The Computer at Lastminute.com
As you can see from this article, I had a little "trouble" with lastminute.com's computer system on 2nd April 2005.
Organisations and companies that, in my opinion, are "Worse than Worthless".
Monday, April 25, 2005
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
Croydon Council 2004
Last year Croydon Council won the prestigious "Worse Than Worthless" award for increasing Council Tax by 27%, see Croydon 2003.
I am delighted to be able to tell you that they have won the award again, for a second year running!
This year they have made a real effort:
They intend to increase Council Tax by 7%
They are singularly failing to redress the creeping decay and neglect that is consuming central Croydon, see "Named and Shamed".
They have presided over a fall in the value of their own pension fund of over 28% during the year 2002/2003, compared to the local authority average of 19%. See the post of 9 March 2004 in "Named and Shamed" entitled 'What is Croydon Council Doing?'
In recognition of this outstanding achievement a special commemorative mug and T shirt have been commisioned. You can buy these at The Emporium.
Last year Croydon Council won the prestigious "Worse Than Worthless" award for increasing Council Tax by 27%, see Croydon 2003.
I am delighted to be able to tell you that they have won the award again, for a second year running!
This year they have made a real effort:
In recognition of this outstanding achievement a special commemorative mug and T shirt have been commisioned. You can buy these at The Emporium.
Saturday, January 03, 2004
Parcelforce
Parcelforce are the UK Post Office’s parcel delivery arm. During December, they were entrusted by Fortnum and Masons with the delivery of a Christmas present I purchased from them; for an elderly uncle of mine, who lives in London.
As at the time of writing (3 January 2004), my uncle has yet to receive his Christmas present. This despite the fact that he has waited in on five separate, pre arranged, occasions for them to deliver it to him.
Needless to say losing five days of his life waiting for Parcelforce to turn up, is more than a little annoying at his age. He does not, hardly surprisingly, wish to waste anymore of his time on this incompetent organisation.
I discussed this disgraceful situation with Fortnums, who noted that they have had a large number of complaints from their customers about Parcelforce.
Well done Parcelforce, you are the first organisation in 2004 to win my coveted “Worse Than Worthless” award.
Keep up the good work!
By the way lads, if you could see your way to delivering the present this side of Christmas 2004; my uncle and I would be very grateful!
7 January 2004
Update
Fortnums, quite rightly, gave up trying to get Parcelforce to deliver the package. They instead sent it round today in their own van.
However, dear old Parcelforce don't seem to have given up. One hour after receiving the package from the Fortnum's van, my uncle received a note through his door from Parcelforce.
"We tried to deliver to you today, but the address is incomplete".
I wonder how it was then that Fortnums managed to deliver it without any problem; or indeed how Parcelforce were able to put the note through my uncle's door, if they didn't have the complete address?
Bets please as to when Parcelforce manage to complete this difficult task.
12 January 2004
Oh dear, Parcelforce really have lost the plot.
Nine days after I wrote to them about this mess, they sent me an email asking me for further details.
Wakey Wakey lads!
Here is my response together with their note....
"Dear ****,
Thank you for your note, albeit 9 days late.
The Fortnum's order number was 271972.
All rather academic now, as they have used their own van to deliver the items.
Quite where Parcelforce have put their package is anyone's guess.
Kind regards,
Ken Frost
http://www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
From: ***@royalmail.com
To: kenfrost@kenfrost.com
Subject: Re: INTERNET SITE FEEDBACK
Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2004 10:53:13 +0000
Thank you for your enquiry.
I was sorry to read of the problems you experienced with our services.
Unfortunately, I am unable to trace the whereabouts of an item without a
parcel number. Can you obtain the number, and contact me again.
Alternatively, contact our enquiry line on 08708 501150, by Textphone 08000
855857 (for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) or fax on 0113 205 6660.
Kind regards
...."
Parcelforce are the UK Post Office’s parcel delivery arm. During December, they were entrusted by Fortnum and Masons with the delivery of a Christmas present I purchased from them; for an elderly uncle of mine, who lives in London.
As at the time of writing (3 January 2004), my uncle has yet to receive his Christmas present. This despite the fact that he has waited in on five separate, pre arranged, occasions for them to deliver it to him.
Needless to say losing five days of his life waiting for Parcelforce to turn up, is more than a little annoying at his age. He does not, hardly surprisingly, wish to waste anymore of his time on this incompetent organisation.
I discussed this disgraceful situation with Fortnums, who noted that they have had a large number of complaints from their customers about Parcelforce.
Well done Parcelforce, you are the first organisation in 2004 to win my coveted “Worse Than Worthless” award.
Keep up the good work!
By the way lads, if you could see your way to delivering the present this side of Christmas 2004; my uncle and I would be very grateful!
7 January 2004
Update
Fortnums, quite rightly, gave up trying to get Parcelforce to deliver the package. They instead sent it round today in their own van.
However, dear old Parcelforce don't seem to have given up. One hour after receiving the package from the Fortnum's van, my uncle received a note through his door from Parcelforce.
"We tried to deliver to you today, but the address is incomplete".
