Thank you for your reply. More info. 1. There doesn't seem to be a head office - contact was either with the PA or invoices were sent to the accountant. 2. There is a second unpaid job which was an 'emergency' call out during the night to deal with some graffiti on a premises wall. Is there a 'formal text' I can get from somewhere to use for this payment request before action letter? Thanks,

Apologies for delay in responding. What I have been told; 1. Initial dealings were with the owners PA. 2. Quote given to the PA. 3. PA gave verbal acceptance/go ahead. 4. Due to the size of the job my cousin asked for a deposit for materials. 5. He was given a cheque for £5k which he cashed - it was some company name. 6. He then started the job. 7. Job completed, invoice sent to owner/company. My cousin has chased the PA - but PA says he no longer works for that person/company and cannot now be chased/responsible as any negotiation/verbal acceptance was only given on behalf of his employer/the company. My cousin has requested a copy of the deposit cheque from his bank. Thanks,

Thank you for your reply. I have asked if/how they have chased (his wife does his admin) and have been told they have 'contacted' but not much response and nothing beyond that. Yes the business is still trading, it is quite large and it is associated with/owned by a big 'name' that has been on tv. I don't think his admin is very thorough as English is not their first language and doubt they have been on any formal SE management courses/training. Thx.

Hi Guys, I wonder if I can ask for your expert advice. My cousin is a self employed builder. He completed a job for a customer (business/shop/restaurant) and invoiced them for £7k. This was a couple of months ago and he has not been paid. What should he do next? He hasn't experienced this before and is currently quite out of pocket as he has spent money on materials and transportation. Thx Mark.

Machine now fixed after further 2 visits. They have changed lots of parts including the main motor as the first one they installed was not the correct model! It turned out the issue was some tube (vaccum/sensor) which was blocked. The engineer even said the machine should now work for a long time due to all the new parts which have been installed. Unfortunately I didn't find that amusing for 'engineers' taking 5 months to fix a washing machine not working due to a blocked tube. So anyone buying a domestic appliance and being tempted by 'insurance' cover - ask who it is with and if the response is CSSWARRANTIES or CSSSOLUTIONS - think carefully - take the replacement cover instead of the repair warranty. Thx

Washing machine still not repaired after further 2 engineer visits and more part changing (now 4 months!!!). It seems the engineers they send are just useless/not engineers at all. 1. Whats FOS? 2. Is there a non-court option left to try? An ombudsman/trade association? Thx.

What's FOS?

Thanks for your replies. What I have been told; Purchased from www. electrical123.com Extended warranty: 'Extended Warranty' - contact no 08458630505 - email given by the person on the phone for complaints css.admin @cssolutionlimited.com I will forward your advice to them. Thanks.

Hi GUys, I wonder if I can ask for your expert advice. Three years ago my cousin bought a washing machine (washer/drier) and 5 year extended warranty from an online website. In December 2014 the washing machine stopped working correctly (kept filling with water nothing else) so the warranty company was called and an engineer came out. On the first visit the engineer didn't seem very professional and actually flooded the kitchen and some water went into the lounger - didn't clean it up properly either. He stated he would need to order some parts which would take some time but they would make another appointment when they arrive. After about 3 weeks just before Christmas the warranty company called, parts have been received and to make another appointment. A different engineer came out, fitted some parts and tested the machine - same as before keeps filling with water. The engineer didn't seem very professional either as he spent a long time on the phone asking someone what he needs to do and it seems like he (they) checked everything in the machine. He stated they need to order some more parts which would take 14 working days as they are coming from China! Once they arrive they would phone to make an appointment. Towards the end of January they chased the warranty company and were passed around a few people. The person who they spoke to stated that the parts had been received but, the engineer who had them (who visited last) had left the company/run off with them!!! So the parts would have to be re-ordered from China which will take another 14 working days to arrive they would phone to make an appointment. My cousin had a bit of a rant at them that they have been without a washing machine since the start of December and they are a family of 4 and need to do washing 3-4 times a week and having to go to the laundrette and spending about £8 each time on washing and drying. The warranty company person didn't seem too distraught and stated that they would refund the cost of having to use the laundrette. But I then added what about the fuel cost of getting there and the time it takes - they just apologised and said that's all they can do. It is now 2.5 months since the washing machine stopped working and almost 3 weeks since the last contact with the warranty company - not heard anything further and the water is still in the washing machine since the last engineers visit. My cousins wife is at her wits end as she has now done around 74 trips (37 return) to the laundrette, spending over £275 on washing & drying + cost of fuel and time, as each trip takes half an hour - she has tried to combine it with other chores (school run/shopping/going to church) where possible, but when drying has had to wait or come back - additional trips & time. SO, can you guys advise what is the best course of action to take? Are there any rules/benchmarks for expected service under extended warranties? Will they really refund just the washing/drying costs of £275 so far? Is there an ombudsman who this can be taken to? Thanks, Mark.

