The advice thread for random problems #4

[stargirl23]

Hi everyone - I’m not sure if anyone can help but I guess it’s worth a try, thank you in advance!

I received a gift card for Christmas but it doesn’t work when I try redeeming it. I’ve just noticed the gift card number printed on the receipt doesn’t match the one on the card - the last 2 digits are different.

They bought it from Tesco, so I wondered if maybe the checkout person activated the wrong card number by mistake?

Does anyone know if they manually type in the number or scan the card, in which case it’s unlikely to be a human error?

I was going to go to Tescos tomorrow but I get nervous about confrontation. It’s not the end of the world, I just feel bad that the person spent their money on a card that can’t be used

You usually scan the gift card at checkout and enter the amount you want to put on it. I’ve not had to manually enter gift card numbers when I’ve brought them before x

 

[Rxt156]

Sorry to change the topic but can anyone recommend some decent sport/soft bras that's are comfy and supportive?

Nike for me

 

[watermelon sugar]

Would you have gravy with a chicken and leek pie?

 

[it’s not been changed?!]

Thank you, I did do that & they’re all much the same x

Oh no sorry I wasn’t much help.

 

[Tanne1999]

Amazon left my parcel on the doorstep. Parcel has been stolen

How easy is it to be refunded? Are they gonna want me to file a police report (my old work did), or will they just refund me? I’m so annoyed. I’ve been home all day, no knock. Was only when I checked my iPad this evening I’ve seen that it was ‘delivered’.

Finally managed to get through to someone who didn’t want me to report it to police. Was told to wait 5 working days for it to arrive and to report to police in the meantime - I didn’t as I refuse to waste police time on such a stupid thing. Contacted Amazon just now and got refunded.

The person who did the refund though made no sense. Offered a gift card and then instantly said ‘nope, can’t do that’. Why offer it then

 

[becca7721]

Any legal eagles or people in the know with employment based issues?

I have been working in a GP surgery since May 22
In September 2023 I accepted a place on a foundation degree course run by the local uni and college as an apprentice, my employer also signed and agreed too. They are a non levy paying employer so the course is funded by the government and I am registered as an apprentice with the government.

I have so far been on the course 7 months and coming in to the final few months of the first year ( its a 2 year course)
This week my line manager ( very poor management skills and stepping down as manager in April) approached me (chucked it at me) with a form titled " training agreement" and told me I had to sign it. I asked what it was, she told me if i leave the company within 2 years of completing my course (2027) I will need to pay them back the course fees.

I said, it isn't reasonable to expect me to sign this in retrospect as its now 7 months into the cource and had I been made aware of this 7 months ago I could have made an informed decision on weather I wanted to proceed on the cource under those terms and conditions.
She was very rude to me, as was her replacement - " so your using us to pay for your course and planning to leave", and " if you dobt sign they'll remove you from the course"

As mentioned this is a government funded apprenticeship course.

The form does not specify an actual sum, it just says xourse fees (£amount), then gives a sliding scale of
Leave with 6 months pay back 100%.
Leave 6-12 months pay back 75%
12-18 pay back 50%
18-24 pay back 25%

So they're expecting me to sign this 7 months after commencing the course. And without any indication of the sum of money I would be paying back in the event of me leaving the company.

I told her that I would need to seek the advise of my union representative (RCN) and potentially legal advise on the matter, and that id at least need more information on a figure and a breakdown of that figure.

I have checked my contract of employment, which makes no mention or clauses to training or training costs.

I have contacted my union and I have a phone meeting with the local rep to go over this, they told me it is my legal right to seek advise and representation of my union.

Ive since found on google so not confident it is correct but it says its actually illegal for company's to try to reclaim cource fees from a government funded apprentice.

Any advise greatly appreciated, as im worrying myself over this now.
I dont particularly want to stay with this company for two whole years after I complete my course as they are not particularly nice. I can with a fair amount of certainty say that once I finish my course they wont have any positions for the role I'll be just qualified in, and so ill have to continue working for them in the role I am in now with a foundation degree for minimum wage, or leave and potentially owe them an undisclosed sum of money.

Seek advice definitely, but I knew this was going to be NHS related. You aren’t the first and won't be the last (had experience of this myself). It was awhile ago now, but certainly wasn’t enforceable when I work worked for them. I remember someone arguing about it and being trust being told this information must be given and agreed to first before doing a course; that was NHS funded but still wasn’t allowed.