I wonder how it was then that Fortnums managed to deliver it without any problem; or indeed how Parcelforce were able to put the note through my uncle's door, if they didn't have the complete address?
Bets please as to when Parcelforce manage to complete this difficult task.
12 January 2004
Oh dear, Parcelforce really have lost the plot.
Nine days after I wrote to them about this mess, they sent me an email asking me for further details.
Wakey Wakey lads!
Here is my response together with their note....
"Dear ****,
Thank you for your note, albeit 9 days late.
The Fortnum's order number was 271972.
All rather academic now, as they have used their own van to deliver the items.
Quite where Parcelforce have put their package is anyone's guess.
Kind regards,
Ken Frost
http://www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
From: ***@royalmail.com
To: kenfrost@kenfrost.com
Subject: Re: INTERNET SITE FEEDBACK
Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2004 10:53:13 +0000
Thank you for your enquiry.
I was sorry to read of the problems you experienced with our services.
Unfortunately, I am unable to trace the whereabouts of an item without a
parcel number. Can you obtain the number, and contact me again.
Alternatively, contact our enquiry line on 08708 501150, by Textphone 08000
855857 (for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) or fax on 0113 205 6660.
Kind regards
...."
Saturday, October 25, 2003
The “Nigerian Scam”
These days I find myself, and I suspect that I am not alone, on the receiving end of a deluge of emails from a variety of individuals; purporting to be deposed presidents, royalty and businessmen residing in various parts of Africa (more often than not Nigeria).
The content of these letters (colloquially known as the “Nigerian Scam”) follows a familiar format:
Your name has been recommended by a reputable source.
They have a large sum of money, usually exceeding $20M, which they wish to export from their country.
They would like an “honest” person to conduct business with.
They require temporary use of a bank account to facilitate that transfer.
They offer a high percentage in return for this facility, usually 20% of the capital sum involved.
All they need are the details of your bank account, phone number and a few other personal pieces of information.
Contact details are provided, where a “real” person will interact with you.
In case you have not realised it, this is a scam. The perpetrators having duped the greedy and stupid into revealing details of their bank account etc, then empty it; and disappear with the proceedings.
Now, you would think that this was so obviously a scam; that no one would be taken in by it. However, regrettably this is not so; in my experience of fraud investigation you should never underestimate the stupidity, arrogance and greed of your fellow human beings.
The scammers manage to con, a not insignificant percentage of, the stupid and greedy out of some quite sizeable amounts of money. Indeed, such is the success (a testament to the “human condition”), that the number of these letters is on the increase. I find that I now receive more of these emails, than those offering penis enlargement and the more bizarre forms of sexual gratification.
The people who perpetrate this crime are, to use a technical term, scum. The criminal enforcement agencies around the world are doing their best to track them down, but as long as there are stupid and greedy people prepared to open up their bank accounts to these “Hucksters”; there will always be some form of “Nigerian letter”.
I therefore would like to present my “Worse Than Worthless” award to the perpetrators of the “Nigerian Scam”.
I have now started to keep a log of the letters I receive from these people, which shows the variety of ludicrous stories that are used to extract money from the greedy and stupid. The log can be accessed on the Stupid Punts section of my site.
I have edited out the email and phone contact details of the senders of these letters, to protect the stupid.
I would take this opportunity to remind all of you, that before taking any financial investment decision; you should consult a reputable independent financial adviser and lawyer.
Remember if it sounds too good to be true, then it is!
These days I find myself, and I suspect that I am not alone, on the receiving end of a deluge of emails from a variety of individuals; purporting to be deposed presidents, royalty and businessmen residing in various parts of Africa (more often than not Nigeria).
The content of these letters (colloquially known as the “Nigerian Scam”) follows a familiar format:
Your name has been recommended by a reputable source.
They have a large sum of money, usually exceeding $20M, which they wish to export from their country.
They would like an “honest” person to conduct business with.
They require temporary use of a bank account to facilitate that transfer.
They offer a high percentage in return for this facility, usually 20% of the capital sum involved.
All they need are the details of your bank account, phone number and a few other personal pieces of information.
Contact details are provided, where a “real” person will interact with you.
In case you have not realised it, this is a scam. The perpetrators having duped the greedy and stupid into revealing details of their bank account etc, then empty it; and disappear with the proceedings.
Now, you would think that this was so obviously a scam; that no one would be taken in by it. However, regrettably this is not so; in my experience of fraud investigation you should never underestimate the stupidity, arrogance and greed of your fellow human beings.
The scammers manage to con, a not insignificant percentage of, the stupid and greedy out of some quite sizeable amounts of money. Indeed, such is the success (a testament to the “human condition”), that the number of these letters is on the increase. I find that I now receive more of these emails, than those offering penis enlargement and the more bizarre forms of sexual gratification.
The people who perpetrate this crime are, to use a technical term, scum. The criminal enforcement agencies around the world are doing their best to track them down, but as long as there are stupid and greedy people prepared to open up their bank accounts to these “Hucksters”; there will always be some form of “Nigerian letter”.
I therefore would like to present my “Worse Than Worthless” award to the perpetrators of the “Nigerian Scam”.
