Letter: Losing business by ignoring customers

Sir: I agree with Nancy Macintyre (Letters, 16 July) about the poor products on sale in the high streets, but the complaint should be enlarged to cover the deplorable level of customer service on offer by leading retailers.

During the past year we have spent money improving our kitchen and garden, and found it practically impossible to get suppliers to deliver the right product at the right time. If a recession can't teach suppliers the importance of customer care, what will? I suspect that the 'easy money' Eighties have bred bad habits in many companies, and a contempt for the customer.

While I pity those businesses being crushed by the recession, I have no sympathy for those that ignore the needs of customers. These firms aren't being killed - they're committing suicide.

Yours sincerely,

M. SHANKLEMAN,

Dinas Powys, South Glamorgan