Why are we British so tolerant

[asmodeus]

Just back from a work/holiday in France and wonder why the hell these clampers and PPC's are allowed to get away with their scams.

 

It was great to be able to go into Hypermarket Carparks, Restaurants, camp overnight in Motorway service areas without the risk of threatening junk mail. Not a sign in sight giving petty rules to fool the unwary

 

My guess is that the French are more bolshe and will run these firms out of town and that we Brits are unfortunately far too tolerant of these wretched scamsters

[sameagle]

There was a comment on here about a month ago, where the poster was telling us that the French have a habit of filling clamp locks with "super glue".

 

Only yesterday, somebody mentioned that there is a "mystery sign nicker", whom I gather specialises in OPC signs.

 

I have been much cheered by both of these messages, and, as a handyman, my van is always fairly well equipped with tools, and for the last month, I have the greatest pleasure in announcing that the complement of tools has been incremented by one - a trade size container of cyanoacrylate glue.

 

I am not going to be pushed around any more!

 

And before Perky, and a certain rightwing poster on here, starts - shut up!

[Al27]

Good man!

 

It's true French, Spanish and Italians wouldn't take what the Brits put up with.

[Tony P]

For all the French readyness to 'take to the streets' in protest and otherwise take action against perceived injustices, I am continually amazed at the patient way the French tolerate queuing for long periods to pay motorway tolls (I have experienced over half an hour on peak times/routes).

 

Surely the payment is for providing a timesaving route - if that fails because of wait to pay, this negates this concept reducing it to a paradoxical [problem]. They should open the gates to get rid of the delay then start charging again once there is a time gain in using the facility. Why pay for failure?

The same can be said of the M25 Dartford river crossing!

[buzby]

Nah - it's the Brits (english?) deference to authority I'm sure. It's not misplaced, more the PCCs (mis) use of so-called 'legal' terminology, abbreviations and mind-games with consumers, with most feeling obliged, if not duty bound to comply.

 

Even when there is a [problem] or manipulation pointed out, there remains something somewhere that makes them believe they did something wrong and should 'admit' to it.

[asmodeus]

I have experienced over half an hour on peak times/routes

 

Been there, done that but didn't get the 'T' shirt - worst was Montpelier last summer where the toll gates are 20 or maybe more wide - queue up and pay and then queue up again as the autoroute goes back down to three lanes the other side

 

 

a trade size container of cyanoacrylate glue.

 

I am not going to be pushed around any more!

 

How about a paint ball gun for the ANPR cameras

[sameagle]

"How about a paint ball gun for the ANPR cameras"

 

I'm already having fun with those - I go in with both numbers readable, and exit with neither readable!

 

I used to exit with only the front plate readable, because I thought that the ANPR could only read on the approach, but I was informed, [on this forum, thank you!], that they can be set to read either.

 

I think that my record was being in a carpark for about two and a half million seconds, according to them!

 

I was in the Med for 2 weeks of that, and the van was snugly tucked up at home.

 

But they got wise, I think, and must have either put a limiter in the software, or got a Goon to go round periodically, looking for "overstayers", because they don't seem to write to me as often.

[Bookworm]

Surely the payment is for providing a timesaving route - if that fails because of wait to pay, this negates this concept reducing it to a paradoxical [problem]. They should open the gates to get rid of the delay then start charging again once there is a time gain in using the facility. Why pay for failure?

No, the toll system in France pays for the better road system, in the way the road tax here pays for it. There is no promise of a faster trip as such, just better road conditions.

[crem]

No, the toll system in France pays for the better road system, in the way the road tax here pays for it. There is no promise of a faster trip as such, just better road conditions.

 

We have a better road system? Where do the government hide it and can we drive on it soon please.

[Bookworm]

LOL, no you misunderstand me... Paying for the toll means that part of the toll fee goes towards getting better, smoother motorways. A bit like paying for 1st class on a train, it doesn't mean you'll get there faster, just in more comfort.

 

In the UK, both motorways and other roads are all covered by the same fund, and so it is all equally crap.

[mightymouse_69]

"How about a paint ball gun for the ANPR cameras"

 

I'm already having fun with those - I go in with both numbers readable, and exit with neither readable!

 

I used to exit with only the front plate readable, because I thought that the ANPR could only read on the approach, but I was informed, [on this forum, thank you!], that they can be set to read either.

 

I think that my record was being in a carpark for about two and a half million seconds, according to them!

 

I was in the Med for 2 weeks of that, and the van was snugly tucked up at home.

 

But they got wise, I think, and must have either put a limiter in the software, or got a Goon to go round periodically, looking for "overstayers", because they don't seem to write to me as often.

 

How do you make your number plate unreadable?

[sameagle]

I'm self employed as a Handyman - in truth, I do more window cleaning than anything, but with a rear number plate which is on the ladder bars, and with scrims that tend to get draped over the ladder/bars to dry......

 

Similar thing on the front, cloths tend to get sort of wedged by the lad, in the radiator grille, and they hang down a bit.

 

Only happens within a few yards of ppc anpr car parks mind, never more distance away than that, I usually remember them.

[mightymouse_69]

....and with scrims that tend to get draped over the ladder/bars to dry......

 

Similar thing on the front, cloths tend to get sort of wedged by the lad, in the radiator grille, and they hang down a bit.

.

 

Pah! Isn't it a nuisance when that happens!?

[buzby]

But not as hi tech as the Plate Flipper, which causes the plate to pivot 90 deg from a dashboard switch. The plate then snaps back once the obstruction has passed.

[mightymouse_69]

But not as hi tech as the Plate Flipper, which causes the plate to pivot 90 deg from a dashboard switch. The plate then snaps back once the obstruction has passed.

 

You been watching James Bond?

[buzby]

Nope that was a three-way one, this is only a flap, but pretty effective nevertheless!

[afcwben]

But not as hi tech as the Plate Flipper, which causes the plate to pivot 90 deg from a dashboard switch. The plate then snaps back once the obstruction has passed.

 

I want one

[My Real Name]

No, the toll system in France pays for the better road system, in the way the road tax here pays for it.

Just to be clear - Road tax, or VED, rather, does not pay for the roads. It is not even hypothecated to pay for roads. The roads are paid for by general taxation.

 

Toll-free motorways in France are horrific (particularly around Paris), and akin to driving on cheese graters.