely with you on the smart meter issue. I don't want more
internet-dependent (and possibly hackable) devices in my home,
gathering information for others from which I derive no observable

The hackable is a good point: it is my understanding that they can cut
off the electric/gas. Now while I can see this is useful in the event of
a fire or the building becoming safe - or just inaccessible - for other
reasons, I'm highly dubious about enabling the company to be able to
remotely cut you off - in the event of a dispute, say. And that's before
any hacking possibilities.

Post by Sid Nuncius
benefit, thanks. My view is that those wanting to install one may use
them as a suppository

I like it (-:! (Goes with solar-anal illumination.)

Post by Sid Nuncius
and I shall continue to use the completely stupid meters which have
worked reliably for me for decades. No doubt I shall be compelled to
change at some point, though.
As for switching, I do think there is benefit in it. Large existing
companies have been transporting the urine with excessive charges and
I'm pleased that I switched. I don't jump around every year chasing
the lowest rates, but a couple of switches in the last 5 years or so
have saved me several hundred pounds a year compared with what my
long-term old suppliers, EDF and British Gas, would have charged.

It has set a precedent, though, and now (apart from those of us who
don't) we accept it as an annual chore, that we have to search round
alternatives, and then haggle with our current supplier, for all sorts
of things - in my case the ones that come to mind are car insurance,
broadband/phone, and genealogy. (That last, I actually got half price,
which was a significant reduction. [That was a haggle rather than a
switch - the two main companies are effective monopolies.])

Post by Sid Nuncius
I'm highly dubious about there being much real competition in the
energy market, whatever exponents of privatisation may say, but I'm

There isn't; it all comes from the same sources. (Even those "buying
green" aren't really, though I know it does have _some_ effect.) The
only ways they can effectively compete is in the administration area
("customer service" as it's laughingly called), and advance purchases of
energy, which is a financial matter not an energy sourcing one.

Post by Sid Nuncius
prepared to use what there is to avoid being exploited by a huge
private business. I'd prefer to be exploited by a small one. :o)

On the whole, I agree there! (Though they can be worse when things go
wrong - but in the case of energy suppliers, there are [some] safeguards
- you won't get cut off.)

[Sam Plusnet]

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
It has set a precedent, though, and now (apart from those of us who
don't) we accept it as an annual chore, that we have to search round
alternatives, and then haggle with our current supplier, for all sorts
of things - in my case the ones that come to mind are car insurance,
broadband/phone, and genealogy. (That last, I actually got half price,
which was a significant reduction. [That was a haggle rather than a
switch - the two main companies are effective monopolies.])

Re Genealogy. Is the company Ancestry John?

In my idle moments I wonder about getting back to it after a few years
lapse, but their charges are off-putting, so if there's a good way to
haggle them down I would be interested.

I know you were renewing, but all these firms want new customers &
usually offer better deals to the fresh punter.

[Nick Odell]

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
I'll look at them next time I'm thinking of switching. Do they fit
second-generation "smart" meters (i. e. ones that continue to work if
I switch away)?

I'm very surprised that so many Umrats indulge in this switching lark.
Who do you think is paying for all the admin of switching and the
rewards to "recommenders"?  It's partly the poor sods like me who are
not costing the fuel companies anything in terms of admin switching
and recommendations.
As for the Guvverment keeping on telling me how much money I am going
to save if I have a smart meter ...  How does that work out?  Are they
going to reward me with a reduction in fuel charges simply because I
have one?  I think not.  I use as much fuel as I need to.  I am not
suddenly going to find the flat doesn't get as cold or I can see
better in the dark because (at more expense to everyone) I have a
smart meter.

I'm absolutely with you on the smart meter issue.  I don't want more
internet-dependent (and possibly hackable) devices in my home, gathering
information for others from which I derive no observable benefit,
thanks.  My view is that those wanting to install one may use them as a
suppository and I shall continue to use the completely stupid meters
which have worked reliably for me for decades.  No doubt I shall be
compelled to change at some point, though.
As for switching, I do think there is benefit in it.  Large existing
companies have been transporting the urine with excessive charges and
I'm pleased that I switched.  I don't jump around every year chasing the
lowest rates, but a couple of switches in the last 5 years or so have
saved me several hundred pounds a year compared with what my long-term
old suppliers, EDF and British Gas, would have charged.
I'm highly dubious about there being much real competition in the energy
market, whatever exponents of privatisation may say, but I'm prepared to
use what there is to avoid being exploited by a huge private business.
I'd prefer to be exploited by a small one.  :o)

The Telegraph is predicting that energy companies want to use smart
meters to enable surge pricing.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/07/30/smart-meters-will-let-companies-change-cost-electricity-every/

Nick

[Sam Plusnet]

On 07-Aug-18 10:03, Sid Nuncius wrote:

snip

Post by Sid Nuncius
I'm highly dubious about there being much real competition in the energy
market, whatever exponents of privatisation may say, but I'm prepared to
use what there is to avoid being exploited by a huge private business.
I'd prefer to be exploited by a small one.  :o)

I think you are entirely wrong about competition Sid.

There is great competition between energy suppliers - to discover which
one can produce the most confusing set of complex tariffs in order to
make the punter _think_ they're getting the best deal, whilst maximising
shareholder returns - which is what a company is designed to do after all.

[LFS]

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
I'll look at them next time I'm thinking of switching. Do they fit
second-generation "smart" meters (i. e. ones that continue to work if
I switch away)?

I'm very surprised that so many Umrats indulge in this switching lark.
Who do you think is paying for all the admin of switching and the
rewards to "recommenders"?  It's partly the poor sods like me who are
not costing the fuel companies anything in terms of admin switching and
recommendations.
As for the Guvverment keeping on telling me how much money I am going to
save if I have a smart meter ...  How does that work out?  Are they
going to reward me with a reduction in fuel charges simply because I
have one?  I think not.  I use as much fuel as I need to.  I am not
suddenly going to find the flat doesn't get as cold or I can see better
in the dark because (at more expense to everyone) I have a smart meter.

Spot on. I refuse to switch when I'm getting good service from a
supplier. I think the rewards are illusory and I have better things to
spend my time on.

[Sam Plusnet]

On 06-Aug-18 18:21, Vicky Ayech wrote:

snip

Post by Vicky Ayech
I think most companies not being contactable by email is disgraceful.

When contacting those firms who do accept emails, how often do you get a
response which shows that they have actually _read_ your email?

Far too often you get a boilerplate response which doesn't address your
point at all.

This is the email equivalent of the website where you are only permitted
to select one of their pre-determined questions.
"None of the above" is not an available option.

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

Post by Sam Plusnet
snip

Post by Vicky Ayech
I think most companies not being contactable by email is disgraceful.

When contacting those firms who do accept emails, how often do you get
a response which shows that they have actually _read_ your email?

Slightly more often than getting no response at all, I think. (Thoserats
who have switched to bulb on reports of good customer service - I think
it's now been UMRA's preferred supplier for a little while; is it
showing any signs of deteriorating yet?)

Post by Sam Plusnet
Far too often you get a boilerplate response which doesn't address your
point at all.
This is the email equivalent of the website where you are only
permitted to select one of their pre-determined questions.
"None of the above" is not an available option.

Yes, I'm currently trying the BBC's official complaint router; it does
have an "other" choice on some, but not all, questions. (Coincidentally,
one of the complaints I'm putting through is indeed about the lack of
email addresses - though in this case as compared to the frequency of
Twitter/Facebook ones rather than altogether.)

