When we were away last week at the Black Country Living Museum forties weekend a chap came up and asked to take a photograph of Angella, he said he would send us a copy and here it is, I think it’s absolutely wonderful, but then I would wouldn’t I!!
I did promise to give a credit to the photographer, his name is Paul Hassell and you can find him on Instagram @ha55ellhoff
CONTINUING THE STORY OF THE MISSING PARCEL FROM YODEL, HAVING COMPILED THE FOLLOWING BEFORE I SENT IT, HERE IS A RATHER BRIEF TRANSCRIPT OF MY ONLINE CONVERSATION WHICH FOLLOWED THIS MORNING WITH YODEL CUSTOMER SERVICE.
I contacted you yesterday concerning a missing parcel and have now received your reply to my query which was;
We are contacting you regarding the investigation, which was raised, the driver has left that the parcel by the door at the Fenny slade house, however the driver will be spoken to regarding the method of delivery to prevent this from happening again. If you are still unable to locate the parcel, I would request you to please contact your retailer. They will advise you what steps to be taken to resolve this delivery issue.
Having been to this address which is some 100 yds from my property I am firstly wondering why they would allegedly leave a parcel so far from my house and secondly why they couldn’t drive the extra distance and drop it at our gates which as you can see from the photograph are some 10 feet tall with the name of the house clearly down the left-hand side in white and are surely quite easy to spot.
Unfortunately, their chat site would not allow me to upload the photo of the gates but I have inserted them here to emphasize that even a blind man riding by on a horse on the other side of the road would have difficulty missing them.
Last night (24th) I received an email at 23.26 saying another parcel I was waiting for had been delivered at 23.54 so I went out to our gates to check but there was no parcel, I also found it odd that you could receive the message at 23.26 saying it was delivered at 23.54 when that time had not yet occurred.
This morning(25th) I received a similar email which came at 03.11 at night saying another parcel had been delivered at 23.54 and again on checking in the morning neither of the parcels had been delivered.
Some time later my daughter went to the door to find a lady with three parcels which had been wrongly delivered to her which should have come to my house, two of which related to the emails from last night and the other parcel was for another member of this household.
This is the third different address your delivery driver has left or allegedly left parcels at for me and I have now had to spend the morning walking up and down the road trying to locate the missing items and still have one outstanding, which was not at the address you sent me.
This standard of business is absolutely abysmal and if this is reflected in the country as a whole, I am amazed you are still in business.
Should you have any further news of my missing parcel perhaps when you have located it you would be kind enough to deliver it to me.
Kind regards,
Joe Wells.
Good Afternoon, Joe. Welcome to Yodel Live Chat support. I hope you are doing well.
Mohd Sahil • 1:39 PM
1:42 PM
I can understand your concern, let me look into this for you and assist you further, please allow me a few minutes. Please give few minutes while I am checking the details for you.
QUITE SOME TIME PASSED.
Thank you fore waiting, as I can see that your parcel has been delivered on 21st JUL 23 at 13:58. Furthermore, we have raised driver complaint about the delivery regarding. I would request your please kindly contact your sender and ask to contact us via client portal, so we will be able to solve this concern for you.
Mohd Sahil • 1:48 PM
It wasn’t delivered to my house and not to the address you said it had gone to. So if you know it was delivered on 21st JUL 23 at 13:58. you might also know where it was delivered?
1:50 PM
Joe, I understand the importance of this parcel for you, If I were at your place I would have felt the same. We are from Live Chat and we are only helping with parcel tracking details. In this case we have another department which is client portal. I have raised driver complaint with our team, I would request you please contact your sender and ask to contact us via client portal, so we will be able to solve this concern for you.
1:51 PM
Are we connected?
1:53 PM
As I have not heard from you for a while, I will now close down this chat. I hope I have been able to answer all of your queries today. If you do need any further help, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
SO, NOT ONLY ARE YODEL USELESS AT DELIVERING PARCELS, I WOULD SUGGEST THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICES WOULD BE HIGH ON THE LIST FOR THE “ABOUT AS MUCH USE AS A CHOCOLATE FIREGUARD AWARD”.
PASSING THE BUCK TO THE POOR RETAILER TO GIVE ME A REFUND WHEN THEY HAVE PAID THIS USELESS COMPANY TO DELIVER THE ITEM CAN BE LOOKED AT IN TWO WAYS.
FIRSTLY, WHAT A BRILLIANT BUSINESS MODEL YODEL HAVE, THEY NOT ONLY SHUT DOWN ANY COMPLAINT BY SAYING YOU HAVEN’T TYPED YOUR REPLY QUICKLY ENOUGH AND THEN PASS YOU TO THE RETAILER TO GIVE YOU A REFUND, THEREBY GETTING RID OF THEIR PROBLEM AND GETTING SOMEONE ELSE TO PAY FOR IT.
