Model Boat Mayhem
Mess Deck: General Section => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: Roger in France on January 15, 2008, 05:04:12 pm
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I wanted to buy some tools, I searched Axminster's excellent Web Site as I have searched in vain to find a bench hold fast in France. I have always found Axminster to have a wide range of tools at good prices as well as giving good delivery.
Having found what I wanted (and having added several other things to my shopping basket which I did not know I wanted until I started browsing!) I went to "Checkout" to find out what delivery would cost to me in France. I also wanted to see what the comparative cost to my in-laws in Sussex would be as I am visiting in Feb.
Having made my comparison I abandoned the "Shopping Basket" as I need to ask permission before having a parcel sent to other than my own address.
Several hours later I received an automated Email from Axminster saying "We noticed you have abandoned a shopping basket. Was there a problem we can help you with?"
My first reaction was what valuable and clever customer service. However, I then started thinking, "What else can companies find out when I just browse their Web Sites without placing an order?". Or am I just paranoid?
Roger in France.
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Roger
Presumambly you had to provide your email address as part of the ordering process? If not I'd change my browser.
Of course your ISP keeps a record of everything you look at!
Your never alone on the internet :-X
Cheers
Doug
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Hi roger....i would have thought you have no need to worry with a company like axminster tools........i have used them on lots of occasions and their tools and service is second to none ......i have never...ever had a problem from dealing with them
regards.....bob.
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Once you open the shopping basket, it wakes up the main fame at the suppliers, which starts recording, hopefully via a secure line.
I don't think they log just a visit to the main pages, as this would alert your machine to a request transmission. ( mine detects these requests and asks for permission etc.)
Hope this helps to alleviate your worries Roger
All the best
Ken
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They can only use the information you give them. Name, Address, email, that is always the three things asked. So be carefull of sites that you are unsure of.
Regards David
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Roger,
This is normal for Axminster. Same thing happens if you save your basket for another time without actually placing the order.
Terry.
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Thanks folk, I am somewhat naive about computers!
I assumed that until I pressed a "Send" button or confirmed an order they could not read anything I was doing.
I was not worried about Axminster, I was impressed with their service in this respect. I was rather more worried about other traders where I would go almost to the point of ordering (to see the full cost including delivery and taxes) before pressing "Place Order". I now know that even if I "Abort" at that point they could be watching me.
Roger in France.
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I've bought a few things from Axminster by phone.
But I use their basket to hold info on a product that I am interested in and never had any return enquiries. I put this info into my favourites then recall it after pricing on other sites.
While you read this Roger what is the mains voltage in France ?
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I went into the Norfolkline ferry site the other day to get a quote and a popup immediately appeared asking me if I was Colin Bishop. They had obviously recorded my computer ID and associated it with a booking I made last year. Still, Cookies do it all the time - Mayhem "remembers" me every time I access the site. It's a good idea to "weed out" your cookies every now and again.
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While you read this Roger what is the mains voltage in France ?
Check this page out, France is obviously 230 V.
http://www.gbaudio.co.uk/data/mains.htm
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Yes, 230Volts but there is absolutely no problem with UK appliances at 240Volts.
Still a predominance of 2 pin plugs in my part of the Hexagon. French Construction Regs. are not fussy about which is the negative line and which the positive. Also, their is no prohibition on power sockets adjacent to water sources (sinks, basins etc.). I presume this is because both lines are protected.
However, all cabling buried in walls etc. must be shrouded with trunking. The most popular trunking is corrugated plastic and all suppliers offer trunking with the relevant cable pre-inserted or with a "pull through wire".
For those of you who have memories of "funny" plumbing and electricity supply in France, forget it. Fittings are very sophisticated and of good quality today. A good example of this is that many truck stops, service stations, restaurants and public conveniences have one variety or other of "hands free" water supply. This includes auto detection which turns the tap on when you place your hands under the spout; foot pad operated taps; pedal operated taps; knee operated taps. These are all both more hygienic and less wasteful. Many wall switches and power outlets are "quick-fix" with "push-in terminals" and "snap-on" covers.
Unisex toilets are still prevalent and even when there is some separation of men's facilities from women's it is often a mere token and nobody hestitates to use whichever is available.
The French are far less prudish than many about bodily functions and as well as expelling waste the intake of nourishment is much more open. It is quite normal to ask for the same as an adjacent diner is eating by saying you want the same and pointing at their table and plate. Diners often lean across your table and ask your oppinion of the food before ordering themselves, I have even been given a taste from a strangers plate. Above all I enjoy the fact that the French adopt an attitude of "we are all in this together" and do not try to pretend there is nobody else in the restaurant.
Roger in France.
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a good friend of mine is an employee at axminster power tools, and he specialises in wood turning, lathes, tuitioin and sales other equipment,
i too order items and yes axminster do remind you of items palced in the shopping basket but not actually purchased if you dont complete the transaction....
you can always delete cookies, or blacklist them from ony email accounts should you need to, but personally i dont mind, i often use the facility when i have been distracted and not completed my purchasing on line !
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Roger.
I am hoping to find a little place for regular holidaying over there,mix in with the locals,learn the language,boat with them and thought I could take some electric items telly, playstaion, so on.
If that is the attitude of the French then its terrific.
Now to look for a nice quiet countryside location close to an air/sea port and get the phrase book out.
Cheers mate
Martin
cheers Bunkerbarge as well.
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Just to round off this Thread......
Placed an order by Internet with Axminster (from my home in France) Thursday afternoon, for delivery to my in-laws in England. Parcel arrived Friday morning. What excellent service.
Seaspray, if you want some help let me know by PM.
Roger in France.
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Roger, have been following the thread with interest. Don`t they sell Axminster carpets in France? Pete M
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No they do not. If they did they would not call them "Axminster" because the French are as suspicious of all things British as the British are of all things French!
Roger in France.
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UK voltage is 230v ac, used to be 240 but was lowered some time ago I can not remember when or why it was done.
Brian
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UK voltage is 230v ac, used to be 240 but was lowered some time ago I can not remember when or why it was done.
They lowered it so that it is the same across Europe then they could import/ sell electricity easier.
But a thing to remember is that the law states the electricity can be + or - 10%
23 volts is a fair bit of a change
Colin
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Thanks Colin I thought it was something like that.
Brian
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Means you can buy stuff in French Hypermarkets cheap, swap the plug and it will work OK over here.
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They lowered it so that it is the same across Europe then they could import/ sell electricity easier.
But a thing to remember is that the law states the electricity can be + or - 10%
23 volts is a fair bit of a change
Actually, all they altered was the tolerance. Used to be 240v and +/- 10% (216v - 264v)
Now its 230V and -6% to +10% (216.2v - 253v).
The voltage from the sub-stations has not been physically altered. (Unless it was above the 253v upper limit which is unlikely).
FC
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Now its 230V and -6% to +10% (216.2v - 253v).
The voltage from the sub-stations has not been physically altered. (Unless it was above the 253v upper limit which is unlikely).
FC
The voltage from the sub-stations have been physically changed I had to go round and change them O0
The voltage tolerances you mention are what is being aimed for but this will take along time in happening
Colin
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I don't think Axminster carpets are still about.
You always knew an Axminster by looking on the back and seeing how close the weaving was.
Martin
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I don't think Axminster carpets are still about.
You always knew an Axminster by looking on the back and seeing how close the weaving was.
Martin
[Axminster Carpet Factory alive and well. I drove past it this afternoon on the way to the coast to get a bit of sun and sea air.
Chris
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Still some old British Industry left on the planet. Surprised Surprised. :o
Martin.