Re: Banned from B&Q

[harryagain]

"Jonno" <m...@privacy.nob> wrote in message
news:MPG.2fd868798...@127.0.0.1...
>
> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3107836/DIY-enthusiast-banned-B-
> Q-country-life.html
>
> A DIY enthusiast has been banned from every B&Q store in the country for
> life ? after he tried to raise concerns about their exposed wiring.
> Raymond Meerabeau, 64, noticed the cover had come off a fuse box near
> the lifts, at the New Malden branch, in south-west London.
>
> ====
>
> I don't know why he's complaining.

There's no danger to anyone.
The purpose of the box is to prevent unauthorised meddling.
However the B&Q reaction is amazing to such a trivial incident. And
unenforcable.

There should be a nationwide boycot.

[spuorg...@gowanhill.com]

On Wednesday, 3 June 2015 02:27:56 UTC+1, Jonno wrote:
> A DIY enthusiast has been banned from every B&Q store in the country for
> life ? after he tried to raise concerns about their exposed wiring.

I got a 20% discount after I pointed out they'd wired a lawnmower extension lead the wrong way round (plug to mains, socket to lawnmower) on their display board.

Only on the one occasion though, not for life.

Owain

[spuorg...@gowanhill.com]

On Wednesday, 3 June 2015 07:03:04 UTC+1, spuorg...@gowanhill.com wrote:
> On Wednesday, 3 June 2015 02:27:56 UTC+1, Jonno wrote:
> > A DIY enthusiast has been banned from every B&Q store in the country for
> > life ? after he tried to raise concerns about their exposed wiring.
> I got a 20% discount after I pointed out they'd wired a lawnmower extension
> lead the wrong way round (plug to mains, socket to lawnmower) on their
> display board.

I've just read the Mail article (and seen the pictures).

The difference between us is now apparent.

I'm white.

Owain

[Graham.]

Jonno <m...@privacy.nob> Wrote in message:
>
> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3107836/DIY-enthusiast-banned-B-
> Q-country-life.html

>
> A DIY enthusiast has been banned from every B&Q store in the country for
> life ? after he tried to raise concerns about their exposed wiring.

> Raymond Meerabeau, 64, noticed the cover had come off a fuse box near
> the lifts, at the New Malden branch, in south-west London.
>
> ====
>
> I don't know why he's complaining.
>
>

last Saturday I took a picture of some meat pies and corresponding
shelf-edge labels in a cabinet reserved for vegetarian food. I
emailed it to the head office of the supermarket concerned, and
yesterday I received a reply
thanking me for bringing it to my
attention, and asking for my postal address so they can send me a
£10 voucher.
--

Graham.
%Profound_observation%


----Android NewsGroup Reader----
http://usenet.sinaapp.com/

[Jim GM4DHJ ...]

>>
>>
>
> last Saturday I took a picture of some meat pies and corresponding
> shelf-edge labels in a cabinet reserved for vegetarian food. I
> emailed it to the head office of the supermarket concerned, and

> yesterday I received a replythanking me for bringing it to my

> attention, and asking for my postal address so they can send me a
> £10 voucher.
>

> Graham.
> %Profound_observation%
>
>
I hope you didn't give it to them did you ? ...

[Lobster]

On 03 Jun 2015, "harryagain" <harry...@btinternet.com> grunted:

>
> "Jonno" <m...@privacy.nob> wrote in message
> news:MPG.2fd868798...@127.0.0.1...
>>
>> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3107836/DIY-enthusiast-banned-B-
>> Q-country-life.html
>>
>> A DIY enthusiast has been banned from every B&Q store in the country for
>> life ? after he tried to raise concerns about their exposed wiring.
>> Raymond Meerabeau, 64, noticed the cover had come off a fuse box near
>> the lifts, at the New Malden branch, in south-west London.
>>
>> ====
>>
>> I don't know why he's complaining.
>
> There's no danger to anyone.
> The purpose of the box is to prevent unauthorised meddling.

Agreed; bit of an odd one that the customer got aerated about it.

> However the B&Q reaction is amazing to such a trivial incident.

