It often happens with larger companies in their dealings with small companies and one-man bands. The more time the money stays in their accounts the more interest they make.

And actually, I must hold up my hands on behalf of the Advertiser - it has happened, unintentionally or in error...

Equally deplorable it is though, when it happens with individuals, such as happened with Sid Masters who, for more than six weeks has been waiting for a refund.

Cash flow is everyone's problem, but big companies do seem to have a tendency to abuse.

And these abuses go on in other areas too.

I recently moved house and phoned my car insurance company to let them know the change of address - and they charged me £112 for the privilege!

And have you noticed when paying a sum off your credit card they ask if you want the money to go out of your account that day. You say yes, they confirm it will go and then say it will be deposited in the payee's account in, say four days....

So where is it for four days? Of course the bank is stealing the interest during that period but alleging that it is part of the transfer process. Outrageous!

I was interested to hear on the radio the other day that £200 a minute is collected in speed camera fines... I would have thought it was more!
But anyway, I can understand why Mr. Masters is angry. Thomsons should be embarrassed by this unreasonable delay and the original cock-up which caused it.

So many companies bend over backwards to get you business and then don't care a monkeys if something goes wrong. It's not right!