Panda Waste - Issues with Service

mrsdunne

I live in Swords and I Decided to change over to panda from the council after one of their leaflets came through the door explaining how good they are.

Fair enough they are cheaper than the council, (same price though as operators in area, only found this out from a neighbour despite their assertions).

I signed up three weeks ago and I still haven't received my new bins, or got the old ones taken away. They told me max 10 working days and now my bins are overflowing with rubbish attracting all sorts of creatures (because they said there was no need to put them out again if you get waste collected every two week by the council, because they would be there within ten days). I rang on Friday and in fairness the girl in the office was lovely but they said they have someone in the area on Friday that would sort this out, guess what, still the same bins here, only with more black bags beside them.

I mean how hard is it to deliver a couple of new bins, given they have gone 7 working days over when they said they would come surely they could have organised something for me on Friday.

Very disappointed with the service, not off to a good start!!! They should give a number of them awards back because they don't deserve them. At least Fingal Council called when they said they would

<Mod adjustment to thread title>

northdubgal

I got my Panda bins delivered the very next day and haven't had a problem with them ever since. They took away the Fingal ones for me after Fingal refused to collect their own bins when I told them I was using Panda...

I've had nothing but excellent service from them. They always collect no matter what the weather where as Fingal would cancel without any notice..

Jimdagym

I also have had flawless service from Panda. Even out in the snow last winter. Plus, they always take the odd bit of waste left beside the bin that might not fit in it.

ElleEm

northdubgal wrote: »

I got my Panda bins delivered the very next day and haven't had a problem with them ever since. They took away the Fingal ones for me after Fingal refused to collect their own bins when I told them I was using Panda...

I've had nothing but excellent service from them. They always collect no matter what the weather where as Fingal would cancel without any notice..

I think their service is great. They took my Fingal bins too, as Fingal wouldn't collect them.

Their customer service over the phone is great, and when I had problems in the past (missed collection) they sent someone out the following day to get my bins.

Peckham

They've worked pretty well for me since switching about 6 weeks ago. The only problem I've had is trying to claim my refund from Fingal as I paid them for a full year upfront. I rang Panda, and asked them to send out the form that I was told was necessary, but no sign of it.

Anyone know if I just write to Fingal will they give me the refund I'm entitled to?

The Hill Billy

Based on the number of replies so far I suggest a thread title change to "Panda Waste - 80% Useful".

Joey the lips

I am with panda at the moment there service is perfect. However i am changing to oxigen because they have offered a better deal.

I guess its just down to geographical areas....

Khannie

They were very slow delivering our bins (well past the 10 working days). My wife phoned them and gave them grief and they gave us a bunch of free lifts as a result. Haven't had a days trouble with them since. As a bonus, they don't come at a poxy hour in the morning so if you forget to put your bins out the night before you're not bailing out of bed and running when you hear the beeep beeep as the truck reverses.

eddiem74

Peckham wrote: »

Anyone know if I just write to Fingal will they give me the refund I'm entitled to?

No don't think so. It used to be this way but Fingal have changed the process now so Panda have to provide you a letter confirming all the details. I suspect to make the switching process a little more painful. :rolleyes:

When I switched to Panda I sent in such a letter and it was returned stating I needed a specific letter from my provider listing all the details. After a couple of weeks Panda provided it to me as it was a change in process so they had to agree it internally also. Sent the letter in and a few weeks later got a refund cheque in the post from Fingal.

RedXIV

They were good for us two. moved into a new place and found about 8 or 9 bin bags of rubbish in the shed and panda took the whole lot for us last week. Nothing but praise for them at the moment

The Hill Billy

I've amended the thread title, as based on the feedback it would be unfair to the company for this to be popping up in search results.

If the OP has an issue with the thread title change they should PM me about it.

HB

PaulD77

Have to agree with everyone else. I think they provide a great service and good value too.

cormie

Another happy panda customer here. Was cheapest service in my area definitely at the time of signing up. Also in the Dun Laoghaire area they also accept glass and small electrical items, extremely handy!