Also agreed. Whcih tells me that there's more to the story than what the
Mail has published. Do we really think this is the first contact that Mr
Meereabeau has had with the manager of New Malden B&Q? No doubt this
incident is the straw that broke the camel's back.

--
David

[Graham.]

spuorg...@gowanhill.com Wrote in message:

I noticed that all their display mains power tools have their
cables sliced off flush with the end of the strain relief
grommet. Perhaps I will complain ;-)

The worst thing about B&Q are those constant indicipherable
ding-dong announcements.

[Andy Burns]

Graham. wrote:

> The worst thing about B&Q are those constant indicipherable
> ding-dong announcements.

No, the worst thing is the el-cheapo session musician cover versions of
rock/pop songs.

[Bill]

In message <mkm20r$ld6$2...@dont-email.me>, harryagain
<harry...@btinternet.com> writes

It would be interesting to see what happens if he tries to use a
credit/debit card to pay in a store though. Is their technology clever
enough to spot this?

>
>There should be a nationwide boycot.
>
>

--
Bill

[Tim Watts]

On 03/06/15 02:27, Jonno wrote:
>
> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3107836/DIY-enthusiast-banned-B-
> Q-country-life.html
>
> A DIY enthusiast has been banned from every B&Q store in the country for
> life ? after he tried to raise concerns about their exposed wiring.
> Raymond Meerabeau, 64, noticed the cover had come off a fuse box near
> the lifts, at the New Malden branch, in south-west London.
>
> ====
>
> I don't know why he's complaining.
>

And what exposed wiring?

All I can see is insulated cabling in a cosmetic cabinet.

[Brian-Gaff]

That is ridiculous, there has to be more to it than just taking a picture
and showing it to the manager surely, or the company would be ripped to
shreds if the guy took them to court.

I live a short distance from there, and I've seen many people, well told of
many people, taking pictures of things, and sending them to partners at home
to get permission to buy etc.
Brian

--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active

"Jonno" <m...@privacy.nob> wrote in message
news:MPG.2fd868798...@127.0.0.1...
>

[Dave Liquorice]

On Wed, 03 Jun 2015 07:02:52 GMT, Lobster wrote:

>>> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3107836/DIY-enthusiast-
>>> banned-B-Q-country-life.html
>>>
>>> I don't know whay he's complaining.

>>
>> There's no danger to anyone.
>> The purpose of the box is to prevent unauthorised meddling.

Not even that the door catch appears to be a simple magnetic one, not
a lock. The box is purely cosmetic.

> Agreed; bit of an odd one that the customer got aerated about it.
>
>> However the B&Q reaction is amazing to such a trivial incident.
>
> Also agreed. Whcih tells me that there's more to the story than what
> the Mail has published. Do we really think this is the first contact
> that Mr Meereabeau has had with the manager of New Malden B&Q? No doubt
> this incident is the straw that broke the camel's back.

Inclined to agree but, technically, you aren't allowed to take
pictures on private property without permission. Hence the snappers
with BFO lenes taking pictures of "celebrities" from a public place.

--
Cheers
Dave.

[Robin]

spuorg...@gowanhill.com wrote:
> I've just read the Mail article (and seen the pictures).
>
> The difference between us is now apparent.
>
> I'm white.
>

Possibly. Or it may just be that you didn't try a bit of DIY
photojournalism and tell the B&Q manager "give me £1,000 or I'll send
these photos to the DM who are thick enough to believe there's a risk"

--
Robin
reply to address is (meant to be) valid

[Bob Eager]

Not sure if it's still the case (I haven't been in Homebase in ages, and
it's only 5 mins walk away), but they used to have a 'radio station'
playing all day. Truly dreadful.

[ARW]

"Dave Liquorice" <allsortsn...@howhill.com> wrote in message
news:nyyfbegfubjuvyypb...@srv1.howhill.co.uk...

I recently had a random search whilst working at a warehouse.