SECONDLY, IT COULD BE CONCEIVED AS AN UNDERHAND DESPICKABLE WAY TO CARRY ON A BUISNESS BUT ONE THAT IS SURELY DOOMED TO FAILURE SHOULD THEY CONTINUE IN THIS MANNER IN THE LONG TERM.
UNSURPRISINGLY, I AM NOT EXPECTING ANY FURTHER COMMUNICATION FROM YODEL ON THE MISSING PARCEL, NOR AN APOLOGY FOR THEIR DREADFUL SERVICE.
I had ordered an item from Ebay which should have been delivered on Saturday but at no time during the day did anyone from Yodel ring our gate intercom to deliver the package and just a little reminder for those of you who may have seen some of my previous posts, including a photo of our front gates which as a reminder are at least 10 feet tall with the name of the house emblazoned down the left-hand side in large white letters.
By the time I had checked my emails to find my parcel had not been delivered it was too late to contact Yodel until Monday when their office was open again, however checking the email it was very ambiguous as to exactly the parcel had been left.
The following is the email message which to me seemed to suggest the parcel may have been taken straight to the depot and as you will see if you read further the address which I was given as the delivery address doesn’t exist.
Your parcel has been delivered to your neighbour
WALTHAM CROSS SERVICE CENTRE
I first tried to contact by telephone but the conversation was such that I found myself disappearing up my own rectum as I was connected to an AI bot thing ( I think that’s the technical way to describe one of these things) so decided to risk the live chat as it couldn’t be any worse, could it?
Mon, Jul 24
Before we chat, we just need a few details about you and your parcel.
I completed all the details requested of me.
Done
Yodel • 2:46 PM
Done
2:47 PM
Thanks for completing these details. You will shortly be connected to one of our team.
Yodel • 2:47 PM
Good Afternoon, Joe. Thank you for contacting Yodel Livechat support. How are you doing today?
Vijay Kumar • 2:50 PM
I WAS FEELING FAIRLY POORLY AS I HAD SUCCUMBED TO A MILD COLD (MAN FLU) OVER THE WEEKEND AND HAD NO WISH TO SPEND TIME DISCUSSING HOW I WAS ACTUALLY DOING TODAY, TOGETHER WITH THE REALISATION THAT HE HAD NO WISH TO KNOW HOW I WAS DOING AT ALL, SO I BASHED STRAIGHT IN WITH THE FOLLOWING.
I was in all day Saturday but for some reason your delivery driver did not ring our gate intercom or contact me to deliver my parcel and I am wanting to know where my parcel is?
2:51 PM
Joe, I understand your concern regarding the parcel. Please allow me a few minutes to check your parcel details and assist you further.
2:52 PM
Thank you for waiting. Your parcel was delivered on 22nd July 2023, at 13:58 PM, according to the driver’s comment it was delivered to the neighbours (HOEHouse Number: JOE). As per the driver’s location on the map, the parcel was scanned a bit away from the exact location, it might be due to the driver was not in the network area. Can you please check with your neighbours and around the property as well?
Vijay Kumar • 2:55 PM
I IMAGINE MR VIJAY KUMAR MUST HAVE ASSUMED (HOEHouse Number:JOE) WAS A PERFECTLY NORMAL ADDRESS FOR A HOUSE IN RURAL HERTFORDSHIRE AND AS FOR THE SUGGESTION THAT THE PARCEL MAY HAVE BEEN SCANNED A BIT AWAY FROM THE EXACT LOCATION WAS SOMEWHAT CONFIRMED TO ME AS IT SAID ON THE EMAIL, WALTHAM CROSS SERVICE CENTRE WHICH IS THEIR DEPOT OVER TWENTY MILES AWAY, I HAVE TO ADMIT I WAS RATHER HOPING FOR AN ADMISSION THAT THE DRIVER WAS TOO BLOODY LAZY TO DELIVER TO MY HOUSE AND JUST TOOK IT STRAIGHT TO THE DEPOT WHERE HE SCANNED THE ITEM AS IF AT MY NEIGHBOUR’S HOUSE. SO I CONTINUED WITH.
There is no house anywhere near me called (HOEHouse Number: JOE) So can you please tell me where my parcel is?
2:56 PM
I apologise for this experience. As you have confirmed that you haven’t received this parcel. I’ll be raising it with the concerned team. The team will make an attempt to gather more information on this delivery which will include all the facts and findings. In case needed the driver will also be interviewed about the delivery. Could you please confirm if this is the correct email address where we can keep you updated on xxxxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com
Vijay Kumar • 2:59 PM
Yes this is my email but this still does not answer my question, where is my parcel?
