How Much???? You have got to be joking!

As this section is primarily involved in saving money, I thought I would relay the result of a little shopping trip this afternoon. So here is my story.

I went this afternoon to White Arches caravans at Rushden in Northamptonshire to change a cylinder which was on recall. That part of the operation was carried out successfully. Then,iI had to go to the parts department to get a small plastic clip that holds the blind in place on a Bailey Valencia. I asked the salesman for the clip and he mumbled something about the price had gone up. He disappeared into the back store room and reappeared with the clip I required.

As he tapped away at his computer keyboard, he told me that the price on that particular item had risen. They used to be 58p he told me as I fumbled around in my trouser pocket for change thinking that even if it had gone up 100 percent i would still have enough in change. How wrong can you be. That will be £4 50 plus vat he said total of £5 40 p. I stared at the small plastic clip on the counter and said how much? He repeated the price and told me how embarrassing it was for him to ask that sort of money for it. Apparently, Bailey had had to order a new stock of them and the price has gone from 58p to £4.50 +VAT. I told him very politely that I didn't mind paying an inflated price but I was not going to subject myself to highway robbery. I told him that i would manage with what i had. I thanked him and left. I could have told him to put it where the sun doesn't shine but looking at the size of the clip, several dozen could have followed!!! £5.40 for a clip that must have cost 2p to make. Thank goodness I didn't need a boiler!