Posts Tagged car
New car?
I saw this car the other day. Not sure if it fits a rear facing car seat or not but I like what I saw.
A 5 year old model is affordable: being a Mercedes Benz this will last a loooooong time.
Sunday Column (137)
Posted by Volker in Sunday Column on October 16, 2011
Going back through the week makes me realise why I feel a bit run down. I had 39 degrees temperature on Friday, sleeping 13 hours – a proper 24 hour flu or as Wikipedia would put it: ILI = influenza like illness. I was feeling better on Sunday: so back in the ring tomorrow.
Friday I took our Volvo down to the dealership in Orpington. The dealer we bought it at in Croydon annoyed us, so I needed a trustworthy dealership. Unfortunately, Kwik Fit took 4 weeks to find out that the noise we kept hearing came (allegedly) from the transfer box. However, taking the car to the dealer, they couldn’t place the noise at all. I wait to hear back on Monday. So Kwik Fit is definitely crossed off my list for anything but maybe tyres – did I mention they slacked off the cheap braking pads that were on my car which they themselves put on last year?
Never mind. The car really stressed me out I admit. Not least as we were supposed to visit friends this weekend too. I just still not understand how some companies can be so careless. With Kwik Fit for that matter, I had a conversation on Twitter, then with the customer service team over the phone, then with the area manager, and when I collected my refund I was told that they had a few complains unless the garage manager is in. Bad process management but not my business I suppose.
Other than that my work is busy which is great. But the main problem we have is recruiting. We are looking for media sales people (and I know a few actually read my blog and mention this in interviews). Sales people who are selling to agencies, know how to deal with media planners and maybe have sold network solutions before. Media sales people with display experience. Those are hard to get by as it seems. We only recruit what we would think of the best people and whilst there is a huge unemployment rate in this country, there is a shortage of staff in the digital industry. It seems paradox but the whole industry seems to be the same. It also results in salaries being paid that go beyond any sustainable level – I believe that the industry will be in for a big surprise when salary levels drop to a “normal” level again. We shall see. Dot com boom number 2?
These are all my thoughts this week. I am still recovering this weekend, not making it easier for my wife me by being useless at home at the weekend.
I keep you posted.
Best wishes,
Volker
Sunday Column (69)
Posted by Volker in personal, Sunday Column on June 20, 2010
What a week lays behind us. Dentist is all I say. A new filling, luckily no root canal, and a bit of pain on Monday. My wife says I moan to much so I don’t even mention my cold that really got to me on Thursday/Friday. And the weekend, I still didn’t feel right, but no sympathy, no.
So I don’t share my illnesses, maybe something else I could share, something I am allowed to moan about.
As you know we got a new (used) car in February. Recently the “service is due” lamp came on and I was a bit surprised why that was. After only 4 months! I decided to go to an independent garage, e.g. Kwik Fit. I remember from the start of when I bought the car I was wondering that the brakes almost felt a bit stuck but didn’t worry about. Could I not trust a Volvo authorized dealer that allegedly did a check on the vehicle? You can read all about my previous bad experience of Volvo Doves Croydon in my earlier blog post.
I really trust the guys at Kwik Fit and should have seen them much earlier. To be honest, I wouldn’t have gone if the service light hadn’t come up. So they discovered that there was something wrong with my brakes. Hurray. Two new brake discs, new pads and potentially I need a new caliper that caused the brakes getting stuck. So the new brakes, new battery, two new tyres that according to Volvo Doves Croydon will last for a very long time (they did last another 1,000 miles) mounted up to a hefty bill. Ouch! We now just hope that the caliper was fixed and we don’t need to replace that one too.
Ok, there could always go something wrong, and they are “wear and tear” parts. However, I know the problem was there from the beginning, and I know we bought the car with the failure. But of course when I called Volvo Doves Croydon, they wouldn’t take that on at all, and the 12 months insurance would not cover wear and tear parts. Surely, they would not see me again at their garage. What a really poor service, and disappointing experience from an authorised Volvo car dealer. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for things to be ok for the next year or so, MOT is not due until December. I guess the prejudice for used car dealerships, independent or authorised, come true for some. Not a nice experience and I am really contemplating of writing to Volvo about it. I don’t want to start with the brand experience again, but honestly, I would get involved if I was Volvo.
Anyway, back to the rest of the week: work really dominated this week. We have been busy, very very busy. But, we shouldn’t complain about that. mexad is striving and growing and we have our second person starting next week. We are very excited! Onward and upwards.
My parents arrived this weekend. So despite the cold and my wife not feeling 100% 
, we still managed to have a fantastic family weekend. We also visited one of Colin’s pals for his first birthday, and have more first birthdays coming up in the next few weeks.
Next week looks busy again, a very busy work schedule but I really enjoy it!
Have a good one until next week,
Volker
Sunday Column (55)
Posted by Volker in Sunday Column on March 14, 2010
Ok, I am feeling better. So I stay positive and tell you that, after three weeks, I am now ready to go back to the gym on Monday, feel better and hopefully stay healthy for a while.
That said, Colin has been sick for a few days with temperature and being whiny, not eating etc. Probably a mix of him getting more teeth and having a virus. Shame that we cannot tell him that things are going to be better. So lots of cuddles, calpol and patience is the way forward. Bless him.
My work is going well. I had many meetings this week and things are moving in the right direction. So this is all good.
What else happened? I ask this question every week Monday I worked late, whilst Tuesday I went home early to babysit whilst my wife went out for a few drinks. However, I ended up working till late at home.
Wednesday we had a preparation meeting for a talk on Online Reputation Management at King’s College London. Next Thursday I am speaking about Inbound Marketing for online reputation management for students. Of course I will put my presentation here and on Slideshare.
Thursday I went to Tai Chi after a two week break and really enjoyed it. Tai Chi, a glass of wine afterwards and you sleep like a baby It is so relaxing and comforting…..anyway
At the weekend we were hoping to get some stuff done around the house. Whilst ironing took very long, I discovered a few rusty bits on the car. So I ended up covering them up. Then I spoke to a few good friends from Germany.
Whilst my wife wanted to sow some grass in the garden we discovered that two fence panels didn’t survive the winter. So we got rid of them and the Christmas tree that didn’t survive the cold either. However, even our new car is too small to transport 5ft by 6ft panels, so we get them delivered next week. In the meantime we have a fence that looks like a giant’s smile with some teeth missing – if that makes sense.
Overall a good weekend. Less activities due to Colin’s bad health but still a nice Mother’s Day Sunday.
Have a good week.
Volker Ballueder
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