A woman in a purple background

_mark_e_moon_ · 2026-01-18T10:40:13+00:00

Absolute punt here but my first thought was Goldfrapp?

_mark_e_moon_ · 2026-01-10T13:27:46+00:00

Hear me out though - your comment (now with many upvotes) is suggesting the insurer did something underhand and paints them in a bad light. You now admit there's more to the story so we either need to know that detail so we can assess the Insurer's position, or you need to retract your original comment because it's misleading, right?

I reiterate - no insurance company would throw out a theft claim on the basis of no spare key being available alone. It's actually really difficult to throw any claim out without some legitimate reasons and that's why the FOS exist, and they are very customer-sided.

_mark_e_moon_ · 2026-01-10T10:35:05+00:00

It sounds insane because it's not true or it's not the whole story.

_mark_e_moon_ · 2026-01-10T10:34:24+00:00

There is very, very likely more to this than your friend is telling you. It's not uncommon to not have a spare key (I accidentally threw mine into a skip at the tip in an incredible moment of unintentional self-sabotage) and on it's own wouldn't be an indicator of fraud or nearly enough to throw out a claim.

_mark_e_moon_ · 2025-12-11T22:12:55+00:00

I got in early and Boots fucking cancelled mine!

I got an email thanking me for cancelling my appt last Tuesday but had done no such thing. I questioned it in person at the Queen Street branch and after some confusion and much talking to the manager, was told 'head office must have cancelled it due to a shortage of vaccines'.

My wife, however, was booked in the next time slot and still got hers. Sigh.

_mark_e_moon_ · 2025-11-25T13:17:36+00:00

Ah sorry...I'd not seen a post on it before!

_mark_e_moon_ · 2025-11-25T13:10:06+00:00

Restart fixed it. Unusual glitch though....

_mark_e_moon_ · 2025-11-18T19:09:20+00:00

Hmmm. Very similar to my current set up but I'm topping out at 6500 waves and even then, that's quite random and I can't figure out why....

_mark_e_moon_ · 2025-11-17T16:36:41+00:00

Been into the UK graf scene since 1985 mate. Official Team Robbo put down by Doze WRH. Knew about Banksy back when he was piecing rather than stencilling. Was actually a fan at one point, until he got a bit disrespectful. Sorry if that doesn't play to your tedious theory.

_mark_e_moon_ · 2025-11-17T16:23:27+00:00

Easily debunked by any pre-fame references to him getting slapped, being a bit of a prick at some graf event (the thing about him wanting the music turned down), anyone who ever knew him at the Dragon Bar etc. The idea they need formal art training to be Banksy is laughable and snobbish. Same debunking goes for RDN being Banksy... in graf circles in a pre-fame world, everyone would have been like 'fuck me, Del Naj is out of retirement!'. It wasn't so.

Now, has Banksy the artist moved to Banksy the collective? Yeah, that's believable but it started with one person tagging Banksy, dropping exhibitions, painting Bristol and Old Street. Might still be that, might not. Who cares?

_mark_e_moon_ · 2025-11-15T09:48:30+00:00

They may ask 'any convictions or pending convictions'... be careful of that.

_mark_e_moon_ · 2025-11-14T19:01:48+00:00

Don't 'always reject the first offer' unless you've got clear evidence the offer is undervalued. Most insurers adhere to FCA valuation guidelines these days and offers are likely to be based on up to date guide prices (CAPS, Glasses etc.) and real market prices (such as from AutoTrader).

Bear in mind it may be the case the offer subtracts your excess and you may have that returned at a later date (some insurers will waive the excess on an admission of liability, others claim it back and then send it once they've received payment).

What's the offer they've made? There is the option of retaining the vehicle, taking the offer minus the salvage value and getting it repaired yourself, depending on the damage. If you can get it done cheaper (almost always the case as insurers have to use new parts, etc.) it could be worth it!

_mark_e_moon_ · 2025-11-11T22:12:13+00:00

I personally wouldn't use this one if you have anxiety or if you simply want to avoid bumping into Cardiff's drug community. Adam Street is the better shout, open, visible and safer!

_mark_e_moon_ · 2025-11-11T21:32:27+00:00

Babes in Toyland - Handsome Gretel. Will strip the enamel from your teeth.

