View Full Version : Energy companies going bust
spendorman
23-09-2021, 08:29
My energy company (Green.energy) who have given me good service sent me an email that they have ceased trading.
Unfortunately, I am in credit to about £500, I presume that I can say goodbye to this?
My energy company (Green.energy) who have given me good service sent me an email that they have ceased trading.
Unfortunately, I am in credit to about £500, I presume that I can say goodbye to this?
no you should retain it with whoever takes on the customers Alex. I know mine is in difficulty at moment and are seeking extra investment. Just hoping the survive.(bulb)im in credit too but not as much
spendorman
23-09-2021, 08:43
no you should retain it with whoever takes on the customers Alex. I know mine is in difficulty at moment and are seeking extra investment. Just hoping the survive.(bulb)im in credit too but not as much
Thank you Grant, that is reassuring, they will probably sign me up with British Gas, If so, I shall leave them as soon as possible.
The reason I've got so much credit is that months ago Green gave me a bonus for paying up front.
Sad to hear, but this was one of the reasons we've always stuck with the 'big boys', such as British Gas, even if sometimes they've been more expensive, rather than moving to whatever 'flavour of the month' new energy supplier was being touted as better, just because it was cheaper.
However, I hope you guys retain use of the credit you've paid for, which I'm sure you will:)
Marco.
hopefully they'll all go bust and we can go back to a government owned single energy company that supplies at cost plus investment. Like any sane country would have.
The only reason we have all these companies is to scam the consumer. They saw it in America (where the abuse of the system to make profit was staggering and led to black-outs, google for 'Enron blackouts') and thought 'We'll have a slice of that over here too.'
ive been with bulb for quite a while. best company ive ever had. i hope they survive.
hopefully they'll all go bust and we can go back to a government owned single energy company that supplies at cost plus investment. Like any sane country would have.
The only reason we have all these companies is to scam the consumer. They saw it in America (where the abuse of the system to make profit was staggering and led to black-outs, google for 'Enron blackouts') and thought 'We'll have a slice of that over here too.'
scottish govt was supposed to be starting an energy company...knowing them it will take another half century to get going;)
Don't talk to me about 'Krankie'; she's dead to me (as they say in the mafia) now that she's brought bona fide vaccine passports into force in Scotland. In fact, most of her behaviour throughout this pandemic has shown her true (authoritarian) colours, and if I were in Scotland I certainly wouldn't be voting for her, as I would've done once!
Marco.
hopefully they'll all go bust and we can go back to a government owned single energy company that supplies at cost plus investment. Like any sane country would have.
The only reason we have all these companies is to scam the consumer. They saw it in America (where the abuse of the system to make profit was staggering and led to black-outs, google for 'Enron blackouts') and thought 'We'll have a slice of that over here too.'
As usual, a potentially good idea, if done right (to reduce government control and offer more choice/cost savings for the consumer) has been ruined by taking it to extremes, through sheer greed for gold!:doh:
Marco [not a fan of a government single-owned anything, especially something as important as energy].
spendorman
23-09-2021, 10:03
ive been with bulb for quite a while. best company ive ever had. i hope they survive.
Green.Energy and Ebico were excellent companies, good price and helpful. Best utility companies that I've used.
As usual, a potentially good idea, if done right (to reduce government control and offer more choice/cost savings for the consumer) has been ruined by taking it to extremes, through sheer greed for gold!:doh:
Marco [not a fan of a government single-owned anything, especially something as important as energy].
Usually I'm not but in the case of water and power I am. And passenger rail services too for that matter.
Water and power are essentials so shouldn't be run for profit and no-one in the history of the world has ever run a genuinely profitable passenger rail service, any profits made come from government subsidy, i.e out of our taxes.
Usually I'm not but in the case of water and power I am. And passenger rail services too for that matter.
Water and power are essentials so shouldn't be run for profit and no-one in the history of the world has ever run a genuinely profitable passenger rail service, any profits made come from government subsidy, i.e out of our taxes.
I'd buy that for a dollar:lol:
I understand your reasoning and partially agree, but I'm uncomfortable with the government having the power to cut off your water or energy supply, if for whatever reason, you refuse to 'play ball'.
