Customer service: better in recession?Perhaps it's something to do with the fact we now have disgruntled accountants and architects working in Marks Spencer's lingerie dept, under the impression they're working "below their station". – Joey K

I don't know which MS lingerie department you frequent but it must be a blip on an otherwise unblemished MS customer service record. MS employees are the friendliest and most knowledgeable of all retail staff. – Mira B

There needs to be a wholesale change of attitude in the retail sector. Shopping recently in Letterkenny with my elderly mother, I was surprised how few shops manage the basic service of chairs here and there (or even one) where an elderly person can rest. On suggesting in one shop that such a chair would be a good idea, the response was that the elderly should go home when they get tired! Obviously some businesses need to go out of business sooner rather than later. – Time for change

Food claims

It would be interesting to see a few test cases under the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (the Consumer Protection Act 2007 in Ireland), which should be quite adequate in targeting unsubstantiated claims. We are unlikely to see any action by the NCA in Ireland, but perhaps a European organisation might be more inclined to launch a case. – Rossa McMahon