Security found two "banned" items. One was my phone - although my induction
did say you could carry a phone but could not use it in certain parts of the
building. The same security guard signed my induction:-)
The other item was my camera. When I explained that I was taking photos for
head office of my work (as per my RAMS) the security guard used a bit of
Geordie common sense and said "Sounds like too much paperwork fella - I'll
just tick the no contraband box"



--
Adam

[Nightjar .me.uk>]

Unless there are two people of the same name, it would appear to be Dr
Raymond Meerabeau, of the University of Surrey. I can't help but feel he
could be one of those people, often academics, who spend their time
picking up the tiniest errors and highlighting them - classic internet
contributors :-)

I am reminded of the Speedwatch member who recently had to surrender his
speed camera because he was reporting far too many motorists. he
couldn't understand that the Police only wanted him to report those
exceeding the ACPO guideline speeds, rather than everybody who was the
tiniest amount above the limit.

--
Colin Bignell

[damdu...@yahoo.co.uk]

On Wed, 3 Jun 2015 09:02:41 +0000 (UTC), Jethro_uk
<jeth...@hotmailbin.com> wrote:

>Believe it or not, these are probably supplied by a company that
>specialises in "adding to the ambience" ...

The Asda has been available for years via satellite and now online to
listeners out side of the stores.
I suppose you could listen to it while filling in your online order to
make it closer to an authentic shopping experience.

G.Harman

[Ian Jackson]

In message <nyyfbegfubjuvyypb...@srv1.howhill.co.uk>, Dave
Liquorice <allsortsn...@howhill.com> writes

>
>Inclined to agree but, technically, you aren't allowed to take
>pictures on private property without permission. Hence the snappers
>with BFO lenes taking pictures of "celebrities" from a public place.
>

I think it's more like unless you are specifically asked not to, you can
take reasonably non-intrusive pictures on private property with public
access. However, I agree with most of the readers' comments.
--
Ian

[GB]

On 03/06/2015 09:37, Robin wrote:
> spuorg...@gowanhill.com wrote:
>> I've just read the Mail article (and seen the pictures).
>>
>> The difference between us is now apparent.
>>
>> I'm white.
>>
> Possibly. Or it may just be that you didn't try a bit of DIY
> photojournalism and tell the B&Q manager "give me £1,000 or I'll send
> these photos to the DM who are thick enough to believe there's a risk"
>

That's not the point, though. B&Q banned a customer for voicing
concerns. That seems OTT, and they now have publicity that is not
helpful for them, whilst have a ban that is unenforceable:

"MailOnline has approached B&Q to ask how the company plans on enforcing
Mr Meerabeau's ban but is yet to receive a response."

[Nightjar .me.uk>]

On 03/06/2015 13:42, GB wrote:
> On 03/06/2015 09:37, Robin wrote:
>> spuorg...@gowanhill.com wrote:
>>> I've just read the Mail article (and seen the pictures).
>>>
>>> The difference between us is now apparent.
>>>
>>> I'm white.
>>>
>> Possibly. Or it may just be that you didn't try a bit of DIY
>> photojournalism and tell the B&Q manager "give me £1,000 or I'll send
>> these photos to the DM who are thick enough to believe there's a risk"
>>
>
> That's not the point, though. B&Q banned a customer for voicing
> concerns. That seems OTT,

It does, which makes me think, like some others on here, that we are
only seeing the tip of the iceberg and he is all too well known to the
store.

> and they now have publicity that is not
> helpful for them,

Nevertheless, Head Office, after due consideration, not only backed the
store manager but extended the ban to all its stores, which also
suggests that there is a lot more to this story than we have been told.

> whilst have a ban that is unenforceable:
>
> "MailOnline has approached B&Q to ask how the company plans on enforcing
> Mr Meerabeau's ban but is yet to receive a response."

I doubt the Mail will get a reply. Even if B&Q have the facial
recognition or mobile phone tracking technology in place to enforce the
ban, they are hardly likely to admit to it.