Energy and water companies should be privately owned, but not run for obscene amounts of profit. Profits should be capped and/or anything over that given to charity. There are simply too many 'fat cats' around, creaming off society, to further their own selfish ends, rather than contributing to the greater good of man.
Marco.
They can't cut your water off if you are a private individual, it's against the law.
Government owned or private owned they will still cut your power off if you don't pay the bill. If you do pay the bill then there's no reason to cut you off.
Lol... Not paying the bill wasn't quite what I meant about not 'playing ball'....;)
Marco.
Lol... Not paying the bill wasn't quite what I meant about not 'playing ball'....;)
Marco.
Not sure what you mean then.
Think about possible government-imposed 'emergency measures' introduced (supposedly) to control future pandemics, and not 'playing ball' in that respect, thus facing the consequences...;)
You can laugh, but I'm afraid I wouldn't trust the fuckers (ANY of them, not just the Tories), as far as I could throw them, so my mantra would always be to REDUCE government authority and control, in ANY area, not increase it, thus empower them more!
Give more power to the people, but only humanitarians and those genuinely out to do good and improve the life of the common man, not odious, money/power-obsessed fat cats.
Marco.
So at what point does one become a 'fat cat'..?
My local council chief exec earns more than the prime minister's salary... FFS..
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Think about possible government-imposed 'emergency measures' introduced (supposedly) to control future pandemics, and not 'playing ball' in that respect, thus facing the consequences...;)
You can laugh, but I'm afraid I wouldn't trust the fuckers (ANY of them, not just the Tories), as far as I could throw them, so my mantra would always be to REDUCE government authority and control, in ANY area, not increase it, thus empower them more!
Give more power to the people, but only humanitarians and those genuinely out to do good, not odious fat cats.
Marco.
well I don't think that scenario is even remotely likely, but if it were then they could just as easily make the private energy company cut you off as do it themselves, there's no additional protection afforded by the fact that the billing company (as that is all they are) is privately owned. Within the scope of the Emergency Powers Act (1964) the Government can already effectively do whatever they want.
If you were really concerned about something like that then you would never have got a smart meter as that makes it a doddle to cut you off. One click of a mouse. To cut me off without cutting off the whole neighbourhood as well then they have to come out and dig up the street.
So at what point does one become a 'fat cat'..?
I guess, Pete, when for you money and power become all-consuming and the driving force behind your very existence, and ability to feel fulfilled. It's a mindset rather than it necessarily being linked to any specific salary or level of wealth.
Marco.
well I don't think that scenario is even remotely likely, but if it were then they could just as easily make the private energy company cut you off as do it themselves, there's no additional protection afforded by the fact that the billing company (as that is all they are) is privately owned. Within the scope of the Emergency Powers Act (1964) the Government can already effectively do whatever they want.
If you were really concerned about something like that then you would never have got a smart meter as that makes it a doddle to cut you off. One click of a mouse. To cut me off without cutting off the whole neighbourhood as well then they have to come out and dig up the street.
I don't disagree. And as I've said before, we had a Smart meter installed for valid reasons, which so far has served US well (in terms of being more able to monitor and control what we spend, thus saving us money), not just 'them', but of course I totally accept your point.
My main point though, is that I'm fundamentally against empowering the government any more than is absolutely necessary (as that power is often abused by those at the helm with selfish and destructive agendas), and instead where possible and practical, giving more power to the people.
I want to live in a country where the focus is on allowing folk to live how THEY choose to LIVE, with the right infrastructure in place for successfully achieving that, not how the government would rather they 'existed' instead!
Marco.
spendorman
23-09-2021, 12:40
It seems strange that the government lets the big energy companies take over the small ones, but would not let Sainsburys take over Asda.
Strange, or simply ultimately in their best interests?
Marco.
spendorman
23-09-2021, 12:48
Perhaps I should have said contradictory instead of strange.
Yes, but think about who owns Sainsburys and who owns Asda, and any likely prevailing agendas.
Marco.
Oh and, btw, in terms of this:
f you were really concerned about something like that then you would never have got a smart meter as that makes it a doddle to cut you off. One click of a mouse.
Not if you have solar panels installed (which we'll be getting)... The fuckers can't switch off the sun!;)
Marco.
spendorman
23-09-2021, 13:28
Domestic electric dumb meters read real power, and so do smart meters, but I believe that at the click of a mouse the smart meter can read apparent power, This means that when the suppliers decide to do that, the cost will go up again. This is all to do with Power Factor. I hope that someone can explain this better than I have.
