Living abroad tips and hints for money savers

gfplux

In way of explaining my position.
I am a retired Brit. I live in Luxembourg and have a small property in France.

I agree entirely with droopsnout post 3317. Frankly the bill of €150 plus sales tax is VERY MODEST. You have been given detailed information from a professional expert who has translated this advise in to a foreign language (English)
I think it will be a shame if you do not pay this bill.
I could say more but it will only show how angry I am.

droopsnout

I understand your anger, gfplux.

Experience has shown me (and you, too, I suspect) that annsoloway is far from being the only Brit who has attempted to deal with officials or professionals in France without the necessary background knowledge to make the relationship work.

For Ann as for the rest of us, hindsight is a wonderful thing. I'm sure that she is now asking herself why she didn't ask at the outset what the charges might be.

What I would like to see now is a settlement of the bill, for as we have pointed out on here, the correct advice was given, and in a foreign language, too. If I were the notaire - and especially a notaire so well respected that even the UK government listed me in its recommendations - I would be very disappointed. Even disgusted.

I am guessing that your anger is also provoked by the thought that when some of us do our best to appear reasonable, sensible, law-abiding additions to our host countries, a fellow countryman risks (further) damage to our reputation.

I don't blame Ann. Over the years going back over to the UK to visit friends and family, it seems that large parts of the population there are overcome by negativity, by a feeling that everyone is out to "do" them, and by a desire to get something for nothing. It is not just Ann. It seems endemic.

The rise of retail outlets like the pound shops, B&M and Home Bargains is a reflection of the national pastime of getting something at the lowest price - and I fear that this very message board may be partly responsible, along with others like HUKD.

Yes, I enjoy those shops myself, and towards Christmas have often used websites that help me get a bargain.

The problem arises when the fear of being overcharged and the desire to drive a bargain affect consultations with professional persons. And when all three of those factors come together and are compounded by their location in a foreign country, it is inevitable that many will feel that their encounter hasn't been satisfactory.

Ann isn't an expat. There is no special reason why she should have researched a foreign culture. I get much angrier with those expats who waltz into their chosen host country and believe that everything is better in the UK. How many times have I wanted to suggest that they just go back there then?! How many of them would be amongst the first to moan when immigrants to the UK want to do things in the way of their native country?

Ah, well. This afternoon I was interpreting at our village Mairie and managed to keep the peace between the Mayor and a potentially irate Brit who is trying to protect his much-loved oak trees.

A calm explanation of how things operate here usually sorts things out.

Savvy_Sue

As my expat friends in France say, there's the French way of doing things, and there's the wrong way ... and the French just can't conceive of things being done any other way than their way.

I'm going to agree with those who say the bill should be paid, and in full, and this put down to experience.

donny-gal

In many ways we do get away "light" in the UK. When talking with our Spanish Administrator, regarding banking and charges, or lack of them in the UK, when I explain what we get for "free" they would love to bank in the UK for example.
DG

droopsnout

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

... the French just can't conceive of things being done any other way than their way ...

Hmm.

Women can't read maps or park cars.

Men don't listen.

Savvy_Sue

Another thought has occurred to me.

The free half-hour which has been talked about: I don't think I've ever had advice in writing other than when I've been paying for it, or been expecting a bill for it. If you want to be able to rely on the advice you're given (ie sue the pants off whoever's giving it if they get it wrong), you need the advice in writing.

Ann, we do have sympathy for you. And when you have suffered a sudden bereavement, everything is harder. But ...

droopsnout

Good point, Sue.

gallygirl

We pay our Spanish solicitors to file our tax every year. I've contacted them twice about other matters - once when online estate agents were using pictures of our apartment in ads for apartments still owned by the builder - he had downloaded them from a website we used to rent our place out for a short time. Second time was when I made a booboo with the bank account and didn't have enough in there to pay the electric bill and they were going to cut us off . She phoned me from Spain and talked me through how to pay it online. Great service both times and no charge :T.

I agree I'd expect to pay if I was given a written response - I fully expected to pay for the two incidents above.

gfplux

Lots of great comments and advise

Irishmummyof2

Could anyone point me in the right direction regarding selling an apartment in Bulgaria? Such as website or a company who can do this for you. My uncle bought a property nearly 10 years ago and has never stayed in it or rented it out, so would like to now sell it on. The person who helped him buy it, is now off the scene so we have no idea where to start. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.