That wouldn't happen in UK
- Thread starter DFP
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- Apr 27, 2008
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We had a vaguely similar occurence in France. Meg had burnt a paw on hot tarmac and the vet dressed it and said come back on Monday and Ill redo it. We were leaving on Sunday so although the surgery was closed, she came in specially on Sunday morning, dressed the paw and refused any payment. We asked our British vet if he would have done the same and he was gobsmacked as he charges £30 + VAT just to look at your dog and wouldnt dream of working on a day off.
That was lovely. It feels like in the UK we are often ripped off
- Oct 12, 2009
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We have had similar in UK.
We do not use campsites but sometimes ask if we can use the services. On one occasion we were told it was free - the girls in the office got some nice Belgian chocolates we had and were delighted.
At another site when I asked how much they just pointed to the charity box and said 'whatever you think.'
Even where we have paid at a private campsite on a farm it has been £2-3. Most private campsites just seem to be happy to get the extra income.
We have also been refused point blank, but I can only remember that once.
We do not use campsites but sometimes ask if we can use the services. On one occasion we were told it was free - the girls in the office got some nice Belgian chocolates we had and were delighted.
At another site when I asked how much they just pointed to the charity box and said 'whatever you think.'
Even where we have paid at a private campsite on a farm it has been £2-3. Most private campsites just seem to be happy to get the extra income.
We have also been refused point blank, but I can only remember that once.
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Ivory55
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- Dec 24, 2014
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I mistakenly thought I had packed a spare Ventolin inhaler but ran out in Chinon. Without much hope I asked in a small pharmacy and the assistant gave me one FOC.
Took my two to the vets, Bella the older Frenchie was starting with an ear infection, Bruno the younger Frenchie has one nail on a rear paw which grows at a slight angle and doesn’t wear down when walking so curls back to the pad, a couple of seconds to snip but he’s not keen on me doing it.
Vet checked Bella over and took ten seconds to look at and snip the nail.
She then types up the charges to pass on to the receptionist, she called out “no charge for Bruno” still got a bill for £60 for Bella, only in there 10 minutes in total. Wish I had become a vet.
In the same vein from our last trip.
Truma threw a wobbler on first night away on foreign soil (Spain). Found a Truma dealer who sorted it out for us and wouldn't take payment. Then, power steering fluid decided to leak. Took it to the garage near where we were in La Cala. Said it was a slow leak, topped it up, and refused to take payment.
Both still got beer money from us as we were truly grateful.
Truma threw a wobbler on first night away on foreign soil (Spain). Found a Truma dealer who sorted it out for us and wouldn't take payment. Then, power steering fluid decided to leak. Took it to the garage near where we were in La Cala. Said it was a slow leak, topped it up, and refused to take payment.
Both still got beer money from us as we were truly grateful.
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- Apr 13, 2019
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Not a Moho story. I was having a problem with the fuel pump in my BMW in France nr Rouen. I drove to a BMW garage, as it was a Saturday the service department was closed. A salesman knew his way around the system, found me a new fuel pump and fitted it. He had a couple of lads clean my car as I waited. On completion refused to take any payment.
Riverbankannie
LIFE MEMBER
In Saumur with old cars, new spark plugs were needed on a Saturday morning. I set off on foot on a hunt for 4 for us but a couple of friend chipped in with requests. I found a back street garage with just a side door open and called if anyone there. He did have some spark plugs but only 2 of the size/type required. He was taken aback when I said that I needed 16, but it helped when I showed him a photo of the cars.
He sat me down in his office and got on the phone and started ringing around, eventually he got a positive reply, left me in his office (in charge of the whole place) with a coffee and went off in his van to collect them.
What I can never understand is how French waiters come to be so rude and are prone to shoulder shrugging - is it just part of their training, it cannot be natural as their fellow countrymen/women are so friendly ?
He sat me down in his office and got on the phone and started ringing around, eventually he got a positive reply, left me in his office (in charge of the whole place) with a coffee and went off in his van to collect them.
What I can never understand is how French waiters come to be so rude and are prone to shoulder shrugging - is it just part of their training, it cannot be natural as their fellow countrymen/women are so friendly ?
Ivory55
Free Member
I know 2 different people who have done jobs for people free of charge only for the people to come back and complain later something was wrong, one a plasterer another a mechanic. As one said how can I give a refund on something that was free ?
We've been to France loads of times and only had one rude waiter maybe we've just been lucky but I wonder if some of it is people not realising that in France it's not normal to expect to be in scoffed and out as fast as possible.In Saumur with old cars, new spark plugs were needed on a Saturday morning. I set off on foot on a hunt for 4 for us but a couple of friend chipped in with requests. I found a back street garage with just a side door open and called if anyone there. He did have some spark plugs but only 2 of the size/type required. He was taken aback when I said that I needed 16, but it helped when I showed him a photo of the cars.
He sat me down in his office and got on the phone and started ringing around, eventually he got a positive reply, left me in his office (in charge of the whole place) with a coffee and went off in his van to collect them.
What I can never understand is how French waiters come to be so rude and are prone to shoulder shrugging - is it just part of their training, it cannot be natural as their fellow countrymen/women are so friendly ?
Imagine - pesky (French) foreigners being kind and helpful. There will be a few "funsters" suffering a serious case of cognitive dissonance reading your post . . .
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We all reap as we sew. Perhaps it is the nature of campers, and people on this forum in general to help? I travelled all of my working life and would guess that 99% of my interactions with locals were positve. I would always try to help someone if it was possible for me to do so. It leaves the recipient with a good impression of the pla e and locals they are visiting. Safe travels all 
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