It's not 'bottom end' per se that's offensive, bit the visual image conjured by the term ' the bottom end has been opened up' I thought customs must be having a purge or something!

I think it's all the rage to get a Nationwide credit card which apparently makes no charge for foreign transactions.

Sandy

Tony,

My view, for what it's worth, is to take a totally cynical approach. They are all desperate (as you've probably gathered) with the property collapse and the weak pound and they're all as good or as bad as each other. They all take a large commission so screw 'em to the ground on price.

Sandy

Congratulations Claire, that's great news!

I'm looking forward to seeing the photos.

Just click on 'photos' above > upload photos>Go and follow the instructions.

Alternatively if you've got more than 6 or 12 send them to polarisworldart.com

Best Wishes,

Sandy

Hi  Rob/Jac,

                    I don't want to appear a doommonger but if you've completed on phase 6 by October, I will run through PW Headquarters naked (not a pretty sight!) I don't pretend to be an expert but I monitor a lot of the forums (fora?)  Completion is only the beginning. You can wait anything up to 4 months after that for the snagging to be completed and the utilities to be connected. One of the advantages of being on a later phase is that the connection of utilities should be relatively painless.

It's disappointing for everybody that they won't come in on time but it's a case of realigning your expectations.

I don't doubt you have it in your contract that completion will take place by October 2007, but I bet you don't have a penalty clause. i.e. they won't pay you any money if it isn't. At best you may have a 'get out clause' whereby you can withdraw. They won't pay you any interest on your money they have had for the past X years and it will take an age to get it back anyway. (by which time the apartment WILL be complete) They may offer you an alternative (usually inferior) apartment on La Torre but that's about it.

This is not an exercise in slagging off PW. On the contrary, my experiences with them have all been positive and the service they provide is first class. The reality of the matter is that projects never complete on time. Ask anybody who has had an extension built, watch Grand designs on TV or look at Wembley Stadium which was several years late but is still magnificent. PW have no vested interest in delaying things because they are still waiting for the 60% balance on the property. it because of this they stretch the truth and then tell you it's complete before it is and try and rush the snagging. People fall for it because they are vulnerable because they so desperately want to take possession .

PW are a business and want to make money.

I have absolutely no axe to grind but I have  seen so many people listen to false promises and get so stressed when they are not delivered to the point of it affecting their health.

Don't let this happen to you. Be realistic, even pessimistic, then if it comes early it's a nice surprise.

I don't regret buying for one minute because I think the end product will be superb. The delay also eases the financial burden slightly.

This is all just my feeling and I hope I am wrong. Take your choice: my realistic assessment or PW's spin? Just ask yourself - would you and thousands of others have still bought if you were told it would take 3-4 years to complete? Probably not - so they do what all sales people do - tell you what you want to hear!

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but it's better to know now than in October

Sincerely Best Wishes,

Sandy