So, having spent four and a half hours on a 96min train journey yesterday, I'm in the mood for a rant: does anyone know how Southeastern is justifying their 13% fare increases?
As far as I can see, for my £500 extra a year, I am getting a cramped Networker instead of the relatively comfy Electrostar.
Marked decrease in service due to a combination of the allegedly cheaply made, underpowered Networker trains and little to no servicing due to cuts.
Customer service staff who misinform callers as to what is happening when there are incidents, (four out of seven of my trips alone this week, and I'm not talking just a few minutes – can't blame the weather!).
And, according to Southeastern staff, incident control staff centralised and cut - so less people to deal with the increase in breakdowns, and cover drivers cut so that if the driver of a broken down train is delayed there is no one to pick up his next train.
I'm trying to think of something nice to say about them. The best I can think of is that their staff take a lot of grief, but generally handle it all politely, firmly, and often with good humour.
Also, they're not as bad as London Midland. But then again, I don't think London Midland are raising their prices by 13% while reducing services are they?
*Grump*
Friday 17 December 2010
Wednesday 15 December 2010
The trials and tribulations of EBay
I've bought things occasionally on EBay over the last few years, but never have I tried the whole flogging stuff side of it.
I like the buying aspect. Searching from the comfort of the sofa, finding exactly the righ thing and bidding to get it at exactly the right price. Even losing is fun when you're bidding against someone as determned as you are.
But selling. If you have the time, the patience, the products and a really good calculator it can be pretty lucrative. When you're doing a loft clearance like I am, your products are very mixed. I've found that the key is research. Find out what you're likely to get for it. See how other similar items are doing on EBay. And see if there is a better place to sell. Some specialist shops buy specialist items - that sort of thing. If it's worth selling and there is no other ready outlet, then EBay is a gem.
The main question is, is it worth selling on EBay? For instance, a single paperback book. It's nothing special, it's been read and you can sell it for, let's say, 99p. However, you then have to pack it for posting. A jiffy bag would be ideal, or failing that, a carrier bag or food bag to protect it from weather, and then brown wrapping paper and duct tape, or maybe an envelope.
Whatever you decide, unless you just happen to have these things lying around, you have to buy and factor that in. The 99p may be more than enough. Or maybe you'll have to add 20p or so to the postage.
Speaking of which, depending on the size of the book, postage is going to be around £1 at the very least, more if it won't fit through the 'large envelope' sizer.
And then you'll probably have to get it to the post office – you'll want proof of postage after all. How easy is it to get to the post office? Especially if you work full time? Do you live right next door? Or do you have to jump in the car and drive five miles and then find parking? There can be extra cost there.
So you factor all these things in and you find that your little paperback will cost a buyer £2.20 in this case before even thinking about EBay fees. How many people are going to want to pay £2.20 or more for said paperback? After the time invested in research and calculations, some items are simply not worth it.
EBay does free listings now and again which is worth keeping an eye out for – especially if you're putting a lot of items on.
Large items are also an issue. You would probably want to make them pick-up only. But that restricts your selling power to your local area. On the other hand, if it's a good item, I've found that I might have to list it three or four times, but its selling price is at least reasonable and it will most likely go eventually.
Another downside – and this is really only a tiny minority of the time – is where a buyer is not happy with a product, demands a full refund, but will not return the item. There are people out there who do this as a standard method of getting things for nothing, and by putting you on the defensive, ensure that you don't give them negative feedback (no feedback is almost as good as good feedback). This is a contentious issue, but I have found that by having a policy of no refunds or refunds only on return of goods (including return postage cost) prevents this from being an issue.
All of that aside, EBay is a marvellously good forum for getting rid of stuff. Some things that I would have labelled as junk has just flown out. In fact the money I've made after fees and overheads in two months was enough to pay for Christmas, and so far, I've only sold junk I'd forgotten I had.
I like the buying aspect. Searching from the comfort of the sofa, finding exactly the righ thing and bidding to get it at exactly the right price. Even losing is fun when you're bidding against someone as determned as you are.
But selling. If you have the time, the patience, the products and a really good calculator it can be pretty lucrative. When you're doing a loft clearance like I am, your products are very mixed. I've found that the key is research. Find out what you're likely to get for it. See how other similar items are doing on EBay. And see if there is a better place to sell. Some specialist shops buy specialist items - that sort of thing. If it's worth selling and there is no other ready outlet, then EBay is a gem.
The main question is, is it worth selling on EBay? For instance, a single paperback book. It's nothing special, it's been read and you can sell it for, let's say, 99p. However, you then have to pack it for posting. A jiffy bag would be ideal, or failing that, a carrier bag or food bag to protect it from weather, and then brown wrapping paper and duct tape, or maybe an envelope.
Whatever you decide, unless you just happen to have these things lying around, you have to buy and factor that in. The 99p may be more than enough. Or maybe you'll have to add 20p or so to the postage.
