Mine involved the mobile phone provider Orange.
This was a number of years ago in the days when I received a monthly itemised bill from them. This was before virtually every tariff included unlimited calls and texts. So what I'm going to describe couldn't take place now.
But in those dark and dusty days of yore, I was charged per call, although I seem to remember some calls were free although memory plays tricks as we all know.
Anyway I noticed that every Tuesday I was charged for making quite a lengthy call. It was always the same length and at the same time. Added to that was the fact it was always from my mobile to my house phone. We still have a house phone although I'm never sure just why. I stopped paying for this part of the bill and got a letter from a debt collecting company despite the fact that I was paying the majority of the bill and had written to Orange about the part I wasn't paying.
I rang the debt company and got through to some chap who I would refer to as a drongo and explained that I was being charged for making calls I certainly didn't make.
The conversation went something like this, starting with him.
"You need to pay this amount."
"But as I've explained. I don't make these calls which are from my mobile to my home phone."
"You might do".
"But I don't. They are at the same time on the same day of each week and last for exactly the same amount of time."
"Well perhaps you have your mobile in your pocket and accidentally hit one of the saved buttons."
"What at exactly the same time and on the same day each week?"
"Exactly."
"Well on Tuesdays I'm at home on my own So you honestly think that I telephone my home phone from my mobile at the same time each week. I expect you think that I then pick up my landline phone and have a conversation with myself with a phone to each ear."
"Well that's possible."
At this point I realised I was talking to somebody who at best was an idiot and at worst was a complete moron.
I can't remember what I did after that but I know that Orange eventually cancelled my so called debt, called off the debt collectors and knocked £20 off my bill as a gesture of good will.
The next month I kicked Orange into touch and went with O2 and I have to say I haven't had the hint of a problem with them although I do feel some of their pricing is a bit steep.
*. *. *
The Friends of Hethersett Library are holding another of their talks in June and it will see the welcome return of Phyllida Scrivens.
Phyllida has a degree in creative non fiction writing from the University of East Anglia. She has written three excellent books. The first is the story of Gunther Stern who escaped the Nazi regime and made his way to England where he changed his name to Joe Sterling and became a leading citizen in Norwich. The second book is about the Lady Lord Mayors of Norwich and the third about a 19th century train crash just outside Norwich
A few months before that train crash, some of the top medical people in the country got together in Norwich for a lavish dinner. Some of them would subsequently be involved in the rail crash either as passengers or for giving medical assistance.
Phyllida's talks are always enjoyable and entertaining. Do come along if you live nearby. Tickets are available at the door and cost £5 which includes coffee or tea, sausage rolls and cake at the end of the presentation.
And that's it for today folks. More rubbish tomorrow