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CROSS BORDER SHOPPING:We went up North to buy new kitchen appliances last weekend, we knew what we wanted, provided a list and asked for a price. First price €670 cheaper than DID! Said nothing, gave a few humms and haaas. "That your best? You can do better than that now?" Rounded off an extra €50. Then, went for free delivery and got that too! Dalzell's in Markethill near Newry. Bargaining result or what! – Siobhan Hughes

Retailers are being ripped off by stealth taxes imposed by the Government which nobody hears anything about from the Government or bodies such as the NCA. Yet retailers pay more taxes than any other businesses in Ireland to pay for the public services we all use every day. So if you want to have a go at anyone, start with the Government and force them to stop charging retailers and other businesses such high taxes for employing staff and creating tax revenue. – Martin

MOBILE PHONES AND CUSTOMER SERVICE:Why not organise a strike among your friends and switch off your mobile for a day, after notifying the company. We managed without these things for a long time, and using the regular phone for a day might provide a wake-up call to companies who don't seem to understand the basics of customer relations. Although I think the mobile phone is a great invention and a genuine asset when used appropriately, I suspect that a huge number of calls made are totally unnecessary. – Les Serff