Thames Water update for those with long memories

Back in 2009 I began trying to get a refund from Thames Water for a service they charged for but did not provide to me - surface water drainage. TW was, of course, unhelpful and obstructive.

I complained to the Consumer Council for Water. A very nice lady did her best but the Council was, of course, feeble and useless.

But, hey, I found a new clause on the back of this year's bill - top right, saying I could appeal. So I did.

And now I have, at last, received a reduced bill.

Now to begin pushing for a refund for the 24 years that they have been overcharging me!

I'll keep you posted - so check again in two years!

And check your bill NOW! Turn over, top right, see what it says about surface water. If you are being charged and you don't seem to be getting the service, check your water company's website to see how to appeal.

What's going on at the Info Shark?

Me, looking puzzled. An old picture - I haven't been puzzled for ages. Until now!



What's puzzling me? Trying to figure out what's new at the Info Shark. Not much it seems.

No updates for weeks ... no response to emails ... no longer claiming to be associated with Simon Cowell.

Information and rumours welcome.

Guest grump - T-Mobile and Philips

From Frank Legroux, entrepreneur and bon viveur

Let me tell you of my T-Mobile experience a few years ago. When I was getting nowhere with T-mobile I found out that they were owned by Deutsche Telecom. I then phoned DT in Bonn, requested and was put through to the Chairman's PA, who readily gave me her e-mail address to which to send my request for service. Shortly after e-mailing her I was contacted by a most apologetic, courteous and concerned senior employee of T-Mobile in the UK, who took immediate and effective action to sort out the problem I was having. I hope that this is of help to you and/or anyone else who reads it.

Health Warning: This tactic doesn't always work! I tried it subsequently with Philips over a defective Philips-branded laptop sold in PC World to an acquaintance for her daughter. The upshot was that the Philips global head office in the Netherlands declined to communicate with me (i.e. told me to get lost). I then managed rather too readily to talk to the PA to the UK boss. It took her a week and my reminding her to badger her colleagues to discover that the product was not made by or for Philips, which had licensed use of its name for the product to the Dixon's Store Group. Philips had no further interest in the matter.

These are my first comments on this site; I do hope that they are sufficiently grumpy..