Usually I'm not but in the case of water and power I am. And passenger rail services too for that matter.
Water and power are essentials so shouldn't be run for profit and no-one in the history of the world has ever run a genuinely profitable passenger rail service, any profits made come from government subsidy, i.e out of our taxes.
I don't consider myself "Socialist" BUT; I feel very strongly that re-nationalisation of water, power and railways are a necessity.
Current "crisis" with energy suppliers going bust has a lot to do with dodgy management - group sets up "energy company", gets as many customers as possible by offering low/uneconomic rates, once it has lots of customers, sells off company/shares, makes lots of money :)
Now they have been caught out by fast rise in gas prices they want "government" (our money) to bail them out of their failed money making scam :steam:
Hear, hear!:clap:
If it were up to me, I wouldn't allow the private business model you've described to trade, thus exist. Instead, it would be MADE to be financially viable/stable, whilst also serving the needs of the consumer.
So the answer is to do the private thing BETTER, and more logically and efficiently than before, not give up on it altogether and put things in the hands of the bloody government!
Oh, and I'm not socialist either, or indeed any other 'ist', aside from 'humanist';)
Marco.
mad-moon
23-09-2021, 15:11
Don't talk to me about 'Krankie'; she's dead to me (as they say in the mafia) now that she's brought bona fide vaccine passports into force in Scotland. In fact, most of her behaviour throughout this pandemic has shown her true (authoritarian) colours, and if I were in Scotland I certainly wouldn't be voting for her, as I would've done once!
Marco.
I've said it before and I'll say it again... They are all the fucking same...fucking LIARS....It won't be long until you don't have anyone to consider voting for Marco...because one way or another, they are all going to piss you off...
I don't consider myself "Socialist" BUT; I feel very strongly that re-nationalisation of water, power and railways are a necessity.
Nor me but it makes no sense to privatise anything where real competition is impossible. So water, power, health, passenger trains, bus services should all be state-run amenities, not phony businesses that just add another layer of cost to the end user.
Obviously there's an issue with making sure state monopolies are run efficiently, we all recall how piss-poor and expensive BT was.
Also there will always be a natural move to the monopoly primarily serving its own interests rather than those of the citizen (e.g The BBC, the NHS) but there are ways to keep that in check if they are set in stone at the start.
yeah shoot all the lawyers:eyebrows:
Nor me but it makes no sense to privatise anything where real competition is impossible. So water, power, health, passenger trains, bus services should all be state-run amenities, not phony businesses that just add another layer of cost to the end user.
Obviously there's an issue with making sure state monopolies are run efficiently, we all recall how piss-poor and expensive BT was.
Also there will always be a natural move to the monopoly primarily serving its own interests rather than those of the citizen (e.g The BBC, the NHS) but there are ways to keep that in check if they are set in stone at the start.
On the NHS, there are the Atnah brothers who specialise in buying the rights to "old" drugs/medications (still in use by the NHS). They specialise in rebranding then upping the price to the NHS by several hundred percent.
We should set up a nationalised drug manufacturing company which buys the rights, then sells to NHS at cost - no need to make a profit as NHS (hence taxpayer) would save over £200 million per year.
initial cost of setting up the company would be a brilliant investment for UK plc:) not to mention the creation (in this country!) of several thousand jobs, and positive effect on UK based suppliers.
Governments of all persuasions need to do a bit of "joined up thinking" imo
On the NHS, there are the Atnah brothers who specialise in buying the rights to "old" drugs/medications (still in use by the NHS). They specialise in rebranding then upping the price to the NHS by several hundred percent.
We should set up a nationalised drug manufacturing company which buys the rights, then sells to NHS at cost - no need to make a profit as NHS (hence taxpayer) would save over £200 million per year.
initial cost of setting up the company would be a brilliant investment for UK plc:) not to mention the creation (in this country!) of several thousand jobs, and positive effect on UK based suppliers.
Governments of all persuasions need to do a bit of "joined up thinking" imo
It sounds good on paper, maybe it would work I don't know. Problem with a lot of these good ideas is that when you look into you them in detail you find out there's multiple reasons they wouldn't work or would in fact be completely impossible. But we as laymen don't know enough to know that so to us it looks like a simple and obvious solution.
