25 April 2006 - Still day 12

Ok, where to start ... went to the CAB, they were useless basically, I was telling the bloke how to use his printer, he couldn't tell me anything I didn't already know. He suggested that I put everything in writing, writing is a much better communicator than email or telephone, well that's all well and good if the debt collection agency hadn't given me seven days before taking it further, I'm not sure snail mail will get this solved by then. So I came home and tried to call them again, I calmly and pleasantly asked why I owed them £67.15, that's all I want to know, not disputing it, just want to know, Sorry, i don't have that information, I'll pass you through to the credit department, one second, music, five mins later, sorry all our advisors are busy at present, please call back later, Beerrrrrrrrrr, (getting just a little irate, but trying not to) call again, (I'm nothing if not determind) Hold for 16 minutes exactly, please leave a message Beeeerrrrrrr, now I'm irate. So I call OFCOM, they advise me that if I have an ongoing complaint with Talk talk, then the debt collection agency must give me 12 weeks before doing anything, weyhey, I'm getting somewhere, so I then call the debt agency, they argue this, they say they take their orders from Talk Talk, not OFCOM, (deep breath) So I'm just about to type everything out when I decide to do a searchy on the talk talk website, see if there's a complaints proceedure, yeeeeyyyy a phone number, a personal phone number, no being put on hold, or transferred, straight through to a 'Darren' who looks in to my account from day one, admits I have paid a bill of £45 something which I shouldn't have, I will be refunded. The £67.15 is a landline bill for February and March. I have been disconnected from them since the end of February but I could not be arsed to argue anymore, I'm just so relieved that I have been able to speak to an English, down to earth bloke with a bit of savvy, thank the lord, So i said fair enough, deduct the £45 something you owe me from what I owe you, ring me with the balance when that's sorted, of which I shall pay, and never darken my doorway again. Can I be arsed to argue that I haven't had a landline service with them for that period?? Naaahhh, I'd pay £100 just to get this sorted. . I am still going to complain abut the way I have been treated, and I'm going to the Times, OFCOM and OFTEL and I will write to WatchDog. The whole experience has been really upsetting, OK, £67.15 isn't alot of money but it's the fact I've had my good credit tarnished because of some woman in India's bulls up. There is no way anyone should have the phone put down on them constantly under these circumstances, or left on hold for over half an hour. Anyways, let's hope that's the end of! Let's see what replies I get to my complaints, all good fun and a way of venting my nicotineless induced anger.

Dentist ... OH MY GOD ... got my treatment plan today, £3296, with a whitening of the bottom teeth thrown in for free, how kind thank you shall I pass out now or in ten minutes? This involves a three and one hour session, 9 crowns, 2 bridges and six more Xrays (not sure why) I don't know if all this work is necessary or if he is taking the piss. He did mention today that they do a 12 month, interest free loan plan, so I'm going to ponder. Having lovely teeth is of course very important to me, but I could have a 38DD bust for that amount of money!!!!! haven't booked next appointment, still awaiting re-mortgage, another story (DO NOT RECOMMEND NORTHERN ROCK, don't know their arses from their elbows)

Hairstyles, been looking about, found a fab website, everything to do with hair and beauty, spent hours on there ... virtual hair, make up and clothes, and a famous face skwiffy thing, greeeat stress buster, this was Angelina Jolie!



www.ukhairdressers.com

Wanted a ciggie today, of course, but after getting through yesterday without one I feel a little stronger. Still no work, loving it but still worrying about no money, the worst thing about being self employed!

Now which hairstyle shall I have ... Hmmmmm ...