3:00 PM
Thank you for confirming your email id. Please be assured that I have raised this investigation with the depot to interview the driver to gain more clarity on this delivery. The team will get back to you within the next 24 hours with all facts and findings and help you to locate your parcel.
3:02 PM
Are we still connected?
Vijay Kumar • 3:04 PM
I would like an answer a little sooner than that, I needed this item for a project I was working on and do not have the time to waste while you look for my parcel.
3:05 PM
I have already raised this with the depot, we have an instigation team for this if found any negligence or laxity, Action will be taken against the driver.
I understand how important this parcel is for you. Apart from this is there anything else that I may assist you with today?
Vijay Kumar • 3:06 PM
I’m glad to hear that but it doesn’t solve my problem as I needed the item at the weekend.
3:07 PM
Joe, the further steps will be situational based on the outcome of the investigation. Once we have an update from the team we will keep you posted.
Apart from this is there anything else that I may assist you with today?
3:09 PM
AT THIS POINT I WAS WRITING MY LETTER OF COMPLAINT AS AN EXTREMELY DISGRUNTLED CUSTOMER BUT BEFORE I HAD TIME TO FINISH THE OPERATIVE CUT ME OFF.
Are we still connected?
3:11 PM
As I have not heard from you for a while, I will now close down this chat. I hope I have been able to answer all of your queries today. If you do need any further help, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
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Vijay Kumar • 3:12 PM
I DECIDED NOT TO TAKE PART IN THEIR SHORT SURVEY AS I SO EASILY SLIP INTO USING BAG LANGUAGE WHEN FACED WITH SITUATIONS LIKE THESE.
TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE VALIANTLY READ THIS TRANSCRIPT TO THE END, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PERSIVERANCE. I AM WONDERING IF THERE WILL BE AN UPDATE OR WHETHER THEY WILL IGNORE ME IN THE HOPE THAT I WILL JUST GO AWAY. WE SHALL SEE!
Another quick turnaround, back for a day again and off to the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, a place we have not visited before but one I can thoroughly recommend as the entire place is like being in a time warp were it not for the people who have come in modern dress and the fact that you can’t get a pint for a wartime 1s/ 2d or about 7 pence in modern currency.
They also used to shoot Peaky Blinders there and although I never watched many episodes but here are a few images to give you the feel of the place, personally I only ever noticed the cars of my friends from the Bentley Drivers Club whose cars were used in the programme.
As you can see at the top of the road was a public house which was very conveniently situated for us to take shelter from the rain and to take part in the forties singalong.
When the rain stopped we had a quick ride on a bus with our friends and the leader of the Kalamazoo Dance band who we danced to in Woodhall Spa and also later in the evening here.
Finally, yet another photo of yet another pub in which we had to shelter yet again when another rain cloud hit us, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it!
Fresh from our trip to Woodhall Spa we had a day back at home which was largely taken up getting the car washed, sorting the washing and packing to go to the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
As usual we stayed in the Railway Station in Petworth which is exactly what it says on the tin, the converted station and carriages which are the bedrooms on the railway lines of the platform and we met our friends Francis and Tracy and ate in the Badgers pub next door.
The following day we went to the Festival of Speed, parking in the designated car park for performance cars which was useful as it is right by the start/finish line of the hill climb and conveniently close to the Goodwood Road Racing Club Members enclosure.
A visit to Bonhams auction, the paddock, the Cartier style et Luxe to view some of the finest concours d’eligance cars in the world and then off to our grandstand to watch the cars up the hill.
That’s pretty much it, always a quick visit the Festival of Speed but at this rate it won’t be long before we are back for the Revival in September and you’ll just have to make do with the only photo I took which is the Porsche display outside Goodwood House.
We have been very busy in the last two weeks out and about enjoying ourselves, although I am beginning to feel the strain a little now we’re home as I fear I’m going down with “Alice.”
What, I hear you ask is “Alice,” well all I can say is the doctor was unsure as to what it was but he was certain that Christopher Robin had gone down with it and lived to tell the tale.
It never ceases to amaze me how quickly some people manage to post the story of their recent trip, it seems no sooner have we said goodbye and got home, they manage to upload to Facebook a full descriptive piece complete with a multitude of photographic images whilst I have barely unloaded the car.
However, I am delighted to say that Angella is now getting a little more relaxed about her image appearing on social media and I no longer have to make the joke about the Interpol arrest warrant having now laxed.
Firstly, our annual trip to Woodhall Spa, a wonderful place to visit for a forties weekend as the entire town embraces the wartime spirit, with classic cars scattered about, shops done up in the forties style, the entire woods are full with Army chaps and their equipment such that you feel the D Day landings can’t be far off.
Our favourite pastime was the tea dances and the evening dances, although the vintage shopping and a fly past by a Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane have to be high on the list of fun things to see and do.