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

In message <***@4ax.com>, Penny
<***@labyrinth.freeuk.com> writes:
[]

Post by Penny
Having found no way to contact the energy company through their website
(it's my day for being astounded) I looked through emails and found they

I stopped being astounded about that some time ago. Lots of companies
seem very unwilling to be contacted: at "best" you might (after much
digging) find a webform, on which you'll have to select an option that
doesn't relate to what you're trying to contact them about.

And it is also highly likely to _demand_ a 'phone number ("mandatory" -
very rude, IMO). If I encounter such, I always give them one of their
own helpdesk numbers!
[]

Post by Penny
I often worry that we all depend too much upon the internet and if we lose
it everything will grind to a halt. I'm beginning to worry that with the
gradual loss of those who understood systems before the internet existed,
we are all doomed.

YANA.

[Penny]

On Tue, 7 Aug 2018 04:10:21 +0100, "J. P. Gilliver (John)"

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
[]

Post by Penny
Having found no way to contact the energy company through their website
(it's my day for being astounded) I looked through emails and found they

I stopped being astounded about that some time ago. Lots of companies
seem very unwilling to be contacted: at "best" you might (after much
digging) find a webform, on which you'll have to select an option that
doesn't relate to what you're trying to contact them about.

We have an easily found webform on Geograph (people often make the wrong
selection but it rarely matters). Somebody used it yesterday to complain
about something and demand the removal of a number (unspecified) of photos
(also unspecified) in a particular area on the grounds of copyright
infringement.

I asked for further details, in particular the URLs of the photos he was
talking about - I'd already found them, searched for other appearances of
them online (none), checked the make and model of the camera used against
others taken by the same person in the years before and after this set and
contacted the photographer thinking it just might be a prank/harassment
from someone they know.

The correspondent's response was to ask for our telephone number. We don't
have one I said, and asked again for a list of the photos.

He came back saying "all the photos" and wanting to know our address. We
don't really have one of those either although the charity/company has a
registered office and it is shown, along with the secretary/treasurer's
address somewhere on the website but I couldn't be bothered to go looking
for it. I did point out we have well over 5million photos though.

So we are happy* to be contacted but only by email, there is no 'office',
there are no phones, just lots of computers in private houses all over the
British Isles (and beyond).

*if sometimes frustrated

[LFS]

Post by Penny
When I returned from a week away I found I had missed 8 phone calls, all
from different numbers - astounding! no body ever phones me (except
scammers who have not yet been black-listed).
Two of these had left a message, one of which identified themself as a
company I'd never heard of and asked me to input my meter readings at
myreading.net. Wary of a scam I went to my energy supplier website and
entered my readings as usual. I noticed the previous reading of the
electricity meter had been done on 30 July but the gas meter had apparently
never been read by anyone but me. This suggested to me the meter reading
company get paid per meter and by trying to get me to enter a reading on
their website they could then claim it for themselves.
Having found no way to contact the energy company through their website
(it's my day for being astounded) I looked through emails and found they
are one of many companies who don't have the company name built in to their
email sending and are nested with others who prefer to be hard to identify,

If the CEO's email is listed at ceoemail.com it's worth sending a
message about your complaint and also complaining about the lack of
contact details. Of course the response will be either a boilerplate
message or a badly written message from an intern in the "customer
service department" but your message will be logged somewhere.

Post by Penny
I wrote to them asking if sending a map of where my meters are relative to
each other would be helpful and if I was correct in assuming readings
entered on myreadings.net would mean more money for the incompetent meter
readers.
So far I received 3 replies, all sent at the same time, thanking me for my
message and promising to reply within 7 working days.
I often worry that we all depend too much upon the internet and if we lose
it everything will grind to a halt. I'm beginning to worry that with the
gradual loss of those who understood systems before the internet existed,
we are all doomed.

Indeed. I am hoping to have popped my clogs before the crack of doom,
though.

On Sunday I received a mysterious request for feedback on my transaction
with a company called Petsmart of Long Beach, California. I ignored it
but then received an email from them, addressed to "Dear Laurie" with a
receipt for $11.99 attached. I replied, explaining that I had no pets
and was a long way from California. Within minutes I received a very
polite message from "Customer services" apologising and saying that
there must have been an error at the store, I should delete the emails
and that I should not be concerned about any of my personal data being
compromised. I was quite impressed.

[Penny]

On Tue, 7 Aug 2018 16:37:03 +0100, LFS <***@gmail.com>
scrawled in the dust...

Post by LFS
On Sunday I received a mysterious request for feedback on my transaction
with a company called Petsmart of Long Beach, California. I ignored it
but then received an email from them, addressed to "Dear Laurie" with a
receipt for $11.99 attached. I replied, explaining that I had no pets
and was a long way from California. Within minutes I received a very
polite message from "Customer services" apologising and saying that
there must have been an error at the store, I should delete the emails
and that I should not be concerned about any of my personal data being
compromised. I was quite impressed.

Really?
I'd have been concerned - how did they get your email address?

[Fenny]

Post by Penny
scrawled in the dust...

Post by LFS
On Sunday I received a mysterious request for feedback on my transaction
with a company called Petsmart of Long Beach, California. I ignored it
but then received an email from them, addressed to "Dear Laurie" with a
receipt for $11.99 attached. I replied, explaining that I had no pets
and was a long way from California. Within minutes I received a very
polite message from "Customer services" apologising and saying that
there must have been an error at the store, I should delete the emails
and that I should not be concerned about any of my personal data being
compromised. I was quite impressed.

Really?
I'd have been concerned - how did they get your email address?

Probably either taken it down wrong or mistyped it on the email. My
normal email address has "uk" in it. If you leave it out, that's a
whole other person's email address, who doesn't live in the UK.

[BrritSki]

Post by Fenny

Post by Penny
scrawled in the dust...

Post by LFS
On Sunday I received a mysterious request for feedback on my transaction
with a company called Petsmart of Long Beach, California. I ignored it
but then received an email from them, addressed to "Dear Laurie" with a
receipt for $11.99 attached. I replied, explaining that I had no pets
and was a long way from California. Within minutes I received a very
polite message from "Customer services" apologising and saying that
there must have been an error at the store, I should delete the emails
and that I should not be concerned about any of my personal data being
compromised. I was quite impressed.

Really?
I'd have been concerned - how did they get your email address?

Probably either taken it down wrong or mistyped it on the email. My
normal email address has "uk" in it. If you leave it out, that's a
whole other person's email address, who doesn't live in the UK.

There are a lot of rtilbury's in the world and quite a few of them use
gmail. Several of them think that adding full stops to the address means
their email addy is different to mine.

It took quite a while for the Robin lady in America to figure this out,
despite my repeated emails to her. The Ryan in Alaska was much more
polite, but still did it several times. The latest was for someone in
the US military with an attached ppt presentation about an upcoming
exercise in the Pacific. Luckily the contents were unclassified, but the
sender was very apologetic. It won't be the last...

[LFS]

Post by BrritSki

Post by Penny
scrawled in the dust...

Post by LFS
On Sunday I received a mysterious request for feedback on my transaction
with a company called Petsmart of Long Beach, California. I ignored it
but then received an email from them, addressed to "Dear Laurie" with a
receipt for $11.99 attached. I replied, explaining that I had no pets
and was a long way from California. Within minutes I received a very
polite message from "Customer services" apologising and saying that
there must have been an error at the store, I should delete the emails
and that I should not be concerned about any of my personal data being
compromised. I was quite impressed.

