Ain't Technology Wonderful

Post by Jeff Gaines
My LSI SAS 9207 is being collected tomorrow by the postie for return to
Amazon.
I also need to return a WD SSD, second one that has failed just inside
the five year warranty.
With the last one I queued at the Post Office in our Co-Op then stood
there for 30 minutes while the poor assistant looked up a dozen or so
guides and prepared and stuck on four different labels finally charging
me £9.65 for the privilege.
With this one I sat in comfort with a cup of tea next to me, filled in
an online form, paid £9.70 and tomorrow the same postie will have a
label for me to return the WD SSD to the Czech Republic.
Now to test half a dozen more SSDs....

Lucky you. I am in the process of returning a unit to Amazon. I printed
off the label and stuck it on the box to wait for the replacement unit
to arrive and hand it to the courier.
He simply left the parcel by the door and never rung the bell

Anyone know how to get the bastards to pick it up?

--
Canada is all right really, though not for the whole weekend.

"Saki"

Pancho

2025-02-02 11:06:49 UTC

Post by Jeff Gaines
My LSI SAS 9207 is being collected tomorrow by the postie for return
to Amazon.
I also need to return a WD SSD, second one that has failed just inside
the five year warranty.
With the last one I queued at the Post Office in our Co-Op then stood
there for 30 minutes while the poor assistant looked up a dozen or so
guides and prepared and stuck on four different labels finally
charging me £9.65 for the privilege.
With this one I sat in comfort with a cup of tea next to me, filled in
an online form, paid £9.70 and tomorrow the same postie will have a
label for me to return the WD SSD to the Czech Republic.
Now to test half a dozen more SSDs....

Amazon Lockers.

The Natural Philosopher

2025-02-02 11:14:48 UTC

Post by Pancho

Post by Jeff Gaines
My LSI SAS 9207 is being collected tomorrow by the postie for return
to Amazon.
I also need to return a WD SSD, second one that has failed just
inside the five year warranty.
With the last one I queued at the Post Office in our Co-Op then stood
there for 30 minutes while the poor assistant looked up a dozen or so
guides and prepared and stuck on four different labels finally
charging me £9.65 for the privilege.
With this one I sat in comfort with a cup of tea next to me, filled
in an online form, paid £9.70 and tomorrow the same postie will have
a label for me to return the WD SSD to the Czech Republic.
Now to test half a dozen more SSDs....

Lucky you. I am in the process of returning a unit to Amazon. I
printed off the label and stuck it on the box to wait for the
replacement unit to arrive and hand it to the courier.
He simply left the parcel by the door and never rung the bell
Anyone know how to get the bastards to pick it up?

Amazon Lockers.

I think the item is too big.

--
Labour - a bunch of rich people convincing poor people to vote for rich
people by telling poor people that "other" rich people are the reason
they are poor.

Peter Thompson

The Natural Philosopher

2025-02-02 11:23:20 UTC

Post by Pancho

Post by The Natural Philosopher
Lucky you. I am in the process of returning a unit to Amazon. I
printed off the label and stuck it on the box to wait for the
replacement unit to arrive and hand it to the courier.
He simply left the parcel by the door and never rung the bell
Anyone know how to get the bastards to pick it up?

Amazon Lockers.

I think the item is too big.

They say they will pick it up if I let the know it needs it or
something. There is no way I have found to contact them to let them know.
I've printed off all the paperwork and packed it a lot better than when
it arrived.
But there are no instructions as to what to do next.

--
“when things get difficult you just have to lie”

― Jean Claud Jüncker

Theo

2025-02-02 11:36:06 UTC

Post by The Natural Philosopher
They say they will pick it up if I let the know it needs it or
something. There is no way I have found to contact them to let them know.
I've printed off all the paperwork and packed it a lot better than when
it arrived.
But there are no instructions as to what to do next.

Go to 'Returns and Orders' (top right of most Amazon screens when logged
in), find the item, click on 'return' (the wording changes slightly based
on status, probably a white or yellow button on the RHS), and then see what
it says inside.

For a completed return from December the button is 'View return/refund
status' and there's a fold-down for 'Participating Evri Return
Instructions'.

Theo

The Natural Philosopher

2025-02-02 13:05:10 UTC

Go to 'Returns and Orders' (top right of most Amazon screens when logged
in), find the item, click on 'return' (the wording changes slightly based
on status, probably a white or yellow button on the RHS), and then see what
it says inside.
For a completed return from December the button is 'View return/refund
status' and there's a fold-down for 'Participating Evri Return
Instructions'.

No, there isn't.

It just says that I have requested a return. Plus a button marked
continue that doesn't work and the expiry date of the RMA

Post by Theo
Theo

I went to Evi's website with teh tracking number and that says:

'It's booked

We've received your return request and we're expecting it from you shortly.'

I definitely expected them to pick it up. That was the box I ticked.

--
How fortunate for governments that the people they administer don't think.

Adolf Hitler

Fredxx

2025-02-02 16:20:34 UTC

Go to 'Returns and Orders' (top right of most Amazon screens when logged
in), find the item, click on 'return' (the wording changes slightly based
on status, probably a white or yellow button on the RHS), and then see what
it says inside.
For a completed return from December the button is 'View return/refund
status' and there's a fold-down for 'Participating Evri Return
Instructions'.

No, there isn't.
It just says that I have requested a return. Plus a button marked
continue that doesn't work and the expiry date of the RMA

Post by Theo
Theo

'It's booked
We've received your return request and we're expecting it from you shortly.'
I definitely expected them to pick it up. That was the box I ticked.

Why don't you take it to a parcel shop?

Tim Streater

2025-02-02 18:26:15 UTC

Post by Fredxx

Go to 'Returns and Orders' (top right of most Amazon screens when logged
in), find the item, click on 'return' (the wording changes slightly based
on status, probably a white or yellow button on the RHS), and then see what
it says inside.
For a completed return from December the button is 'View return/refund
status' and there's a fold-down for 'Participating Evri Return
Instructions'.