The only issue I ever had is I didn't get a timetable once, but these are readily available on the website so no issues there at all.

They also provide a big bag for recyclables at Christmas for all the extra wrapping paper and boxes people have.

Because I never use the black bin - I recycle and compost 99% of my waste, the black bin hadn't been put out in over a year, I decided to ring up asking if I got a prize for a joke and they gave me the next 12 months lifts for the price of 11

DubArk

I have to be honest; I had a night mare with them when I signed up to their service at the beginning of the New Year. I waited weeks for them to collect my bins and replace the new ones but I put it down to the fact they probably were inundated with new customers and gave them the benefit of doubt. I only requested a 6 month contract on line but they took a whole years payment. They have missed my bins twice since, so I have had to call them on numerous occasions top sort out their teething problems (In my case). I prefer the invoice V the bin tag and as of late I’m happy that I am with them.

SeaSide

Khannie wrote: »

As a bonus, they don't come at a poxy hour in the morning so if you forget to put your bins out the night before you're not bailing out of bed and running when you hear the beeep beeep as the truck reverses.

Thats because the b'tards are over here at seven in the morning with me chasing them down the street in PJs with a wheelie bin in each hand

mrsdunne

For those doubting Thomas', word may be cheap, but pictures speak a thousand words, three weeks my bin has been like this, I ad to move the black bins inside the house because, furry vermin were being attracted.

The Hill Billy

In an effort to bring this thread back on-track without banning anyone I've removed a number of posts including previous mod warnings. Here's the final warning - next person to go off-topic, get personal or bicker wins a holiday courtesy of the mods.

HB

eddiem74

mrsdunne wrote: »

For those doubting Thomas', word may be cheap, but pictures speak a thousand words, three weeks my bin has been like this, I ad to move the black bins inside the house because, furry vermin were being attracted.

Why don't you just put the bins for Fingal to collect in the mean time? You have already paid your annual green/brown charge so are entitiled and for the sake of another tag your black bin can be emptied.

That is what I did, as even when Panda delivered my new bins they had to come back for my old ones as they were full at the time and the collection truck cannot deal with that. So there is a bit of a transition period which should not result in you not having your bins emptied as you are covered by both providers.

mrsdunne

eddiem74 wrote: »

Why don't you just put the bins for Fingal to collect in the mean time? You have already paid your annual green/brown charge so are entitiled and for the sake of another tag your black bin can be emptied.

That is what I did, as even when Panda delivered my new bins they had to come back for my old ones as they were full at the time and the collection truck cannot deal with that. So there is a bit of a transition period which should not result in you not having your bins emptied as you are covered by both providers.

Thanks Eddiem, the only problem is, I didn't think I could leave the bins out again to the council as the annual fee is being clawed back. I probably would have put them out anyway though only panda said they would collect them with whatever waste was in them (which at the time of the call, they were only 1/5 full)

They are mean't to be calling today with the new bins finally, so it will be interesting to see if they will take the council ones with the waste in them like they promised

eddiem74

mrsdunne wrote: »

Thanks Eddiem, the only problem is, I didn't think I could leave the bins out again to the council as the annual fee is being clawed back. I probably would have put them out anyway though only panda said they would collect them with whatever waste was in them (which at the time of the call, they were only 1/5 full)

They are mean't to be calling today with the new bins finally, so it will be interesting to see if they will take the council ones with the waste in them like they promised

Yes you can leave the bins out again as the council still covers you until you officially start using Panda, in fact if panda didn't collect the bins you could use both, who would really know.

The clawback from the council will be based on a letter from Panda from when you start using the service, not when you signed up. Either way the council guys collecting will never have that level of information, once you put your bins out they will be collected.

Harpic

Panda are not really that good to be honest--They are terrible for dropping litter themselves and never pick up rubbish from overflowing bins

Jimdagym

Harpic wrote: »

Panda are not really that good to be honest--They are terrible for dropping litter themselves and never pick up rubbish from overflowing bins

Are they supposed too?

