Because I am usually rather quick to criticise large organisations that let us down, I feel I should put on record that there are occasions when some deserve praise rather than brickbats.

One such incident occurred this week. For years I had used the same local supermarket for deliveries of groceries and staple goods. Then three times on the trot they let me down by botched deliveries and non-deliveries. On the last occasion after several telephone conversations when I was promised a re-scheduled delivery after the driver had claimed I was out when I wasn’t, I finally gave up when I received neither an explanation nor an apology after days of frustration. I told them never to darken my door again and although my wife still uses them for their cheap petrol, I have resolutely taken my custom elsewhere.

I have been trying other delivery services and this week a supermarket delivered a large order and on unpacking I discovered there were eight items missing. Thinking the bag was probably in the driver’s van, I phoned the 0800 helpline. The pleasant Welshman at the other end rang the driver who couldn’t find the missing items and the conclusion was drawn that the packers had failed to pack them. They were very apologetic, credited me with the cost of the items and offered to send them out again later.

Twenty minutes later I found the items under what I thought was a bag of vegetables.

I rang the store back and apologised profusely, saying that I hoped that no one had been castigated for what was entirely my fault. I told them to debit me back the money. My second customer services Welshman said that my call back to admit the blame was so rare that I could keep the £9-50. I demurred, knowing that the supermarket giant concerned had had bad financial results lately, but he insisted that my honesty should be rewarded.

Of course that store now has a more than satisfied customer who will use their service again.

A sad reflection on life generally though that an honest customer was sufficiently rare as to merit genuine surprise on the part of the telephone helpline operator. It may have been more hassle than it was worth to recharge the few pounds, but my guilt will ensure my loyalty.