Hi, This is a very old fun trick to pass the time, like when you're waiting for your cca's to drop on the doormat:D Some people might already know it, but for those that don't............ There's several ways to do this, but this way has always worked for me, Before you pick someone to try this on, write the word 'carrot/s' on a piece of paper and fold it up. Then on a seperate piece of paper write 6 adding up sums that equal the answer 6 I use; 1+5 = 4+2 = 3+3= 5+1= 2+4= 6+0= Tell the person you've chosen that you're going to do a mind reading/magic type trick. Give the folded up piece of paper with the word 'carrots/s' on to the person you've chosen to do this. (works best if you don't tell them what's written on it!) Then show them the piece of paper with the sums on, read them out and ask the person to answer them in their head. As soon as they've finished, ask them to name a vegetable. Then ask them to unfold the paper and to read out what it says. (If they haven't said 'carrot' for their answer then pretend your phones ringing and you have to leave:rolleyes:) People will say 'carrot/s' 9 times out of 10. It's fun for a while. Happyfeet:)

oh, and pull his details from ebay and ring him, that will help to make him realise you're serious:)

I would explain to him that the paypal dispute has left your account in a negative figure and Paypal are now intending to take court action against you and as he decided not to return your item to you then unless he repays the money for the item by X date then you'll be forced to make a court claim. Make sure you state a date otherwise you'll be given the run around.

The paypal user agreement states that the item doesn't have to be returned to get a refund. Although it's their usual practice, unless the item is proven to be fake, in which case it's conviscated. So they do have a case. But it's iffy because you did reply, and from what you say your reply was lost in the system somehow as they sent a duplicate. If you've started an appeal and had it rejected then I can't see what else you can do other than trying to get the descision overturned at court. It's terrible that you can lose money like that. My personal opinion is that it's not fair, and I really hope you can get your money back.

You'll find great information on this site. I did:)

Nice to see money is being spent well! I hope this will have a major benefit to future generations. I was hoping they'd given up:(

Don't give in now! you don't really want one, all that stinky horrible smoke, it tastes horrible, all that poison, urghh! have a raw carrot:D I didn't get the patches in the end, I went (and still am) cold turkey. Some days I wish I had got the patches but when a craving passes It boosts my confidence. Every day makes me feel so much better, I don't smell, I can breath, everythings fresh, and I'm not risking my life anymore. It isn't easy but everyday is a step closer to beating it:) Oh, another thing I did, and if you've read my thread you'll see that I use shock tactics to help me, it's not a nice thing and maybe not for everybody because it can be a sensitive subject. But I've kept old packets that have the pictures on them of the damage it can do and when I get a really strong craving then I look at the pictures and it still shocks me everytime, so much so, that the craving passes quite quickly. Keep going:)

Thanks ukaviator, sounds like it's not going so well then. I just found it funny how one minute we're being told the worlds going to end then the next we hear nothing for months SOD'EM - , I still have debts in my imagination!! ahh!

That sounds about right for Abbey:rolleyes: At least your OH will have a new account on Wed to leave you free to challenge them, that's the same stage that we're at. 42man will be subscribed to your thread so will see that you've posted and advise as well as others who have experience with this. I'm guessing this is where the fun bit starts! you'll get great advice so keep at it:) All the best Happyfeet:)

Does anybody know how the experiment is going that started a couple of months ago. You know the one, that was being done underground that was supposed to cause the end of the world:rolleyes: I can't find any info on it and I haven't finished building my 'end of the world shelter' in my garden yet any updates? Happyfeet:)

I had the sleeping problem aswell. I couldn't 'switch off' because I just constantly had cravings:mad: It wasn't too long before that faded and sleeping got back to normal, so keep going, it will get easier:) I even tried carrot sticks aswell when in my first few days. Well, it was less of a stick and more a whole raw carrot. Because I used to smoke in my kitchen so I felt constantly drawn there every ad break of the soaps, so I'd go to the kitchen as normal but eat a raw carrot. I soon got out of that habbit!!! You're making your Son very proud of you, so keep going, keep reminding yourself of all the positives! Happyfeet:)

Hi ruby0167, I'm not far off from 2 weeks in now and it does get easier. My first few days were really really tough, but I feel great now that I've got through them. Are the patches helping with the cravings now? Happyfeet:)

Hi everyone, Thank you again for your replies:) I'm doing well so far. It's now become routine not to smoke, if that makes any sense. So whereas when I first quit the routine was to smoke in certain situations, now it's become routine not too. My head feels clearer aswell. The one thing I have really noticed is other peoples smoke. Just walking down the street I can smell the smoke well before I see the person doing it. I'd never realised it was that strong before:eek: The cravings are so much easier to deal with now and if I do start to struggle then I go on the interent and remind myself of the damage it can do and consider myself lucky. I know it's not a very nice thing to be doing but now that I'm a non smoker:) I'm not hiding from the dangers of it now. So it's shock tactics that I'm using on myself, and they work very very well. and of course everyones support here is a huge help!