T-Maxx

Jimdagym wrote: »

Are they supposed too?

Absolutely not. Bins shouldn't be overflowing when put out. Simple really.

Harpic

Thats my argument--they ignore overflowing bins--Panda should be telling the residents not to----When Panda are emptying the bins,they ignore what doesnt make into the truck..

The Hill Billy

In all honesty - residents should know not to over-fill their bins. This is usually made clear on literature sent to customers by the service provider.

LeoB

Have to say We get a decent service from them and it can be fairly early for some people before 8am I dont see that as a negative thats their hours..

Only isues I have with them is they can be messy if something spills out of the bin when they are loading it they dont always pick it up, just let it blow away and not from bins that overpacked just paper stuff.

They quite often leave bins closer to the white lines on the road than the kerbside. They also leave them right in the middle of gates and people have to get out of their cars and move them and thats not nit picking it happens on busy roads when it would be just as easy to put it to one side. I have seen this in Rush and Skerries.

But all in all a few months in I think it a pretty decent service but not any better than Fingal

Neil_Sedaka

LeoB wrote: »

They also leave them right in the middle of gates and people have to get out of their cars and move them

This has only recently started happening to me in Rush.
No big deal really, just a little annoying.

SmallBalls

SeaSide wrote: »

Thats because the b'tards are over here at seven in the morning with me chasing them down the street in PJs with a wheelie bin in each hand

IRISH HAMMER

Hi all , Just found out that our neighbours pay far less than us for same service , phoned up Panda they said no way !! told them i have copy of the invoice in front of me ... still no joy .Then told them i am cancelling and to take their bins away, they want 1 months payment to do so , we have no signed contract . we are switching to oxigen its a better deal for us we only put bins out once a month . regards ..I H

tatli_lokma

People who were with Panda before they took over Fingal's service pay less than those who just recently changed over (because they had to due to fingal giving the contract to Panda)

Jimdagym

Little Ted wrote: »

People who were with Panda before they took over Fingal's service pay less than those who just recently changed over (because they had to due to fingal giving the contract to Panda)

I'm with Panda years and they jacked up our fee's when they took over fingal. Don't think ours are lower than anyone else's.

sgarvan

I am with Panda for a few years now. Initially it was €88 a year for the bins and €6.40 a lift on the balck bin.

This year the yearly fee stayed the same this year but as of 1st July they have raised the price of the black bin lift to €7.10.

I can see the yearly fee raising to €110 from next year to be inline with ex Fingal customers.

cormie

There have been two increases in the last 2 years on the government waste levy as far as I know. Greenstar sent me a information about it. Therefore the black bin lift fee increase is most likely justified.

Octopus

sgarvan wrote: »

This year the yearly fee stayed the same this year but as of 1st July they have raised the price of the black bin lift to €7.10.
.

Paying the same as that, with Panda before they took over from fingal.
Generally an OK service but they missed my green bin last week and I had to ring them three times to get it collected. I was told it would be collected tuesday last week, then friday last week and finally it was collected on tuesday this week. The excue was the usual driver was on holiday and they couldn't find me :rolleyes:

At the start of the year when they took over from fingal they completed the hat trick of missing my black, brown and green bins within the first 6 weeks.

N17er

I'm paying €110 annual and €8.75 per black bin lift for Panda to spill litter in front of my house (bin NOT overflowing, at least not my bin) and leave my neighbours bins blocking my driveway. Shoddy service.

tatli_lokma

Jimdagym wrote: »

I'm with Panda years and they jacked up our fee's when they took over fingal. Don't think ours are lower than anyone else's.

sgarvan wrote: »

I am with Panda for a few years now. Initially it was €88 a year for the bins and €6.40 a lift on the balck bin.

This year the yearly fee stayed the same this year but as of 1st July they have raised the price of the black bin lift to €7.10.