--
Colin Bignell

[whisky-dave]

On Wednesday, 3 June 2015 07:45:10 UTC+1, Graham. wrote:
> Jonno <m...@privacy.nob> Wrote in message:
> >
> > http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3107836/DIY-enthusiast-banned-B-
> > Q-country-life.html
> >
> > A DIY enthusiast has been banned from every B&Q store in the country for
> > life ? after he tried to raise concerns about their exposed wiring.
> > Raymond Meerabeau, 64, noticed the cover had come off a fuse box near
> > the lifts, at the New Malden branch, in south-west London.
> >
> > ====
> >
> > I don't know why he's complaining.
> >
> >
>
> last Saturday I took a picture of some meat pies and corresponding
> shelf-edge labels in a cabinet reserved for vegetarian food. I
> emailed it to the head office of the supermarket concerned, and
> yesterday I received a reply
> thanking me for bringing it to my
> attention, and asking for my postal address so they can send me a
> £10 voucher.

Nah that's so they can send the boys round to sort you out ;-)

[Dave Plowman (News)]

In article <IfWdncctlqlwYPPI...@giganews.com>,

Nightjar <cpb@ <insert my surname here>.me.uk> wrote:
> > That's not the point, though. B&Q banned a customer for voicing
> > concerns. That seems OTT,

> It does, which makes me think, like some others on here, that we are
> only seeing the tip of the iceberg and he is all too well known to the
> store.

Well, quite. Wouldn't do for a sensationalist paper to give all the facts
if it prevents the 'righteous indignation' of its readers.

--
*HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE A CIVIL WAR?

Dave Plowman da...@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

[therustyone]

They're likely using private music to avoid Performing Rights Fees. These could cost several 100 pounds per annum even for a small cafe.

rusty

[F Murtz]

It seems a weird shop unless the shopper antagonized them somehow,in
hardware shops in AU I often take pictures of items when stated price
seem odd or differs from marked on item price and show it to the girl at
the till and never have any trouble.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

In article <049eed52-30b0-467d...@googlegroups.com>,

therustyone <johned...@gmail.com> wrote:
> They're likely using private music to avoid Performing Rights Fees.
> These could cost several 100 pounds per annum even for a small cafe.

You still have to pay for the use, though. Just a different type of
payment. Likely a 'hire charge' to the supplier.

--
*It is wrong to ever split an infinitive *

[Jim GM4DHJ ...]

just used my 10% old fart card and the £5 off voucher to get a nice keter
garden storage unit down from £79 to £65 ...........

[Jim GM4DHJ ...]

"Jim GM4DHJ ..." <jim.g...@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:FMEbx.767172$Zf4.5...@fx22.am4...

>
> just used my 10% old fart card and the £5 off voucher to get a nice keter
> garden storage unit down from £79 to £65 ...........
>
>

b&q car park is so funny..... people trying to get doors and big lawnmowers
into small cars ...ripping seats and headlinings .......and relatives
walking home

[whisky-dave]

On Wednesday, 3 June 2015 15:54:47 UTC+1, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
> In article <049eed52-30b0-467d...@googlegroups.com>,
> therustyone <johned...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > They're likely using private music to avoid Performing Rights Fees.
> > These could cost several 100 pounds per annum even for a small cafe.
>
>
> You still have to pay for the use, though. Just a different type of
> payment. Likely a 'hire charge' to the supplier.

But still a lot cheaper, do you remmeber the hot hits albums of the 70s
which used rather good cover versions so good iot was difficult to tell.

http://hitcovers.weebly.com/hot-hits.html

[Lobster]

On 03 Jun 2015, GB <NOTso...@microsoft.com> grunted:

> On 03/06/2015 09:37, Robin wrote:
>> spuorg...@gowanhill.com wrote:
>>> I've just read the Mail article (and seen the pictures).
>>>
>>> The difference between us is now apparent.
>>>
>>> I'm white.
>>>
>> Possibly. Or it may just be that you didn't try a bit of DIY
>> photojournalism and tell the B&Q manager "give me £1,000 or I'll send
>> these photos to the DM who are thick enough to believe there's a risk"
>>
>
> That's not the point, though. B&Q banned a customer for voicing
> concerns. That seems OTT, and they now have publicity that is not
> helpful for them, whilst have a ban that is unenforceable:

No the POINT is that *the Daily Mail has reported that* B&Q banned a
customer for voicing concerns. A not-so-subtle difference!


