sotonjoe

You pay your £5 to behave as you see fit within the boundaries of the law, not to have what is and isn't acceptable dictated to you by somebody on the internet.

apple.com

it may have been deanovski's latest present from his girlfriend in an ever more creative attempt to avoid customs charges.

no they don't.

Probably largely down to the calibre of people working as low paid claims handlers.

you'll be telling us you write the submarine's newsletter next.

They don't pay a 'set price' at all. They will make you an offer based on their valuation of the car. They will base their valuation on what they see as being 'fair market value'. If you feel their offer is inaccurate and you can provide evidence to the contrary (e.g similar vehicles being sold for higher prices), then you can write them a letter to that effect. Be sure to include your evidence and state how much you want. As long as you're reasonable and have evidence of the value you're claiming, you have a good chance of getting the amount you request.

I always though the LB in Shirley was Kachina's poorer cousin, and FWIW it's worth I always thought Kachina served plastic food at extortionate prices, e.g. £24.95 per head.

And most of us here would side with you there I think. Time for the OP to bow out of this one graciously.

htc hero

yep and if anybody has looked at what's on autotrader recently for £500, you'll know that you might want to think about getting a vehicle below market value from a friend etc.

I thought you said you delcared the value of the package as £50 or have I got that wrong?

Can't see what all the fuss is about. We have two quality understudies and it's good for them to get a chance. He'll be missed of course, but let's give some respect and support to the other keepers who now get to prove their worth.

Not technically, although it depends on how you look at it. They bundle a line rental fee, plus calls plus braodband together and charge you one monthly amount. It starts at £15 a month for max 8mb speed and 40gb donload allowance. Essentially, this is exactly what Virgin Media and others do as well, they obviosuly just explain their pricing structure differently. The concept of receiving adsl broadband, which I think is what Tiscali use, without a phoneline , remains impossible.

ahah ... so she is just an internet girlfriend then?

TBH mate, at that price you're literally taking a punt and hoping it pays off. Your best bet is to cast aside any preconceptions about particular marques and models and look for something that has a 'new' mot and 12 months tax etc. That way, you should *touch wood* stand the greatest chance of the thing lasting the 12 months. Service history is your friend as well, since you'll inevitably be dealing with old, high mieage cars and you'll want to make sure they've been looked after. The best bet is to get on autotrader and see what's available for £500 or less in and around Southampton. Finally, because the budget is really tight, I'd say avoid traders altogether and go private. You stand the best chance of getting something worth having. There's no profit left in a £500 transaction for a dealer unless they paid peanuts for the car, and if they paid peanuts for the car you know it's really crap.

if you don't want to have a landline, you have to go mobile or go cable. You said cable isn't an option so that leaves you with mobile or getting a landline. Mobile is pants compared to 'conventional' broadband as well.

I doubt it, although you never know with some of them on here

Of course they'll charge a handling fee if they have to pay it for you, they're not a charity. The only way you can accuse them of being naughty is if they offer you no way of paying in advance. Out of interest, did your girlfriend take it to a Parcel Force depot in New York (if such a thing exists)? If not, and it was at some third party establishment, e.g. an American post office who gave you duff advice about prepaying, your claim lies with them and not Parcel Force. I still think you're getting your knickers in a twist unnecessarily to be honest. Perhaps I'm too laid back about these things, but I've paid equally scandalous 'customs charges' plus handling fees before and just look at it as part of the deal when it comes to having things imported. You'll live and learn and will no better next time if you really don't like it.

Absolutely hilarious. The knee-jerk self-righteous tsunami when people relaised they had been sucked in was the best bit. Can't beat a few bruised egos! You'd think that Wurzel had just throttled an old codger to deaf with his bare hands.

The customs fees don't discriminate between brithday presents or any other sort of package. Me thinks you're just having a general moan because you've been asked to pay and now you're getting all self-righteous about it. Just collect your parcel and pay up. Next time, think twice about sending stuff home when you know you may get collared for customs charges.

Davis needs some 'sticky' hands.

Couldn't you have paid the customs charges up front to avoid getting stung at the end?

And I respect you fully for being able to say that, instead of "**** off you're a ****" etc

I agree it's bad he left the woman and I do feel synpathy for her. However, I think I have a bit of a dysfunctional brain and it's the animal cruelty that often gets me first. Having had loads of pets and seeing the way they keep coming back to you etc, I hate the idea of people bashing them around etc. I guess it's because I think they're more vulnerable than humans. Either way, it may be a bit weird!