It is the same old story. I own a french registered company with property websites French Property For Sale and an older site Property In France. I have nothing but administrative problems and I speak French and my wife is French. It is a quagmire. The only solution is to telephone, hassle and shout at them. Keep doing it. Never ever surrender, never show weakness, always be forceful, never accept a YES answer because it rarely does mean that. Go there if necessary and be a pain. Ask for everything they say in writing. Ask peoples names and show them when you write it in a little black book.

I am owed 500 euros by EDF. They made a mistake, they entered my bank account, they took 500e and said nothing. I call that theft and they should be in court. If I did that to them I would be in court. I am tempted to invoice EDF through my company for a million euros in consulting fees regarding customer service - they need more than that - they need a culture change. They are so confused they just might pay me and never notice. That is the reality here. It has now been 4 months and still no money back. I have complained, they have admitted fault, I even wasted a whole afternoon waiting for them to take the reading again - they admit fault. I have phoned 5 times (30 minutes to get through every time), I have emailed, I have .... . I have even written and received replies from an EU deputy commissioner that I cannot even fire them and choose someone else but nothing happens here. Because you know - my French friends tell the truth (well sometimes if you know what i mean) - "IT IS DIFFERENT HERE".

The bottom line is this in France after 5 years.

Never get involved with anyone in the state or state controlled companies if you can avoid it. Avoid all contact with any French state function unless there is absolutely no choice. NEVER EVER EVER give any company or enterprise access to your bank account. ONLY CHEQUES and make them wait. Never share any information even about the colour of your cat. Play their game - they have been doing it since Charlemagne. SIT BACK and enjoy doing things the FRENCH WAY. This is their way and anyone who has been here a few years will know i am telling the truth. And by the way, that is what the French say themselves to do. It is not my advice.