They don't guarantee customer satisfaction at Easylife.com They don't guarantee an easylife for anyone but themselves. To be sure - they sell a HarderLife to customers.

It's best to be realistic but we, the peaceful ones amongst us, do get stressed sometimes. Here's a common example of how ridiculous things can get to be.

A small inexpensive electronic device, though simple in design, was spotted in a hand delivered leaflet. Junk mail type of thing. Never heard of 'em - go to web site - seems a reputable company. the leaflet said 72 hour delivery. Next step order by e-commerce cart and throughout the process the delay on delivery is increased to around 28 days. Oh well - not an essential item. Ordered one and paid by card.

Several weeks later a box arrives which could be used as a baby's rattle. Check it out at weekend - more time then. Weekend tasks done then open the box - rattle gets to be louder without packing - rubberized feet are floating, loose in the package. It is obvious they have been removed since manufacturing stage - to get at the screws holding it one piece. Then it was poorly reassembled.

Plug in and switch on - makes a noise - doesn't function as it should. Bit concerned that the company could send out this package - must be a disgruntled one in the despatch department. Could be sabotage.

Read terms and conditions again; support, contacts, e-mails - all the usual stuff - phone us for instant help - you know the kind of thing - wall to wall service with a smile. I figure I'd be doing them a favour - after all no-one in business would like a member of staff to send out busted gear. No it wasn't damaged in transit.

E-mails to them are unanswered, no-one answers telephone for several days.

But, they say on their web site, they are a wonderful company with top flight service, concern for customer care, and so full of help and support they should burst their buttons with pride at their goodness and benevolence.  Goodness me, even their Terms and conditions are proud of themselves.

EEEEEEEEventually someone answers the phone. No they can't resolve my problem, No you cannot speak to anyone who can help you. No it's not possible to pass a message to a supervisor with the authority to respond to the suggestion that someone offer a sensible response to a customer who needs support. NO NO NO you cannot contact the managing director - he's not here anyway. 'No I can not help you at all'.

More e-mails unanswered then comes the time to forget all about it and forget their problems. But miraculously, eventually e-mail arrives to apologise and say that full credit will be given, and they will pay the return postage on condition at the cheapest possible rate, and if proof of cost of posting can be supplied. Great, now I have to ensure proof of posting and pay for it myself.

Hells bells, I was just trying to be helpful.

Kit returned for a full refund (at their request) with copy of earlier e-mail informing them that their product is being returned. Done and dusted as requested.

Harderlife should be the name of the company but for some strange reason - probably at the suggestion of their marketing department - they call themselves Easylife, and you can, if you really do want to see them in their Sunday best, visit their site, and easily find their terms and conditions which are hellish and comprehensive on every point except one.

They don't guarantee customer satisfaction at www.easylife.com. They don't guarantee an easy life for anyone but themselves. To be sure - they sell a HarderLife to customers.

Then, surprise surprise, they refunded the postage for the returned goods. They also tried to deliver another, possibly a working model, of the kit which was ordered in February yet still cannot get anyone at HarderLife with a brain capable of sorting out the simple problem.

You may do as you wish, but in future I shall avoid like a plague the terms and conditions which appear to be trying to take away all your rights as a buyer.

After all is said and done, not everyone can delay their annual holiday after a broken promise of delivery of 72 hours just in case the offending sabotaged article arrives several weeks later, more than 28 days later. You'd have to be able to comply with iniquitous terms and conditions, and absolutely putrid service to boot.

Watch this space - it's not finished yet.

A threat of Court action was used as an attempt to stop the shinnanigins which they totally ignored.

It is getting to a serious stage. No way was I about to back down. More ructions and I sent another notice of intended prosecution with other good solid advice for them, and would you believe it? They refunded the £20 or so - about 4 months after the order was placed.

You have a tale to tell? Please send it by e-mail initially, whether as a customer of supplier, goods or services. It cuts both ways. Good deal or Bad deal

Of course it could be fun and useful at the same time. That's the plan ;-)