 

[Snippysnips]

Soooo my son is approaching 2 yrs old. He had a nap around lunch time for up to 90 mins then he’s awake until quite late sometimes 9.30pm as he just doesn’t seem tired. I’ve tried putting him to bed early and he just won’t go to sleep (myself & husband have tried everything and it just doesn’t work) so I’m not quite sure what to do. Do I wake him earlier from his nap? Just admit defeat and keep putting him to bed late? Anyone had experience with a low sleep needs child

What time is he getting up in mornings? I'd prob just give an hour's nap if he's not going down at nights

My neice would be up around 6/7am we'd let her have a hours nap at around 11am an then she would be ready for bed at 8pm

Is lunchtime the only time he's getting a nap? When my neice wouldn't go down at night (somtimes be almost 10pm) we found out the nursery was letting her have 2 an 3 hour naps after lunch so we have put a stop to that

You could also try no naps, my neice is two an a half an we don't put her down for one anymore but just let her decided, soon as it gets to 2pm then she's not allowed, she's had days now with no naps an been fine

 

[stargirl23]

I only want it for Bluey which is why I'm reluctant so spend much on it.
I'll watch the new series of Grey's anatomy when it comes out but otherwise, when we had it before with the vouchers, I too found there wasn't much on there if LO is too young to watch a film.

Bluey is on bbc iplayer x

 

[Bobbleowl90]

Does anybody know if you can claim somebody’s state pension contributions if they died before pension age? For example: married couple in their 50’s both eligible for state pension. One dies. Can the other one claim any money?

 

[Hastaggifted]

Men wearing baby carriers

 

[TwooTwooTwitTwitTwoo]

I’m invited to a winter wedding and I’ve been looking at dresses. I can’t seem to find one that is 100% what I’m looking for (navy). IVs come across the following two dresses but I’m not sold on them. Ideally, I’d like something a bit more versatile I can recycle regardless of event/season. I would appreciate some opinions.
View attachment 2621911
1st: The color seems a bit too summery for my taste and I’m not sure about the semi-open back. I like the material and the cut though.
View attachment 2621912
2nd: Love the color but not a fan of the pattern. Length is great but the dress doesn’t seem to be ‘wedding guest’ vibes enough.

The first one is lovely. It would go with a faux fur stole/jacket in cream/taupe/gold to winter it up a bit.

I think the second one looks a bit too much like work wear for a wedding. I'm not keen on the pattern either but the blue and buttons are lovely.

 

[littlepup]

Bluey is on bbc iplayer x

Aw thank you, we keep repeating the same ones on iPlayer and YouTube because they just love it and I think Disney has them all.
Admittedly, we’re not super strict on screen time but I’m trying to make sure it’s not some of the utter shite that comes up on YouTube - they seem to learn a lot from Bluey.

 

[stargirl23]

Hey guys please could I have some advice.

Just for context I’m single, in a 2 bed flat,
no washing machine or freezer & no tv.

Since the 2nd of Feb my electricity usage has apparently increased. With no change in the home, only small fridge plugged in & wifi box as usual.

I topped up £10 Saturday and it went off the meter the next day.
On the Sunday I wasn’t home all day but ovo said I used £6 electricity?????

The meter is suddenly taking £5-10 each day and my usual usage is around £1 a day.

Yesterday I turned off all plugs and it still used £1.26 in the 3H & KWH went up.

Today I turned the house off at the fuse box and no change in the meter.

Ovo are saying they’ll send someone out to check the meter, BUT if there’s nothing wrong with it I pay £150! - which obviously I can’t afford.

I want to know if you guys think the meter is faulty or not.
Could someone have hacked me?
Why has there been a sudden increase of usage but I’m 3 appliances down since Xmas!

Please help guys I’m having a breakdown! Xx.

