Friday 21st November 2025 - 3R's - Ratings, Repairs and Results

When Peter and I purchase goods online, we look at the ratings for the individual items and if buying from Ebay, at the sellers too.  However, after a recent experience, I’m not sure I can trust all companies to be honest with their ratings.  To briefly explain; I ordered some fresh fish from a different company to the one we have been using.  It arrived last Friday, well packaged in a lined cardboard box with ice packs to keep the fish cool and in good condition.  However, the cod, which I cooked that evening, was inedible.  It was dry with a very unpleasant smell (not fishy) and taste.  We fed it to the gulls, the following morning.  We had no issues with our other two items in the box.   During the week, the supplier asked me to rate the individual items.  I would have liked to have given the cod a zero rating but had to settle for the lowest, a one star.  I was able to explain why had only given the cod a one star. Yesterday, I looked on the company website.  The one star for the cod had not been posted but the five star ratings for the other two items were there, along with my comments.  I don’t know about you but I think this is dishonest and deceitful, not to publish the rating for the cod.  In addition, I have not received an apology or any communication from the supplier.  I can only conclude this is a company without principles.  I won’t be using them again, nor will I be completely trusting ratings on company websites in the future. 

The shop, in Cromer, which repaired shoes has now stopped offering this service and concentrates on key cutting and engraving etc.  This meant, in order to have new heels on a pair of my shoes, I could either go to Holt or North Walsham.  I decided on the latter and rather than drive there and pay to park, we chose to take advantage of our passes and travel for free on the bus.  Overall, this worked very well.  Following a wet Wednesday, yesterday’s forecast looked to be okay so we took the bus, taking us along the coast to Mundesley and from there inland, through the countryside to Trunch and then into North Walsham. Walking into the shoe repairer, A & M Shoes/Mortons Footwear, it was like going into a shop in the 1960’s.  I loved it, seeing boxes stacked on shelves by type and size and simple displays of the footwear stocked.  There were also bags, belts and socks etc. for sale and the service was of the 60’s era; personal, helpful and honest.  We were both impressed.  From here to Lidl, and after paying for our purchases, we came out to rain and hail. We opted for a peruse in Roy’s before heading back to the travel hub, where we joined passengers taking shelter from the weather.  Fine, until the bus did not turn up as scheduled.  About fifteen minutes later with still no sign of the bus, a passenger phoned Sanders.  He was told; there was a problem with the bus but a replacement was on its way.  At least another ten minutes later and still no bus, this resulted in a further phone call, shortly after which the bus arrived.  The driver told us the replacement bus was found to have a problem, another bus was utilized and this was the one which picked us up.  By this time the rain and hail had ceased with skies now blue dotted with white clouds.  All in all, despite the hold up with the bus, it was a successful trip.  We will definitely use the bus, when we collect my repaired shoes.  Hopefully the weather will be kinder and we can take more time to look around the town.

I have completed this year’s Poppy Appeal for Overstrand which raised £1177.24.  I have submitted my returns and all that is left is for the remaining stock to be collected on Monday by Parcel Force.  This is my last year as Poppy Appeal Organiser (PAO), I am retiring, or to use the RBL’s term, standing down.  If anyone is interested in becoming the PAO for Overstrand, I will be more than happy to explain what is involved with no obligation to take on the role.  You can message me, via the Contact Page on my website.

Today’s photo was taken at the beginning of the month, when we were enjoying sun and warmth and not enduring the cold and rain of late.