Then we go on to assume that the politicians must therefore be stupid, or incompetent and so forth. Despite the fact that they're the ones trousering a shitload of cabbage for basically doing fuck-all whilst we supposedly smart people slave away for a pittance.
spendorman
27-09-2021, 20:25
Just received an email from Shell Energy, they are taking over my account from Green.Energy. They say that any credit will be transferred. No price per KWh, or standing charge. I suppose that will come as a nasty surprise later!
Earlier in the day I had a representative of British Gas knocking on my door, I have had very bad experience with BG in the past, but I had a chat with the guy anyway.
I have had very bad experience with BG in the past, but I had a chat with the guy anyway.
I had bad experience with BG once as well, I ended up billing them for my time, when they refused to pay I threatened the CEO with a small claims court action, had a phone call from a minion, and promise of immediate payment within minutes of it landing in his intray..! ;)
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hifi_dave
08-10-2021, 16:20
Apologies if this has been mentioned previously but the energy companies are attempting to rip us off by charging far too much and banking the proceeds to tide them over the tough times.
EDF has just tried to double our bill which was fixed a few weeks ago. The excuse, of course, is rising wholesale prices but Martin Lewis and other pundits are pointing out that the rises should be no more than 12.5%, any more and they are taking the wee wee. The aim is for them to build up a healthy bank balance to cover any eventuality.
spendorman
08-10-2021, 20:08
Absolutely
spendorman
08-10-2021, 20:13
My supplier Green.energy went bust, I have been transferred to Shell Energy, the price per KWh for gas and electricity is not too bad, but the standing charge for both has gone up a lot. They say that any credit I have with Green will be transferred.
Pigmy Pony
09-10-2021, 13:33
According to the BBC, 47% of our gas is imported, 44% of it from Russia and Norway, and this will only increase year on year. Never mind all the bollocks about saving the planet, the government's green initiatives are about being less reliant on these gas bandits. Why can't they be honest about it?
I don't use any gas, got it switched off at the meter.
spendorman
09-10-2021, 15:33
I don't use any gas, got it switched off at the meter.
I inherited my Mum's house, so my house is unoccupied, the gas is also turned off at the meter, I'm probably going to have the gas meter removed to avoid standing charges.
Heating oil too - last time I ordered it in December it was 34p a litre, now it’s 60p. [emoji853]
I don't use any gas, got it switched off at the meter.
Haven't you got gas fires (two of them) in your lounge? If so, and you used them, you wouldn't be as cold during the winter!:ner:;)
We have gas central heating, but it's rarely used. The wood burner heats most of the house.
Marco.
According to the BBC, 47% of our gas is imported, 44% of it from Russia and Norway, and this will only increase year on year. Never mind all the bollocks about saving the planet, the government's green initiatives are about being less reliant on these gas bandits. Why can't they be honest about it?
Because they're fundamentally lying, dishonest scumbags - especially the shower we've got currently!
Btw, in terms of the imminent rise in the cost of energy bills, is anyone else on a fixed tariff? We moved to that recently, so won't be affected by the price hike until next year!:)
Marco.
hifi_dave
09-10-2021, 16:09
All countries should be self reliant on energy, water and food. If not, then we are doomed to be dictated to and ripped off.
In the US, all utilities are US owned, no foreign ownership.
Self sufficient?
The U.K. Government could not manage their way out of a soggy paper bag.
After all, they approved this “carbon neutral” https://news.sky.com/story/climate-change-draxs-renewable-energy-plant-is-uks-biggest-co2-emitter-analysis-claims-12428130 power station. Now they are looking at Nuclear for their “Green” power?
All countries should be self reliant on energy, water and food. If not, then we are doomed to be dictated to and ripped off.
In the US, all utilities are US owned, no foreign ownership.
We can't support a population of 70 million just with food off the land. They couldn't manage it in WW2 with only 45 million, and that was when a lot more people knew how to do it. And with all the parks and that dug up and turned into allotments.
The whole country was basically 'The Good Life.' Only without Felicity Kendal. They had Vera Lynn instead.
Oi - what about the question I asked you in post 44?:ner:;)
Marco.