I can see the yearly fee raising to €110 from next year to be inline with ex Fingal customers.

We paid our yearly fee in advance early plus an additional 6 mths and as a result locked in the prices from pre-Fingal. We still pay €88 a year charge and €6.40 per lift and will continue to do so until June or maybe July 2013

ann0

panda went to lift my bin yesterday and the bin got stuck.thry drove of with it sticking out.i called panda and told them wat happened.they wouldent listen just kept saying that dosent happpen..very cheeky arrogant people.i told the girl id be calling up tomorrow to have a nice little chat with her.and im going up.i also recorded the call which will tell how cheeky she was.wouldent let me get a word in edge ways.

Jimdagym

ann0 wrote: »

panda went to lift my bin yesterday and the bin got stuck.thry drove of with it sticking out.i called panda and told them wat happened.they wouldent listen just kept saying that dosent happpen..very cheeky arrogant people.i told the girl id be calling up tomorrow to have a nice little chat with her.and im going up.i also recorded the call which will tell how cheeky she was.wouldent let me get a word in edge ways.

Did you tell her you were recording the call?

ann0

yep told her. i told her straightaway that i was recording the call.she continued to be the most obnoxious person ive ever heard.i got a call today from panda.saying how sorry they were for the misunderstanding.and the girl in question has got a warning.they told me i dont have to pay the annual fee for the yr and i can have 1 free lift a month.someone must have been listening in on that call i made.
bin tags plus annual fees are scandolous

smurf73

I was just adding up my amount of bills that I have paid to panda so far this year 2012 and i havent got the final bill in yet. Generally im only putting out the black bin every 4 weeks and using the brown and green bin loads. So the total is nearly 300 euro. I nearly died have to say so Ive logged onto citybin and registered to get them into lusk area as they have a deal for 99 for a year but they are not yet in my area, hopefully they will come soon as I just cant afford this bill again this year on top of everything else. Also of course i contacted revenue to get the form to get tax relief on bins and to be told that they no longer give tax relief since jan 1st 2012.....screwed.....its no wonder people are throwing their rubbish at the side of roads I wouldnt do this but can appreciate that people do!!

tatli_lokma

I don't disbelieve that you paid €300, but if you did you must have been putting the black bin out more often than once every 4 weeks (every 4 weeks is 13 times per year @ €8.75 per black lift = €113.75 + €110 yearly fee = €223.75) still a lot I know, but I find that if I am really strict with myself regarding seperating my rubbish and making full use of the brown and green bins, my need for black collections are much lower. I have even bought a smaller second 'brown' bin and for times like Christmas where the bin fills quickly, I will put it in the second bin and wait til the next collection rather than use the black bin. Also, if you have extra green bin stuff after Christmas contact Panda and they will send out clear bags which you can fill and they will take them in addition to the green bin - they did this last year, so I'm guessing they will do the same this year.

cormie

I put my black bin out for collection maybe once every 18 months on average but my green bin is packed whe it goes out every 2 weeks. Any suggestions for a more competitive provider in Dun Laoghaire area?

Beasty

cormie wrote: »

I put my black bin out for collection maybe once every 18 months on average but my green bin is packed whe it goes out every 2 weeks. Any suggestions for a more competitive provider in Dun Laoghaire area?

You may be better off asking that question in the Dublin County South Forum

dereks

Since i've been with Panda the annual charge has gone from €88 to €110 and 6.40 a lift to 8.70 a lift.

Some price hike. Once there is a monopoly in Fingal they are going to keep jacking up the prices.

coolhandluke

smurf73 wrote: »

. Also of course i contacted revenue to get the form to get tax relief on bins and to be told that they no longer give tax relief since jan 1st 2012.....!!

Is that definitely the case, because I was going to claim myself in the new year ?

tatli_lokma

coolhandluke wrote: »

Is that definitely the case, because I was going to claim myself in the new year ?

According to this they can only be claimed up to end of year 2011 as the previous poster mentioned.
http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/credits/service-charges.html