No, there isn't.
It just says that I have requested a return. Plus a button marked
continue that doesn't work and the expiry date of the RMA
'It's booked
We've received your return request and we're expecting it from you shortly.'
I definitely expected them to pick it up. That was the box I ticked.

Why don't you take it to a parcel shop?

Yes, essentially. The couple of times I've returned stuff to Amazon, they
(amazon) guide me to print out a returns label, and IIRC there's a choice of
courier. I then drop it off either at the Post Office (Royal Mail) or at some
store which hosts pickup for the courier. They scan it and then I bugger off
home.

--
"The idea that Bill Gates has appeared like a knight in shining armour to lead all customers out of a mire of technological chaos neatly ignores the fact that it was he who, by peddling second-rate technology, led them into it in the first place." - Douglas Adams

The Natural Philosopher

2025-02-02 20:30:29 UTC

Post by Fredxx

Go to 'Returns and Orders' (top right of most Amazon screens when logged
in), find the item, click on 'return' (the wording changes slightly based
on status, probably a white or yellow button on the RHS), and then see what
it says inside.
For a completed return from December the button is 'View return/refund
status' and there's a fold-down for 'Participating Evri Return
Instructions'.

Why don't you take it to a parcel shop?

I think that is what I will have to do.
But that isn't what Amazon said.

--
"And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch".

Gospel of St. Mathew 15:14

Peter Johnson

2025-02-03 13:55:21 UTC

Post by Tim Streater
Yes, essentially. The couple of times I've returned stuff to Amazon, they
(amazon) guide me to print out a returns label, and IIRC there's a choice of
courier. I then drop it off either at the Post Office (Royal Mail) or at some
store which hosts pickup for the courier. They scan it and then I bugger off
home.

It seems that some customers must find printing a label beyond them.
When I returned an item a couple of weeks ago, printing a label wasn't
an option. I took it to the Post Office, where they scanned the QR
code on my phone and printed a label that they stuck on the parcel.
I haven't investigated how you go on if you don't have a phone, or
have one that can't display your emails.

charles

2025-02-03 14:30:02 UTC

Post by Tim Streater
Yes, essentially. The couple of times I've returned stuff to Amazon,
they (amazon) guide me to print out a returns label, and IIRC there's a
choice of courier. I then drop it off either at the Post Office (Royal
Mail) or at some store which hosts pickup for the courier. They scan it
and then I bugger off home.

It seems that some customers must find printing a label beyond them. When
I returned an item a couple of weeks ago, printing a label wasn't an
option. I took it to the Post Office, where they scanned the QR code on
my phone and printed a label that they stuck on the parcel. I haven't
investigated how you go on if you don't have a phone, or have one that
can't display your emails.

perhaps those people don't order from Amazon

--
from KT24 in Surrey, England - sent from my RISC OS 4té²
"I'd rather die of exhaustion than die of boredom" Thomas Carlyle

Davey

2025-02-03 15:57:34 UTC

On Mon, 03 Feb 2025 13:55:21 +0000

Post by Tim Streater
Yes, essentially. The couple of times I've returned stuff to Amazon,
they (amazon) guide me to print out a returns label, and IIRC
there's a choice of courier. I then drop it off either at the Post
Office (Royal Mail) or at some store which hosts pickup for the
courier. They scan it and then I bugger off home.

I have always been able to print the label. Useful, as my 'phone is not
a 'smart' phone, and does not receive e-mail messages.

--
Davey.

Max Demian

2025-02-03 17:06:39 UTC

Owning a printer is so last millennium.

--
Max Demian

charles

2025-02-03 18:15:02 UTC

Post by Tim Streater
Yes, essentially. The couple of times I've returned stuff to Amazon,
they (amazon) guide me to print out a returns label, and IIRC there's
a choice of courier. I then drop it off either at the Post Office
(Royal Mail) or at some store which hosts pickup for the courier. They
scan it and then I bugger off home.

It seems that some customers must find printing a label beyond them.
When I returned an item a couple of weeks ago, printing a label wasn't
an option. I took it to the Post Office, where they scanned the QR code
on my phone and printed a label that they stuck on the parcel. I
haven't investigated how you go on if you don't have a phone, or have
one that can't display your emails.

Owning a printer is so last millennium.

That's probably why I have 4.

--
from KT24 in Surrey, England - sent from my RISC OS 4té²
"I'd rather die of exhaustion than die of boredom" Thomas Carlyle

Tim Streater

2025-02-03 19:08:44 UTC

Post by Tim Streater
Yes, essentially. The couple of times I've returned stuff to Amazon,
they (amazon) guide me to print out a returns label, and IIRC there's
a choice of courier. I then drop it off either at the Post Office
(Royal Mail) or at some store which hosts pickup for the courier. They
scan it and then I bugger off home.

It seems that some customers must find printing a label beyond them.
When I returned an item a couple of weeks ago, printing a label wasn't
an option. I took it to the Post Office, where they scanned the QR code
on my phone and printed a label that they stuck on the parcel. I
haven't investigated how you go on if you don't have a phone, or have
one that can't display your emails.

Owning a printer is so last millennium.

That's probably why I have 4.

We've had 4, but serially rather than all at once. The first few tended to
blow their PS after a small (3? 4?) number of years so this time we shelled
out a few more notes for a Canon G6050. Now, after more than four years
without needing to, I've just refilled the tank with black ink. The colours
look like they'll do for another year.

Since this is a machine with tanks with what might be termed infrequent refill
requirements, I don't mind buying Canon inks rather than compatibles.

Does duplex and has a scanner. What more is needed?

--
"The EU Customs Union is a racket that defends producers in rich countries against producers in poor countries."

Jacob Rees-Mogg MP

Timatmarford

2025-02-03 19:56:27 UTC

Post by Tim Streater
Yes, essentially. The couple of times I've returned stuff to Amazon,
they (amazon) guide me to print out a returns label, and IIRC there's
a choice of courier. I then drop it off either at the Post Office
(Royal Mail) or at some store which hosts pickup for the courier. They
scan it and then I bugger off home.

