Hi All Dial a rod, what a joke, i had no hot water for 5 days, 1st day phoned them, we will send someone out, no-one turned up, 2nd day phone, because i have only made 2 payments by dd, i had to pay the rest, so paid my card, we will send someone out, no turned up, 3rd day, phoned was told i had to pay in full, told the lady that ive done that, she checked with someone else, ok what the make of you boiler, told the lady someone will be with you hopefully today, funny no-one did, 4th day phoned, we are looking for a engineer in your area, ( i could find one in 2mins) 5th day we are still looking for an engineer, told them name of 2 people, also said that i could not make the friday, that was 3 weeks ago. if you pay peanuts you get dail a rod. so i have paid a full years breakdown cover for nothing. would anyone know if dail a rod is covered with the fsa? breakdown cover/insurance. DAIL A ROD any chance of a refund? and sorry?? cheers rob

Hi, i looking for some advice and what steps i need to take. my car broke down because the timing belt was broken, i had the rac tow me to a garage which was a rac repair centre. the people looked at it and said timing belt and gasket needed to be repaired and not sure how many valves were broken, i did ask how much it was going to cost and was told dont know untill we look at the valves. i was never phoned by the garage, when i phone them the price was £905, car not worth that much, so repairs done without me argeeing a price with them. they also replaced the oxygen sensor (87 plus vat), dip stick (16 plus vat) tube, 8 manifold nuts (16 plus vat) coolant (18 plus vat) labour was £50 per hour plus vat, 9.5 hours of work done on car. i have paid the bill and told the garage that i think i have been ripped off but they dont care. what can i do? cheers rob

eton av, north rd west plymouth, was on the left hand side, cause the other side was permit only!!!

Hi i was in plymouth over the weekend and thought i parked in a free parking 2hour return zone, however when i arrived back i had a parking ticket. i did notice that 20 yards in front of my car was a permit zone, however 10 behind my it was free parking!!! can i appeal because it was not marked properly? i dont live in plymouth does that help? cheers rob

i bought a lcd off ebuyer in oct 08, no problem till monday, phone them informed them of fault, citylink with be here on tue, no show, rebooked for wed no show. city link now claim they came both days, and i missed them, to now return the broken lcd i have to pay!! does the soga cover me? ebuyer are now saying that because citylink turned up twice and no ans i have to pay. citylink never turned up i was at home on both days waiting, do citylink tell lies? any proof anywhere? cheers rob

i had a letter from the courts, a circuit judge looked at it and throw it out!!! i did not tell the bailiffs that i needed my car for work. and the bailiff never said that they will go and get a tow truck!! the judge seems to take the bailiffs word, and not mine. and the judge does not required the bailiff to attend court. i had my lawyer send a letter to the bailiffs and council. i informed the bailiff twice and phoned them. in the end, i have paid the council tax, and now the bailiff fee will be taken out of my wages. the bailiffs still have not proved that their visited my house on the said dates. what can i do? cheers rob

Hi Chris the 1st time i knew anything about the bailiffs was when i was charged £196. for 1st and 2nd visit, levy, and for van. i never had any letters by post or hand. i paid the council tax within days of visits. i spoke to council they are help that bailiffs acted in the right manner. i have asked both the council and bailiffs for proof of visits and letter sent in posted by hand. all i get is a date and time. cheers rob

just an update i paid the council tax online in full, however i did not pay the bailiffs fees of £196. this has now gone back to the council and the council will take it out of my pay!!! i have filled a form 4 complaint with the courts, and had a letter from the bailiffs saying that they are going to make a defence against the complaint. and if successful will be asking for costs? i have asked the council and bailiffs for copy's of any letter put though my door, and all i get back is bailiffs visted at this time and that time. the bailiff made no effort to inform me of visit. on the 3rd visit i ans door, and i am charged £196, levey on my car. any idea how much the bailiffs legal costs would be?