Really?
I'd have been concerned - how did they get your email address?

Probably either taken it down wrong or mistyped it on the email.  My
normal email address has "uk" in it.  If you leave it out, that's a
whole other person's email address, who doesn't live in the UK.

There are a lot of rtilbury's in the world and quite a few of them use
gmail. Several of them think that adding full stops to the address means
their email addy is different to mine.
It took quite a while for the Robin lady in America to figure this out,
despite my repeated emails to her. The Ryan in Alaska was much more
polite, but still did it several times. The latest was for someone in
the US military with an attached ppt presentation about an upcoming
exercise in the Pacific. Luckily the contents were unclassified, but the
sender was very apologetic. It won't be the last...

Much the same confusion as sometimes occurred with the old-fashioned
telephone.

We get occasional calls from people wanting the services of KwikFit
because their number has the same digits as ours with two transposed.
For a time we also had calls for a new hairdressing salon. These became
such a nuisance that I contacted them and politely asked them to
consider changing their number. Their response was not exactly polite so
when people rang for appointments, I happily arranged them. I wish I had
seen what happened when they arrived at the salon. The calls stopped
fairly quickly after that.

[Mike]

Post by LFS

Post by BrritSki

Post by Penny
scrawled in the dust...

Post by LFS
On Sunday I received a mysterious request for feedback on my transaction
with a company called Petsmart of Long Beach, California. I ignored it
but then received an email from them, addressed to "Dear Laurie" with a
receipt for $11.99 attached. I replied, explaining that I had no pets
and was a long way from California. Within minutes I received a very
polite message from "Customer services" apologising and saying that
there must have been an error at the store, I should delete the emails
and that I should not be concerned about any of my personal data being
compromised. I was quite impressed.

Really?
I'd have been concerned - how did they get your email address?

Probably either taken it down wrong or mistyped it on the email.  My
normal email address has "uk" in it.  If you leave it out, that's a
whole other person's email address, who doesn't live in the UK.

There are a lot of rtilbury's in the world and quite a few of them use
gmail. Several of them think that adding full stops to the address means
their email addy is different to mine.
It took quite a while for the Robin lady in America to figure this out,
despite my repeated emails to her. The Ryan in Alaska was much more
polite, but still did it several times. The latest was for someone in
the US military with an attached ppt presentation about an upcoming
exercise in the Pacific. Luckily the contents were unclassified, but the
sender was very apologetic. It won't be the last...

Much the same confusion as sometimes occurred with the old-fashioned
telephone.
We get occasional calls from people wanting the services of KwikFit
because their number has the same digits as ours with two transposed.
For a time we also had calls for a new hairdressing salon. These became
such a nuisance that I contacted them and politely asked them to
consider changing their number. Their response was not exactly polite so
when people rang for appointments, I happily arranged them. I wish I had
seen what happened when they arrived at the salon. The calls stopped
fairly quickly after that.

In 1974, I had a landline and ‘phone installed in the house I had just
moved into; within a short while, I started receiving calls enquiring ‘Is
that The National Westminster Bank?’ It transpired my number was a re-issue
after what turned out to be an indeterminate but too short a gap. I
eventually started to answer - ‘That depends, if you are making a deposit,
yes but, if requesting a withdrawal, no.’

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

[]

Post by Mike

Post by LFS
Much the same confusion as sometimes occurred with the old-fashioned
telephone.
We get occasional calls from people wanting the services of KwikFit
because their number has the same digits as ours with two transposed.
For a time we also had calls for a new hairdressing salon. These became
such a nuisance that I contacted them and politely asked them to
consider changing their number. Their response was not exactly polite so
when people rang for appointments, I happily arranged them. I wish I had
seen what happened when they arrived at the salon. The calls stopped
fairly quickly after that.

Do you think that was cause and effect! Like it, anyway.

Post by Mike
In 1974, I had a landline and ‘phone installed in the house I had just
moved into; within a short while, I started receiving calls enquiring ‘Is
that The National Westminster Bank?’ It transpired my number was a re-issue
after what turned out to be an indeterminate but too short a gap. I
eventually started to answer - ‘That depends, if you are making a deposit,
yes but, if requesting a withdrawal, no.’

(-:

The number I've had (for I think over 10 years now) used to belong to a
lady accountant (not at the same address). I still - within the last few
months one, anyway - get calls for her; obviously some people don't call
their accountant very often! Since I have found her new number, I
usually give it, and the callers are usually both very apologetic and
grateful; I've even occasionally returned calls that have been left on
my voicemail system - if I do so after 7 pm, it doesn't cost me
anything, and I don't mind being helpful in that manner.

I've also - at least once in the ten years, but I think twice or thrice
- found I'd been left what sounded like a bakery order from a pub; I
assume I must have a similar number, and someone in the pub has
transposed digits on their noticeboard or something. I don't usually
return those ones, because by the time I've noticed them, I assume the
pub has also noticed their buns or whatever haven't materialised.

[Mike]

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
[]

Post by Mike

Post by LFS
Much the same confusion as sometimes occurred with the old-fashioned
telephone.
We get occasional calls from people wanting the services of KwikFit
because their number has the same digits as ours with two transposed.
For a time we also had calls for a new hairdressing salon. These became
such a nuisance that I contacted them and politely asked them to
consider changing their number. Their response was not exactly polite so
when people rang for appointments, I happily arranged them. I wish I had
seen what happened when they arrived at the salon. The calls stopped
fairly quickly after that.

Do you think that was cause and effect! Like it, anyway.

Post by Mike
In 1974, I had a landline and ‘phone installed in the house I had just
moved into; within a short while, I started receiving calls enquiring ‘Is
that The National Westminster Bank?’ It transpired my number was a re-issue
after what turned out to be an indeterminate but too short a gap. I
eventually started to answer - ‘That depends, if you are making a deposit,
yes but, if requesting a withdrawal, no.’

The number I've had (for I think over 10 years now) used to belong to a
lady accountant (not at the same address). I still - within the last few
months one, anyway - get calls for her; obviously some people don't call
their accountant very often! Since I have found her new number, I
usually give it, and the callers are usually both very apologetic and
grateful; I've even occasionally returned calls that have been left on
my voicemail system - if I do so after 7 pm, it doesn't cost me
anything, and I don't mind being helpful in that manner.
I've also - at least once in the ten years, but I think twice or thrice
- found I'd been left what sounded like a bakery order from a pub; I
assume I must have a similar number, and someone in the pub has
transposed digits on their noticeboard or something. I don't usually
return those ones, because by the time I've noticed them, I assume the
pub has also noticed their buns or whatever haven't materialised.

Pips’ did.

[Penny]

On Thu, 9 Aug 2018 00:52:32 +0100, "J. P. Gilliver (John)"

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
The number I've had (for I think over 10 years now) used to belong to a
lady accountant (not at the same address). I still - within the last few
months one, anyway - get calls for her; obviously some people don't call
their accountant very often!

The previous owner of my number (different address) owed money I think. We
were plagued by calls for him for a year or two, presumably because when we
said "He does not live here" we were not believed.

[Penny]

On Wed, 8 Aug 2018 08:54:30 +0100, LFS <***@gmail.com>
scrawled in the dust...

