The Advice Thread

[Tom Hark]

I'm pretty sure you're screwed too, but I'd start with Citizens' Advice. You never know.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Hi all, I’m pretty sure I’m screwed but wondered if anyone here has any experience in this field.

We have a leak in our conservatory caused by the box gutter so I had a specialist conservatory repair company come and do a fix in November. They were here all day and seemed to do a good job, we were told it can take 3 months for it to all fully dry out but they gave a 12 month guarantee.

It’s now been 3 months, still leaking, and the company seems to have disappeared. The website has gone, phone numbers don’t work and I can’t even find them registered anywhere. Last email I had from them was at the start of Feb but there was never any indication they were dodgy.

I feel like a complete moron and I’m now very much out of pocket but I don’t even know who to tell or what to do as they’ve disappeared off the face of the earth.

If they were VAT registered (yeah, I know) then there'll be a record of them somewhere.

 

[Johnny75]

Hi all, I’m pretty sure I’m screwed but wondered if anyone here has any experience in this field.

We have a leak in our conservatory caused by the box gutter so I had a specialist conservatory repair company come and do a fix in November. They were here all day and seemed to do a good job, we were told it can take 3 months for it to all fully dry out but they gave a 12 month guarantee.

It’s now been 3 months, still leaking, and the company seems to have disappeared. The website has gone, phone numbers don’t work and I can’t even find them registered anywhere. Last email I had from them was at the start of Feb but there was never any indication they were dodgy.

I feel like a complete moron and I’m now very much out of pocket but I don’t even know who to tell or what to do as they’ve disappeared off the face of the earth.

Have you looked for them on Companies House?

If they were on there they will have the directors. You may be able to go after them.

 

[AndyWolves]

Hi all, I’m pretty sure I’m screwed but wondered if anyone here has any experience in this field.

We have a leak in our conservatory caused by the box gutter so I had a specialist conservatory repair company come and do a fix in November. They were here all day and seemed to do a good job, we were told it can take 3 months for it to all fully dry out but they gave a 12 month guarantee.

It’s now been 3 months, still leaking, and the company seems to have disappeared. The website has gone, phone numbers don’t work and I can’t even find them registered anywhere. Last email I had from them was at the start of Feb but there was never any indication they were dodgy.

I feel like a complete moron and I’m now very much out of pocket but I don’t even know who to tell or what to do as they’ve disappeared off the face of the earth.

Did they use their own domain name for their emails? (i.e. rather than hotmail etc) Might be able to see who owns the domain

 

[Carrotdude]

Have you looked for them on Companies House?

If they were on there they will have the directors. You may be able to go after them.

Yeah they don’t seem to exist on there

 

[Tredman]

Yeah they don’t seem to exist on there

If you have the name of the boss you can track him down, maybe registered with other companies - often happens with the dodgy ones.

 

[Carrotdude]

If you have the name of the boss you can track him down, maybe registered with other companies - often happens with the dodgy ones.

Thank you, I’ll keep digging but I’m not too hopeful

 

[Wolf Hunting]

Pft, just DIY it, there'll be plenty of 'how to' videos on youtube.

Oh I'm well aware of that. In fact I could do it now with the knowledge i have (Completely rewired my own house in Buxworth years ago), but to get the government's €600 grant, it has to be approved and fitted by a registered electrician. Registered with Safe Electric Ireland.

 

[sycophantia]

Anyone done an advanced driving/riding course?
After 45+ years on the road with lots of different vehicles, kinda feeling I've got a bit blasè and over confident. No doubt I've got a few long term, entrenched bad habits which could be ironed out.
Thinking ROSPA or Institute of Advanced Motorcyclists.

 

[Wolf Hunting]

So you're 60+ years old, you can get from A to D via B and C, in all weathers, at various speeds and if I've read your previous posts correctly, covering alternative terrains without falling off, hitting people, killing small dogs and animals and causing damage, then I'd say you're doing brilliantly. Don't complicate things. Keep It Simple.... (KISS)

 

[sycophantia]

So you're 60+ years old, you can get from A to D via B and C, in all weathers, at various speeds and if I've read your previous posts correctly, covering alternative terrains without falling off, hitting people, killing small dogs and animals and causing damage, then I'd say you're doing brilliantly. Don't complicate things. Keep It Simple.... (KISS)

Never pays to be smug about your abilities, also my age plays a part, doubt my reactions etc are as sharp as they were 25 years ago.
Also I think it will be fun.

 

[Mel Evo]

Never pays to be smug about your abilities, also my age plays a part, doubt my reactions etc are as sharp as they were 25 years ago.
Also I think it will be fun.

Used to do one every year or so back in my shameful days of working for a rather large oil company. They were fantastic. Not sure I was though - when I lived in Spain I kicked one assessment off by getting in the passenger seat to start driving. I was mainly cycling in my spare time back then.... Anyway, loads of fun and I recommend it

 

[Trips]

Anyone done an advanced driving/riding course?
After 45+ years on the road with lots of different vehicles, kinda feeling I've got a bit blasè and over confident. No doubt I've got a few long term, entrenched bad habits which could be ironed out.
Thinking ROSPA or Institute of Advanced Motorcyclists.

Main thing people get bad habits with is observations, and lane discipline (fucking straight lining roundabouts) If you're confident driving/riding then a full intensive course might be a bit OTT. Obviously, if you want to do it then it won't hurt but maybe just a couple of refreshers to brush up could be best.

 

[sycophantia]

Main thing people get bad habits with is observations, and lane discipline (fucking straight lining roundabouts) If you're confident driving/riding then a full intensive course might be a bit OTT. Obviously, if you want to do it then it won't hurt but maybe just a couple of refreshers to brush up could be best.

