The Retirement Thread

[BoldonLad]

I am an avid "online shopper", even before Covid, particularly Ebay, Amazon, Wiggle.

Delivery is normally, not a problem, the courier drivers are here so frequently that they know me, and, leave parcels in "safe place", if we are not in.

This week, we have had an untypical problem with Hermes. According to the tracking information, one of my parcels appeared to be "stuck" at their depot (it has not moved for five days!). I contacted the (Ebay) seller, who was very concerned and helpful, but, so far, has not managed to actually get the parcel actually delivered. Looking at the tracking, status has changed to "delayed 24 hours", which is something of an understatement! "delayed for 120 hours would have been more accurate".

The really bad news is, one of my more recent purchases, is also en-route, via Hermes.... I am not hopeful

 

[ColinJ]

This week, we have had an untypical problem with Hermes. According to the tracking information, one of my parcels appeared to be "stuck" at their depot (it has not moved for five days!). I contacted the (Ebay) seller, who was very concerned and helpful, but, so far, has not managed to actually get the parcel actually delivered. Looking at the tracking, status has changed to "delayed 24 hours", which is something of an understatement! "delayed for 120 hours would have been more accurate".

The really bad news is, one of my more recent purchases, is also en-route, via Hermes.... I am not hopeful

My new tablet was delivered by a friendly DPD courier last week. He arrived 10 minutes into the 1 hour window for delivery that I had been given. I commented on the fact that he was very punctual. He laughed and said - "Ha ha, we are not bloody Hermes - you know, drive quickly past your front door without stopping and say that there was no-one in when they tried to deliver!"

 

[Deleted member 1258]

We have had maybe 5 from a number we don't recognise**. It cuts off when we answer.
From what I read, the idea is that you ring them back and are charged £stupid per minute.
**with the auntie being moved around the system, us phoning various social care
plus my hospital appointments there are lots of numbers we don't recognise.

The ones I sometimes get only ring once then cut off, the same idea, phone them back and it costs loads.

 

[PaulSB]

My days are much of a sameness as well, but that's not too bad, as the big changes I can expect are illnesses and death for those I care about, not to be too morbid. And yet, if you follow the news, these are fairly volatile times politically, technologically and perhaps socially. I try to appreciate the natural beauty of the world and not take friends and family for granted. And this thread has weaseled itself into my routine as well. I've come to appreciate knowing we are all still alive and kicking.
A few miles on my Brompton to see what difference, if any , non-binding brakes make, some stretching and core work, some yardwork and a dog walk later, and tonight swiss steak. Perhaps accompanied by some oven roasted veg and crusty golden brown little potatoes. I will enjoy that.
Hasta luego, compadres.

Wonderful comment. Thank you.

 

[PaulSB]

The winter of '63........I remember aspects of it well. We lived in bungalow in a small rural Hampshire village. The bungalow had a recessed porch. I can remember opening the door before going to bed and being very excited at the snow falling. The next morning was a bit more exciting than even a nine year old could anticipate.

I can't honestly say I remember much else other than there was an awful lot of snow. My Dad's side of the family lived about 30 miles away, we didn't see them for months. School was a 30 minute bus journey. I guess we missed some school but we probably got there most of the time.

 

[oldwheels]

The ones I sometimes get only ring once then cut off, the same idea, phone them back and it costs loads.

I have number display and can check the number if I want. Sometimes I enter the number into google and it is always a well known scam according to what it tells me.

 

[BoldonLad]

My new tablet was delivered by a friendly DPD courier last week. He arrived 10 minutes into the 1 hour window for delivery that I had been given. I commented on the fact that he was very punctual. He laughed and said - "Ha ha, we are not bloody Hermes - you know, drive quickly past your front door without stopping and say that there was no-one in when they tried to deliver!"

As I understand it, most Courier drivers are "self employed" and, paid by the parcel DELIVERED, so, there is no advantage to them, which I can see, in pretending the customer was not home, since they (the driver) do not then get paid.

However, having said all that, the mystery of this particular parcel deepens.

I had a further message (from Hermes), saying they had delivered my parcel, to a secure place, at approximately 16:20 this afternoon.

Well:

a) we were at home at that time, no delivery was attempted
b) I have searched the possible "secure places", no parcel.

I suspect the parcel has indeed been delivered to a secure place, but, not at my address!

I have lost patience with this now, messaged the Ebay seller, asking, politely, that they sort this out!

I will give them 24 hours before lodging a claim with Ebay and/or PayPal.

 

[Paulus]

As I understand it, most Courier drivers are "self employed" and, paid by the parcel DELIVERED, so, there is no advantage to them, which I can see, in pretending the customer was not home, since they (the driver) do not then get paid.

However, having said all that, the mystery of this particular parcel deepens.

I had a further message (from Hermes), saying they had delivered my parcel, to a secure place, at approximately 16:20 this afternoon.

Well:

a) we were at home at that time, no delivery was attempted
b) I have searched the possible "secure places", no parcel.

I suspect the parcel has indeed been delivered to a secure place, but, not at my address!

I have lost patience with this now, messaged the Ebay seller, asking, politely, that they sort this out!

I will give them 24 hours before lodging a claim with Ebay and/or PayPal.

Today's email scammer was supposedly fro DPS saying that that had tried twice today to deliver a parcel and now there is a shipping charge. I was in at the time of supposed delivery, and we arn't expecting anything anyway.
When holding my finger over the email address it is once again a very strange one.
Be aware all, there are so many scammers out there.

 

[Paulus]

The winter of '63........I remember aspects of it well. We lived in bungalow in a small rural Hampshire village. The bungalow had a recessed porch. I can remember opening the door before going to bed and being very excited at the snow falling. The next morning was a bit more exciting than even a nine year old could anticipate.

I can't honestly say I remember much else other than there was an awful lot of snow. My Dad's side of the family lived about 30 miles away, we didn't see them for months. School was a 30 minute bus journey. I guess we missed some school but we probably got there most of the time.

I was only 6 in the 62/63 winter, but the buses still ran, so did the trains. My school was open, the milkman delivered and as far as I can remember most things carried on.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I was only 6 in the 62/63 winter, but the buses still ran, so did the trains. My school was open, the milkman delivered and as far as I can remember most things carried on.

I was 3 then - so I have no idea

but I do remember being a teacher in Rhyl many years ago when we had a major (for Rhyl) snowfall

school was fine after a day or so - salted, cleared and safe

but the LEA wouldn't let us open for 2 weeks in case the little darlings fell over walking to school

the head had only started a few week before - and had been told very clearly that the school had never closed for snow because it never snows in Sunny Rhyl - then she had to close it for 2 weeks of her first 4 weeks as a Head

 

[classic33]

Mo, and others who have a breakfast cereal, how about these!

 

[12boy]

Went for my ride and I'm glad to report it was a lot better and while still tiring, I didn't get so tired I didn't enjoy the ride. Now to walk the dog and then run an errand or two. Life is so much better if you are smart enough to ride a bike without the rear brake grabbing.

 

[classic33]

Went for my ride and I'm glad to report it was a lot better and while still tiring, I didn't get so tired I didn't enjoy the ride. Now to walk the dog and then run an errand or two. Life is so much better if you are smart enough to ride a bike without the rear brake grabbing.

The cycling is a lot easier as well.

 

[numbnuts]

morning

 

[ColinJ]

morning

If our various bedtimes keep on slipping round the clock like this then you lot will eventually be staying up all night and I will have worked myself back round to normal sleeping hours!

I'm off to play some computer games now before turning the lights off. I'll see y'all about 11:00...