Post by LFS
For a time we also had calls for a new hairdressing salon. These became
such a nuisance that I contacted them and politely asked them to
consider changing their number. Their response was not exactly polite so
when people rang for appointments, I happily arranged them. I wish I had
seen what happened when they arrived at the salon. The calls stopped
fairly quickly after that.

Brilliant!
:))

[Nick Odell]

Post by LFS

Post by BrritSki

Post by Penny
scrawled in the dust...

Post by LFS
On Sunday I received a mysterious request for feedback on my transaction
with a company called Petsmart of Long Beach, California. I ignored it
but then received an email from them, addressed to "Dear Laurie" with a
receipt for $11.99 attached. I replied, explaining that I had no pets
and was a long way from California. Within minutes I received a very
polite message from "Customer services" apologising and saying that
there must have been an error at the store, I should delete the emails
and that I should not be concerned about any of my personal data being
compromised. I was quite impressed.

Really?
I'd have been concerned - how did they get your email address?

Probably either taken it down wrong or mistyped it on the email.  My
normal email address has "uk" in it.  If you leave it out, that's a
whole other person's email address, who doesn't live in the UK.

There are a lot of rtilbury's in the world and quite a few of them use
gmail. Several of them think that adding full stops to the address
means their email addy is different to mine.
It took quite a while for the Robin lady in America to figure this
out, despite my repeated emails to her. The Ryan in Alaska was much
more polite, but still did it several times. The latest was for
someone in the US military with an attached ppt presentation about an
upcoming exercise in the Pacific. Luckily the contents were
unclassified, but the sender was very apologetic. It won't be the last...

Much the same confusion as sometimes occurred with the old-fashioned
telephone.
We get occasional calls from people wanting the services of KwikFit
because their number has the same digits as ours with two transposed.
For a time we also had calls for a new hairdressing salon. These became
such a nuisance that I contacted them and politely asked them to
consider changing their number. Their response was not exactly polite so
when people rang for appointments, I happily arranged them. I wish I had
seen what happened when they arrived at the salon. The calls stopped
fairly quickly after that.

Our number was two transposed digits different from the Border Collie
Rescue Centre half a mile away and we sometimes received interesting
messages. Not connected with the BCRC was the detailed message left on
the answering machine by a gentleman confirming with a mate the details
of the crime they were going to commit. We called the police, offered
them the answerphone tape but they said they didn't have anything to
play it on so ended up transcribing the contents longhand into a poice
notebook. Never did find out what happened after that.

Nick

[Chris McMillan]

Post by Nick Odell

Post by LFS

Post by BrritSki

Post by Penny
scrawled in the dust...

Post by LFS
On Sunday I received a mysterious request for feedback on my transaction
with a company called Petsmart of Long Beach, California. I ignored it
but then received an email from them, addressed to "Dear Laurie" with a
receipt for $11.99 attached. I replied, explaining that I had no pets
and was a long way from California. Within minutes I received a very
polite message from "Customer services" apologising and saying that
there must have been an error at the store, I should delete the emails
and that I should not be concerned about any of my personal data being
compromised. I was quite impressed.

Really?
I'd have been concerned - how did they get your email address?

Probably either taken it down wrong or mistyped it on the email.  My
normal email address has "uk" in it.  If you leave it out, that's a
whole other person's email address, who doesn't live in the UK.

There are a lot of rtilbury's in the world and quite a few of them use
gmail. Several of them think that adding full stops to the address
means their email addy is different to mine.
It took quite a while for the Robin lady in America to figure this
out, despite my repeated emails to her. The Ryan in Alaska was much
more polite, but still did it several times. The latest was for
someone in the US military with an attached ppt presentation about an
upcoming exercise in the Pacific. Luckily the contents were
unclassified, but the sender was very apologetic. It won't be the last...

Much the same confusion as sometimes occurred with the old-fashioned
telephone.
We get occasional calls from people wanting the services of KwikFit
because their number has the same digits as ours with two transposed.
For a time we also had calls for a new hairdressing salon. These became
such a nuisance that I contacted them and politely asked them to
consider changing their number. Their response was not exactly polite so
when people rang for appointments, I happily arranged them. I wish I had
seen what happened when they arrived at the salon. The calls stopped
fairly quickly after that.

Our number was two transposed digits different from the Border Collie
Rescue Centre half a mile away and we sometimes received interesting
messages. Not connected with the BCRC was the detailed message left on
the answering machine by a gentleman confirming with a mate the details
of the crime they were going to commit. We called the police, offered
them the answerphone tape but they said they didn't have anything to
play it on so ended up transcribing the contents longhand into a poice
notebook. Never did find out what happened after that.
Nick

Respect!

Sincerely Chris

[Fenny]

Post by LFS
We get occasional calls from people wanting the services of KwikFit
because their number has the same digits as ours with two transposed.
For a time we also had calls for a new hairdressing salon. These became
such a nuisance that I contacted them and politely asked them to
consider changing their number. Their response was not exactly polite so
when people rang for appointments, I happily arranged them. I wish I had
seen what happened when they arrived at the salon. The calls stopped
fairly quickly after that.

Our number was one digit different from a local primary school and we
regularly got parents ringing up to say their little dear was poorly
and wouldn't be in for the day. Not one believed us when we said we
weren't the school and they should ring number XXXXX.

We also shared a number, but different dialing code, for the Hillary's
blinds franchise in Rotherham. The adverts in the local paper never
said they were in Rotherham and never gave a dialing code. Despite us
contacting the blind people on several occasions, they never changed
the advert. When people rang to ask about their blinds we would say
"Dunno mate, we never got the order", or "Ready next week, love", or
WTTE.

[Nick Odell]

Post by BrritSki

Post by Penny
scrawled in the dust...

Post by LFS
On Sunday I received a mysterious request for feedback on my transaction
with a company called Petsmart of Long Beach, California. I ignored it
but then received an email from them, addressed to "Dear Laurie" with a
receipt for $11.99 attached. I replied, explaining that I had no pets
and was a long way from California. Within minutes I received a very
polite message from "Customer services" apologising and saying that
there must have been an error at the store, I should delete the emails
and that I should not be concerned about any of my personal data being
compromised. I was quite impressed.

Really?
I'd have been concerned - how did they get your email address?

Probably either taken it down wrong or mistyped it on the email.  My
normal email address has "uk" in it.  If you leave it out, that's a
whole other person's email address, who doesn't live in the UK.

There are a lot of rtilbury's in the world and quite a few of them use
gmail. Several of them think that adding full stops to the address means
their email addy is different to mine.
It took quite a while for the Robin lady in America to figure this out,
despite my repeated emails to her. The Ryan in Alaska was much more
polite, but still did it several times. The latest was for someone in
the US military with an attached ppt presentation about an upcoming
exercise in the Pacific. Luckily the contents were unclassified, but the
sender was very apologetic. It won't be the last...

I don't get sent military exercise plans but I have been called up for
the Canadian Hockey Youth Team, received acknowledgement of pizza
delivery orders in New Brunswick and been inaugurated into the Mr Lube
Club of Canada.

Nick

[BrritSki]

Post by Nick Odell

Post by BrritSki

Post by Penny
scrawled in the dust...

Post by LFS
On Sunday I received a mysterious request for feedback on my transaction
with a company called Petsmart of Long Beach, California. I ignored it
but then received an email from them, addressed to "Dear Laurie" with a
receipt for $11.99 attached. I replied, explaining that I had no pets
and was a long way from California. Within minutes I received a very
polite message from "Customer services" apologising and saying that
there must have been an error at the store, I should delete the emails
and that I should not be concerned about any of my personal data being
compromised. I was quite impressed.