It seems that some customers must find printing a label beyond them.
When I returned an item a couple of weeks ago, printing a label wasn't
an option. I took it to the Post Office, where they scanned the QR code
on my phone and printed a label that they stuck on the parcel. I
haven't investigated how you go on if you don't have a phone, or have
one that can't display your emails.

Owning a printer is so last millennium.

That's probably why I have 4.

We've had 4, but serially rather than all at once. The first few tended to
blow their PS after a small (3? 4?) number of years so this time we shelled
out a few more notes for a Canon G6050. Now, after more than four years
without needing to, I've just refilled the tank with black ink. The colours
look like they'll do for another year.
Since this is a machine with tanks with what might be termed infrequent refill
requirements, I don't mind buying Canon inks rather than compatibles.
Does duplex and has a scanner. What more is needed?

My Epson ET-2650 is coming up to 6 years and 2 boxes of paper.
Print/copy/scan.

charles

2025-02-03 21:15:03 UTC

Post by Tim Streater
Yes, essentially. The couple of times I've returned stuff to Amazon,
they (amazon) guide me to print out a returns label, and IIRC
there's a choice of courier. I then drop it off either at the Post
Office (Royal Mail) or at some store which hosts pickup for the
courier. They scan it and then I bugger off home.

It seems that some customers must find printing a label beyond them.
When I returned an item a couple of weeks ago, printing a label
wasn't an option. I took it to the Post Office, where they scanned
the QR code on my phone and printed a label that they stuck on the
parcel. I haven't investigated how you go on if you don't have a
phone, or have one that can't display your emails.

Owning a printer is so last millennium.

That's probably why I have 4.

We've had 4, but serially rather than all at once. The first few tended
to blow their PS after a small (3? 4?) number of years so this time we
shelled out a few more notes for a Canon G6050. Now, after more than four
years without needing to, I've just refilled the tank with black ink. The
colours look like they'll do for another year.
Since this is a machine with tanks with what might be termed infrequent
refill requirements, I don't mind buying Canon inks rather than
compatibles.
Does duplex and has a scanner. What more is needed?

A3 paper?

--
from KT24 in Surrey, England - sent from my RISC OS 4té²
"I'd rather die of exhaustion than die of boredom" Thomas Carlyle

Tim Streater

2025-02-03 21:38:58 UTC

Post by Tim Streater
Yes, essentially. The couple of times I've returned stuff to Amazon,
they (amazon) guide me to print out a returns label, and IIRC
there's a choice of courier. I then drop it off either at the Post
Office (Royal Mail) or at some store which hosts pickup for the
courier. They scan it and then I bugger off home.

It seems that some customers must find printing a label beyond them.
When I returned an item a couple of weeks ago, printing a label
wasn't an option. I took it to the Post Office, where they scanned
the QR code on my phone and printed a label that they stuck on the
parcel. I haven't investigated how you go on if you don't have a
phone, or have one that can't display your emails.

Owning a printer is so last millennium.

That's probably why I have 4.

We've had 4, but serially rather than all at once. The first few tended
to blow their PS after a small (3? 4?) number of years so this time we
shelled out a few more notes for a Canon G6050. Now, after more than four
years without needing to, I've just refilled the tank with black ink. The
colours look like they'll do for another year.
Since this is a machine with tanks with what might be termed infrequent
refill requirements, I don't mind buying Canon inks rather than
compatibles.
Does duplex and has a scanner. What more is needed?

A3 paper?

Don't think I'ver needed to print A3 at home, ever. It has a rear feed, too,
so I can print labels. I wrote my own AddressBook app for that, so I can skip
already-used positions on a label sheet, f'rinstance.

--
"Please stop telling us what you feel. Please stop telling us what your intuition is. Your intuitive feelings are of no interest whatsoever, and nor are mine. I don't give a bugger what you feel, or what I feel. I want to know what the evidence shows." -- Richard Dawkins

Roland Perry

2025-02-04 17:11:29 UTC

Post by Tim Streater
Don't think I'ver needed to print A3 at home, ever.

I just printed two posters advertising an event. Normally it's more
likely to be something like a railway map.

--
Roland Perry

The Natural Philosopher

2025-02-04 18:38:39 UTC

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Tim Streater
Don't think I'ver needed to print A3 at home, ever.

I just printed two posters advertising an event. Normally it's more
likely to be something like a railway map.

Fucking map of Addenbrookes is more usual :-(
And they don't keep that up to date either

--
"When one man dies it's a tragedy. When thousands die it's statistics."

Josef Stalin

charles

2025-02-04 19:15:03 UTC

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Tim Streater
Don't think I'ver needed to print A3 at home, ever.

I just printed two posters advertising an event. Normally it's more
likely to be something like a railway map.

Fucking map of Addenbrookes is more usual :-(

I thought you'd a private room for that ;-)

Post by The Natural Philosopher
And they don't keep that up to date either

--
from KT24 in Surrey, England - sent from my RISC OS 4té²
"I'd rather die of exhaustion than die of boredom" Thomas Carlyle

Bob Eager

2025-02-04 09:50:18 UTC

Post by Tim Streater
Yes, essentially. The couple of times I've returned stuff to Amazon,
they (amazon) guide me to print out a returns label, and IIRC there's
a choice of courier. I then drop it off either at the Post Office
(Royal Mail) or at some store which hosts pickup for the courier. They
scan it and then I bugger off home.

It seems that some customers must find printing a label beyond them.
When I returned an item a couple of weeks ago, printing a label wasn't
an option. I took it to the Post Office, where they scanned the QR code
on my phone and printed a label that they stuck on the parcel.
I haven't investigated how you go on if you don't have a phone, or have
one that can't display your emails.

Owning a printer is so last millennium.

That's OK. My everyday printer was manufactured in 1993.

--
My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners' Hub
wish to copy them they can pay me £1 a message.
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor

The Natural Philosopher

2025-02-04 10:51:32 UTC

Post by Bob Eager

Post by Max Demian
Owning a printer is so last millennium.

That's OK. My everyday printer was manufactured in 1993.

Interesting. Whilst my printer usage has dropped, I still couldn't do
without it.
Not everything is suitable for display on a smart phone.

