Dave Beans

I've been a member of ebay since 2001/02. I've had the odd person cocking about, but on the whole, it hasn't been too bad. That is until March of this year. I listed an iPad, and it was eventually sold to someone in France through the global seller programme. An item is typically shipped to ebay's centre (which is run by a third party), where is it often repacked and then sent on to the recipient. I packaged it all up, and sent it off. A couple of weeks later, I then got an email from the person, saying that it wasn't charging. I thought that was odd, as it was fully working when I sent it off. I said OK, make a claim through paypal as I suspected it was broken in transit. They then sent it back to me - well I got a box - an empty box back. Paypal then decided to refund them the whole amount without checking with me whether I had actually received it or not. What then ensued was a merry-go-round with paypal and with the person in France. They said they had definitely sent it off, and it must have been stolen in transit (which was bollocks) - paypal said that this happens all the time. Communications with the recipient immediately ceased, no matter how many times I emailed them. Several calls to paypal later, they initially tried to palm me off. They then they suggested that I had to get a crime number, so that they could process my claim for a refund. I got that, and it was all in hand, and that they'd get back to me. Yeah right. I then had to do more chasing. It took three months for buggering about before I got my money back. What a faff overall.

I had a 156 for seven years..Twas lovely, although the 159 looks a heavier, boxier car. I might be after a Spider for next summer.

Less than two grand for a Brera... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alfa-Romeo-brera-2-2-jts-petrol-px-welcome/153626228116

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-7489763/Fresh-race-storm-mars-National-League-tie-Hartlepool-Dover-clash-fans.html

You get a lot of XK8 for your dosh... https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201909202433057 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-05-JAGUAR-XK8-4-2-S-2DR-COUPE/153647549595

Alfa's going wrong? New one on me...

Someone took my advice for once...blimey!

Ultimately, the OU is probably the main way of being able to gain a degree without having to do it full time, at a moderately affordable price, when compared to paying nine grand a year for no more than 9 hours of lectures a week whilst having to pay it back over 30 years. I would like other universities to follow the OU, but they are few and far between, although London University looks interesting... https://london.ac.uk/applications/costs-your-course/course-fees#undergraduate-fees-2019-2020

There's still far too much snobbery around the trades (if which I now do), and yes, degrees are ten a penny, however, they are still a requirement for many jobs. Luckily I have zero university debt, but I would think twice before going now, especially with the level of debt hanging over you for thirty years - the OU is a good option, as you can potentially split that 18 grand over 6 years (if you do it part time). If I was 18, I'd probably now get an apprenticeship, and if the company I work for wants me to have one, then they can pay for it.

6-7 years ago, an OU degree would have cost £6k, but then funding was cut from the central government, so its no longer subsidised. Spending the best part of fifty grand, spread over 30 years, for nine hours of lectures a week is a lot. I'd even argue that OU degrees a fairy sought after, after the amount of discipline you have to put into it, especially if your doing twenty hours of study a week alongside a full time job. In my eyes, the standard of the OU is better than doing a degree than a shite poly type establishment (after having experience at both)..

Is the Tesla going to be banned too?

A mate of mine once went to a wedding, and it was that song that was chosen for the first dance..