Really?
I'd have been concerned - how did they get your email address?

Probably either taken it down wrong or mistyped it on the email.  My
normal email address has "uk" in it.  If you leave it out, that's a
whole other person's email address, who doesn't live in the UK.

There are a lot of rtilbury's in the world and quite a few of them use
gmail. Several of them think that adding full stops to the address
means their email addy is different to mine.
It took quite a while for the Robin lady in America to figure this
out, despite my repeated emails to her. The Ryan in Alaska was much
more polite, but still did it several times. The latest was for
someone in the US military with an attached ppt presentation about an
upcoming exercise in the Pacific. Luckily the contents were
unclassified, but the sender was very apologetic. It won't be the last...

I don't get sent military exercise plans but I have been called up for
the Canadian Hockey Youth Team, received acknowledgement of pizza
delivery orders in New Brunswick and been inaugurated into the Mr Lube
Club of Canada.

Blimey, I hate to think what the initiation ceremony for that is....

[Jim Easterbrook]

Post by BrritSki

Post by Nick Odell
I don't get sent military exercise plans but I have been called up for
the Canadian Hockey Youth Team, received acknowledgement of pizza
delivery orders in New Brunswick and been inaugurated into the Mr Lube
Club of Canada.

Blimey, I hate to think what the initiation ceremony for that is....

They start by getting well oiled.

[Mike]

Post by BrritSki

Post by Nick Odell

Post by BrritSki

Post by Penny
scrawled in the dust...

Post by LFS
On Sunday I received a mysterious request for feedback on my transaction
with a company called Petsmart of Long Beach, California. I ignored it
but then received an email from them, addressed to "Dear Laurie" with a
receipt for $11.99 attached. I replied, explaining that I had no pets
and was a long way from California. Within minutes I received a very
polite message from "Customer services" apologising and saying that
there must have been an error at the store, I should delete the emails
and that I should not be concerned about any of my personal data being
compromised. I was quite impressed.

Really?
I'd have been concerned - how did they get your email address?

Probably either taken it down wrong or mistyped it on the email.  My
normal email address has "uk" in it.  If you leave it out, that's a
whole other person's email address, who doesn't live in the UK.

There are a lot of rtilbury's in the world and quite a few of them use
gmail. Several of them think that adding full stops to the address
means their email addy is different to mine.
It took quite a while for the Robin lady in America to figure this
out, despite my repeated emails to her. The Ryan in Alaska was much
more polite, but still did it several times. The latest was for
someone in the US military with an attached ppt presentation about an
upcoming exercise in the Pacific. Luckily the contents were
unclassified, but the sender was very apologetic. It won't be the last...

I don't get sent military exercise plans but I have been called up for
the Canadian Hockey Youth Team, received acknowledgement of pizza
delivery orders in New Brunswick and been inaugurated into the Mr Lube
Club of Canada.

Blimey, I hate to think what the initiation ceremony for that is....

One probably just slips in via the back door.

[LFS]

Post by Mike

Post by BrritSki

Post by Nick Odell

Post by BrritSki

Post by Penny
scrawled in the dust...

Post by LFS
On Sunday I received a mysterious request for feedback on my transaction
with a company called Petsmart of Long Beach, California. I ignored it
but then received an email from them, addressed to "Dear Laurie" with a
receipt for $11.99 attached. I replied, explaining that I had no pets
and was a long way from California. Within minutes I received a very
polite message from "Customer services" apologising and saying that
there must have been an error at the store, I should delete the emails
and that I should not be concerned about any of my personal data being
compromised. I was quite impressed.

Really?
I'd have been concerned - how did they get your email address?

Probably either taken it down wrong or mistyped it on the email.  My
normal email address has "uk" in it.  If you leave it out, that's a
whole other person's email address, who doesn't live in the UK.

There are a lot of rtilbury's in the world and quite a few of them use
gmail. Several of them think that adding full stops to the address
means their email addy is different to mine.
It took quite a while for the Robin lady in America to figure this
out, despite my repeated emails to her. The Ryan in Alaska was much
more polite, but still did it several times. The latest was for
someone in the US military with an attached ppt presentation about an
upcoming exercise in the Pacific. Luckily the contents were
unclassified, but the sender was very apologetic. It won't be the last...

I don't get sent military exercise plans but I have been called up for
the Canadian Hockey Youth Team, received acknowledgement of pizza
delivery orders in New Brunswick and been inaugurated into the Mr Lube
Club of Canada.

Blimey, I hate to think what the initiation ceremony for that is....

One probably just slips in via the back door.

Oh BTN!

[Jenny M Benson]

Post by LFS

Post by Mike

Post by BrritSki

Post by Nick Odell

Post by BrritSki

Post by Penny
scrawled in the dust...

Post by LFS
On Sunday I received a mysterious request for feedback on my transaction
with a company called Petsmart of Long Beach, California. I ignored it
but then received an email from them, addressed to "Dear Laurie" with a
receipt for $11.99 attached. I replied, explaining that I had no pets
and was a long way from California. Within minutes I received a very
polite message from "Customer services" apologising and saying that
there must have been an error at the store, I should delete the emails
and that I should not be concerned about any of my personal data being
compromised. I was quite impressed.

Really?
I'd have been concerned - how did they get your email address?

Probably either taken it down wrong or mistyped it on the email.  My
normal email address has "uk" in it.  If you leave it out, that's a
whole other person's email address, who doesn't live in the UK.

There are a lot of rtilbury's in the world and quite a few of them use
gmail. Several of them think that adding full stops to the address
means their email addy is different to mine.
It took quite a while for the Robin lady in America to figure this
out, despite my repeated emails to her. The Ryan in Alaska was much
more polite, but still did it several times. The latest was for
someone in the US military with an attached ppt presentation about an
upcoming exercise in the Pacific. Luckily the contents were
unclassified, but the sender was very apologetic. It won't be the last...

I don't get sent military exercise plans but I have been called up for
the Canadian Hockey Youth Team, received acknowledgement of pizza
delivery orders in New Brunswick and been inaugurated into the Mr Lube
Club of Canada.

Blimey, I hate to think what the initiation ceremony for that is....

One probably just slips in via the back door.

Oh BTN!

I think MV but *also* BT, so accepted.

[Mike]

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by LFS

Post by Mike

Post by BrritSki

Post by Nick Odell

Post by BrritSki

Post by Penny
scrawled in the dust...

Post by LFS
On Sunday I received a mysterious request for feedback on my transaction
with a company called Petsmart of Long Beach, California. I ignored it
but then received an email from them, addressed to "Dear Laurie" with a
receipt for $11.99 attached. I replied, explaining that I had no pets
and was a long way from California. Within minutes I received a very
polite message from "Customer services" apologising and saying that
there must have been an error at the store, I should delete the emails
and that I should not be concerned about any of my personal data being
compromised. I was quite impressed.

Really?
I'd have been concerned - how did they get your email address?

Probably either taken it down wrong or mistyped it on the email.  My
normal email address has "uk" in it.  If you leave it out, that's a
whole other person's email address, who doesn't live in the UK.

There are a lot of rtilbury's in the world and quite a few of them use
gmail. Several of them think that adding full stops to the address
means their email addy is different to mine.
It took quite a while for the Robin lady in America to figure this
out, despite my repeated emails to her. The Ryan in Alaska was much
more polite, but still did it several times. The latest was for
someone in the US military with an attached ppt presentation about an
upcoming exercise in the Pacific. Luckily the contents were
unclassified, but the sender was very apologetic. It won't be the last...