--
Canada is all right really, though not for the whole weekend.

"Saki"

Joe

2025-02-04 11:42:42 UTC

On Tue, 4 Feb 2025 10:51:32 +0000

Post by Bob Eager

Post by Max Demian
Owning a printer is so last millennium.

That's OK. My everyday printer was manufactured in 1993.

Interesting. Whilst my printer usage has dropped, I still couldn't do
without it.
Not everything is suitable for display on a smart phone.

Particularly when the battery has run down. My wife has seen this
happen twice on trains, when the inspector arrived in the carriage.

Whether they were genuine phone problems or not we do not know, but
I've seen peoples' phones run down in less stressful situations.
Apparently iPhones normally need charging every day, more often as the
battery ages.

--
Joe

The Natural Philosopher

2025-02-04 13:57:49 UTC

Post by Joe
On Tue, 4 Feb 2025 10:51:32 +0000

Post by Bob Eager

Post by Max Demian
Owning a printer is so last millennium.

That's OK. My everyday printer was manufactured in 1993.

Interesting. Whilst my printer usage has dropped, I still couldn't do
without it.
Not everything is suitable for display on a smart phone.

Particularly when the battery has run down. My wife has seen this
happen twice on trains, when the inspector arrived in the carriage.
Whether they were genuine phone problems or not we do not know, but
I've seen peoples' phones run down in less stressful situations.
Apparently iPhones normally need charging every day, more often as the
battery ages.

I think a dead i-phone is a scrote's best friend...
Returning to thread I took the bloody parcel in to the post office and
they grinned and said 'Evri is it?' like they were expecting it...

I wouldn't have minded except I ticked the box saying 'pickup from
address'- I am not that good at lugging parcels down the high street as
I used to be...

--
Microsoft : the best reason to go to Linux that ever existed.

Tim Streater

2025-02-04 17:53:52 UTC

Post by Joe
Apparently iPhones normally need charging every day, more often as the
battery ages.

This is so. It's one reason I retired mine and went back to using the
clam-shell of yesteryear.

--
"The problem with defending the purity of the English language is that English is about as pure as a cribhouse whore. We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary."

James Nicoll, rasfw

charles

2025-02-04 18:30:02 UTC

Post by Joe
Apparently iPhones normally need charging every day, more often as the
battery ages.

This is so. It's one reason I retired mine and went back to using the
clam-shell of yesteryear.

Mine is a couple of years old and still manages 2 or 3 days between
charges. Depends on how much I use it.

--
from KT24 in Surrey, England - sent from my RISC OS 4té²
"I'd rather die of exhaustion than die of boredom" Thomas Carlyle

Tim+

2025-02-04 13:23:19 UTC

Owning a printer is so last millennium.

Crosswords are a lot easier when you have some “scribble space”. ;-) Our
printer’s main use is for printing our crosswords these days. I also still
prefer a hard copy of some documents when travelling as phone batteries
and/or their internet connections are never 100% trustworthy.

I do acknowledge that’s it’s a bit of an age thing. Neither of my daughters
have one.

Tim

--
Please don't feed the trolls

The Natural Philosopher

2025-02-04 14:00:31 UTC

Post by Tim+

Owning a printer is so last millennium.

Crosswords are a lot easier when you have some “scribble space”. ;-) Our
printer’s main use is for printing our crosswords these days. I also still
prefer a hard copy of some documents when travelling as phone batteries
and/or their internet connections are never 100% trustworthy.
I do acknowledge that’s it’s a bit of an age thing. Neither of my daughters
have one.
Tim

And how are you going to print sticky labels for your tool cabinets?

No. I still have uses for mine. I admit that a full 'I only have a
mobile' person can probably just about get by without one

--
The theory of Communism may be summed up in one sentence: Abolish all
private property.

Karl Marx

Joe

2025-02-04 15:40:52 UTC

On Tue, 4 Feb 2025 14:00:31 +0000

Post by Tim+

Post by Tim Streater
Yes, essentially. The couple of times I've returned stuff to
Amazon, they (amazon) guide me to print out a returns label, and
IIRC there's a choice of courier. I then drop it off either at
the Post Office (Royal Mail) or at some store which hosts pickup
for the courier. They scan it and then I bugger off home.

It seems that some customers must find printing a label beyond
them. When I returned an item a couple of weeks ago, printing a
label wasn't an option. I took it to the Post Office, where they
scanned the QR code on my phone and printed a label that they
stuck on the parcel. I haven't investigated how you go on if you
don't have a phone, or have one that can't display your emails.

Owning a printer is so last millennium.

Crosswords are a lot easier when you have some “scribble space”.
;-) Our printer’s main use is for printing our crosswords these
days. I also still prefer a hard copy of some documents when
travelling as phone batteries and/or their internet connections are
never 100% trustworthy.
I do acknowledge that’s it’s a bit of an age thing. Neither of my
daughters have one.
Tim

And how are you going to print sticky labels for your tool cabinets?
No. I still have uses for mine. I admit that a full 'I only have a
mobile' person can probably just about get by without one

Most of the time. That kind of person usually does not see the need to
take a screen shot of a must-have document, which at least guards
against loss of signal. It's not going to be easy to display an online
ticket while underground, even the Elizabeth Line doesn't have mobile
repeaters.

While sitting in the cafe of a park, some months ago, my son queried
why I have coins in my pocket. He does not even carry notes.

An hour later we were in a different park, where parking payment was by
phone or... coins. Fortunately I had enough for both of us, and the 'I
told you so' just hung implicitly in the air, I didn't say anything.

--
Joe

charles

2025-02-04 16:30:02 UTC

Post by Joe
On Tue, 4 Feb 2025 14:00:31 +0000

Post by Tim Streater
Yes, essentially. The couple of times I've returned stuff to
Amazon, they (amazon) guide me to print out a returns label, and
IIRC there's a choice of courier. I then drop it off either at
the Post Office (Royal Mail) or at some store which hosts pickup
for the courier. They scan it and then I bugger off home.