--
David

[whisky-dave]

I Like the way they but out all the flower pots in the shelving racks covering the disabled parking bays. well 3-5 are still usuable for parking.

[Adrian]

On Wed, 03 Jun 2015 15:27:47 +0000, Lobster wrote:

> No the POINT is that *the Daily Mail has reported that* B&Q banned a
> customer for voicing concerns. A not-so-subtle difference!

Oh, it's even better than that. The Wail seem to have merely lifted the
story from the local rag...

http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/
news/13217573.Handy_man_ban__Customer_s_safety_concerns_earn_lifetime_ban_from_every_B_Q/

Notice the dates. And the photos. And much of the wording...

[John Chance]

"GB" <NOTso...@microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:mkmskq$bfi$1...@dont-email.me...

> On 03/06/2015 09:37, Robin wrote:
>> spuorg...@gowanhill.com wrote:
>>> I've just read the Mail article (and seen the pictures).
>>>
>>> The difference between us is now apparent.
>>>
>>> I'm white.
>>>
>> Possibly. Or it may just be that you didn't try a bit of DIY
>> photojournalism and tell the B&Q manager "give me £1,000 or I'll send
>> these photos to the DM who are thick enough to believe there's a risk"
>>
>
> That's not the point, though. B&Q banned a customer for voicing concerns.

Bet they actually banned a particularly obnoxious customer
for being a complete pain in the arse on a number of occasions
and this was just the last straw.

> That seems OTT, and they now have publicity that is not helpful for them,
> whilst have a ban that is unenforceable:

Bet they see no effect on traffic through their stores at all
and he has said that he will comply with the ban, so they
won't need to enforce it, just needed to ban him.

> "MailOnline has approached B&Q to ask how the company plans on enforcing
> Mr Meerabeau's ban but is yet to receive a response."

What a surprise.

[Jim GM4DHJ ...]

"Jonno" <m...@privacy.nob> wrote in message

news:MPG.2fd9574d5...@127.0.0.1...
> whisky-dave scribbled

I liked the Embassy records from Woolworth's in the 60's ........

[Mike Tomlinson]

En el artículo <ct93kk...@mid.individual.net>, John Chance
<JC...@gmail.com> escribió:

>Bet they actually banned

oh look, another Wodney morph.

>complete pain in the arse

yes, you are, Woddles.

--
(\_/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

[bm]

"Mike Tomlinson" <mi...@jasper.org.uk> wrote in message
news:jd3rjWLa...@jasper.org.uk...

> En el artículo <ct93kk...@mid.individual.net>, John Chance
> <JC...@gmail.com> escribió:
>
>>Bet they actually banned
>
> oh look, another Wodney morph.
>
>>complete pain in the arse
>
> yes, you are, Woddles.

LOL
A laugh a minute.
Hey Mike, the prick has me killfiled, god knows why. Are you in a similar,
really upsetting (LMFAO) situation?
Don't they have >70's clubs down under? We should find him a wrinkly DIY
bint.

[Sam Plusnet]

In article <XnsA4AEA77B310C0d...@81.171.92.222>,
davidlobs...@hotmail.com says...

True.
The other point is that "Head Office" will have asked the Branch Manager
for his version of what happened.

Assuming that the Branch Manager told a credible story about a malignant
customer, Head Office could really only jump one way or the other.

Back the Branch Manager or slap his legs & over-rule him.

--
Sam

[Graham.]

On Wed, 3 Jun 2015 07:59:54 +0100, "Jim GM4DHJ ..."
<jim.g...@ntlworld.com> wrote:

>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> last Saturday I took a picture of some meat pies and corresponding
>> shelf-edge labels in a cabinet reserved for vegetarian food. I
>> emailed it to the head office of the supermarket concerned, and

>> yesterday I received a replythanking me for bringing it to my

>> attention, and asking for my postal address so they can send me a
>> £10 voucher.
>>

>> Graham.
>> %Profound_observation%
>>
>>
>I hope you didn't give it to them did you ? ...
>

Yes, but not my phone number.

