Should I complain?

**Str8 Jacket** · 16th August 2005, 10:34

Originally Posted by placidfemme

*feels a lot better now*

Good! NOw I suggest that you go get your free Tui beer . . . .

**DemonWolf** · 16th August 2005, 10:37

Good Stuff placidfemme.. Your've made a change in the world (though at the risk of yours). Hopefully the guy driving the Van learns a lesson (prolly not, but we all can wish that these people could learn something about driving properly!)

**Deano** · 16th August 2005, 10:43

Originally Posted by Jim2

What's the bet you, "came out of nowhere"?

Just like a size 11 steelcap boot should do for these wankers.

It never ceases to amaze me the gall of some arseholes who flip the bird or make threats when they are blatantly in the wrong.

Still, most wing mirrors are not cheap to replace these days.

(Don't try this at home kids - a polite call to the company manager is the way to go.....at least initially anyway)

**Sniper** · 16th August 2005, 10:44

Well done PF

**Paul in NZ** · 16th August 2005, 10:49

Originally Posted by placidfemme

He said he would deal the issue right away and thanked me for letting him know. He also said he had been considering putting those "How am I driving? Call ***-****" stickers on his vans. And now he will order them.

*feels a lot better now*

Good onya!

**crashe** · 16th August 2005, 10:50

Originally Posted by placidfemme

I did consider that... and usually I do, but ahead was a car and with the van pulling in from the left I don't think I would have been able to get past without the front of the van clipping the back of the bike... and accelerating towards the right would have been that much harder because of the red car moving in... and if you ride over the bridge you'll know just as you get past the Shelley Beach overpass the road curves to the right...

I know I freaked out, and I should have done a bunch of other things *is making mental notes*

I called up and spoke to the Director (apparantly), told him who I was, explained the situation, and finished with "I just thought this is something that should be brought to your attention as it risked my life, along with other road users, and after all your company name is plastered all over the van, not a good image to put across to the public".

He asked me for exact details (time, location, description of driver), and he said he knew who it was right away as only one of their drivers had a passanger with them and was working on the city side that day...

He said he would deal the issue right away and thanked me for letting him know. He also said he had been considering putting those "How am I driving? Call ***-****" stickers on his vans. And now he will order them.

*feels a lot better now*

Good on you for calling.

Thats the only way the company owners/directors will know what their drivers are doing out there on the roads.

As Jim said.... plant it out of the situation if you can.

**Ixion** · 16th August 2005, 10:55

Well done for reporting him. Those are the wankers that really make me mad. I've followed such people in the past until they got to their work place, and done in, asked to see MD and complained. Hopefully the blast he gets from his boss will make him think twice in future.

See the difference between the red car - made a mistake, oop, sorry. No sweat, mistakes happen , we all make them. I never get mad at someone who sends a "sorry" message.

And the opposite, the van - made a mistake, refused to acknowledge it and turned violent and nasty.These are the people that cause death on our roads . I will do whatever I can to bring them up short

Don't , by the bye, be hesitant about using that horn. Mine gets a LOT of use. Not just when there is danger but when it looks like danger might develop. If Harry Inahury races up to the corner where he should give way flat out, and grudging slams his brakes on at the last second, then he can expect a blast from my horn if I'm coming along toward him. Because I can't tell that he is going to give way. So I assume he isn't. Use that horn. The road code even recommends it.

**Pwalo** · 16th August 2005, 10:59

Originally Posted by Jim2

Next time that happens, change down two gears and nail it. DO NOT STAY IN THE ZONE OF STUPIDITY.

Acceleration is just as valid as an avoidance technique as braking. Visualise that scenario in your head and practice avoiding it (mentally) by accelrating.

Good advice Jim. Acceleration is one of the huge advantage that any bike enjoys over a cage. And always have an escape route planned.

By the way why do you call yourself 'Placid'.

