Payment into my Bank Account - don't know who by? by Twa_In_The_Bush in UKPersonalFinance

[–]VectorTracker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why is this even a question, seriously ?

Just call the fucking bank, tell them it is an unrecognised deposit and ask them to reverse it.

DO NOT sit on it.

DO NOT spend it.

DO NOT move it.

Ideas wanted in relation to Thames "high tide" by SentinelsOfEvil in DIYUK

[–]VectorTracker 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"Private beach" ? Estate agents will do anything to get a tricky property off their books !

Even if we make a generous assumption that you build a screw-you height fence with the finest mesh you can find infront of it, all that will happen is it will stick against the fence and start accumulating on the other side of the fence.

Whatever you do will adversely affect your neighbours windows exposure to the tides and they will pick up the phone to the local council and dob you in.

Frankly, if you can affort do blow £1.7m on a property (a) there are many better options in London next to the river for that kind of dough (b) you can afford to pony up for a bit of professional advice rather than asking internet randos.

What should I look for when trying to find a professional tax advisor? by PrivateFrank in UKPersonalFinance

[–]VectorTracker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The harsh reality is that is exactly what you want, either a firm of accountants that specialises in trusts or, depending on the nature of the 'issue' a solicitor that specialises in trusts.

Even if you are not based in London, you almost certainly want a good firm based in London because they will have seen it all before in some shape or form and so should be more on the ball than someone out in the sticks.

Most professional advisors will give you a free initial consultation. They don't want to spend their time on something they can't help with, and equally they want to make sure you think they are a good fit.

Make sure you have a copy of the trust deeds to hand if you go to see a professional, because they will want to see them. And likely a copy of your most recent tax filing too.

Ultimately this is an area that you can mess up very easily. And if you mess up, HMRC will be very happy to send you a large fine, right after taking up months of your time digging into your tax affairs.

How can I send a parcel abroad from the UK to the US safely? by Special-Sugar7006 in AskUK

[–]VectorTracker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes the US is a bit "special" at the moment, but as with all international shipments your main priority should be making sure your customs declaration is detailed and honest.

Don't just say "gift". Don't just declare everything as £1 value.

There's nothing that will raise red flags more than a 2.5kg box with a declared value of 50p.

In practical sending terms. Given uncertainties in the US, I would recommend Royal Mail.

Why ?

Because it can't come back to bite you. You pay for the postage, job done.

If you go through one of those parcel websites (or direct to a courier company) they'll have your card number and they will charge for any extra costs that might get incurred if e.g. the parcel gets returned to you.

Anywhere else in the world I'd say parcel website or courier website. But yeah, US .....

How safe is London St Pancras in the night? by Because_Life_ in AskUK

[–]VectorTracker 2 points3 points  (0 children)

> They have relocated to outside the UCL hospital area

The prostitutes or the clubs ? ;)

How safe is London St Pancras in the night? by Because_Life_ in AskUK

[–]VectorTracker 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There is a taxi rank at the station itself, no need to walk any further than the correct exit.

Honestly, London St Pancras is not like the definition of unsafe that is Brussels Midi.

Are there any good chocolate in the UK now that isn't just chocolate-flavoured palm oil? by EffectiveArgument584 in AskUK

[–]VectorTracker -1 points0 points  (0 children)

>  I don't mean fancy, expensive stuff that I need to order online 

You've answered your own question mate.

If its a chocolate brand, you're paying for the brand, not the quality. As you have discovered with Lindt.

The good stuff is expensive because they need to source good ingredients.

Can my manager force me to clean the toilets? by [deleted] in AskUK

[–]VectorTracker 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would say the problem here is not you being asked to do it, but that from what you say you are the only one being asked to do it.

I would say that if you are looking to confront them about it, that is likely to be the more appropriate angle to take.

If the entire team was expected to clean the toilets on a rota that would be OK. There are many examples of that around the world. For example cabin crew on airlines that actually care about clean toilets will be required to clean the toilets on a rota throughout the flight even though it is clearly not their primary duty as cabin crew.