I don't get sent military exercise plans but I have been called up for
the Canadian Hockey Youth Team, received acknowledgement of pizza
delivery orders in New Brunswick and been inaugurated into the Mr Lube
Club of Canada.

Blimey, I hate to think what the initiation ceremony for that is....

One probably just slips in via the back door.

Oh BTN!

I think MV but *also* BT, so accepted.

Ooh! Ta muchly; (blushes profusely) second nomination in as many weeks I
think.

[BrritSki]

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by LFS

Post by Mike

Post by BrritSki

Post by Nick Odell

Post by Nick Odell
I don't get sent military exercise plans but I have been called up for

the Canadian Hockey Youth Team, received acknowledgement of pizza
delivery orders in New Brunswick and been inaugurated into the Mr Lube
Club of Canada.

Blimey, I hate to think what the initiation ceremony for that is....

One probably just slips in via the back door.

Oh BTN!

I think MV but *also* BT, so accepted.
I think that you should do as in Foopball and include assists for the

people supplying the feedline ;)

[Jenny M Benson]

Post by Jenny M Benson
I think MV but *also* BT, so accepted.
I think that you should do as in Foopball and include assists for the

people supplying the feedline ;)

I think they usually get a mention at the Awards Ceremony.

[Mike]

Post by Fenny

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by LFS

Post by Mike

Post by BrritSki

Post by Nick Odell

Post by Nick Odell
I don't get sent military exercise plans but I have been called

up for

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by LFS

Post by Mike

Post by BrritSki

Post by Nick Odell
the Canadian Hockey Youth Team, received acknowledgement of pizza
delivery orders in New Brunswick and been inaugurated into the Mr Lube
Club of Canada.

Blimey, I hate to think what the initiation ceremony for that is....

One probably just slips in via the back door.

Oh BTN!

I think MV but *also* BT, so accepted.
I think that you should do as in Foopball and include assists for the

people supplying the feedline ;)

I would like to thank my late parents for my upbringing, my wife for her
tolerance, my Umra friends for providing such rich opportunities for
exploitation of their postings, the four cats (all late but, nevertheless,
helping to form my twisted mind over the years), my milkman, my barber,
N-Power, Uncle Tom Cobley, Mick Sturbs and my iPad.....

[Chris McMillan]

Post by Mike

Post by Fenny

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by LFS

Post by Mike

Post by BrritSki

Post by Nick Odell

Post by Nick Odell
I don't get sent military exercise plans but I have been called

up for

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by LFS

Post by Mike

Post by BrritSki

Post by Nick Odell
the Canadian Hockey Youth Team, received acknowledgement of pizza
delivery orders in New Brunswick and been inaugurated into the Mr Lube
Club of Canada.

Blimey, I hate to think what the initiation ceremony for that is....

One probably just slips in via the back door.

Oh BTN!

I think MV but *also* BT, so accepted.
I think that you should do as in Foopball and include assists for the

people supplying the feedline ;)

I would like to thank my late parents for my upbringing, my wife for her
tolerance,

About time too! :)

For those not at the bbqs, McT’s mum thought the bbqs sounded great fun,
and the idea of umra.

[LFS]

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by LFS

Post by Mike

Post by BrritSki

Post by Nick Odell

Post by BrritSki

On Tue, 07 Aug 2018 20:01:50 +0100, Penny

Post by Penny
On Tue, 7 Aug 2018 16:37:03 +0100, LFS
scrawled in the dust...

Post by LFS
On Sunday I received a mysterious request for feedback on my transaction
with a company called Petsmart of Long Beach, California. I ignored it
but then received an email from them, addressed to "Dear Laurie" with a
receipt for $11.99 attached. I replied, explaining that I had no pets
and was a long way from California. Within minutes I received a very
polite message from "Customer services" apologising and saying that
there must have been an error at the store, I should delete the emails
and that I should not be concerned about any of my personal data being
compromised. I was quite impressed.

Really?
I'd have been concerned - how did they get your email address?

Probably either taken it down wrong or mistyped it on the email.  My
normal email address has "uk" in it.  If you leave it out, that's a
whole other person's email address, who doesn't live in the UK.

There are a lot of rtilbury's in the world and quite a few of them use
gmail. Several of them think that adding full stops to the address
means their email addy is different to mine.
It took quite a while for the Robin lady in America to figure this
out, despite my repeated emails to her. The Ryan in Alaska was much
more polite, but still did it several times. The latest was for
someone in the US military with an attached ppt presentation about an
upcoming exercise in the Pacific. Luckily the contents were
unclassified, but the sender was very apologetic. It won't be the last...

I don't get sent military exercise plans but I have been called up for
the Canadian Hockey Youth Team, received acknowledgement of pizza
delivery orders in New Brunswick and been inaugurated into the Mr Lube
Club of Canada.

Blimey, I hate to think what the initiation ceremony for that is....

One probably just slips in via the back door.

Oh BTN!

I think MV but *also* BT, so accepted.

How can it be both? I was under the impression that there was some sort
of scale running from MV to BTN. I would appreciate further explication
of the criteria, please, IINTMT.

[Jenny M Benson]

Post by LFS
How can it be both? I was under the impression that there was some sort
of scale running from MV to BTN. I would appreciate further explication
of the criteria, please, IINTMT.

It can be both because I say so and I'm in charge. My revered leader
would dispute that claim, of course, so please don't anyone tell her I
said so. It could lead to WORDS.

Actually it's all a bit like a bow tie - big wide MV at one side,
narrowing to a merging with BT in the middle and widening out again to
the best of BT at the other side.

[Mike]

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by LFS
How can it be both? I was under the impression that there was some sort
of scale running from MV to BTN. I would appreciate further explication
of the criteria, please, IINTMT.

It can be both because I say so and I'm in charge. My revered leader
would dispute that claim, of course, so please don't anyone tell her I
said so. It could lead to WORDS.
Actually it's all a bit like a bow tie - big wide MV at one side,
narrowing to a merging with BT in the middle and widening out again to
the best of BT at the other side.

Does it have pink spots?

[Jenny M Benson]

Post by Mike

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by LFS
How can it be both? I was under the impression that there was some sort
of scale running from MV to BTN. I would appreciate further explication
of the criteria, please, IINTMT.

It can be both because I say so and I'm in charge. My revered leader
would dispute that claim, of course, so please don't anyone tell her I
said so. It could lead to WORDS.
Actually it's all a bit like a bow tie - big wide MV at one side,
narrowing to a merging with BT in the middle and widening out again to
the best of BT at the other side.

Does it have pink spots?

I fear it would be rash of me to answer that.

[Mike]

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by Mike

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by LFS
How can it be both? I was under the impression that there was some sort
of scale running from MV to BTN. I would appreciate further explication
of the criteria, please, IINTMT.

It can be both because I say so and I'm in charge. My revered leader
would dispute that claim, of course, so please don't anyone tell her I
said so. It could lead to WORDS.
Actually it's all a bit like a bow tie - big wide MV at one side,
narrowing to a merging with BT in the middle and widening out again to
the best of BT at the other side.

Does it have pink spots?

I fear it would be rash of me to answer that.

;-)))

[Btms]

Post by Mike

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by LFS
How can it be both? I was under the impression that there was some sort
of scale running from MV to BTN. I would appreciate further explication
of the criteria, please, IINTMT.