It seems that some customers must find printing a label beyond
them. When I returned an item a couple of weeks ago, printing a
label wasn't an option. I took it to the Post Office, where they
scanned the QR code on my phone and printed a label that they
stuck on the parcel. I haven't investigated how you go on if you
don't have a phone, or have one that can't display your emails.

Owning a printer is so last millennium.

Crosswords are a lot easier when you have some scribble space.
;-) Our printers main use is for printing our crosswords these
days. I also still prefer a hard copy of some documents when
travelling as phone batteries and/or their internet connections are
never 100% trustworthy.
I do acknowledge thats its a bit of an age thing. Neither of my
daughters have one.
Tim

And how are you going to print sticky labels for your tool cabinets?
No. I still have uses for mine. I admit that a full 'I only have a
mobile' person can probably just about get by without one

Most of the time. That kind of person usually does not see the need to
take a screen shot of a must-have document, which at least guards
against loss of signal. It's not going to be easy to display an online
ticket while underground, even the Elizabeth Line doesn't have mobile
repeaters.
While sitting in the cafe of a park, some months ago, my son queried
why I have coins in my pocket. He does not even carry notes.
An hour later we were in a different park, where parking payment was by
phone or... coins. Fortunately I had enough for both of us, and the 'I
told you so' just hung implicitly in the air, I didn't say anything.

Attending a trade exhibition in November, I apologised to the counter clerk
when I checked in thatb I only had a paper ticket - rather than one on my
phone. She said at least paper works!

--
from KT24 in Surrey, England - sent from my RISC OS 4té²
"I'd rather die of exhaustion than die of boredom" Thomas Carlyle

Roland Perry

2025-02-04 17:15:58 UTC

Post by Joe

Post by The Natural Philosopher
I admit that a full 'I only have a
mobile' person can probably just about get by without one

Today, two examples - inside Aldi is a not-spot and so asking me to scan
a QR code to find which windscreen wipers I might need, is futile. Not
far away, needed some cash from an ATM (trader volunteered 10% discount
for cash, so I went to get some) and again a not-spot, so I couldn't
transfer some funds into the card I was planning on using.

--
Roland Perry

Theo

2025-02-04 21:44:16 UTC

Post by The Natural Philosopher
And how are you going to print sticky labels for your tool cabinets?

Label maker machine, obvs. Available from the bay of Ali for a few yuan.

One day I'll splash out on the one that prints heatshrink so I can label all
my wires.

Theo

SteveW

2025-02-04 23:35:11 UTC

Post by The Natural Philosopher
And how are you going to print sticky labels for your tool cabinets?

Label maker machine, obvs. Available from the bay of Ali for a few yuan.
One day I'll splash out on the one that prints heatshrink so I can label all
my wires.
Theo

Yes. That would be really useful at the moment - writing on them with a
paint pen is not very good.

Chris Green

2025-02-05 07:26:54 UTC

Post by The Natural Philosopher
And how are you going to print sticky labels for your tool cabinets?

Label maker machine, obvs. Available from the bay of Ali for a few yuan.
One day I'll splash out on the one that prints heatshrink so I can label all
my wires.

Yes! I have a Dymo Rhino and I use its labels **everywhere**. I
don't use the heatshrink tubes all that much, the heatshrink is fairly
expensive and you can only put it on the end of a wire. I use the two
cable tagging options that use standard label tape. I buy all tape
from AliExpress and such to avoid paying silly Dymo prices.

--
Chris Green
·

SteveW

2025-02-04 18:15:01 UTC

Post by Tim+

Owning a printer is so last millennium.

Crosswords are a lot easier when you have some “scribble space”. ;-) Our
printer’s main use is for printing our crosswords these days. I also still
prefer a hard copy of some documents when travelling as phone batteries
and/or their internet connections are never 100% trustworthy.
I do acknowledge that’s it’s a bit of an age thing. Neither of my daughters
have one.

What do they do when they need hard-copy?

I have just downloaded a council form (for interment of my S-I-L's ashes
in her parents grave), that is clearly a non-editable scan, that has to
be filled in and signed by hand and then either posted or scanned and
emailed.

Without a printer, I'd either have to go to a library, wait for an
office day, or request a copy by post.

The Natural Philosopher

2025-02-04 18:42:36 UTC

Post by SteveW
What do they do when they need hard-copy?
I have just downloaded a council form (for interment of my S-I-L's ashes
in her parents grave), that is clearly a non-editable scan, that has to
be filled in and signed by hand and then either posted or scanned and
emailed.
Without a printer, I'd either have to go to a library, wait for an
office day, or request a copy by post.

No. What you do is get a copy of Scribus and of GIMP

Gimp will export the downloaded pages as e.g. png. Import those into
Scribus as images, and then use text boxes over the top to create an
email-able multi-page PDF.

Cost less than buying a printer and scanner

--
"When one man dies it's a tragedy. When thousands die it's statistics."

Josef Stalin

Andy Burns

2025-02-04 19:08:15 UTC

Post by SteveW
I have just downloaded a council form (for interment of my S-I-L's
ashes in her parents grave), that is clearly a non-editable scan, that
has to be filled in and signed by hand and then either posted or
scanned and emailed.

Gimp will export the downloaded pages as e.g. png. Import those into
Scribus as images, and then use text boxes over the top to create an
email-able multi-page PDF.

Latest firefox has built-in PDF form filling and annotations.

The Natural Philosopher

2025-02-04 20:44:56 UTC

Post by SteveW
I have just downloaded a council form (for interment of my S-I-L's
ashes in her parents grave), that is clearly a non-editable scan,
that has to be filled in and signed by hand and then either posted or
scanned and emailed.

Gimp will export the downloaded pages as e.g. png. Import those into
Scribus as images, and then use text boxes over the top to create an
email-able multi-page PDF.

Latest firefox has built-in PDF form filling and annotations.

You cant edit non editable PDFs

--
Climate Change: Socialism wearing a lab coat.

Jim the Geordie

2025-02-04 20:48:20 UTC

Post by SteveW
I have just downloaded a council form (for interment of my S-I-L's
ashes in her parents grave), that is clearly a non-editable scan,
that has to be filled in and signed by hand and then either posted
or scanned and emailed.