Hi i thought that the bailiffs could only charge £24.50 for the 1st visit. and this is why im asking the bailiffs for proof. if the bailiffs came before, they should of put a letter though my letterbox, and have a copy!!! i would like to see proof of visits. rob

Hi tidyjoe thanks for your advice i went to court because the bailiffs still have not given proof of visits. the bailiffs says that they have proof and will provide it, when in court. i was at home on all 3 visits by the bailiff, and NO letter or anyone knocked my door, i am happy to pay for the 1st visit i cant aruge about that. but why should i pay £192 when there is no proof!!! cheers rob

Hi all please dont slag each other off. i bet the bailiffs are having a right laugh. any advice i use, i also know the advice right or wrong its me who has to answer. how many times have you read that a letter used on here, that a bailiff says that im blackmailing them. and i ask am i? if so how do i get out off it. i am open to anyones advice, BUT IM BIG ENOUGH TO MAKE MY OWN CHOICE!!! thanks please work together to beat the bailiffs cheers rob

i have a reply from the council legal dept. telling me the council are happy with andrew james and they have acted in accordance with the relevant legislation. i sent them a letter as well, asking to look at andrew james. so can the bailiff remove my car? they did put a levy on it. i am still compalining about the 1st and 2nd visits, i asked the council to get proof of visit and copies of letters or i will go to the lgo with andrew james i can still go to the fso and they will then be charged £450 for the complaint!!

Hi burp the firm is called andrew james enforcement ltd from swansea. i did have to laugh when they said they will make a complaint of blackmail because of my threats lol. letters sent were from here!! i did a form 4 on 24/10 still waiting, would the bailiffs know about this yet!! but i did kick up a fuss when i was there about the bailiffs. court staff was shocked and said court bailiffs would never act like that. i have asked for proof of visits and any letters put though my door to confirm visit, in the letter it said visit was on 31/7 and 7/08 but still no proof so it appears i still owe £196 council tax? i have also got rates for van hire, and the dearest is £66 per day. cheers rob

Hi all finally had a reply for the bailiffs. only 1 bailiff is certificated by the county court the other one is not certificated, but both turned up together. 1st visit £22.50, 2nd £16.50 levy fee £32.00 van attendance fee £125. total bailiffs cost £196. they say that once a liability order has been issued the bailiffs are not lawfully obliged to write and advise of our intention to visit. we record and retain accurate details of visit on our system, we are able to produce copies of all letters, however it cost to much to post!!!!!!! but will produce when goes to court!! while you consider the balance of £196 to represent fees, you should note that under council tax (admin and enforcement) regulations 1992, part payment are to be allocated to discharge the cost of any bailiff action before discharging the debt. you have paid an amount of £329 direct to the council, effetively under the aforementined regulations this payment is council tax of £133.41 and £196 bailiff cost!! with regard to your demand for £4999 or amount amount of compensation, we consider this to be tatamount to blackmail, and will strenuously defend, and will draw this threat along with the other details from your communication to the courts attention!!! while we are confident that the police will view this as a civil matter, we reserve our right to make our own complaint to the police in respect of your threats of blackmail? it would appear that the advice you have been given to evade payment is incorrect or flawed, the fee incurred are entirely lawful and correct, and will not enter any further correspondence with you. your account of £196 remains outstanding and payment is required by return. any thoughts????

Hi burp thanks for that, i will also tell the council that as well, i have asked both the council and bailiffs for proof of visits and nothing. i will be telling the judge about this when i see him/her thanks again rob

bailiffs used a white van on both visits. local govenment ombusman is my next move. because i paid the liability order and the bailiffs know this, can they still take my car? i spoke to the bailiff on the 22nd, and he knew i paid the council tax, and said he was here for his fees, and could still take my car? i told him to take me to court as its a civil matter!! was i right? rob