I have now started to keep a log of the letters I receive from these people, which shows the variety of ludicrous stories that are used to extract money from the greedy and stupid. The log can be accessed on the Stupid Punts section of my site.
I have edited out the email and phone contact details of the senders of these letters, to protect the stupid.
I would take this opportunity to remind all of you, that before taking any financial investment decision; you should consult a reputable independent financial adviser and lawyer.
Remember if it sounds too good to be true, then it is!
Monday, October 20, 2003
The British Airways Ham and Cheese Bloomer
Usually my “Worse Than Worthless” award is made to an organisation or company. However, I am making an exception in this case; and presenting it to a sandwich.
This particular culinary atrocity has been served to me on two separate occasions on the BA London-Stockholm route, on both occasions the sandwich was “Worse Than Worthless”.
I am, as you can see from the “Frost Bites” and “Accountants Can Cook” sections of my site, a lover of good food and an amateur chef. This sorry excuse for a sandwich failed as a source of culinary delectation on a number of levels:
The wrapper in which it was presented noted that it would “expire” the following day. This clearly meant that it was not freshly prepared on the day of the flight; instead, I suspect, they are prepared in batches and stored for a number of days.
On close inspection, having taken a bite, the slices of bread that comprised the “bloomer” had a chalky white luminescent centre. This, from my experience, indicates that the bread has been deep chilled/frozen. Fresh, is clearly not the operative word here.
The contents, ham and cheese, really lacked imagination. I think that for a return ticket, that cost around £150, we should be entitled to something a little more imaginative. I would note that the alternative, for the vegetarians, were egg mayonnaise baps (which looked as though they had been sat upon). Clearly the menu was designed by the same people who cater for primary school children.
On pulling the sandwich apart, I noted that there was no spread (butter or margarine) of any description on the bread; even prisoners are allowed butter or margarine these days! I cannot believe that the cost saving made by serving dry bread really makes such a difference to the cash flow of BA.
The thinly sliced ham (no surprise there), was placed in the middle of the bloomer. However, the slices of ham were so small that they did not reach the edges of the bloomer. The same was true of the plastic pathetic excuse for “mature cheddar” (as it was described on the wrapper), a misnomer if ever I have heard one. I estimate that approximately 10% of the inside surface area of the bloomer had no contact with either cheese or ham.
Hiding, shamed faced, between the cheese and ham was a solitary sad piece of lettuce; clearly embarrassed to be associated with this culinary abomination.
Bland, is too complimentary a word to use to describe the taste.
I for one think that it is perfectly reasonable that on a journey of two hours that sandwiches, rather than a full meal, are served. However, the sandwiches should at least be a little imaginative as regards to the variety on offer; and be tasty and fresh.
How can our national airline hold its head up proudly, and present such a poor and embarrassing specimen?
BA, as you know, I have written to you before about this; when will you improve the quality and taste?
Usually my “Worse Than Worthless” award is made to an organisation or company. However, I am making an exception in this case; and presenting it to a sandwich.
This particular culinary atrocity has been served to me on two separate occasions on the BA London-Stockholm route, on both occasions the sandwich was “Worse Than Worthless”.
I am, as you can see from the “Frost Bites” and “Accountants Can Cook” sections of my site, a lover of good food and an amateur chef. This sorry excuse for a sandwich failed as a source of culinary delectation on a number of levels:
The wrapper in which it was presented noted that it would “expire” the following day. This clearly meant that it was not freshly prepared on the day of the flight; instead, I suspect, they are prepared in batches and stored for a number of days.
On close inspection, having taken a bite, the slices of bread that comprised the “bloomer” had a chalky white luminescent centre. This, from my experience, indicates that the bread has been deep chilled/frozen. Fresh, is clearly not the operative word here.
The contents, ham and cheese, really lacked imagination. I think that for a return ticket, that cost around £150, we should be entitled to something a little more imaginative. I would note that the alternative, for the vegetarians, were egg mayonnaise baps (which looked as though they had been sat upon). Clearly the menu was designed by the same people who cater for primary school children.
On pulling the sandwich apart, I noted that there was no spread (butter or margarine) of any description on the bread; even prisoners are allowed butter or margarine these days! I cannot believe that the cost saving made by serving dry bread really makes such a difference to the cash flow of BA.
The thinly sliced ham (no surprise there), was placed in the middle of the bloomer. However, the slices of ham were so small that they did not reach the edges of the bloomer. The same was true of the plastic pathetic excuse for “mature cheddar” (as it was described on the wrapper), a misnomer if ever I have heard one. I estimate that approximately 10% of the inside surface area of the bloomer had no contact with either cheese or ham.
Hiding, shamed faced, between the cheese and ham was a solitary sad piece of lettuce; clearly embarrassed to be associated with this culinary abomination.
Bland, is too complimentary a word to use to describe the taste.
I for one think that it is perfectly reasonable that on a journey of two hours that sandwiches, rather than a full meal, are served. However, the sandwiches should at least be a little imaginative as regards to the variety on offer; and be tasty and fresh.
How can our national airline hold its head up proudly, and present such a poor and embarrassing specimen?
BA, as you know, I have written to you before about this; when will you improve the quality and taste?
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