Hi Caro Thanks to your nudge (and being bored cos snowed in) I finally got back on to this today - sent them yet another letter, at least it will prove to FOS they've been using delaying tactics if it gets that far but I'm trying to avoid them as they take ages. And you're right, need the credit rating sorting before I accept money. Don't know too much about credit ratings - will it make much difference if they put me down as missed payments for 3 months instead of disputed? My credit rating has always been good. I've even done my first PPI reclaim letter to Barclaycard today - aren't I good! Just hope can get Post Office tomorrow to send them recorded. Jan

lol Reminds me of a friend who had a mini metro years ago - she got up one morning to find it in the middle of the field instead of where she'd parked it. Hadn't been broken into or anything, obviously someone's idea of a laugh on the way home from the pub to carry it. Was funny though - one small yellow metro in the middle of a field. She thought she was going mad.

That is typical of train services. I used to work in Manchester City Centre and something very similar happened just last year. I don't think they know themselves what's happening. Learnt years ago never to believe them. Heard Liverpool ran out of grit. I live very close to Pennines so its snow ploughs we need and the only ones they got are clearing the motorways.

Could this delay be because of the snow? A lot of banks haven't been able to open for the last 2 days in my area as the staff can't get to work. And we don't have to sign on this week because staff can't get to work in JobCentres either. Would it have a knock-on effect for everything? ie taking longer than 3 days to clear etc? Just wondering. Jan

Hi Termi Hope you got wellies too? Only footwear I seem to have worn since mid December! Jan

I thought it would be down to staff - no transport for last two days near me. Hardly anyone's been able to get to work. Will be affecting pretty much all the country by now!

Neighbour's Punto not moving either - despite all her efforts she got nowhere. PF - not been able to get my car out since last Friday, neighbours keep reminding me to turn it over though! Jan

Congrats Tilly I got lots of hats - handy if you can't be bothered washing your hair.

In my experience the problem with them seems to be communication - their branches and head office don't communicate, they contradict each other. That appears to be such a problem they are basically stealing money from you. Ask them if they've ever taken PPI from you whilst you're writing - they've just been done by FSA for adding PPI to quotes and charging people for it without even telling them they had it. Details on FSA website. See what head office say - I thought the canx charge on their website t&c's was £50 but someone else posted a while ago it was £40. Ask them for a full statement of your account with them so you can see exactly what they've taken and what it was for. You need it in writing for Ombudsman. If they refuse that's a mark against them if it gets that far. Please report to FSA when sorted - they need a good hard kick. Good luck Jan

I didn't get email notications for a couple of months after I signed up for them - then they suddenly started arriving and have been fine since.

I'm on Cheshire/Lancs border and we got loads. Spent the morning shovelling about 12" of snow off paths/pavement and the afternoon walking about 2 miles to Tesco & back (uphill) to get basic supplies. I already ache - don't think I'll be able to move tomorrow!

They are a nightmare. There are other Swinton threads on here if you search. Write to their head office in Manchester again (per their complaints procedure on their website). Send it recorded delivery. Hopefully they will sort it properly. If they don't, go to FOS. Watch them with cancellation charges, make sure you get everything back. If you have cancelled direct debit it is likely they will set debt collectors on you (even whilst they're investigating your complaint). It is their usual practice to try and frighten people into paying what they do not owe. After it is sorted complain to FSA anyway - especially if they do have debt collectors chasing you whilst you are waiting for a response from head office. Jan

Walked a mile to Tesco's today and they hardly got any bread, just their own make stuff. They did have lottery tickets though .... Neighbour is trying to get her Punto out but all she's managed so far is to slide into the car parked in front of her. She didn't even shovel the snow away first (we got about 12"). Even the lighter weight 4 wheel drives are struggling, she's no chance of getting anywhere. Rest of road have had more sense than even try.

Hi Was due to sign today but when I rang to check they said money will be automatically paid without signing because of the snow. People can't get there. Would imagine this will apply to Cheshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire but ring and check before you attempt to struggle in if you have snow! Jan

Hi Caro I have been rubbish and haven't written to them/FOS yet. Balls in my court, they're in no rush cos they got my money. Might give them a quick ring soon and ask them what's happening. Either that or just go to FOS. Maybe I should just get my money then go after them on credit rating afterwards. Need to make a decision .............. Jan

Kids and dogs are having a great time in the snow! Local kids built an Igloo. Aussie friends of mine who emigrated about 20 years ago had me taking photos and posting them on facebook so they could laugh at us!

We had no post either - got nothing cos no-one can get into work as roads are so bad.

If it gets as bad as here the wagons won't be able to get down the road. Only thing down my road today was a tractor - made nice grooves for people to walk in. Really need snow ploughs but the few they have will be clearing motorways. Been no buses even on the main routes most of the day - there is just too much snow.

Migraines are a nighmare. Are you stressed? That's when I get them and nothing stops them, tried the lot from the docs. Waste of time. I just hit the painkillers when they arrive. Caffeine and chocolate don't make any difference to mine but I have to be careful with fresh orange juice, I think that starts them. Interesting what you say about atmospheric levels though - went to Carribean one year and got the beginnings of one every single day, sometimes twice, so that atmosphere must kick mine off, stressed or not. Luckily its easy to avoid! Jan

Yep - heard it was your turn next! Stock up today PF, we can't get bread & milk from local shops as deliveries can't get through and we can't go shopping further cos we can't get our cars out (no snow ploughs) and no buses running even if you walk down to main roads. Schools & colleges closed as well. Jan

The little kids all happy this morning cos schools are closed. They all had their wellies on but snow was going over the top cos they only got little legs

Hi Steve just giving you a bump. Hit the red triangle for mods. Jan

Anyone got a spare snow plough? Only way I'm going anywhere today

yet more snow .... we already got loads

Are you sure about not being able to go to FOS? I asked the question at the beginning of my Northern Rock PPI thread as my loan was from 2004 but lots of people on here advised I could. Threatened them with it and they paid out. I don't know if it will help but have a look at FSA website, there is a section on PPI where they ruled it was unfair or something around Oct last year and said certain bank's had to contact customers and offer to repay them, if I remember rightly. I know some have gone the Court route and won but I didn't need to so don't know the procedure.