The advice thread for random problems #4

[Rodneytrotter]

We get a lot coming for hypnotherapy for phobias, not sure if you have any clinics close by though, other than that could CBT maybe work?

Ooh yes, would I contact her gp to access cbt?

 

[MyLittlePony25]

Just a question more than ‘advice’, but whose job is it to find cover if you call in sick? I remember working in pubs and the managers saying that you have to find cover or come in, or else you would be classed as a ‘no show’. I’m not in that role now but I have had to call in today as I have tonsillitis that has wiped me right out. Our manager is on annual leave, so I called on call and told them. My colleague said our area manager likes us to find our own cover and thought I should let her know. But my argument is, our area manager is not on call this weekend, the rule is that we call on call at weekends. I also said it isn’t our job, I called in sick and cannot call around our colleagues to find cover, although we normally do sort it out ourselves. There are only 2 people on our team that could possibly cover this weekend, they both have not said they would cover.
It’s not entirely clear though, I told my colleague I would take the flack if I’m wrong, by my thinking is that it is managements job?

 

[becca7721]

Bit confused. You said the landlord told the police that they won't evict you but also that your notice ends in days and that you've been told that you must pay the landlord's costs of evicting you.

Re. costs of eviction, if you stay beyond the end of your notice period and the landlord has to get an Order of Possession (which is the court telling you to leave) or even a Warrant of Possession (which the court making you leave) you will probably be told by the court to pay the landlords costs for those legal actions.

Which council are you trying to register with?

I’m confused too!! That’s exactly right. They’ve told police I’ve nothing to fear I won’t be evicted. They’ve told me I will.

Thank you for information regarding costs!

Council is Ceredigion (mid wales) but their website just simply says my device needs updating (which I can’t afford).

 

[littlepup]

sending a wanking video without the receiver’s consent is 100% a crime. The accused has zero recourse to pursue the accuser legally, based on the info we have given.

Yes, which I have said it hinges on consent.
I literally wrote “need to ensure a crime has been committed and that comes down to consent”.

And no, on the info we have been given no crime has been committed. But I understand why it needs to be investigated.

 

[xbxbx]

I had a new front door installed a while ago and now I’m looking to paint or varnish it. It’s a completely bare wooden door with no paint, varnish or treatments on it currently.

If I decide to varnish it, how should I prepare the door? Do I need any pre-treatment before applying varnish? Same goes for if I decide to paint, do I need a pre-treatment or undercoat or can I go straight in with wood/exterior paint?

It’s worth mentioning that I live in a flat in an ex council building, the halls and stairwell in the building are completely concrete and a pretty ugly brown and beige colour. I’m wondering if I should match my door with the rest of the halls which would mean varnishing it a deep walnut or black/brown. This technically would look best from the outside but wouldn’t be my first choice for the interior side of the door. Would it be silly to varnish the outside one colour but paint the inside a different colour? My interior hallway in my flat is nice and bright so would probably do a white or pale grey to keep it bright as there’s no windows.

I hate making DIY decisions

 

[TheGlossy]

My own way of handling this is to have it delivered to my workplace. If this isn't applicable to you, have it addressed and delivered to a friend or relative's workplace instead. There's always someone to sign for it at reception. I've not had any issues yet !

Unfortunately, these are not options for me. I don’t have any relatives over here nor do I have any friend who can help (any friend I have live halfway across the country or continent). My workplace does not allow personal packages to be delivered.

I wouldn’t be this stuck if I had alternatives.

 

[peekachu]

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

 

[littlepup]

Has anyone tried Disney+ with Ads? Are there loads?
I want to use some clubcard points for Disney+, and with ads is ‘cheaper’ but if it’s naff it’ll be a waste and I don’t think I can then upgrade if it’s done via vouchers so will be stuck with it.
Thanks

 

[Piff paff puff]

What would you do with old broken computers that still have your data on them? I want to recycle them but won't the company access my data while they're destroying it from the hard drive?

 

[Tanne1999]

Police report. I had to do the same before Amazon would even listen to me it’s so frustrating

You’re kidding I tried the online chat but they told me they can’t do anything until Friday

 

[Meg78]

When I worked in retail the expiration date was usually the last day you could use it, so if it said expires 20th Nov then the 20th would be the last day, but every store might be different, their website should have a question section about their gift cards that hopefully explains it

Frustratingly they only say “24 months” as the time to expiry from purchase, and their online balance checker isn’t working, and no customer service on a Sunday

 

[stargirl23]

You are an absolute legend! Thank you so much!

No worries

 

[TheGlossy]

Does anyone have any experience with Naked palettes? I bought one which arrived without any type of plastic film protection on the eyeshadows. Is this normal?

 

[OnlyHereForTheLolz]

I've never heard of ebuyer so I'll have a look thanks

Not really, I tried some FB groups but it's just all mixed with some saying this is good an others saying no, there's no clear direction with anything because if one says get such an such another is saying don't

Is there nobody recommended locally? We have a guy local to us we use to build us pc's to spec. Very knowledgeable and he is honest too. We got him recommended through facebook

 

[TheGlossy]

Can’t make this up today.

I was approached for an external role which I know is a dead end, but I wanted to use this interview as training for future interviews given I’m aiming for a more senior role.

Fast forward, I received the invite today and the person interviewing me used to work in the same department in my current company (literally used to sit across from me), probably knows my current manager and from past experience of overhearing them on calls, they can be pretty abrasive.

The interview is Monday but with all this in mind, I’d rather not even bother. I need yo find something ti cancel.

 

[stargirl23]

Thanks, I'll give that a try!

No worries, hope it works

 

[MyLittlePony25]

Depends on your employment status. If you are an employee then it's not your job to find cover if you are sick, it is management's. If you are a self employed contractor, it might be.

I’m an employee. Thank you, that is what I thought.

 

[Phil Anne Throw Pee]

My employer is a global company and didn't ask for my references before hiring me. Been there nearly 2 years and it's been a fairly standard experience with no massive red flags, so maybe it's not ubiquitous anymore

When I've been employed in academia they did always check references so maybe sectors vary?

I've worked in many sectors where references have always been part of the process. Did you put referees on your CV/Application form when you applied?

 

[Bobbleowl90]

I’ve just booked an appointment on Friday for beauty treatment. I’ve paid in full but stupidly I’ve booked the wrong treatment (the one I meant to book is £50 cheaper too). The T&C’s say no deposits are refunded but appointments can be changed up to 48 hours before. Obviously this is less than 48 hours because I’ve only just booked it. I’ve messaged them but could they refuse to do it? I’m such an idiot

 

[Shoequeen91]

I don’t think of this as a problem, but maybe more so seeking some advice? I’m looking at buying a new sofa etc and I’ve found one I really like in next. I suppose what I’m asking for is information on the quality of their furniture, what’s their customer service like etc

I really don’t want to make a purchase if they just leave you hanging should something go wrong