The Old Farmer is back in the village. He's got an appointment at the local health centre for the first dose of the Pfizer jab . Our neighbour will be 89 in a couple of weeks so he is on the priority list. The vaccination is scheduled for 9.00 am but he has to have a brief medical exam and a chat with a doctor before it's administered. He is then expected to wait for half an hour to make sure there are no contra indications. The Old Farmers lady friend is only 87 so she has to wait for another three weeks before she's eligible. I suggest he wear a mask. He doesn't have one so Sophie and her master return to The Rickety Old Farmhouse to get him one.
Out across the fields for a brisk walk. Someone is cutting down a diseased elm with a power saw. The sound echoes for miles around. When it finally falls the tree trunk splinters with a sound not dissimilar to that of a fusillade of rifle shots. Sophie stops in her tracks and listens.
We seem to be getting nowhere with Volvo. Having already invested something close to 5% of the purchase price of the car in legal fees we're now faced with the escalation of a court case and unspecified further costs. Common sense says that it's time to agree to take back the car which has finally returned to the original dealer after 53 days in the repair shop. We'd driven it for 50 days before it went wrong so it's been off the road more than it's been on it. I think of writing a letter to the Chairman of Volvo but you know full well someone in the PR department will be told to reply with the standard ' We acknowledge receipt of your letter and are sorry to hear of your experience' reply. US and UK legal codes are both based on the common law model, the French one on the altogether less familiar and less predictable Napoleonic code. The light carpets in the big car will be given a thorough wash when alternative PON transport is available.
6 comments:
It's distressing to learn how ineffective the consumer protections seem to be in a supposedly 'advanced' country. I have to admit the saga has now been going on for so long, I've lost sight of what was the original problem with the Volvo.
Sophie will surely enjoy scattering dirt all over the carpets of whichever car she's in.
Cheers! Gail.
The last two photos are excellent, Angus. There is something especially appealing about the low sun through the bare branches of the trees on a frosty winter morning. Add one Ponette and you have the perfect mix!
I'm amazed at the way Volvo Sweden have all but ignored your problem with the dog car. Not what we expect from a company who have always had a reputation for reliability. Is this just another sad reflection on the times we find ourselves living in?
Hari OM
I seem to recall something about going on fire - or at least smoke and fizzles and something not working. Not driveable anyway. Angus, I wonder if part of that "Napoleonic Code" is wear the customer down with silence until they submit??? Have you considered just asking for your original purchase money back and going for a non-Swedish alternative?! YAM xx
I suppose you could take back the Volvo and trade it in....
Congratulations
What a nightmare with the car. Hope the old farm doesn't have side effects.
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