Speaking of which, depending on the size of the book, postage is going to be around £1 at the very least, more if it won't fit through the 'large envelope' sizer.
And then you'll probably have to get it to the post office – you'll want proof of postage after all. How easy is it to get to the post office? Especially if you work full time? Do you live right next door? Or do you have to jump in the car and drive five miles and then find parking? There can be extra cost there.
So you factor all these things in and you find that your little paperback will cost a buyer £2.20 in this case before even thinking about EBay fees. How many people are going to want to pay £2.20 or more for said paperback? After the time invested in research and calculations, some items are simply not worth it.
EBay does free listings now and again which is worth keeping an eye out for – especially if you're putting a lot of items on.
Large items are also an issue. You would probably want to make them pick-up only. But that restricts your selling power to your local area. On the other hand, if it's a good item, I've found that I might have to list it three or four times, but its selling price is at least reasonable and it will most likely go eventually.
Another downside – and this is really only a tiny minority of the time – is where a buyer is not happy with a product, demands a full refund, but will not return the item. There are people out there who do this as a standard method of getting things for nothing, and by putting you on the defensive, ensure that you don't give them negative feedback (no feedback is almost as good as good feedback). This is a contentious issue, but I have found that by having a policy of no refunds or refunds only on return of goods (including return postage cost) prevents this from being an issue.
All of that aside, EBay is a marvellously good forum for getting rid of stuff. Some things that I would have labelled as junk has just flown out. In fact the money I've made after fees and overheads in two months was enough to pay for Christmas, and so far, I've only sold junk I'd forgotten I had.
Sunday 12 December 2010
Falling off ladders
After ten years of running up ad down my step ladder into the loft, by myself, I finally fell off it. On the last trip to empty it.
The shock of falling off the top rung was absolutely nothing as compared to the shock of finding myself unhurt. I landed on the bed and managed to miss all the boxes and pointy things on it, and lay there for a good few moments waiting for broken bones and impale-ments to make themselves known.
None did.
Oh wait. Apart from a rung-shaped shallow bruise on my right shin.
Lesson learned? My guardian angel is in fact, my bed.
The shock of falling off the top rung was absolutely nothing as compared to the shock of finding myself unhurt. I landed on the bed and managed to miss all the boxes and pointy things on it, and lay there for a good few moments waiting for broken bones and impale-ments to make themselves known.
None did.
Oh wait. Apart from a rung-shaped shallow bruise on my right shin.
Lesson learned? My guardian angel is in fact, my bed.
Monday 15 November 2010
Sunday 31 October 2010
Going solo online
I've been researching some of the aspects of going it alone on a canal boat. There are lots of websites out there which are very informative, but there doesn't seem to be many for the solo cruiser.
However, the experiences of the NB Nuggler are amusing and well-described.
However, the experiences of the NB Nuggler are amusing and well-described.
Good manners and estate agents
I had an appointment with Mann & Co yesterday, who were going to help me with determining what I need to do to make my house rentable, and give me an indication of what kind of rent I could charge.
No one turned up, and no courtesy call from them. I wonder if this is just me, just them, or estate/letting agents in general?
No one turned up, and no courtesy call from them. I wonder if this is just me, just them, or estate/letting agents in general?
Clearing out the attic
Like many people who are going to move, especially those who are down-sizing, there is the challenge of sorting through the collection of memories usually housed in the loft.
My loft is crammed with bags and boxes containing things that I haven't seen in years, and emotional reactions to my discoveries are varied. There is far too much that evokes the immediate thought 'what was I/he/she thinking?!'. But much, much more that makes me laugh or cry with the memory attached.
And I have to be ruthless. Although I'm sure I can always store stuff that I can't find it in me to be ruthless about.
I am currently receiving an education in eBay, for which the key seems to be picking and choosing the items most suitable. Once eBay fees and postage are taken into account, many low value items will never sell.
So it looks like I shall have to explore the world of boot fairs in the new year.
My loft is crammed with bags and boxes containing things that I haven't seen in years, and emotional reactions to my discoveries are varied. There is far too much that evokes the immediate thought 'what was I/he/she thinking?!'. But much, much more that makes me laugh or cry with the memory attached.
And I have to be ruthless. Although I'm sure I can always store stuff that I can't find it in me to be ruthless about.
I am currently receiving an education in eBay, for which the key seems to be picking and choosing the items most suitable. Once eBay fees and postage are taken into account, many low value items will never sell.
So it looks like I shall have to explore the world of boot fairs in the new year.
Sunday 10 October 2010
Thursday 7 October 2010
Today I was told that an ex-colleague had passed away. Not someone I was close to, or ever called friend, just a familiar face in a different department of a company I worked for over fifteen years ago.
But he was a year younger than me, reasonably fit, no long illness, no diagnosed congenital defects, yet dropped dead when his heart decided to stop.
