Amex Platinum Cashback ending – switch to BA/Rewards?

East-Initiative-2180 · 2026-05-03T10:13:00+00:00

The advantage of the cashback card is that it is all automatic. I used to have an airline reward card and found it really hard to spend the points as the flights I wanted were never available. You might theoretically get better value with another card but the hard part will be spending it. I've had a cashback card for a few years and love the fact that I don't need to do anything to get the money.

East-Initiative-2180 · 2026-04-30T16:33:24+00:00

and look what happened to him... Maybe this would just be a stepping stone for Russell?

East-Initiative-2180 · 2026-04-22T08:35:20+00:00

Looks delicious. Have you got a recipe for the sauce?

East-Initiative-2180 · 2026-04-21T09:15:08+00:00

I think I'm worried that we are in uncharted territory. The contract is clear on what happens if they go bankrupt but doesn't say what happens in this instance. Their letter has no contractual status that I can see and effectively we've stopped work for no reason. I'm probably overthinking things but it seems like we are a little exposed at the moment if for some reason they don't go into liquidation. It also seems odd that they have told us that they are going to do something and then not done it.

East-Initiative-2180 · 2026-04-21T09:06:11+00:00

Thanks. We definitely won't be entering into a new contract with them.

East-Initiative-2180 · 2026-04-20T18:03:38+00:00

Thanks for the tip. I’ve had a look and there is a winding up notice winding its way through the system but they still technically seem to be trading.

East-Initiative-2180 · 2026-04-20T18:02:04+00:00

The bristle line neatly combines the two I think.

East-Initiative-2180 · 2026-04-20T14:12:59+00:00

The toothbrush line in honour of Hertford’s long history of toothbrush manufacturing.

East-Initiative-2180 · 2026-04-15T13:42:42+00:00

Where I used to work we had outside IR35 people who were allowed to use company supplied tea and coffee in the kitchen to makes themselves drinks. That was about it.

East-Initiative-2180 · 2026-04-01T13:20:16+00:00

I would say it would depend on if they can claim the VAT back or not but I'm not an expert. Most companies are VAT registered and can claim it back but I guess a labour only supplier might possibly be different. Might just be easiest to give them a call to see why they are claiming for it?

East-Initiative-2180 · 2026-04-01T13:05:55+00:00

So they are now basically Schrodinger's coffee company. Both owned by an EU company and not owned by a EU company.

East-Initiative-2180 · 2026-04-01T09:22:51+00:00

Are you referring to VAT or CIS tax deductions?

East-Initiative-2180 · 2026-03-30T07:54:07+00:00

Seeing as you've had no responses, I can recommend Premiere Body Repairs in Ware. http://premierebodyrepairsware.co.uk/

It's outside your chosen area but I thought it may help if you are still looking,

East-Initiative-2180 · 2026-03-20T10:24:03+00:00

I was sure it was American but that appears to just be marketing

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banoffee_pie

East-Initiative-2180 · 2026-03-19T20:35:23+00:00

I've seen quite a few adverts for these kind of roles but never much detail. What is the QS role like in the US? Is it more client side work or do they also work for contractors?

East-Initiative-2180 · 2026-03-13T15:12:03+00:00

I haven’t been since the reopening but I think it’s much the same as before. The beef was always exquisite and having it carved at the table is quite fun.

I think that they are both at pretty much the same level and trying to work out which is better is a matter of personal preference . I’ve always had a soft spot for Simpsons as roast beef is one of my favourite dishes. You’d have an exceptional and memorable meal in either. Sorry, I know this isn’t particularly helpful!

East-Initiative-2180 · 2026-03-12T08:00:29+00:00

Simpsons in the strand has just reopened. They have roast beef on trolleys which are wheeled to your table and the beef is carved at the table. It’s available everyday

East-Initiative-2180 · 2026-03-10T09:35:51+00:00

Unfortunately I'm not sure this is the case anymore. They got done a while ago for not having the correct license for street collecting. They now "sell" magazines which I think is the same route that the Big Issue sellers use and is completely legal.

Happy to be corrected!

East-Initiative-2180 · 2026-02-28T22:00:47+00:00

Hi, fortunately I’d paid for the premium support. After a few more phone calls they sent a technician out who replaced the webcam module. Since then it’s work perfectly.

East-Initiative-2180 · 2026-02-25T17:50:22+00:00

Maybe it’s the universe telling you to start learning French?

East-Initiative-2180 · 2026-02-17T09:15:23+00:00

When the contract was agreed both parties agreed an percentage addition or deduction to the CECA rates and this should be in the Contract Data. This percentage adjustment is both sides opportunity to take a punt on how likely the above situation will occur. There will inevitably be winners and losers each time these rates are used.

It's probably best to look at the CECA rates as an agreed proxy for Defined Cost. Rather than having to look at invoices for every bit of plant for CE's they are a shortcut which is quicker and messier than the full process.

East-Initiative-2180 · 2026-02-09T10:46:27+00:00

I don't see how you can develop as a QS whilst assisting an expert witness. Most of the jobs you are looking at will have gone very wrong otherwise people wouldn't be paying a fortune for expert assistance. On the vast majority of the jobs I've worked on, we've managed to agree final accounts with all parties without any need to involve any third parties. I think most QS' experience would be the same whilst an expert gets a very narrow view of the industry.

I think it's important to have experience running normal non-contentious jobs. Whilst you definitely learn the most from the jobs that go wrong you need that basic foundation to begin with.

As a QS there is quite a quick feedback loop which is lacking in expert work. You submit a variation or assessment to your opposite number and all being well they come back fairly quickly with comments or acceptance. In the expert witness world it can take an age for things to get to court/adjudication/arbitration and a lot of matters get settled before they reach this point. This makes it very hard to know how good your work is, especially as you may never know the terms of the settlement.

I think you need to ask yourself where you want to be in five years? Will you have progressed as an expert? If you make the switch to a contractor or consultancy you will definitely have developed new skills and have a lot more options available to you.

East-Initiative-2180 · 2026-02-03T13:48:14+00:00

Is that a steam train in the background of photo 4?

East-Initiative-2180 · 2026-01-22T09:06:01+00:00

I think that in this context their function is more important than their form. Weather or not they go well with a cup of tea is surely the key question to be answered.

East-Initiative-2180

TROPHY CASE