With some work planned on the house, we have been speaking to trades and salespeople. And what an experience it can be.

Two gentlemen visited us yesterday. The first, an electrician, was an older chap who told us that he chose who he worked with and when he worked. Before he drove off in his BMW, we were delighted that he had “selected” us as potential clients and were looking forward to paying his substantial bill when he completes the work. This strange role reversal still makes no sense to me.

Our second visitor was a cliche of a double glazing salesman who spent a long time telling us how brilliant the company was but demonstrated a distinct lack of understanding of finance. After offering a credit deal we asked what the APR would be. At first he maintained that there was no APR unless we missed a payment. On pointing out the”typical APR 22.9%” footnote on a leaflet,he patiently explained to me that of course there was interest but no APR. Apparently, the loan was so flexible that he “didn’t think anyone” could work out the APR. Certainly not him anyway. I began to wish for a set of Rogue Trader style hidden cameras.

After much explanation of just how wrong he was, he eventually departed and, in another role reversal, he couldn’t wait to get away. Must surely be a first for a double glazing salesman.