And is no-one else here then on a fixed tariff for their gas and/or leccy?:popcorn:
:)
Marco.
Oi - what about the question I asked you in post 44?:ner:;)
Marco.
The fires? Not been used in years. One of them I've never used. Probably unsafe now. They date from 1973.
Lol... They go well with your room. You should do something to get them working again safely, or replace them with modern equivalents:)
I know we've been here before, but it seems crazy to me that you say you're cold in the winter, yet steadfastly refuse to use any decent heating... What is it, 5 pairs of speakers, or summat, goodness knows how many amps and CDPs, yet NO heaters?:D;)
Yer aff yer nut, baby...
Marco.
Just needs a big class A amp, and he will be fine.
Pretty sure he's got one!:D
Marco.
spendorman
09-10-2021, 21:10
You've just reminded me, it's about time to bring out my STA25 III room heater.
Or my Levinson ML2s. :D Idling dissipation 400W each, with a maximum audio power of 25W into 8 Ohm.
Lol... They go well with your room. You should do something to get them working again safely, or replace them with modern equivalents:)
I know we've been here before, but it seems crazy to me that you say you're cold in the winter, yet steadfastly refuse to use any decent heating... What is it, 5 pairs of speakers, or summat, goodness knows how many amps and CDPs, yet NO heaters?:D;)
Yer aff yer nut, baby...
Marco.
Your making assumptions without the full facts. I can't fit modern fires due to some regulation about them having to fit flush. Which means doing major structural work to the chimney breasts first. I've been down that road years ago.
Not assumptions as such, as I didn't know the facts. Just making an observation, that's all, based on what I've seen..
It's defo something I'd have sorted out a long time ago, if I'd lived there, rather than be cold, mate. I'm sure all the money you've spent (perhaps wasted, lol?;)) on hi-fi over the years, would've paid for the work to be done.
Anyway, we've been here before, dudekins. We've just got very different priorities with houses that's all, which is coolio:cool:
Marco.
Money's not the issue, it would be a major upheaval that I'm not prepared to do.
In any case almost all my equipment was bought second hand at market rate or below and can be turned back into cash anytime.
walpurgis
10-10-2021, 07:34
In any case almost all my equipment was bought second hand at market rate or below and can be turned back into cash anytime.
I wouldn't rely on that, sales are in the doldrums for used and new gear. Hi-Fi is a 'non-essential' and folks ain't buying!
Money's not the issue, it would be a major upheaval that I'm not prepared to do.
In any case almost all my equipment was bought second hand at market rate or below and can be turned back into cash anytime.
Lol, I know you and 'upheavals'... So you'd rather be cold and uncomfortable? Your choice dude, but it wouldn't be mine:)
As they say, no pain, no gain. We were in a similar position with our kitchen. You'll remember the pictures of the empty shell it started out as with no ceiling or plaster on the walls, after all the old crap was ripped out?
Months of upheaval ensured, but look at it now!:)
Anyway, I'm largely just yanking yer chain, but I do giggle sometimes about just how different we are in ley areas of life!:D
Marco [warm, comfortable house first, hi-fi, second].
Marco [warm, comfortable house first, hi-fi, second].
There will be a picture of your pipe and slippers in your listening room next….
I wouldn't rely on that, sales are in the doldrums for used and new gear. Hi-Fi is a 'non-essential' and folks ain't buying!
That'll change as it has in the past and I'm in no hurry to sell anything.
Marco [warm, comfortable house first, hi-fi, second].
what's hi-fi got to do with it? I've more than enough money for both. It's the upheaval I don't want and will make sacrifice to avoid. You had no kitchen for almost a year, no way I'd put up with that, especially when working full-time as well.
Inconvenience I just don't need for the sake of being a bit warmer on a handful of really cold days (it's only an issue when the temp drops below about 4c).
In any case I have convection heaters I can press into service. The advantage of those is I can place them in the centre of the room for maximum efficiency. They are actually more effective at heating the room than a gas fire. Cheaper to run too.
The house needs a lot of work to bring it up to contemporary standard, and it's all interconnected so you can't just do a bit at a time. It would require me moving pretty much all my stuff out, stripping the whole place back to the brick and starting over. That's the only way it can be done. I can't just do one room at a time in isolation like you did.
Lol, I hear ya!:D
I do get where you're coming from, but how much of that work needed doing when you first moved in?