It makes you think.
But he was a year younger than me, reasonably fit, no long illness, no diagnosed congenital defects, yet dropped dead when his heart decided to stop.
It makes you think.
Spreading the news
First things first, and that would be telling everyone.
My news on the whole has been met with just a little shock, but mostly with support. Apparently a lot of people totally see me in the boat-dwelling lifestyle.
I'm not quite sure how I'm supposed to take that, but am choosing to take it as complimentary. Mid-life crisis has also been mentioned - by me as much as anyone else, and I can totally live with that. The catalyst was a fantastic week on the canals with my parents.
After the excitement of last week and making the decision, I am now in a cooling off period to reflect upon the wisdom of indulging in a 35 year old pipe dream that may be better off being just that.
My news on the whole has been met with just a little shock, but mostly with support. Apparently a lot of people totally see me in the boat-dwelling lifestyle.
I'm not quite sure how I'm supposed to take that, but am choosing to take it as complimentary. Mid-life crisis has also been mentioned - by me as much as anyone else, and I can totally live with that. The catalyst was a fantastic week on the canals with my parents.
After the excitement of last week and making the decision, I am now in a cooling off period to reflect upon the wisdom of indulging in a 35 year old pipe dream that may be better off being just that.
Sunday 3 October 2010
A bit of background
I am not entirely new to canal boating, although admittedly very inexperienced.
With over thirty years of on/off canal boating, sailing, cruising, and scuba diving in the UK and abroad, I can operate locks, tie cleat hitches, clean, cook in a galley, perform basic maintenance on my car and steer boats in straight lines and around bends - don't ask about parking.
I am also a natural minimalist in terms of possessions, although what I call minimalist I suspect will be redefined as cluttered.
But I am aware that there is much, much more that I need to learn. So learning, both intended and unintended is on the cards.
There will also be decisions that may be tough to make, such as those involving my fish, my cats, my house, my car and my job. I want to have my cake and eat it, and know I won't be able to. But I'm going to try.
With over thirty years of on/off canal boating, sailing, cruising, and scuba diving in the UK and abroad, I can operate locks, tie cleat hitches, clean, cook in a galley, perform basic maintenance on my car and steer boats in straight lines and around bends - don't ask about parking.
I am also a natural minimalist in terms of possessions, although what I call minimalist I suspect will be redefined as cluttered.
But I am aware that there is much, much more that I need to learn. So learning, both intended and unintended is on the cards.
There will also be decisions that may be tough to make, such as those involving my fish, my cats, my house, my car and my job. I want to have my cake and eat it, and know I won't be able to. But I'm going to try.
An introduction to Firefly
I love canal boating, much as I love scuba diving and motor racing, and living in a boat on the canals has been a fantasy since I was seven.
But now I am at a point that I want to do it. There are many websites out there giving excellent advice after their own transition, but it seems worthwhile to document my own experiences as I go.
It may be that this project never sees fruition as there are a lot of things to consider and do.
There is no set timescale, and anyone in project management will say that's a mistake, and maybe it will turn out to be. I have in mind summer 2011 or 2012, but that's not set in stone.
Firefly is an arbitrary name and not necessarily to be the name of my boat. It was simply the product of too much beer and an over-active imagination that decided to paint the boat's bum yellow and call it Firefly. Hence the tag.
But now I am at a point that I want to do it. There are many websites out there giving excellent advice after their own transition, but it seems worthwhile to document my own experiences as I go.
It may be that this project never sees fruition as there are a lot of things to consider and do.
There is no set timescale, and anyone in project management will say that's a mistake, and maybe it will turn out to be. I have in mind summer 2011 or 2012, but that's not set in stone.
Firefly is an arbitrary name and not necessarily to be the name of my boat. It was simply the product of too much beer and an over-active imagination that decided to paint the boat's bum yellow and call it Firefly. Hence the tag.
Saturday 2 October 2010
Tuesday 21 September 2010
Friday 10 September 2010
Thursday 2 September 2010
Friday 27 August 2010
Tuesday 3 August 2010
Monday 2 August 2010
Sunday 25 July 2010
Monday 19 July 2010
Thursday 15 July 2010
One driver thought a drive through penalty mean he could take a short cut to the pit lane to take it.
Wednesday 30 June 2010
Sunday 28 February 2010
Moping and funk
I know I'm in a funk, I can't help it.
My sister and my best friend are trying to railroad me into getting away from it all.
I think I need to.
Egypt would be good - is home from home.
My sister and my best friend are trying to railroad me into getting away from it all.
I think I need to.
Egypt would be good - is home from home.
Saturday 20 February 2010
Single again
Chris and I split up.
Just goes to prove that all men will betray you in the end - it's just a question of whether you can live with that.
Just goes to prove that all men will betray you in the end - it's just a question of whether you can live with that.
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