Gimp will export the downloaded pages as e.g. png. Import those into
Scribus as images, and then use text boxes over the top to create an
email-able multi-page PDF.

Latest firefox has built-in PDF form filling and annotations.

You cant edit non editable PDFs

I have been known to print out the form, fill it in and sign it, then
scan it and send the scan back as an email attachment.

--
Jim the Geordie

Chris Green

2025-02-05 07:28:20 UTC

Post by Jim the Geordie

Post by SteveW
I have just downloaded a council form (for interment of my S-I-L's
ashes in her parents grave), that is clearly a non-editable scan,
that has to be filled in and signed by hand and then either posted
or scanned and emailed.

Gimp will export the downloaded pages as e.g. png. Import those into
Scribus as images, and then use text boxes over the top to create an
email-able multi-page PDF.

Latest firefox has built-in PDF form filling and annotations.

You cant edit non editable PDFs

I have been known to print out the form, fill it in and sign it, then
scan it and send the scan back as an email attachment.

I do that with lots of forms, it saves quite a bit of postage as some
of them need to be sent to France. They are quite happy with the
electronic copies.

--
Chris Green
·

Andy Burns

2025-02-04 20:58:53 UTC

Post by The Natural Philosopher
You cant edit non editable PDFs

Depends what you mean by non-editable?

Some use what is basically an honour system "don't edit/print/save" flag

some files are secured/encrypted and need a password to unlock

or (as I think the O/P meant) the file might be one big image per page,
but you can overlay text fields onto it.

The Natural Philosopher

2025-02-04 21:33:44 UTC

Post by The Natural Philosopher
You cant edit non editable PDFs

Depends what you mean by non-editable?

I mean a PDF that has no forms in it

Post by Andy Burns
Some use what is basically an honour system "don't edit/print/save" flag
some files are secured/encrypted and need a password to unlock
or (as I think the O/P meant) the file might be one big image per page,
but you can overlay text fields onto it.

Well that always works.

--
“Some people like to travel by train because it combines the slowness of
a car with the cramped public exposure of  an airplane.”

Dennis Miller

Andy Burns

2025-02-04 21:43:59 UTC

Post by Andy Burns
Depends what you mean by non-editable?

I mean a PDF that has no forms in it

The new firefox lets you edit a PDF like that (for encrypted ones, it
requires the password, but it saves it back with the password.)

The Natural Philosopher

2025-02-04 21:56:11 UTC

Post by The Natural Philosopher
You cant edit non editable PDFs

Depends what you mean by non-editable?
Some use what is basically an honour system "don't edit/print/save" flag
some files are secured/encrypted and need a password to unlock
or (as I think the O/P meant) the file might be one big image per page,
but you can overlay text fields onto it.

Well I just checked. Firefox cannot edit ordinary PDFs.

--
Those who want slavery should have the grace to name it by its proper
name. They must face the full meaning of that which they are advocating
or condoning; the full, exact, specific meaning of collectivism, of its
logical implications, of the principles upon which it is based, and of
the ultimate consequences to which these principles will lead. They must
face it, then decide whether this is what they want or not.

Ayn Rand.

Andy Burns

2025-02-04 22:49:27 UTC

Post by The Natural Philosopher
Well I just checked. Firefox cannot edit ordinary PDFs.

v135.0 ?

RJH

2025-02-05 06:08:00 UTC

Post by The Natural Philosopher
Well I just checked. Firefox cannot edit ordinary PDFs.

v135.0 ?

Just tried it on a Mac - v.good!

--
Cheers, Rob, Sheffield UK

The Natural Philosopher

2025-02-05 14:35:20 UTC

Post by The Natural Philosopher
Well I just checked. Firefox cannot edit ordinary PDFs.

v135.0 ?

134.2

--
"It was a lot more fun being 20 in the 70's that it is being 70 in the 20's"
Joew Walsh

Andy Burns

2025-02-05 15:51:40 UTC

Post by The Natural Philosopher
Well I just checked. Firefox cannot edit ordinary PDFs.

v135.0 ?

134.2

I didn't know about the PDF edit functionality until yesterday, when
someone mentioned it was a new feature in v135, but on checking, someone
else clarified that it's actually been a feature since v106.

Clearly it's not for proof-reading War and Peace, but I can see me using
it for cases where I just need to sign&date something, instead of having
to launch FoxIt

The Natural Philosopher

2025-02-05 17:17:44 UTC

Post by The Natural Philosopher
Well I just checked. Firefox cannot edit ordinary PDFs.

v135.0 ?

134.2

I didn't know about the PDF edit functionality until yesterday, when
someone mentioned it was a new feature in v135, but on checking, someone
else clarified that it's actually been a feature since v106.
Clearly it's not for proof-reading War and Peace, but I can see me using
it for cases where I just need to sign&date something, instead of having
to launch FoxIt

Well I absolutely failed to find it

--
Future generations will wonder in bemused amazement that the early
twenty-first century’s developed world went into hysterical panic over a
globally average temperature increase of a few tenths of a degree, and,
on the basis of gross exaggerations of highly uncertain computer
projections combined into implausible chains of inference, proceeded to
contemplate a rollback of the industrial age.

Richard Lindzen

Sam Plusnet

2025-02-08 19:13:20 UTC

Post by The Natural Philosopher
Well I just checked. Firefox cannot edit ordinary PDFs.

v135.0 ?

134.2

I didn't know about the PDF edit functionality until yesterday, when
someone mentioned it was a new feature in v135, but on checking, someone
else clarified that it's actually been a feature since v106.
Clearly it's not for proof-reading War and Peace, but I can see me using
it for cases where I just need to sign&date something, instead of having
to launch FoxIt

If you use a browser that doesn't seem to offer this, it's worth checking.
E.g. I use Opera and this facility _is_ available - via an add-in.

--
Sam Plusnet

SteveW

2025-02-04 23:33:21 UTC

Post by The Natural Philosopher
You cant edit non editable PDFs

Depends what you mean by non-editable?
Some use what is basically an honour system "don't edit/print/save" flag
some files are secured/encrypted and need a password to unlock
or (as I think the O/P meant) the file might be one big image per page,
but you can overlay text fields onto it.