It can be both because I say so and I'm in charge. My revered leader
would dispute that claim, of course, so please don't anyone tell her I
said so. It could lead to WORDS.
Actually it's all a bit like a bow tie - big wide MV at one side,
narrowing to a merging with BT in the middle and widening out again to
the best of BT at the other side.

Does it have pink spots?

Get nim Orf.

[Btms]

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by LFS
How can it be both? I was under the impression that there was some sort
of scale running from MV to BTN. I would appreciate further explication
of the criteria, please, IINTMT.

It can be both because I say so and I'm in charge. My revered leader
wouldProlls dispute that claim, of course, so please don't anyone tell her I
said so. It could lead to WORDS.
Actually it's all a bit like a bow tie - big wide MV at one side,
narrowing to a merging with BT in the middle and widening out again to
the best of BT at the other side.

The btm has my total support. I was waiting for a Snell like dismissal of
challenge.

Prolls. All of ‘em 😎

[LFS]

Post by LFS
How can it be both? I was under the impression that there was some
sort of scale running from MV to BTN. I would appreciate further
explication of the criteria, please, IINTMT.

It can be both because I say so and I'm in charge.  My revered leader
would dispute that claim, of course, so please don't anyone tell her I
said so.  It could lead to WORDS.
Actually it's all a bit like a bow tie - big wide MV at one side,
narrowing to a merging with BT in the middle and widening out again to
the best of BT at the other side.

Thank you. That is a fine analogy and I now completely understand <winks
at audience>

[Sam Plusnet]

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by LFS
How can it be both? I was under the impression that there was some
sort of scale running from MV to BTN. I would appreciate further
explication of the criteria, please, IINTMT.

It can be both because I say so and I'm in charge.

<Awed admiration>

[the Omrud]

Post by LFS

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by LFS

Post by Mike

Post by BrritSki

Post by Nick Odell
I don't get sent military exercise plans but I have been called up
for the Canadian Hockey Youth Team, received acknowledgement of pizza
delivery orders in New Brunswick and been inaugurated into the Mr
Lube Club of Canada.

Blimey, I hate to think what the initiation ceremony for that is....

One probably just slips in via the back door.

Oh BTN!

I think MV but *also* BT, so accepted.

How can it be both? I was under the impression that there was some sort
of scale running from MV to BTN. I would appreciate further explication
of the criteria, please, IINTMT.

Golly, you're brave. That's dangerously close to questioning the
methods of the BTM.

[Btms]

Post by the Omrud

Post by LFS

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by LFS

Post by Mike

Post by BrritSki

Post by Nick Odell
I don't get sent military exercise plans but I have been called up
for the Canadian Hockey Youth Team, received acknowledgement of pizza
delivery orders in New Brunswick and been inaugurated into the Mr
Lube Club of Canada.

Blimey, I hate to think what the initiation ceremony for that is....

One probably just slips in via the back door.

Oh BTN!

I think MV but *also* BT, so accepted.

How can it be both? I was under the impression that there was some sort
of scale running from MV to BTN. I would appreciate further explication
of the criteria, please, IINTMT.

Golly, you're brave. That's dangerously close to questioning the
methods of the BTM.

Who is unchallengeable and has been since this prestigeous appointment was
first created.

[the Omrud]

Post by Btms

Post by the Omrud

Post by LFS

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by LFS

Post by Mike

Post by BrritSki

Post by Nick Odell
I don't get sent military exercise plans but I have been called up
for the Canadian Hockey Youth Team, received acknowledgement of pizza
delivery orders in New Brunswick and been inaugurated into the Mr
Lube Club of Canada.

Blimey, I hate to think what the initiation ceremony for that is....

One probably just slips in via the back door.

Oh BTN!

I think MV but *also* BT, so accepted.

How can it be both? I was under the impression that there was some sort
of scale running from MV to BTN. I would appreciate further explication
of the criteria, please, IINTMT.

Golly, you're brave. That's dangerously close to questioning the
methods of the BTM.

Who is unchallengeable and has been since this prestigeous appointment was
first created.

Has anybody seen LFS since?

[Btms]

Post by the Omrud

Post by Btms

Post by the Omrud

Post by LFS

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by LFS

Post by Mike

Post by BrritSki

Post by Nick Odell
I don't get sent military exercise plans but I have been called up
for the Canadian Hockey Youth Team, received acknowledgement of pizza
delivery orders in New Brunswick and been inaugurated into the Mr
Lube Club of Canada.

Blimey, I hate to think what the initiation ceremony for that is....

One probably just slips in via the back door.

Oh BTN!

I think MV but *also* BT, so accepted.

How can it be both? I was under the impression that there was some sort
of scale running from MV to BTN. I would appreciate further explication
of the criteria, please, IINTMT.

Golly, you're brave. That's dangerously close to questioning the
methods of the BTM.

Who is unchallengeable and has been since this prestigeous appointment was
first created.

Has anybody seen LFS since?

No. But I heard some banging noises from MissusSnell’s shepherd’s hut.

[Mike]

Post by Btms

Post by the Omrud

Post by Btms

Post by the Omrud

Post by LFS

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by LFS

Post by Mike

Post by BrritSki

Post by Nick Odell
I don't get sent military exercise plans but I have been called up
for the Canadian Hockey Youth Team, received acknowledgement of pizza
delivery orders in New Brunswick and been inaugurated into the Mr
Lube Club of Canada.

Blimey, I hate to think what the initiation ceremony for that is....

One probably just slips in via the back door.

Oh BTN!

I think MV but *also* BT, so accepted.

How can it be both? I was under the impression that there was some sort
of scale running from MV to BTN. I would appreciate further explication
of the criteria, please, IINTMT.

Golly, you're brave. That's dangerously close to questioning the
methods of the BTM.

Who is unchallengeable and has been since this prestigeous appointment was
first created.

Has anybody seen LFS since?

No. But I heard some banging noises from MissusSnell’s shepherd’s hut.

Does the patio look as if freshly weeded?

[Btms]

Post by Mike

Post by Btms

Post by the Omrud

Post by Btms

Post by the Omrud

Post by LFS

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by LFS

Post by Mike

Post by BrritSki

Post by Nick Odell
I don't get sent military exercise plans but I have been called up
for the Canadian Hockey Youth Team, received acknowledgement of pizza
delivery orders in New Brunswick and been inaugurated into the Mr
Lube Club of Canada.

Blimey, I hate to think what the initiation ceremony for that is....

One probably just slips in via the back door.

Oh BTN!

I think MV but *also* BT, so accepted.

How can it be both? I was under the impression that there was some sort
of scale running from MV to BTN. I would appreciate further explication
of the criteria, please, IINTMT.

Golly, you're brave. That's dangerously close to questioning the
methods of the BTM.

Who is unchallengeable and has been since this prestigeous appointment was
first created.

Has anybody seen LFS since?

No. But I heard some banging noises from MissusSnell’s shepherd’s hut.

Does the patio look as if freshly weeded?

Certainly not! She would not tolerate any hint of a weed.

[Mike]

Post by Btms

Post by Mike

Post by Btms

Post by the Omrud

Post by Btms

Post by the Omrud

Post by LFS

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by LFS

Post by Mike

Post by BrritSki

Post by Nick Odell
I don't get sent military exercise plans but I have been called up
for the Canadian Hockey Youth Team, received acknowledgement of pizza
delivery orders in New Brunswick and been inaugurated into the Mr
Lube Club of Canada.