Think I'm OK with stuff like obs and Lane discipline, it's more the defensive riding techniques and road positioning etc.

 

[EpsomWolf]

Anyone done an advanced driving/riding course?
After 45+ years on the road with lots of different vehicles, kinda feeling I've got a bit blasè and over confident. No doubt I've got a few long term, entrenched bad habits which could be ironed out.
Thinking ROSPA or Institute of Advanced Motorcyclists.

About 10-15 years ago I did some motorcycle training for a few months with the police which was absolutely fantastic. Completely changed the way I ride, most noticeably the position on the road to afford maximum visibility which on bends, is just so very, very different to the instinctive desire to take the quickest/racing line. Would 100% recommend.

All that said, that was part of an initiative by Cambridgeshire Constabulary, offered free of charge and heavily targeted towards the born-again bikers. I’ve no idea if they, or any other force are offering that sort of thing now, but it was run by motorcycle cops in their free time so I guess costs were low so you never know.

I’d certainly have a look at any police related training, may well come to nothing and have to go the IoAM route but worth a quick google for sure.

 

[BillyDee]

Check with your insurance provider, they may have some approved courses that could get you a discount on your premium?

 

[sycophantia]

About 10-15 years ago I did some motorcycle training for a few months with the police which was absolutely fantastic. Completely changed the way I ride, most noticeably the position on the road to afford maximum visibility which on bends, is just so very, very different to the instinctive desire to take the quickest/racing line. Would 100% recommend.

All that said, that was part of an initiative by Cambridgeshire Constabulary, offered free of charge and heavily targeted towards the born-again bikers. I’ve no idea if they, or any other force are offering that sort of thing now, but it was run by motorcycle cops in their free time so I guess costs were low so you never know.

I’d certainly have a look at any police related training, may well come to nothing and have to go the IoAM route but worth a quick google for sure.

I'll probably go IAM or Rospa which are a similar course to police training. I've got/read the police 'bible' Motorcycle Roadcraft which is useful.
I just need to check how much it costs. There are various courses available now.
I guess deep down I'm looking for confirmation that I'm as good as I think I am and also highlight any poor habits I've picked up without realising it.

 

[EpsomWolf]

I'll probably go IAM or Rospa which are a similar course to police training. I've got/read the police 'bible' Motorcycle Roadcraft which is useful.
I just need to check how much it costs. There are various courses available now.
I guess deep down I'm looking for confirmation that I'm as good as I think I am and also highlight any poor habits I've picked up without realising it.

At the risk of taking this thread off on a tangent, I guess you’ll remember the days of L-plates on a 250cc at 17 without any training whatsoever, passing the farcically simple test, and watching the utter carnage as friends killed themselves or had serious accidents left right and centre. Sometimes wonder how I got through myself but there you go, was certainly very close a few times.

Mind if I ask what bike you ride?

 

[sycophantia]

At the risk of taking this thread off on a tangent, I guess you’ll remember the days of L-plates on a 250cc at 17 without any training whatsoever, passing the farcically simple test, and watching the utter carnage as friends killed themselves or had serious accidents left right and centre. Sometimes wonder how I got through myself but there you go, was certainly very close a few times.

Mind if I ask what bike you ride?

Yes I was one of those L plated hooligans on a Suzuki GT 250, no training, no sense. I survived a few crashes early on (90% my fault).
Luckily none of my mates got killed, not many had really big crashes.
Currently I have 2002 Yanaha FJR 1300 and a 2015 Suzuki Vstrom 650. Those bike will probably see me out, although I want to keep going as long as possible.
Most of my miles are touring and day runs these days.
I also had a couple of motorbike and sidecar outfits when the kids were young, toured all over Britain and Europe on them.
Are you a current or recent rider?

 

[EpsomWolf]

Yes I was one of those L plated hooligans on a Suzuki GT 250, no training, no sense. I survived a few crashes early on (90% my fault).
Luckily none of my mates got killed, not many had really big crashes.
Currently I have 2002 Yanaha FJR 1300 and a 2015 Suzuki Vstrom 650. Those bike will probably see me out, although I want to keep going as long as possible.
Most of my miles are touring and day runs these days.
I also had a couple of motorbike and sidecar outfits when the kids were young, toured all over Britain and Europe on them.
Are you a current or recent rider?

Wow, GT250, two stroke heaven. What I’d give to have a blast on one of those now although Greta would likely have a heart attack. Two nice bikes you’ve got now too for sure, such a good all rounder the Vstrom particularly. Sidecars too, that’s quite a C.V.
Was thinking about bikes owned, Honda SS50 (both a 4 and a 5 speed) at 16, then CB200, CJ250T, GSX250 (all the slow 4 strokes and getting left behind by mates on the 2’s), GSX550ef, then a long sabbatical until a GS500, then a custom road quad and nothing for the last 5 years.

Now the dust has settled after the move I’m itching again, but I think realistically it would be a ‘teenage-kick’ to ride on sunny days and lick clean before putting away. Have always had an urge for a thumper, an XT500 ideally, always really loved a Z650 and those 2 stroke RD250/400’s that murdered the duffers I had have a strong pull too.

Funnily enough I do wrestle with the safety which holds me back. The training whilst brilliant, instead of giving confidence actually had the opposite affect of heightening awareness to the extent I became fearful and nervous of riding. Looking at the positivity of all the other riders I recall that was the first insight and awakening to the dangers of overthinking and its negative ramifications in the context of a MH issue which has been touched on in that particular thread, but that’s a whole other story.

Fair play for looking into advanced riding courses though, I’d still 100% recommend. Have you had other bikes?