Thames water Planning



I think I told you yestrerdaythat I did get my approval certificate from Thams Water - this is authorization to place an order to the Thames water planning dept to get them to organise the connection.  I filled out  the form added my cheque for £500 and this was posted at the local post office before 4pm so was on time to catch next business Day post. It arrived at Thames water the following morning 7:25.
I waited till lunch time as I was sure internal procssing would take a few hours, when I called I was told that;  yes they had my form; yes they had my cheque;  no they would not talk to me to try and plan the works until the cheque had cleared. I offered to pay again electronically but was told they did not take electronic payments of card payments - For an organisation of this size it is unbelievable - considering that they can sell you a water pipe protection policy completely on line but can only manage a re-connection by Post.
 I explained again what had happened and  the lady at Thames Water talked  to the planning office and said the probably it should be done before next Friday (thats the 23rd)... but no commitment till my cheque cleared - I am not very impressed. I hope that they give me a pleasent surprise in the next few days - other work is now stopped waiting for Thames Water.