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Post by manonthemoon2 on Aug 11, 2021 20:34:16 GMT 1
Last week we ordered a ballon from a reputable DIY shop,the assistant phoned up and ordered one and said delivery was to be today. She said they would phone when it arrived.
As normal, no phone call. I tried to ring them 4 times but only got an answer machine,so no return call back.
We gave them a cheque to confirm the order, so now with the help of Google translate, tomorrow I'm going to the shop to say
"nous avons commandé un chauffe-eau la semaine dernière. il devait être livré mercredi, mais si vous ne l'avez pas, veuillez rendre notre chèque et nous chercherons ailleurs. c'est urgent car nous n'avons pas d'eau chaude"
In other words if they haven't got it for tomorrow then I want the cheque back and will go elsewhere.
Our daughter thinks that is impolite.
So I'm bashing hands on head.
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Post by lurcher on Aug 11, 2021 21:05:11 GMT 1
If it was me, I would first check that you can source the correct item from another company faster than asking the first one for your check and chase the supplier. You could change your message slightly to tell them not to cash your cheque until the item arrives. That will give you time but does not solve the hot water problem.
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FFS
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As usual, in front of my laptop when I'm here
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Post by FFS on Aug 11, 2021 21:06:55 GMT 1
If your daughter speaks French, take her with you.
DeepL gives this version:
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Post by manonthemoon2 on Aug 11, 2021 21:17:03 GMT 1
If your daughter speaks French, take her with you.
DeepL gives this version:
She is bilingual FFS but for a reason only she knows, she won't translate for me. She is really busy with her own work commitments, so I do understand her point. So i will try tomorrow. We do have hot water, so that's a porky pie but our current ballon is leaking, so spewing out quite a lot of water. |
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exile
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Massif Central
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Post by exile on Aug 11, 2021 21:20:28 GMT 1
I cannot help with the politeness issue, but I too would check that you can get a ballon elsewhere before doing anything. The results of covid primarily has been that a lot of normal things that you expect to just pick up have become in short supply - plaster, sand, timber (exacerbated with forest fires last year and this) and so on.
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gigi
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Post by gigi on Aug 11, 2021 22:23:33 GMT 1
I definitely agree about checking elsewhere. There’s a huge problem with other everyday commodities, as Exile said.
Somewhere in the wording it needs SVP, even if you want your cheque back, as I find it impolite without it; I’d also ask if they knew when it would be due in before bringing up the cheque bit.
I’ve used DeepL quite a bit and find it pretty good, but “ne l'a pas été” sounds very awkward; if I was going in I’d say whatever came to mind, which would probably be along the lines of “il n'est pas encore arrivé”.
I think that politeness really matters - and you might need their help with something in the future.
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Aardvark
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Living in soggy 22 and still wondering what's going on.
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Post by Aardvark on Aug 12, 2021 9:29:26 GMT 1
Apart from using the correct and acceptable language you are up against them "not giving a damn" and the fact that it is August when traditionally nothing much gets done.
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Post by manonthemoon2 on Aug 12, 2021 12:01:55 GMT 1
We drove down today to the shop, sure enough it had arrived yesterday but they didn't phone us to let us know.
Never mind, no need for any unpleasantries in the shop and hopefully the new one will be installed today fingers crossed
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Post by catrose on Aug 14, 2021 12:13:19 GMT 1
In general french people are far more direct and blunt that we are. A number of times I’ve said what I thought were very critical/pointed/frosty etc comments and remarked afterwards to a friend something like “I was sooo cross” to excuse my rudeness. Said friend usually replies “were you, you seemed very calm/polite”...
have a listen to French people complaining in shops!
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Post by Jo in France on Aug 14, 2021 15:05:45 GMT 1
Loads of ballons in my local brico leclerc yesterday. All for fitting oneself I think…
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