u/MulberryKind8298

I've recently complained about a couple of items by posting on a company's X page. Very soon after I get a message from 'customer services' saying that they're very sorry and can I message them directly. I send a DM and they are ridiculously helpful and want to call on the phone. They say they'll send me a replacement because I am a valued customer - this seems completely OTT and I end the call.

I then realise it's not a legit customer services account, rather just one with e.g. *shop name*supportuk.

What's the end game here? Would it have been 'we need a small deposit'?

The last twice I've been at my GP practice I've seen two elderly people walk in and up to the desk, the receptionist then said (quite loudly) 'i can't make you an appointment at the desk due to patient confidentiality, you'll have to go home and phone us'.

Is this a thing everywhere? Doesn't seem fit for purpose.

I bought my mum a 6ft silver pear after seeing a beautiful one in a park. I bought it in September last year and it arrived in November. For some reason her husband put it in a pot and left it in the conservatory until spring, he said he was worried about frost. The conservatory was heated intermittently.

When the tree was planted in March it did nothing at all. A gardener they know looked at it and didn't think it was dead but if it's not some anything all season it must be surely?

Was it the overwintering that messed it up?

Has anyone got experience of retraining as a brickie later in life? And what are the practicalities of training, and beyond i.e. do people want to employ the older person without the associated experience?

I've got two outhouses with wooden frames and doors on need of repair. The cost of new UPVC ones is prohibitive, especially seeing as they are rarely used, but I've seen second hand doors going very cheap. Was wondering how hard s job it would be. One of the doors is quite wide and assuming I'd need lots of trim.

Been driving for 20+ years and despite driving old cars, luckily I've only had one roadside breakdown which happened recently when a coolant hose split.

My relationship with my local garage of 12 years consists of an annual service, MOT at a separate time, and a handful of ad hoc repairs.

So when I was towed on a Saturday afternoon, with noone open, I had no idea if I should opt for local garage vs my l taking me home. The garage I use is extremely busy and I had no idea if they'd be happy to have my car dumped in their small car park.

Luckily I opted for home and it turned out that the part was out of stock nationwide and had to come from France (Peugeot), taking 6 weeks. In this instance I was able to fix myself but anything bigger if have had no chance.

What do others do if they need towed?

I'm at a loss with our 7yo son. He's doing great at school and his teacher refers to him as a model pupil. But he gets home and he makes stupid noises constantly, and I mean near constantly until bedtime. He hits his 3yo sister and whispers about ghosts and monsters to the point that she's miserable and they can't be left in the same room for any length of time which impacts all attempts at housework or even cooking a meal or making a drink. He will try to hit us, or recently swear at us if we move him away from her.

However, nothing seems to act as a deterrent, timeouts have no impact, laughs if we shout at him, removal of toys/treats/friends visiting have no impact.

I have friends with similar aged children and appreciate everyone has challenges but this feels next level and we don't know what to do. Any advice/thoughts/reading recommendations appreciated.