We have a tendency to live in the moment and enjoy the event which means we tend to never think of taking photos, although I think this image of Angella is rather lovely.
The only other photos we took were a rather sad reflection on modern Health and Safety that seems to be everywhere nowadays, the first seems to be stating the bleeding obvious to say the least.
The second also seems a little superfluous as I would have thought a wood full of troops ready to invade Normandy would have been more than capable of dealing with a small fire from a barbeque.
We always have a fabulous time in Woodhall Spa and can’t wait for next year.
A Bristol couple who have been parking their bicycle outside their house tethered to a large flower planter have been told to remove it by the council.
I am only just back from my travels but couldn’t resist commenting on this story.
I am inclined to think that when they pay the same taxes as a car driver then they would be entitled to the same space but as they don’t it seems only fair that they are not entitled to a parking space. They will have to find an alternative place to store the bicycle, perhaps they can stick it up their back passage.
I have been rather busy this week getting ready to go to Woodhall Spa forties weekend but I did manage to find time to get some new tyres for my MGB GT, as you can see from the photo I had to put the car on axle stands as I had to get four new tyres.
I don’t think they have done more than 200 miles as can be seen from the tread.
However, here’s the real truth of the matter, being exposed to sunlight has completely rotted the outer side of the tyre and the lesson is; use your car more often as they don’t like sitting about doing nothing and when you have bought new tyres get some covers to protect them if you don’t have the time to use the car.
We went at the weekend to Hever Castle in Kent for a forties event and had a most lovely time meeting friends and going round the castle which was once the home of Anne Boleyn who was the second wife of Henry VIII, although she was Queen for three years from 1533 it all ended in tears when she was beheaded for treason in 1536.
The house was later owned by the Astor family and thanks to William Waldorf Astor having spent spent some 10 million pounds restoring it, this in the days when 1 million was a fortune and not just lose change you find down the back of the sofa as today, it all looks rather splendid and a surprisingly comfortable looking family home.
We were lucky enough to meet Bruce and Pauline Henley when we arrived in the car park who were very kind in sharing their hay fever tablets when we realised we had forgotten to take ours which made the day considerably more comfortable than it would have been.
Just a quick photo opportunity in front of a Spitfire reproduction before the real thing did a couple of circuits before heading off.
For me the find of the day was behind the Spitfire and was a 1930’s MG with a rather splendid patina and some blurb which I started to read, it seems the car was owned by David Blakely a racing driver in the 1950’s and later known more famously for another event but it didn’t mention what the event was.
However, I was aware of the event and said to the owner, “the boyfriend of Ruth Ellis,” to which he replied, “yes.”
Sadly he was fairly beastly to her during their relationship and she managed to get a gun and on the 10th April 1955 outside the Magdala public house in Hampstead she shot him dead.
Her trial was in June where she was found guilty of murder and on 13th July she was hung in Holloway prison becoming the last woman to be executed in this country.
A fascinating story and a fascinating car!
Now I know this post may not sound the most interesting, especially to those who have a car as a means of transport rather than a treasured possession, however bear with me this may be of some use to all who have older cars and are on a limited budget.
I have a Bentley Arnage which has only done 53000 miles in its 23 years of life and is to all extent and purpose a virtually new car, except for the key remote which is showing signs of age. As you can see from the photograph it is not particularly sophisticated in that one button unlocks the car and the other locks it and sadly of late the lock button has become very tired and is most reluctant to do its job as it has lost the ability to click!
I therefore spent many an hour searching to try to buy a new one but as the car is of some age they are not available and all the locksmiths I contacted seem reluctant to repair them judging by the very poor response I had when contacting them, which left me no alternative but to attempt to repair it myself.
How hard can it be, I thought as I opened the case and surveyed what is basically a printed circuit board together with the two most important parts therein, namely two very tiny micro switches, one for open and one for close.
I am a great believer in the old wartime idea of “make do and mend” so set about finding a supplier of the correct switch with the assistance of both Amazon and Ebay, and purchased some from both suppliers in a “belt and braces” sort of way.
It was with a modicum of trepidation with soldering iron in hand I set about removing the worn out micro switch for had I damaged the printed circuit or any other part I would then find my self stuck with another well known saying, “up shit creek, without a paddle,” for then I would have no working remote at all.
However, cutting a long story short, it was a bloody fiddly job but I am pleased to report that I did manage to replace the switch without damage to the board and I now have a working remote with a rather satisfying little click when locking the doors .
I am very pleased to have had the wherewithal to complete this task both from the point of view of saving a few bob and mostly because had I failed I would not have a working remote, the only down side to this story is how sad it is in this day and age that we no longer mend anything.
Well done to those of you who noticed the micro switch in the photograph, I did say they were a tad fiddly to work with.
The Diary of a Country Bumpkin 