sub and bump:)

Abbey really annoy me. They put us in a circle of charges. We've asked many times for an overdraft but they're not interested. We've now opened a basic account with another bank whilst we prepare to claim charges back properly as I've no doubt they'll close our account when we challenge them. We have already complained directly to them about charges but received a standard response a day later saying that they don't agree and end of story. I hope your partner gets the charges back though, and I'll follow the progress:) all the best Happyfeet:)

So I can ignore any rubbish response about 'we don't have to send you a cca because you're not the account holder'? Brilliant, I thought I'd lost control a bit with them over this but seems not. That's great news:)

The debt is around 6 years old, I was quite happily paying Intrum monthly for it. Then about 5 months ago I got a letter from a company called Apex (I think that was their name) and they were demanding the money. So I phoned Intrum who said they were no longer dealing with it and I should phone Natwest (oc on c/c) so I did and Natwest said they didn't know anything about it and to phone intrum. So I phoned Apex and told them I was paying Intrum and that I had phoned Natwest and they didn't know if Apex were suppose to have it or not. Apex then told me they would double check as they then decided I didn't have an account with them after all. Then all of a sudden Lewis sent a letter demanding the money:confused::confused: I'll wait for a response to the cca request from Lewis and if needed then I'll tell them my name changed. I just ment really that if they don't beleive who I am with the cca request then I wasn't sure if me just saying my name has changed would make any difference to them, or if I'd need to send proof, which I'm not going to do, because I've had enough of all this rubbish now with this lot. Why, oh why, are dca's so damn useless!!!!!!! and...breath.......in....and out.......... , Must admit though that in just a few days of being on the CAG forum I'm much less worried about them now than when I first started this thread. Lewis is just one of 3 at the moment and they're all as useless as each other:)

that was 1361 it's all gone wrong. I did type it all neatly and clear but it's all merged:( and it should read that the estimate for the period just before that one was 1259

arghh, that's not come out as I typed it! the face with sunglasses should be 08, why a smiley is there I don't know???

Thanks flyingdoc, only just read your post. I'll follow that link and see what they say:)

BILL 1 meter size 15mm Readings Standard rate standard rate (05/01/08 - 31/03/08) (01/04/08 - 13/05/08) Present 1259 - Estimate 1361 - Read 13/05/08 Previous 1054 - Estimate 1259 - Estimate Vol used m3 205 102 BILL 2 Readings Standard rate Present -Read 24/10/08 1939 Previous -Read 1361 Vol used m3 578 That's all the second bill has for readings. I notice it gives dates when the meter was read, but untill a couple of weeks ago they claim they didn't even know anyone lived in our house. And it's been like that for 3 years even though I sent the letter back with my details on. I don't know what the reading figures should be but my thought is maybe they've added all 3 years into there and just called it a bill for 08? is there anything I can do, there's no way I have 2k? I can scan copies tomorrow if it helps? but I've tried to copy it exactly as is.

2 secs:) could they have added the previous 2 years into this bill? it's all strange, just getting the readings now

Sorry, I didn't answer your question, No, they have no idea. But I'm not sending them a copy of my marriage certificate, ever.

Thanks Godmother, If they refuse to give the cca to me because my names now different, what do I do? This is a very old debt anyway and I was hoping to silence them with the request. If they don't accept me as being the account holder then does that also mean they can't take any action against me?

Bill 1 Jan - May 08 Total water charge = £368.03 Total Sewage Charge = £375.20 Water supply Volume used 205m3 x 115.14p = £236.03 Standing charge 87 days x 6.56p = £5.70 Volume used 102m3 x 120.83p = £123.24 Standing charge 43 days x 7.12p = £3.06 Total Water charge £368.03 Sewage service Volume used (foul and surface) (at 90% of water used) 184.50m3 x 124.49 = £229.68 Standing charge 87 days x 18.31 = £15.92 Volume used (foul and surface) (at 90% of water used) 91.80m3 x 131.94p =£121.12 Standing charge 43 days x 19.73p = £8.48 Total Sewage charge = £375.20 Bill 2 May - Oct 08 Balance bought forward £743.23 Total water charge £710.07 Total sewage charge £718.70 Bill amount £2172.00 Water supply Volume used 578m3 x 120.83p = £698.39 Standing charge 164 days x 7.12p = £11.68 Total Water charge =£710.07 Sewage service Volume used (foul and surface) (at 90% of water used) 520.20m3 x 131.94p £686.35 Standing charge 164 days x 19.73p £32.35 Total sewerage charge £718.70 I hope this makes sense:confused: I can type the meter readings as well if that helps? we're only a 2 bed semi, this just seems alot just for 08?