Automated rigmaroles!!

After filling in four (!) of the dreaded CF-N-1282 forms about my 25 year NZ work history, and being assured this would solve the problem, I got a letter this morning informing me that I am now to get an extra £1.09 - up to £76.31 a week. The letter dated 24th April stated that I would receive the full pension of £107.45 a week.

I have just spent an hour and half on several phone calls to the Pensions Department. I think I have found someone helpful (Paul) and he's looking into it. He thinks it's the International Pension Centre (IPC) who are messing up. He's going to contact them and get back to me. So my Pilates has been abandoned. I will do some exercises at home to make up. But I nipped out to get some milk and spotted this watery leaf. Blip.

I spoke to Les, Chris, Steven and Paul on four different phone calls. Les was quite unhelpful and just talked over me, saying that it would take at least 28 days for them to look into my CF-N-1282 form(s), and as I'd only sent it (them) in a couple of weeks ago, I was expecting too much, apparently. I'm afraid I put the phone down on Les without wishing him a cheery goodbye.

I had to listen to the rigmarole of which number to press for which service and then go through the same security questions (of course) and explain the situation each time. I wanted to speak to someone actually IN Edinburgh. Or if possible to go and SEE someone in Edinburgh, as the latest letter comes from PO Box 3 Edinburgh. But I eventually got through to Paul, who says the Edinburgh office is in Dundee, and no, they don't do face to face meetings. Wonder why?

I also rang the new bank as I couldn't see all my accounts online. The same automated rigmarole, listening to several options, none of which really fits your needs, so you end up having to be put through to the one you should have pressed in the first place.

'Please enter your date of birth using six figures. For example, if you were born on the 4th of February 1967, you would enter 04 02 67.'

I grasped the format without the explanation and proceeded to enter my date of birth. But each time it would just start again.

'Please enter your date of birth using ....'
and I would enter them again.

'Please enter your date..'

So I had to wait for them to go through the whole rigmarole IN FULL before I could enter it. Grrrrrr.

Some better news - I gave up searching for the missing Bus Pass National Entitlement Card- praying didn't seem to work either - and rang the Missing Bus Pass National Entitlement Card Department. What efficiency! A real person answered the phone, and the conversation took about a minute and my new Bus Pass National Entitlement Card was on its way to me by the time I put the phone down! Thank goodness at least one Government Department is efficient.

And on an even better note - the exciting forthcoming event has been confirmed. I can't wait!