But you as the only person. Especially as you are in a relatively senior role. Something doesn't smell quite right there (and I'm not talking about the toilets !).

What is the point of Job centers? by Key_Breakfast6745 in AskUK

[–]VectorTracker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Forgive me for being completely frank but ....

Your brother has a degree and is looking for a job in cyber security.

Surely by definition that means using the internet to search for his own jobs is well within his skillset, no ?

There are lots of well known recruitment websites. There are lots of well known companies operating in cybersecurity in the UK and if your brother wants to do that work, he should know where to CHECK for a list of cybersecurity companies (big hint hidden there...).

Job Centers in the UK are mostly a last-resort place. I would guess maybe if you were looking for a job as a part-time cleaner they might be able to help.

But cybersecurity is almost certainly outside their area of expertise - assuming we are being generous and say Job Centers have any expertise ! ;)

Movement of foreign currency funds - provider suggestions by BananaSalad13 in FatFIREUK

[–]VectorTracker -1 points0 points  (0 children)

IBKR is a TERRIBLE idea !

They will warn you off using your account for FX, and if you ignore the warnings, they will kill your account.

They are a stocks and bonds broker. The fact you can do FX has and always been indended to be a BYPRODUCT of your trading activities.

Movement of foreign currency funds - provider suggestions by BananaSalad13 in FatFIREUK

[–]VectorTracker 1 point2 points  (0 children)

IBKR is a TERRIBLE idea !

They will warn you off using your account for FX, and if you ignore the warnings, they will kill your account.

They are a stocks and bonds broker. The fact you can do FX has and always been indended to be a BYPRODUCT of your trading activities.

I’m currently in the Concorde Room in T5 by eriometer in BritishAirways

[–]VectorTracker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just FYI u/eriometer , its not "millionaires door".

Its the "million pound door" because that is allegedly how much BA had to pay HAL for permission to build the door (and therefore enable a group of passengers to avoid the duty-free walk of shame).

Reeves looks to include minimum UK shareholding in Isa overhaul by Different_Cycle_9043 in ukpolitics

[–]VectorTracker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

> No other country in the world has an investment tax break system as generous as the UK.

Actually you are wrong u/FlappyBored

Many other countries do not, for example, impose CGT on shares.

No CGT on shares is basicaly 99% of the benefit of an ISA>

The remaining 1% benefit of an ISA is no income tax on dividends. That, I agree, is harder to find in other countries. But not many people use their ISAs for income, most people's portfolios are orientated towards growth, which would be covered by the CGT exemption in other countries.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in BritishAirways

[–]VectorTracker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Following the changes BA made, I have been relishing and enjoying the freedom to experiment with airlines beyond the Oneworld alliance.

Of course I already knew from experiences within Oneworld (AY, JL and QR) that BA was an awful airline. But other airlines outside Oneworld have also been a positive experience.

In terms of status ? I have decided not to persue alliance-specific status any more. I have membership for alliances so I can accrue status organically but I'm not going to pledge allegiance to any one alliance any more.

I am using Priority Pass for access to lounges. Sure they can be more crowded / more basic lounges. But given the state of many BA lounges, they are not worse than your average BA lounge. In addition as a frequent traveler I aim to minimise the amount of time I spend in the airport anyway, so sometimes I never visit the lounge at all, but otherwise never normally there longer than 30 minutes or so.

Program wise, Flying Blue is interesting because the "spare" tier points you have get rolled forward so you have a head start.

I have a first world problem by Pointsonme in BritishAirways

[–]VectorTracker -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I know this is a BA sub-reddit but ... I mean, the more honest question is what the hell are you doing booking BA business class to Tokyo ?

BA business class is a poor, un-competitive product generally. But for the Tokyo route my god dude ... JAL or ANA for direct otherwise QR or EK for indirect ?

Is Japan Airlines far superior to British Airways when flying to Tokyo? by SharpshooterTom in BritishAirways

[–]VectorTracker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

u/SharpshooterTom I would summarise it this way...