Hi Bertie, Thx for this pic. From the description (road by the side of the tarmac) I was thinking you parked away from the ''Motorcycles Only' bay/markings but you parked on top of them, which is not good. As I biker I have seen this before but this example is rather shabby as usually there is something indicating the perimeter of the area for motorcycles. However, as you say The Traffic Signs Manual does facilitate an exemption where the area itself acts like the perimeter of the bay and in car parks as cars are required to park within the marked bays, it seems in this corner they were saving paint. Since cars must park in a marked bay and motorcycles can't park in a car bay unless they buy a ticket - a sort of natural separation should occur. You could present an informal appeal to the council stating your reasons about the lack of markings and see what they say - you have nothing to lose as your payment discount should be preserved. But I doubt a formal appeal to the adjudicator would be successful as it may be viewed as a 'minor technicality' rather than breaking the rules on markings. And you definitely can't show them that picture of your car on top of the road markings. Good Luck

Hi, Have you got a picture or google maps link of the area in question? Its hard to visualise the scene from a description.

Unless your Mr Plod moonlights as an MOT tester there's a 99% change he hasn't got a clue when it comes to windscreen requirements and what classes as borderline or dangerous. The MOT windscreen requirements focus on an area of the windscreen directly in front of the drivers seated position known as Zone 'A'. This is the only area of the windscreen subject to test requirements. As you say your crack is nowhere near this area and therefore not subject to any test criteria. If your car passed its last MOT with the crack then Mr Plod needs to present some compelling evidence to support his claim that your motor vehicle is in a dangerous condition when a VOSA qualified tester (and the VOSA test requirements) say otherwise. The MOT test manual windscreen section is on the following link; http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/doitonline/bl/mottestingmanualsandguides/mottestingmanualsandguides.htm (go to third option for inspection manual for class 4, section 8.3) I would get an MOT (or pre-MOT inspection) done on it with the windscreen in the same condition as stopped by Mr Plod and challenge the FPN. Good Luck

A Bus Lane doesn't end until the blue sign which says 'End of Bus Lane' - in your google maps link I believe I can see it on the lamppost at the far end of the bus shelter level with the arrow painted on the road indicating the left turn. If you want to check up on road markings - the following links take you to the relevant legislation; http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/3113/contents/made a more user friendly version; http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/traffic-signs-manual/traffic-signs-manual-chapter-05.pdf (chapter 17 covers bus lanes) Your best bet is to go back to the start of that bus lane where you have been issued the PCN for and check that the information signs for the bus lane and hours of operation are in place as required and not obstructed or defaced that may have mislead you to enter the bus lane. Good Luck

Hi Kiwi, Glow plugs are a tricky subject and as you have found out. At any point before any work had commenced did the garage warn you that they would be working on or removing the glow plugs? A lot of garage now warn you if any work you have brought your car to them for will involve glow plug removal and will warn you that they can be problematic. Some will even effectively give you a 'disclaimer' in case something goes wrong to indemnify themselves. Is the garage your car is with a proper Hyundai franchise or an independent specialist? Why didn't the dealer who you purchased your car from take it in for work? I guess if anything it is still under warranty and as long as the head has been sent to a specialist to remove the snapped glowplug and the head is refitted properly you should be ok. Make sure you get it in writing that the garage snapped a glowplug and the head was sent to a specialist for its removal. In case you have any related symptoms in the future. Re lack of a courtesy car - this is a customer relations shambles on Hyundai's part. If this garage is part of the Hyundai UK franchise your best bet is to contact Hyundai UK head office and explain your situation and how this non-fault event has inconvenienced you. Emphasize how upto now you've been a very satisfied Hyundai UK customer. Good Luck

Thanks for the sound advice - I've gone ahead and ordered myself a copy of 'Cars for Dummies'