The good, the bad and the ugly of retail

A few weeks ago I decided a bathroom make-over was necessary. I want to one upmarket place and was put off by the price and 7 week delivery time.

I then went to a more basic bathroom supplier. It was considerably cheaper but – my fitter advised – still even cheaper if I went on-line armed with their quote.

This I decided was wrong as the assistant went to some trouble.

Eventually I selected a shower-head and paid for it by credit card and was promised it would be in shop last Monday.

On Wednesday I called to be told apologetically that there was a problem in the warehouse but it would be delivered to my home this Tuesday. This would be confirmed. It never was.

Yesterday I read the company had gone into administration. As readers may know this means it continues under the management of a receiver who tries to sell it as a going concern. I am not at risk as I can claim the purchase money from the credit company and it may be supplied.

The whole exercise illustrates the advantages of internet purchase and the demise of the high street. If my assistant loses his job then my shower-head will not be of paramount importance to him but I wonder how transparent he was.

My faith in retail was affirmed yesterday when I went to purchase a spare tyre, my old one having been to be used after a puncture on the road.

I was recommended a place on a nearby trading estate. They could not have been more helpful, testing all the tyres and putting in air, supplying one cheaply and advising me not to spend any more on an old car I intended to sell. They are called Blackrock Tyres and I would certainly recommend them.

In driving to them I was proceeding down a smart residential road when I saw a gang of young boys, maybe 10 years old.

Perhaps for a dare one ran straight across my car. I avoided a ghastly accident as it is my custom to drive slowly which inflames other motorists – mainly van drivers – but my rationale is to avoid speed cameras and if there is an incident it’s unlikely to result in a fatality, especially mine.

However the incident brought home that such an accident out of the blue could have had horrific consequences and may be the time has come to stop driving all together.