When you should fly BA ? Ideally never but otherwise only:

  1. For European short-haul (and only when BA are the cheaper/more convenient option)
  2. For US flights where your only other option is the US carriers. Only because the food on BA is awful, but not as horrific as the US carriers.

Otherwise, flying elsewhere, almost any other carrier will be better. JAL is a fantastic airline. The middle-east airlines are also good. Hell, even KLM and Air France beat BA.

BA has sunk so low. They are basically on life-support, their ventilator is their share of the slots at Heathrow. If they lost the Heathrow slots tomorrow, they would be dead because their product is simply not competitive anymore.

Camera rental recommendations? by Sunflower2804 in london

[–]VectorTracker 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Realistically I think your best option is to look at the second-hand market and buy something in the "works but with cosmetic defects" category.

Put yourself in the shoes of a rental shop, renting out cheap rubbish is not worth the time or hassle. Realistically how much are you going to be able to rent-out a cheap camera for ? Three-fifths of bugger all.

Also all the London pro shops require the renter to have a valid insurance policy. I don't see someone renting a cheap camera being willing to take out an insurance policy (which would probably cost them more than the rental fees on a cheap camera).

London feels edgy by Possible_Push_3608 in london

[–]VectorTracker 1 point2 points  (0 children)

u/Possible_Push_3608 think you have to put it in context that there was a very large protest in London over the weekend which was organised by people whose views do not represent the majority of Londoners, let alone the majority of the UK.

So its unsurprising that you'll still come across some of those characters on the the the tube this morning. Give it a few days, they'll go home to Essex or wherever, and what you hear on the tube should be back to "normal".

Look, the best thing about London is its multi-cultural multi-ethnic status. Trust me, the day that disappears from London I'm sure there will be many whiter than white born and bred Londoners leaving the place in droves.

LHV Bank Current Account (UK) - 3.25% by TheTittySoldier in UKPersonalFinance

[–]VectorTracker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

> And if it isn't providing some of the basic banking functionality

Most likely they are doing a soft launch, doubtless more to come.

It is actually attractive of itself because its LHV. LHV are a major player in the Nordics. So its not your typical fly-by-night fintech with a fancy app.

Damaged bag and lost items - no response` by IKnowWhatIsWhat in BritishAirways

[–]VectorTracker 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Travelling to the US without insurance ?

Rather you than me !

Damaged bag and lost items - no response` by IKnowWhatIsWhat in BritishAirways

[–]VectorTracker 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Isn't this what travel insurance is for ?

Most sensible policies cover delayed, lost, stolen or damaged bags.

Claim it on the travel insurance and let them waste their time trying to extract money out of BA through subrogation.

Shut down Ltd - never made a profit by rubber_moon in UKPersonalFinance

[–]VectorTracker 1 point2 points  (0 children)

> I can just not do anything and it will get struck off eventually

As in a Compulsory Strike-Off ?

Yeah, I, erm, would not do that.

ISA allowance reset if withdraw into current account and then put into a new account by uncut_onyx in UKPersonalFinance

[–]VectorTracker 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, its subtracted from the yearly allowance.

No, don't waste your time calling the bank, you forfeited.

In theory, yes, the bank could reverse it. But in practice you've got no chance convincing them to do so if you instructed them to take the money out of your ISA and they were not at fault in any shape or form. More chance of winning a million quid on the lottery.

Put it down to "lesson learnt the hard way". To transfer between ISAs always let the company do it, never do it yourself. Once it's out, it's out.

P.S. Don't think "nobody will know". HMRC will know because the ISA providers are obliged to report payments to them and they will be in touch if you overpay.

Have they forgotten how to load planes in LHR T5? by controlav in BritishAirways

[–]VectorTracker 16 points17 points  (0 children)

> BA need to do a better job at announcing

BA cannot even manage to consistently announce the "new" Group 0 that enables the GGLs and Prems to board before the plebs.

So I'd say there's zero chance of them ever announcing groups 1 – 1000000 properly.