The difference between us, is that I'd have tackled what needed doing then, zapped it, ASAP (or as much as I could afford), and sucked up the inconvenience, with the view that the results (massive improvement) would be well worth it. Most of the time when you move into a new house there's work that needs doing, so I'd want to get it done and dusted.
That would've been my primary focus, above ALL else mate, as leaving it would do my nut right in. Correct me if I'm wrong, but when you moved in, all you seemed to have on your mind was your hi-fi. For me, a house has to be a HOME first, before simply a den to house a hi-fi hobby.
Anyway, we'll leave it there, as we polar opposites in this respect, with I suspect very little common ground:cool:
Marco.
There will be a picture of your pipe and slippers in your listening room next….
Lol, got the slippers already, but there won't be any pipe!
Marco.
Lol, got the slippers already, but there won't be any pipe!
Marco.
maybe a new tailpipe:ner:
Lol, I hear ya!:D
I do get where you're coming from, but how much of that work needed doing when you first moved in?
The difference between us, is that I'd have tackled what needed doing then, zapped it, ASAP (or as much as I could afford), and sucked up the inconvenience, with the view that the results (massive improvement) would be well worth it. Most of the time when you move into a new house there's work that needs doing, so I'd want to get it done and dusted.
That would've been my primary focus, above ALL else mate, as leaving it would do my nut right in. Correct me if I'm wrong, but when you moved in, all you seemed to have on your mind was your hi-fi. For me, a house has to be a HOME first, before simply a den to house a hi-fi hobby.
Anyway, we'll leave it there, as we polar opposites in this respect, with I suspect very little common ground:cool:
Marco.
I had no money when I bought the place, I couldn't even afford the mortgage payments. First thing I did was replace all the windows with double glazed units, took a couple of years before I could even afford to do that.
I bought it in 1998, the previous owners had done nothing with it since they'd refurbished it back in 1973.
On the plus side it cost me less money than you'd pay for a decent car - which is why I can afford to retire next year :)
Pigmy Pony
10-10-2021, 12:16
There will be a picture of your pipe and slippers in your listening room next….
Warming in front of the woodburner, next to that butt plug :)
And is no-one else here then on a fixed tariff for their gas and/or leccy?:popcorn:
:)
Anyone?? :popcorn:
Surely I can't be the only one here on a fixed rate tariff...?
Marco.
Yes, on leccy, one year fixed started last month with current provider (SSE)) best i could get, only about £10 more a month than the previous 2 year deal, but have to have a smart meter fitted (they're coming tomorrow) and also went on their renewable tariff which was a bit more.
No gas out here in the country, so oil fired heating/hot water but as above, price almost doubled since last December. I'm on 40% capacity, so can ride the prices for a while and see if they drop in a month or two. We have underfloor heating downstairs but hardly ever use it as like you, once the wood burner is going it heats most of the downstairs, particularly if the range is on in the kitchen. If really cold we'll put the radiators on upstairs for a couple of hours before the kids go to bed, but I quite like a cold-ish bedroom with good covers to get under. :)
Yes, on leccy, one year fixed started last month with current provider (SSE)) best i could get, only about £10 more a month than the previous 2 year deal, but have to have a smart meter fitted (they're coming tomorrow) and also went on their renewable tariff which was a bit more.
Cool... Can't believe it's just us though that's on a fixed tariff for a year!
Defo the sensible thing to do, as (if necessary) at least you've got a year to save up for the forthcoming increased costs, which as you say you can track on your smart meter. We've had one for years, and despite my views in general on smart devices, find it a very useful tool for monitoring and reducing our energy bills:)
No gas out here in the country, so oil fired heating/hot water but as above, price almost doubled since last December. I'm on 40% capacity, so can ride the prices for a while and see if they drop in a month or two. We have underfloor heating downstairs but hardly ever use it as like you, once the wood burner is going it heats most of the downstairs, particularly if the range is on in the kitchen. If really cold we'll put the radiators on upstairs for a couple of hours before the kids go to bed, but I quite like a cold-ish bedroom with good covers to get under. :)
Exactly the same as me on nearly all counts, especially the last bit, and when you have a lovely wife to cuddle.. As long as I don't keep her awake by farting and/or snoring!:D
Marco.
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