hi all i had a letter back from the council, it says the following, having looked at the bailiffs notes and respones to your emails and letters, the council is satisfied that bailiffs have acted in accordance with the relevent legisation. also if i could supply futher details of your grievance and the figure quoted in your letter. it also said, please accept my apologies for any delay in contacing you lol. ok i am still waiting for the county court, as i complaned about the bailiff to them. we are talking about £192 bailiffs cost, ( this is a civil debt now?)the last visit was on my 40th brithday, and no id, 1 lefted it in the van, and when i said i could not afford it, was told toil truck is on its way. as yet no answer from bailiffs, i also asked for proof of visit from the council and bailiffs. i now also would like the details of vehicle used on each visit any ideas how i do this without giving my hand away? this is the letter i sent to the council I have had an opportunity to seek advice and I write on the understanding that case law rules an authority is liable for its bailiffs I now ask within fourteen (14) days the council unconditionally pays me £1500 for a) Discovery of information and researching the legal background to the case b) Administrative work with other authorities c) Receiving your bailiff who fails to comply with the law by threaten to take a motor vehicle needed in the ordinary course of my business. For the avoidance of doubt, if you fail to furnish me with above I will consider this to be your final resolution and I will not enter further correspondence with you. I will automatically file a claim with the Local Government Ombudsman, and the fos. This document is delivered by Royal Mail and I deem it good service upon you by the ordinary course of post under Section 7 of the Interpretation Act 1978 and therefore it is your responsibility and in your own interests this letter is handed to the relevant person within your organisation. this letter was sent on the 24th oct. cheers rob

thanks guys i will posted both letters off. would like to see their faces. i also had a chat to the local police and they are aware of the problem, and will come and support me if needs be. cheers rpb

Hi BURP the extre costs is for the van, he says he has been here 4 times, the fourth time he charged me £192, i asked for copys of letters put though my door, still waiting, both visits by bailiff have been in same van? the sencond visit was worst, turned up on my 40th b-day, a told me if i cant pay we will call a toll truck, not sure if bailiff knew it was my 40th. i went to county court and filled in a compaint, about him and his mate making threats and bully people. he has been informed that i need my car for work, as i work in the community going from place to place, taking the clients out, shopping, doctors, etc. cheers rob

hi burp the bailiff knows that the council have been paid, they came here for they fees, and i said that i paid them, i quote, we know you paid the council, we went our fees, £192. and still said they could take my car because of the levy. and claimed to phone a toll truck. letter giving to them, no 3. i pointed out to them its a civil debt! ( yes or no) i have also had letters sent to them by laywers, myself. and hopefully the courts, compliant sent to count court and accepted. what else can i do. i will not give this up, 1st visit i was charged £192, and still no proof of visits. cheers rob

what proof do i need to ask for, as the bailiff have given times and dates of visits. now on all 3 visit i was home, no letters though the door or knocks on door. i have paid the council tax online. where do i stand as to the bailiffs fees? £192 fee for a 2min chat. same van came the 2nd time. the bailiffs have a levy on my car, i paid the council tax can my car still be taken? i also pointed out to the bailiff that has money is a civil debt, take me to court. letter given to bailiff pointing this out and asking him to leave quietly. cheers rob

bailiffs arrived on 22nd, and have not had a visit since, i have had a couple of bog standard letters asking me to pay £196. council have written to me taking me that my letter has been passed to the legal dept. i filled a compaint with the county court on the 24th about the bailiff no ans yet!! i also emailed the council asking for proof the the bailiffs did attend on the dates said, this has been followed to bailiff still no ans. can the bailiff drive pass and charge you for a visit? i was home on all 3 dates. cheers rob

if you can prove that you need your car, then the bailiffs should not touch it. ie if you need it for work. you could ask the council to take it back.

hi the order was for this years council tax, i paid it online. two bailiffs turned up both times, i was levyed £192 on 1st visit, but both claimed had been here 3 times before, i asked for full names, was only given surnames, then i went to the county court and made a compaint. i was told the court only has 1 of the names on it list. is there a case law or proof anywhere which i can use to stop them removing my car? i have written to bailiffs saying that i need the car as i work in the community and support disabled people, ie( shopping, doctors, trips out) cheers rob

Hi tomtubby i paid the liability order off, after the bailiff had put a levy on the car, and charged my £192 for the visit. i have asked the bailiff for proof of visits. i went to the county court and found out the one was a cetificated bailiff the other was not. and the bailiffs can still take my car?