Blimey, I hate to think what the initiation ceremony for that is....

One probably just slips in via the back door.

Oh BTN!

I think MV but *also* BT, so accepted.

How can it be both? I was under the impression that there was some sort
of scale running from MV to BTN. I would appreciate further explication
of the criteria, please, IINTMT.

Golly, you're brave. That's dangerously close to questioning the
methods of the BTM.

Who is unchallengeable and has been since this prestigeous appointment was
first created.

Has anybody seen LFS since?

No. But I heard some banging noises from MissusSnell’s shepherd’s hut.

Does the patio look as if freshly weeded?

Certainly not! She would not tolerate any hint of a weed.

No weeds at all? If so, maybe the slabs are freshly re-laid....

[BrritSki]

Post by Btms

Post by the Omrud

Post by Btms

Post by the Omrud

Post by LFS

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by LFS

Post by Mike

Post by BrritSki

Post by Nick Odell
I don't get sent military exercise plans but I have been called up
for the Canadian Hockey Youth Team, received acknowledgement of pizza
delivery orders in New Brunswick and been inaugurated into the Mr
Lube Club of Canada.

Blimey, I hate to think what the initiation ceremony for that is....

One probably just slips in via the back door.

Oh BTN!

I think MV but *also* BT, so accepted.

How can it be both? I was under the impression that there was some sort
of scale running from MV to BTN. I would appreciate further explication
of the criteria, please, IINTMT.

Golly, you're brave. That's dangerously close to questioning the
methods of the BTM.

Who is unchallengeable and has been since this prestigeous appointment was
first created.

Has anybody seen LFS since?

No. But I heard some banging noises from MissusSnell’s shepherd’s hut.

I think that's Robert and Lindy's "siesta"...

[Btms]

Post by BrritSki

Post by Btms

Post by the Omrud

Post by Btms

Post by the Omrud

Post by LFS

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by LFS

Post by Mike

Post by BrritSki

Post by Nick Odell
I don't get sent military exercise plans but I have been called up
for the Canadian Hockey Youth Team, received acknowledgement of pizza
delivery orders in New Brunswick and been inaugurated into the Mr
Lube Club of Canada.

Blimey, I hate to think what the initiation ceremony for that is....

One probably just slips in via the back door.

Oh BTN!

I think MV but *also* BT, so accepted.

How can it be both? I was under the impression that there was some sort
of scale running from MV to BTN. I would appreciate further explication
of the criteria, please, IINTMT.

Golly, you're brave. That's dangerously close to questioning the
methods of the BTM.

Who is unchallengeable and has been since this prestigeous appointment was
first created.

Has anybody seen LFS since?

No. But I heard some banging noises from MissusSnell’s shepherd’s hut.

I think that's Robert and Lindy's "siesta"...

Careful😜

[Mike]

Post by Btms

Post by BrritSki

Post by Btms

Post by the Omrud

Post by Btms

Post by the Omrud

Post by LFS

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by LFS

Post by Mike

Post by BrritSki

Post by Nick Odell
I don't get sent military exercise plans but I have been called up
for the Canadian Hockey Youth Team, received acknowledgement of pizza
delivery orders in New Brunswick and been inaugurated into the Mr
Lube Club of Canada.

Blimey, I hate to think what the initiation ceremony for that is....

One probably just slips in via the back door.

Oh BTN!

I think MV but *also* BT, so accepted.

How can it be both? I was under the impression that there was some sort
of scale running from MV to BTN. I would appreciate further explication
of the criteria, please, IINTMT.

Golly, you're brave. That's dangerously close to questioning the
methods of the BTM.

Who is unchallengeable and has been since this prestigeous appointment was
first created.

Has anybody seen LFS since?

No. But I heard some banging noises from MissusSnell’s shepherd’s hut.

I think that's Robert and Lindy's "siesta"...

Careful😜

Perhaps we should call in a shepherd’spie?

[Chris McMillan]

Post by BrritSki

Post by Btms

Post by the Omrud

Post by Btms

Post by the Omrud

Post by LFS

Post by Jenny M Benson

Post by LFS

Post by Mike

Post by BrritSki

Post by Nick Odell
I don't get sent military exercise plans but I have been called up
for the Canadian Hockey Youth Team, received acknowledgement of pizza
delivery orders in New Brunswick and been inaugurated into the Mr
Lube Club of Canada.

Blimey, I hate to think what the initiation ceremony for that is....

One probably just slips in via the back door.

Oh BTN!

I think MV but *also* BT, so accepted.

How can it be both? I was under the impression that there was some sort
of scale running from MV to BTN. I would appreciate further explication
of the criteria, please, IINTMT.

Golly, you're brave. That's dangerously close to questioning the
methods of the BTM.

Who is unchallengeable and has been since this prestigeous appointment was
first created.

Has anybody seen LFS since?

No. But I heard some banging noises from MissusSnell’s shepherd’s hut.

I think that's Robert and Lindy's "siesta"...

Burst of giggles

Sincerely Chris

[Sam Plusnet]

Post by Nick Odell

Post by BrritSki

Post by Penny
scrawled in the dust...

Post by LFS
On Sunday I received a mysterious request for feedback on my transaction
with a company called Petsmart of Long Beach, California. I ignored it
but then received an email from them, addressed to "Dear Laurie" with a
receipt for $11.99 attached. I replied, explaining that I had no pets
and was a long way from California. Within minutes I received a very
polite message from "Customer services" apologising and saying that
there must have been an error at the store, I should delete the emails
and that I should not be concerned about any of my personal data being
compromised. I was quite impressed.

Really?
I'd have been concerned - how did they get your email address?

Probably either taken it down wrong or mistyped it on the email.  My
normal email address has "uk" in it.  If you leave it out, that's a
whole other person's email address, who doesn't live in the UK.

There are a lot of rtilbury's in the world and quite a few of them use
gmail. Several of them think that adding full stops to the address
means their email addy is different to mine.
It took quite a while for the Robin lady in America to figure this
out, despite my repeated emails to her. The Ryan in Alaska was much
more polite, but still did it several times. The latest was for
someone in the US military with an attached ppt presentation about an
upcoming exercise in the Pacific. Luckily the contents were
unclassified, but the sender was very apologetic. It won't be the last...

I don't get sent military exercise plans but I have been called up for
the Canadian Hockey Youth Team, received acknowledgement of pizza
delivery orders in New Brunswick and been inaugurated into the Mr Lube
Club of Canada.

I do hope you told them where they could stick their membership.

[LFS]

Post by Penny
scrawled in the dust...

Post by LFS
On Sunday I received a mysterious request for feedback on my transaction
with a company called Petsmart of Long Beach, California. I ignored it
but then received an email from them, addressed to "Dear Laurie" with a
receipt for $11.99 attached. I replied, explaining that I had no pets
and was a long way from California. Within minutes I received a very
polite message from "Customer services" apologising and saying that
there must have been an error at the store, I should delete the emails
and that I should not be concerned about any of my personal data being
compromised. I was quite impressed.

Really?
I'd have been concerned - how did they get your email address?

A bit of digging turned up a Laurie Spira in Long Beach so I'm guessing
she has a gmail address too.

Today I had an email from a stranger wishing some other Laura a happy
birthday. I replied pointing out that the right Laura would not have
received the message and received an apology from the sender who said he
was going to give up texting...

I've changed my password anyway.