Nevertheless, they looked it up and called me at 9am this morning to
thank me again!

I even mentioned the B&Q case as an example of how not to handle
customer complaints. He said they too had a "No customer photography
policy" for what he called "Data protection of other customers"

but he said they enforced it proportionally, or words to that effect.

I wasn't about to argue the toss in the circumstances.

--

Graham.

%Profound_observation%

[Graham.]

On Wed, 03 Jun 2015 08:50:14 +0100, Tim Watts <tw_u...@dionic.net>
wrote:

>On 03/06/15 02:27, Jonno wrote:
>>
>> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3107836/DIY-enthusiast-banned-B-
>> Q-country-life.html
>>
>> A DIY enthusiast has been banned from every B&Q store in the country for
>> life ? after he tried to raise concerns about their exposed wiring.
>> Raymond Meerabeau, 64, noticed the cover had come off a fuse box near
>> the lifts, at the New Malden branch, in south-west London.
>>
>> ====
>>
>> I don't know why he's complaining.
>>
>

>And what exposed wiring?
>
>All I can see is insulated cabling in a cosmetic cabinet.

Perhaps he has some disorder, OCD or something like that.
No reason not to treat him with respect, thank him, and reassure him
it's OK.

Of course the press might not be reporting all the facts.





--

Graham.

%Profound_observation%

[Chris J Dixon]

Jim GM4DHJ ... wrote:

>"Jonno" <m...@privacy.nob> wrote in message
>news:MPG.2fd9574d5...@127.0.0.1...
>> whisky-dave scribbled

>>> But still a lot cheaper, do you remmeber the hot hits albums of the 70s
>>> which used rather good cover versions so good iot was difficult to tell.
>>>
>I liked the Embassy records from Woolworth's in the 60's ........

Didn't MFP (Music for Pleasure) release lots of that sort of
stuff?

Chris
--
Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK
ch...@cdixon.me.uk

Plant amazing Acers.

[tabb...@gmail.com]

On Wednesday, 3 June 2015 16:09:28 UTC+1, Jim GM4DHJ ... wrote:
> just used my 10% old fart card and the £5 off voucher to get a nice keter
> garden storage unit down from £79 to £65 ...........

cheaper at wilko


NT

[Dave Plowman (News)]

In article <7410na5q7gmbp376p...@4ax.com>,

Chris J Dixon <ch...@cdixon.me.uk> wrote:
> Jim GM4DHJ ... wrote:

> >"Jonno" <m...@privacy.nob> wrote in message
> >news:MPG.2fd9574d5...@127.0.0.1...
> >> whisky-dave scribbled

> >>> But still a lot cheaper, do you remmeber the hot hits albums of the
> >>> 70s which used rather good cover versions so good iot was difficult
> >>> to tell.
> >>>
> >I liked the Embassy records from Woolworth's in the 60's ........

> Didn't MFP (Music for Pleasure) release lots of that sort of
> stuff?

Years ago, a mate of mine worked in a record 'factory' in Kensal Rise
which produced several of these cheap labels - mainly classical music.
They'd buy the recordings usually from the Eastern Block, and invent a
name for the orchestra. Some of the actual recordings were surprisingly
good - some not so. Think CD killed it off, as in the early days they were
expensive to produce, and they were geared up for making vinyl.

--
*With her marriage she got a new name and a dress.*

[whisky-dave]

On Wednesday, 3 June 2015 19:26:56 UTC+1, Jonno wrote:
> whisky-dave scribbled

> Didn't Elton John sing a few of them.

That I don;t know, but they did interview one of the people that sang on a lot of the tracks, might have been on e one show or similar type of program.

[Lobster]

On 03 Jun 2015, Jonno <m...@privacy.nob> grunted:

> whisky-dave scribbled

> Didn't Elton John sing a few of them.
>

Yep. See unofficial list here:
http://www.eltonography.com/albums/sessions/index.html

--
David

[whisky-dave]

The only one I brought was
http://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=527998

I wanted The Slider and schools out.