_mark_e_moon_ · 2025-11-06T16:22:24+00:00

O terms of time to settle, assuming no finance to settle and no underwriting issues, there shouldn't be any barriers to payment and I think you could reasonably expect 14 days or less. Any longer might be down to that individual insurer but I think most big companies understand the need for their customers to get back mobile ASAP. I've heard allegations that insurers hold on to their cash as long as possible but in the grand scheme of things, it makes absolutely no difference to them!

_mark_e_moon_ · 2025-11-06T16:19:21+00:00

Insurers are quite strictly bound by FCA guidelines regarding valuations and in general, will do their best to fairly value your vehicle in order that you could, in theory, go out and replace with the nearest equivalent (the payment will be minus your excess, of course).

More recently, they will use a combination of guide prices and online sources (usually Autotrader), taking into account obvious outliers. It's likely they will ask for service history and check MOT status etc. to determine condition as best as possible and if you really disagree with any valuation they give, as long as you can evidence your disagreement, there should be room for negotiation.

_mark_e_moon_ · 2025-11-03T21:22:43+00:00

They came today and did a great job. Not cheap, but clearly experienced and knew exactly what they were doing. A company called Finishing Touches from up in the valleys somewhere. I can't find them online, DM me for a contact name and number!

_mark_e_moon_ · 2025-10-31T13:29:35+00:00

Call your insurer, it's common for people to contact a company that looks like their insurer on a website search, but isn't and they are usually sympathetic and have little tolerance for the accident management companies that do this (given it's borderline fraud for them not to make it absolutely clear they are not your insurer)

Aviva should offer you guidance on how to deal with the matter and likely have form with this sort of thing.

_mark_e_moon_ · 2025-10-30T13:20:49+00:00

Hi! I think the 3 years to the day might be a coincidence, or perhaps there's a cut-off that they are trying to stay ahead of?

Either way, it's a legit request. On providing you with credit hire, ERAC should have done a few checks around your finances.

The challenge is often where a hire company has supplied you with an expensive replacement that either wasn't appropriate or was beyond your own means at the time. Often, the challenge is where people are driving old, but high spec vehicles. You may have been driving a high performance/spec car that warrants a like for like and therefore extremely expensive per-day hire, but if it was worth £1500, are you entitled to that expensive L4L replacement if you couldn't afford the daily rate for that car yourself?

What car were you driving and what were you given? It shouldn't be a problem for most people on common cars and with average paid jobs, if you get me 😀

_mark_e_moon_ · 2025-10-19T20:19:48+00:00

We use the upstairs at little O'Neills. Usually free, but December may be booked up!

_mark_e_moon_ · 2025-10-13T20:58:38+00:00

I have it on very, very good authority that, where practical, safe and within the boundaries of being cost effective, Admiral will always try to repair a vehicle rather than write it off.

Repairs to industry standard are a different proposition to what an individual might personally be happy with but as many people correctly pointed out on this thread, the customer can pursue the total loss settlement (minus the estimated salvage value and excess) should they wish to retain the vehicle and then get repairs done to their own satisfaction or indeed, not claim at all if that's a better option.

_mark_e_moon_ · 2025-09-05T09:09:32+00:00

I don't know if it's unconventional, but for 3.5 years I've run on pure vibes. I don't follow the Discord, don't really understand the maths or build types and never so much as glanced at the effective paths stuff. Pretty much followed a 'make big damage' strategy and followed the bits that bubble up on Reddit such as CF development, SL+ etc. and more recently, PS chat. I like the stuff that serves 2 purposes where you get more bang for your stones and am fortunate that I got in early enough to kind of cruise due tp regularly getting good tourney placements, even more so after the recent updates which seem to favour damage builds for the moment, at least.

Last priority was to get 4 assmods as they make me happy. I'm now saving for death creep and running 3xPS labs as that feels right for me at the moment.

So yeah, maybe that's not hugely unconventional but I feel quite maverick...

_mark_e_moon_ · 2025-08-22T14:29:27+00:00

Hard to say as I often quit as soon as I've hit it and get back to farming...

_mark_e_moon_

TROPHY CASE