I had a similar issue a few years ago, my smart meter suddenly went to £400 for the month and it was mid summer so I was out most days and no heating on I rang octopus and the meter had broken and the dial that gives readings is constantly going up looking like I’ve used it all but I’ve not. They’ve changed the meters and since then I use about £4 per day in the winter and £2-3 in summer. Sounds like a broken meter in my opinion but obviously I’m no expert. Have you tried telling them you’re struggling and can’t afford the £150 but you know there must be an issue as you’ve never had such high charges and your usage hasn’t suddenly increased. I hope you get it sorted! Xx

 

[Lollylaylow]

Hey! Wasn't really sure if there was anywhere more suitable to post this, so thought I'd ask here. I have an 18 month old British Shorthair who is well behaved 90% of the time - 10% being in a morning when she wakes us up at 5/6am by clawing at the carpet. I get up to feed her but she will eat then come back and start clawing at the carpet again. She never does this at any other point in the day, only at that time in the morning. She basically cries until we get up, then once we are up she sits like a little loaf peacefully watching out of the window. I don't know what the issue is because we do feed her but it's getting to the point where it's making holes and pulls in the carpet which naturally is a nightmare.

Was thinking of getting an automatic feeder and setting it at intervals maybe a little earlier, so she stays downstairs and is fed?

Try tin foil where she scratches, also a noise she doesn't like every time she does it. My old cat used to click her claws under the door so all you heard was click click click. I just used an aerosol can and sprayed near the door
( not anywhere on her) The worst thing you can do is get up. Once they know you are not moving until a certain time they will adjust

It started when my nephew stayed with me and let her into his room but then she would scratch the door to get out so he stopped her sleeping in there. but she was having none of that and tormented him. He is a long-distance coach driver so needs his sleep

 

[becca7721]

Is anybody having issues with Facebook? Ive been logged out and it’s rejecting my password I’ve requested a WhatsApp & text but had nothing yet.

I literally came here to ask this question!
So glad it’s not just me.

 

[Rodneytrotter]

It might possibly be getting the rabbit food, make sure the food is way at the back of their cage/hutch so they aren't spilling any of it out, if it's going after the neighbours bird feed it can't be helped but making sure there's absolutely no food around your garden will hopefully help discourage it

we had a field mouse get in the house an it went straight for my room an got into my rabbits food, we seen it in the hall one night an it was like a frigging scene from a TV show with my mum running about screaming, my dad trying to grab it in this tiny little container (like I don't know what tf he was hoping to do with that) me trying grab the rabbit an the rabbit trying knock the hell out the thing in the end a humaine trap worked an we released it like a mile from the house, didn't look pleased but it wasn't staying

Oh god this thing was huge I hope it never gets in it could be after the rabbit food, the children feed them so they might be spilling some. Also the rats might like the
Hay which gets everywhere. I wish I'd never had decking to be honest.

 

[littlepup]

I’m a bit annoyed at the moment because the management company of my complex has decided to remove all intercoms. This means that whenever I get deliveries, drivers need to ring me and have to go all the way to the entrance gate to get my packages. There’s no reception either.

I’m now experiencing repeated issues with UPS who told me drivers aren’t allowed to ring recipients on the phone during delivery. This has caused many of my deliveries to fail and be returned to sender (costing me money and time). This is a new rule because UPS drivers always rang me before.

I’m now honestly about to lose my mind because this means I would have to avoid all online merchants because most use UPS. I tried to escalate the issue to UPS to no avail. I’ve now one package returned to sender awaiting refund and another one stuck with UPS because of this. I paid about €20 in delivery fees for both and can’t be delivered. It’s a pure rip off. I’ve no clue what to do or how to raise a formal complaint?

Speak to the management company about installing a lockable parcel box?

 

[stargirl23]

I have an issue with an online merchant.

I purchased some items and paid for a express delivery. On the merchant’s website, it is indicated the buyer should receive their order within 3 business days of the order being put through.

It has been a week since I made the order and the order is still in the warehouse and has not been dispatched.

I have asked for a refund of the delivery fee as the delay is on the merchant’s end not the courrier. The merchant keeps responding to this query stating ‘you should receive your order within 3 days from now’.

It’s complete nonsense. I paid €20 for express delivery which is rather steep. I’m honestly at wits end because even with multiple emails, the order is still sitting in their warehouse and hasn’t moved.

Has anyone ever experienced something similar? How can I get the fee refunded?

Go through resolver they’re really good at getting money back. If not I find calling better than emailing as you don’t get the same automated responses x

 

[stargirl23]

Thank you! Really hoping I can pop down tomorrow

She said you can use it until midnight tomorrow when it’ll be 21st as it has the 20th on the date they will still accept it on the day xx

 

[Kim Mild]

The freezer has been left ajar , probably overnight , would you still eat the food inside.?
It's still pretty cold, but not the temp it runs at and some of the food is still firm .