That's it, but it's a whole lot easier to just print, fill by hand and
scan, instead of lining up multiple text text boxes and filling them in.

Andy Burns

2025-02-05 06:24:29 UTC

Post by SteveW
it's a whole lot easier to just print, fill by hand and
scan, instead of lining up multiple text text boxes and filling them in.

My solicitor sent me a document by post with dithered grey backgrounds,
by the time that was filled-in/scanned it was so big their email system
wouldn't accept it back as an attachment.

charles

2025-02-05 09:00:03 UTC

Post by SteveW
it's a whole lot easier to just print, fill by hand and
scan, instead of lining up multiple text text boxes and filling them in.

My solicitor sent me a document by post with dithered grey backgrounds,
by the time that was filled-in/scanned it was so big their email system
wouldn't accept it back as an attachment.

don't yu know how to shrink a pdf size?

--
from KT24 in Surrey, England - sent from my RISC OS 4té²
"I'd rather die of exhaustion than die of boredom" Thomas Carlyle

Andy Burns

2025-02-05 10:20:45 UTC

Post by charles
don't yu know how to shrink a pdf size?

Dithering really messes up bitmap compression, yes using a threshold
filter helps a bit

The Natural Philosopher

2025-02-05 14:36:31 UTC

it's a whole lot easier to just print, fill by hand and scan, instead
of lining up multiple text text boxes and filling them in.

My solicitor sent me a document by post with dithered grey backgrounds,
by the time that was filled-in/scanned it was so big their email system
wouldn't accept it back as an attachment.

So scan it first and convert to black and white...

--
A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on
its shoes.

Andy Burns

2025-02-05 06:24:29 UTC

Post by SteveW
it's a whole lot easier to just print, fill by hand and
scan, instead of lining up multiple text text boxes and filling them in.

My solicitor sent me a document by post with dithered grey backgrounds,
by the time that was filled-in/scanned it was so big their email system
wouldn't accept it back as an attachment.

SteveW

2025-02-04 23:30:36 UTC

Post by SteveW
What do they do when they need hard-copy?
I have just downloaded a council form (for interment of my S-I-L's
ashes in her parents grave), that is clearly a non-editable scan, that
has to be filled in and signed by hand and then either posted or
scanned and emailed.
Without a printer, I'd either have to go to a library, wait for an
office day, or request a copy by post.

No. What you do is get a copy of Scribus and of GIMP
Gimp will export the downloaded pages as e.g. png. Import those into
Scribus as images, and then use text boxes over the top to create an
email-able multi-page PDF.
Cost less than buying a printer and scanner

But I don't need to buy either, as I already have them. The printer cost
me £5 second-hand (I bought it as "for parts" ... all that was wrong was
a missing power lead and it had only printed 2500 pages) and £50 worth
of toners (it's a colour laser printer), lasts for years.

This week alone I have printed out a number of different versions of 16
drawings for rewiring my Land Rover (I'm adding various circuits and
splitting others over 17 fuses, instead of the 3 originals).

Theo

2025-02-02 11:22:49 UTC

Post by The Natural Philosopher
Lucky you. I am in the process of returning a unit to Amazon. I printed
off the label and stuck it on the box to wait for the replacement unit
to arrive and hand it to the courier.
He simply left the parcel by the door and never rung the bell
Anyone know how to get the bastards to pick it up?

Amazon Logistics don't do collections AFAIK, because returns go to a
different warehouse from their fulfilment centres (often Dunfermline I
think). All returns I've done are Royal Mail / Evri / ...

(some other couriers have separate deliveries and collection rounds too and
won't collect during a delivery)

When you started the return they should offer you various options which
depend on the size and value of what's being returned (Royal Mail pickup,
Evri dropoff, RM print-at-Post Office, etc). Then follow the instructions
on the return label as to whether you need to drop it off or how to (re)book
a collection.

Tip: if there's a Royal Mail print-at-home label you can go on the RM
website and book a free collection based on the barcode number, even if
Amazon wants to charge you for that. You can't do that if RM are going to
print the label - you have to take it to a Post Office or RM delivery office
for that.

Amazon's practices vary based on where you are in the country, so YMMV.

Theo

The Natural Philosopher

2025-02-02 11:27:30 UTC

Post by The Natural Philosopher
Lucky you. I am in the process of returning a unit to Amazon. I printed
off the label and stuck it on the box to wait for the replacement unit
to arrive and hand it to the courier.
He simply left the parcel by the door and never rung the bell
Anyone know how to get the bastards to pick it up?

Amazon Logistics don't do collections AFAIK, because returns go to a
different warehouse from their fulfilment centres (often Dunfermline I
think). All returns I've done are Royal Mail / Evri / ...
(

This is an Evri teurn

Post by Theo
some other couriers have separate deliveries and collection rounds too and
won't collect during a delivery)
When you started the return they should offer you various options which
depend on the size and value of what's being returned (Royal Mail pickup,
Evri dropoff, RM print-at-Post Office, etc). Then follow the instructions
on the return label as to whether you need to drop it off or how to (re)book
a collection.

Ah

" * Evri will collect your parcel on next business day (Mon-Fri: 8
AM – 8 PM, excluding Bank Holidays), as long as the collection is booked
before 11 PM local time. Please note Evri does not offer specific time
slots and will not call prior to collection.

* Print your return label and securely pack your item(s) to be
returned before collection. Please ensure flat pack furniture is
disassembled. If the item is too large to be boxed, please wrap the item
in another form of packaging, such as plastic wrapping. Evri will be
unable to collect the item(s) if you do not have a printed Amazon return
label secured to the outside of the package. Make sure the print quality
of the label is of good quality so the barcode can be scanned. Please
only use this Returns label to return items mentioned on this page.

* Make sure an adult is present at the time of pickup. If you cannot
be present for the collection, cancel your collection request and create
another collection by going to Your Orders on your account.

You see I have to 'book a collection', but there is *no way to do that*,
that I can see!
There is no Amazon helpline either.

