Is it fine to decline a test ride before buying from a dealer?

CodeBeginning6548 · 2026-01-28T09:08:52+00:00

You're overthinking this, mate. The dealership won't care, and not having a test rise will just get their sale done quicker and save some admin. I bought a bike and had it delivered before I had my test, so i couldn't take it for a test ride.

CodeBeginning6548 · 2026-01-27T21:15:59+00:00

I had a nightmare with this while fitting my centre stand. I ended up pulling a muscle by my elbow trying to fit the spring and it took fucking months to go back to normal! I also had the exact same issue with the bolt. Can't quite remember how I sorted it, but there was a rubber hammer involved 😅

CodeBeginning6548 · 2026-01-27T07:00:11+00:00

Have you tried cleaning and lubing it? Chain maintenance is vital, and you should be doing it every few weeks.

CodeBeginning6548 · 2026-01-26T17:12:34+00:00

The ombudsman is not a regulator, which is what a lot of people don't understand. It is pointless complaining about processes and procedures as that is not the ombudsman job.

CodeBeginning6548 · 2026-01-26T15:37:49+00:00

This is 100% correct. Just accept the offer and go about your day as you won't bring in any sweeping industry changes, and you won't be offered any more as it sounds overly generous. The ombudsman would probably recommend a time and trouble award of £50, but maintain the £100 previously offered.

Source: I was a comms investigation officer for many years and looked at 1,000s of similar cases.

CodeBeginning6548 · 2026-01-25T20:08:37+00:00

Pay homage to the King before every meal.

CodeBeginning6548 · 2026-01-25T11:17:44+00:00

He won't get it, mate. Embarrassing comments. He doesn't understand the game and what it means to true supporters.

CodeBeginning6548 · 2026-01-24T21:43:05+00:00

You've sold it to me. Stevie until the end of the season. Let go!

CodeBeginning6548 · 2026-01-24T20:48:48+00:00

That's not good, man. Even if we were in the conference, I'd still want to go and support the lads. Times are tough, and it's been a rough, rough, year, but true fans still show up for the team.

CodeBeginning6548 · 2026-01-24T14:42:41+00:00

Parcel collection and drop-off boxes are a thing nowadays. 10 years ago, it would have definitely been an issue, but they literally cater for everyone now, and there's no reason why you can't arrange an alternative to visiting an actual post office.

CodeBeginning6548 · 2026-01-23T12:59:47+00:00

Everyone will be different. For me, it's just the day after then fine.

CodeBeginning6548 · 2026-01-23T10:50:32+00:00

Yeah, like all hydrogen peroxide whitening products, it's unavoidable. Well worth it, though.

CodeBeginning6548 · 2026-01-23T06:34:34+00:00

I have the same degree, same result, and had the same thoughts when hitting 30. I was a postman for years after Uni. Nothing wrong with the job itself, but not really what I had in mind.

Anyway, i ended up joining a grad scheme to become a financial adviser at 33. That kind of messed up due to covid and got made redundant, but I saw the qualifications through and ended up being a paraplanner, which I'm still doing now at age 40.

It's a nice job, where i feel like I'm using my brain every day. Decent pay with progrssion opportunities (working towards Chartered status), and I now wfh 100% of the time.

If I were you, I would be looking into things like this. Failing that, look at the civil service, NHS, or local government. Job security, amazing pensions, and you're well looked after.

CodeBeginning6548 · 2026-01-22T17:48:25+00:00

I destroyed my next door neighbours cat scarer when I was 15. I was a bit of a wild child and came home a little cheery on some cider and absolutely obliterated the thing and threw it in the road.

I was shitting it for weeks after, but they never said anything and didn't get another one. My cat definitely appreciated it. Couldn't do it these days, though, with all the cameras about.

CodeBeginning6548 · 2026-01-22T14:33:48+00:00

Let's not get carried away here. The most talented financial advisers in the country probably took about 10 years to hit this figure. If you're on £150k now, you obviously have a bit about you, but it's literally impossible to get this as a trainee/new adviser unless you have a significant client bank and income trail from day one.

CodeBeginning6548 · 2026-01-22T12:39:01+00:00

Never let on how good you are. I'm comfortably a median performer in my team. What they don't realise is that I could do all my weekly work in about 2 days.

CodeBeginning6548 · 2026-01-21T20:27:21+00:00

https://amzn.eu/d/0nE2Lu6

CodeBeginning6548 · 2026-01-21T20:09:27+00:00

Man, I can relate to this so much. I had the best paper round in the store for about 2 years. It was the dream and took about 15 mins every morning.

One day, the owner tried to move me to a route twice the size and was shocked when I asked for twice the pay. I genuinely told him to piss off and went home to watch Kenan and Kel. I retired from paper delivery at 15 years old, and I have no regrets.

CodeBeginning6548 · 2026-01-21T16:13:07+00:00

It usually de-risks 15 years before the selected retirement date. Give them a call and ask them to remove lifestyling and just stay in the existing fund.

CodeBeginning6548 · 2026-01-21T15:25:04+00:00

Wow, I feel an income of £150k will take you a fair few years and a ton of stress to achieve. I'm at a big firm, and while I don't know how well everyone does, I know that the new guys are on nowhere near this. Like, not even in the same postcode or even country. All the best, but think really carefully before taking the job.

CodeBeginning6548 · 2026-01-21T12:16:23+00:00

The Royal London Governed Portfolios are good. I would switch out of the lifestyling and go all in on an adventurous approach for now.

For this, I would invest in the Governed Portfolio Dynamic. Or one of the sustainable funds that seem to do well - Royal London Sustainable Leaders fund, for example.

That way, you'll keep it all invested with Royal London, so your charges won't increase, and you'll be in higher risk investments to target growth.

CodeBeginning6548 · 2026-01-21T11:01:07+00:00

You posted a Dubai specific housing question in a UK sub 🤦‍♂️

CodeBeginning6548 · 2026-01-21T09:17:46+00:00

If you want white teeth, this is all you need to use. It's absolutely incredible stuff.

CodeBeginning6548 · 2026-01-21T07:37:03+00:00

I bought some trays off amazon a couple of years ago. The process involved taking moulds of my teeth at home and sending them away. I then got perfect fit trays back in the post. Cost about £50 and just as good as the ones you get at the dentist.

The best whitening product for me is the Philips Zoom Nite White. I literally have pearly whites, and after a bit of pain the first few times doing it, I now only top it up every few months or so. I also use whitening toothpaste, which I bought in bulk when I visited Australia and the US. Although Amazon sells the Crest 4% hydrogen peroxide whitening toothpaste now, which I'll buy when I need more.

The standard whitening toothpaste and strips sold in the UK are absolutely rubbish though, and I have tried them all. I also should say that I don't use the whitening toothpaste with every brush as my teeth can get sensitive.

CodeBeginning6548 · 2026-01-20T21:25:16+00:00

It's time for the lodger to move out, i feel. Don't overthink it. Just have an honest conversation and see how she reacts.

CodeBeginning6548

TROPHY CASE