**placidfemme** · 16th August 2005, 11:03

Originally Posted by Ixion

Don't , by the bye, be hesitant about using that horn. Mine gets a LOT of use. Not just when there is danger but when it looks like danger might develop. If Harry Inahury races up to the corner where he should give way flat out, and grudging slams his brakes on at the last second, then he can expect a blast from my horn if I'm coming along toward him. Because I can't tell that he is going to give way. So I assume he isn't. Use that horn. The road code even recommends it.

Yeah I was rather chuffed (happy) with myself for using the horn, in the past where I've had near misses (some my fault... others not my fault) I've forgotten to use the horn and only afterwards thought "I should have". But yesterday I did it without even realising, I was impressed that my thumb found the little horn button/switch thingy without me even thinking about it.

As I mentioned I've had a few close calls before, but yesterday when I closed my eyes I seriously thought that was it, and thought "I hope this doesn't hurt".

*loves my horn now* And my horn might not be a normal one... it's really loud...

Pwalo: I'm placid because... um... I like to take people by surprise lol I dunno, it was the nickname I used to use years ago when I used to chat often, and when I signed up I couldn't think of anything else lol

*isn't placid... has a bark like a rotty but I cower away like a sick poodle when confronted face to face lol....*

**Lucyloo** · 16th August 2005, 12:36

Originally Posted by placidfemme

He asked me for exact details (time, location, description of driver), and he said he knew who it was right away as only one of their drivers had a passanger with them and was working on the city side that day...

He said he would deal the issue right away and thanked me for letting him know. He also said he had been considering putting those "How am I driving? Call ***-****" stickers on his vans. And now he will order them.

*feels a lot better now*

Glad that you received a "good" response.
At least you know that the driver will be aware that he may not always get away with bad behaviour.
Hopefully he will think twice about doing anything similar....at least while in a company vehicle.

**crashe** · 16th August 2005, 12:44

Originally Posted by placidfemme

*isn't placid... has a bark like a rotty but I cower away like a sick poodle when confronted face to face lol....*

Yeah right NOT.

**raster** · 16th August 2005, 13:17

Good on ya Placid, I reported a Dodge RAM, go through one red light this morning, then procede to use the right turning lane to overtake another car who had stopped at the next red light, I stopped on the side of the road and reported him then and there.

**NhuanH** · 16th August 2005, 13:39

I think you should complain Placid. You certainly do not complain enuff.

Why is it all these bad things always happen to you mate?

*EDIT* Get air horns with some annoying melody, like a Cavalry bugle call or summin

**Beemer** · 16th August 2005, 13:55

I've nearly always had an excellent response when dealing directly with companies like you did, PF. The only time it didn't work was when the arsehole who had nearly killed me was the company owner so he tried to wriggle out of it at first, then said he thought I was at fault anyway!

In all the other instances, I have asked to speak to the owner or manager of the company and explained calmly what happened. Each time I have been apologised to and told that the matter would be viewed seriously and the offending driver given a verbal warning about their behaviour. One guy even asked me to make a formal complaint to the police because this driver had been warned before and he wanted something he could use to get rid of him. After all, what do you remember from this incident? What the guy looked like or anything like that? No, you remember the name of the company and you have a bad impression of them.

Good on you for complaining - it does make you feel better when someone takes you seriously and thanks you for letting them know.

**Ixion** · 16th August 2005, 13:59

Originally Posted by Beemer

I've nearly always had an excellent response when dealing directly with companies like you did, PF. The only time it didn't work was when the arsehole who had nearly killed me was the company owner so he tried to wriggle out of it at first, then said he thought I was at fault anyway!

In all the other instances, I have asked to speak to the owner or manager of the company and explained calmly what happened. Each time I have been apologised to and told that the matter would be viewed seriously and the offending driver given a verbal warning about their behaviour. One guy even asked me to make a formal complaint to the police because this driver had been warned before and he wanted something he could use to get rid of him. After all, what do you remember from this incident? What the guy looked like or anything like that? No, you remember the name of the company and you have a bad impression of them.

Good on you for complaining - it does make you feel better when someone takes you seriously and thanks you for letting them know.

Yes, companies usually are quite responsive to such complaints. The only exception is Dorkland bus companies who don't give a rat's toss.