--
Gun Control: The law that ensures that only criminals have guns.

Another John

2025-02-02 13:05:18 UTC

... ... ... Please ensure flat pack furniture is disassembled. ... ... ...

I love that bit! "Some people", eh?

NB! This is not relevant to TNP's problems --his quote above comes from Evri's
T&C and advice.

For me, this is another illustration of how the Internet, or rather Our
Digital World, has to be *dumbed* down to the most basic level, and how we all
have to pay the price, in terms of being buggered about!

In The Old Days of one-to-one dealing with real human beings you could walk
out of the shop (or put the phone down), keeping your money in your wallet.

(But Yes! I do realise that we do not now live in The Old Days - possibly a
good thin; on balance; in the long run; with a fair wind.)

The next hymn will be Number 357 ...

John

PS Yes Evri are not too good in my own experience too. Don't they employ
odd-jobbers who have to provide their own vehicle?

Davey

2025-02-02 14:53:59 UTC

On Sun, 02 Feb 2025 13:05:18 GMT

On 2 Feb 2025 at 11:27:30 GMT, "The Natural Philosopher"

... ... ... Please ensure flat pack furniture is
disassembled. ... ... ...

I love that bit! "Some people", eh?
NB! This is not relevant to TNP's problems --his quote above comes
from Evri's T&C and advice.
For me, this is another illustration of how the Internet, or rather
Our Digital World, has to be *dumbed* down to the most basic level,
and how we all have to pay the price, in terms of being buggered
about!
In The Old Days of one-to-one dealing with real human beings you
could walk out of the shop (or put the phone down), keeping your
money in your wallet.
(But Yes! I do realise that we do not now live in The Old Days -
possibly a good thin; on balance; in the long run; with a fair wind.)
The next hymn will be Number 357 ...
John
PS Yes Evri are not too good in my own experience too. Don't they
employ odd-jobbers who have to provide their own vehicle?

As I have mentioned before, our local Evri have been excellent for
years, even back into their Hermes days. It all depends on the people
involved.

--
Davey.

Spike

2025-02-02 11:23:32 UTC

Did you get an option for Royal Mail collection?

I use that service for Amazon returns even if I have to pay for it, on the
grounds that a) it avoids using Hermes/Evri, and b) I don’t have to go out,
they come to me complete with prepared label.

--
Spike

The Natural Philosopher

2025-02-02 11:36:59 UTC

Did you get an option for Royal Mail collection?
I use that service for Amazon returns even if I have to pay for it, on the
grounds that a) it avoids using Hermes/Evri, and b) I don’t have to go out,
they come to me complete with prepared label.

Evri only.

They are supposed to collect it if I 'book a collection' No one tells
you how to do that.

If I try to book it with Evri they tell me they have no retailer called
'amazon'

Or they try to charge me money to accept it.

I have a feeling I am being given the digital runaround.

--
Climate Change: Socialism wearing a lab coat.

Spike

2025-02-02 11:53:34 UTC

Did you get an option for Royal Mail collection?
I use that service for Amazon returns even if I have to pay for it, on the
grounds that a) it avoids using Hermes/Evri, and b) I don’t have to go out,
they come to me complete with prepared label.

Evri only.
They are supposed to collect it if I 'book a collection' No one tells
you how to do that.
If I try to book it with Evri they tell me they have no retailer called
'amazon'
Or they try to charge me money to accept it.
I have a feeling I am being given the digital runaround.

Oh, sorry to hear that. Wherever possible we don’t buy where Evri returns
are specified, or their deliveries either come to that. So far we’ve
avoided using them for quite some time.

--
Spike

Jeff Gaines

2025-02-02 11:59:11 UTC

Post by The Natural Philosopher
Anyone know how to get the bastards to pick it up?

Did you get an option for Royal Mail collection?
I use that service for Amazon returns even if I have to pay for it, on the
grounds that a) it avoids using Hermes/Evri, and b) I don’t have to go out,
they come to me complete with prepared label.

You have to scroll down for the Royal Mail Collection, bit sneaky but it's
not necessarily immediately visible.

--
Jeff Gaines Dorset UK
I've been through the desert on a horse with no name.
It was a right bugger to get him back when he ran off.

Spike

2025-02-02 12:12:39 UTC

Post by Jeff Gaines

Post by The Natural Philosopher
Anyone know how to get the bastards to pick it up?

Did you get an option for Royal Mail collection?
I use that service for Amazon returns even if I have to pay for it, on the
grounds that a) it avoids using Hermes/Evri, and b) I don’t have to go out,
they come to me complete with prepared label.

You have to scroll down for the Royal Mail Collection, bit sneaky but it's
not necessarily immediately visible.

Ah, thanks. Mrs Spike normally does the returns, but now you mention it I
do recall having to scroll down to find the RM option. It certainly saves a
lot of hassle over the other collection options.

--
Spike

Bob Eager

2025-02-02 12:30:12 UTC

Post by Jeff Gaines

Post by The Natural Philosopher
Anyone know how to get the bastards to pick it up?

Did you get an option for Royal Mail collection?
I use that service for Amazon returns even if I have to pay for it, on
the grounds that a) it avoids using Hermes/Evri, and b) I don’t have
to go out,
they come to me complete with prepared label.

You have to scroll down for the Royal Mail Collection, bit sneaky but
it's not necessarily immediately visible.

Ah, thanks. Mrs Spike normally does the returns, but now you mention it
I do recall having to scroll down to find the RM option. It certainly
saves a lot of hassle over the other collection options.

RM like it because they don't have to pay the Post Office anything.

Another John

2025-02-02 13:07:47 UTC

Post by Bob Eager
RM like it because they don't have to pay the Post Office anything.

Ha ha! Yes indeedy. Do you remember when people (i.e. most of us plebs)
thought it was a good Idea to have The Royal Mail (now known as the "Royal
Mail", the name having been bought with the business) and The Post Office as
one company?

Bitter and twisted?! Of course! I'm over 65!!! 8-D

John

Jeff Gaines

2025-02-02 12:30:40 UTC