Delivery companiesI buy many products online and I never had a problem until last September. I bought two t-shirts online from an American company.

Fed-Ex was the delivery agent and the package was stopped by them for duty owed, VAT and administration charges which amounted to €34.99 on a $32 (€21.82) package. I could not receive the package until I paid the money owed so I off I went to their depot, paid cash for the package and as far as I was concerned the matter was closed. On Friday, November 9th, Fed-Ex sent me a letter demanding the €34.99 owed. I called their office in the UK to clear up the matter and spoke to a person who could not establish whether the package had been delivered, could not track the invoice number and could not connect my call to the accounts department. - Dara

My experience with online shopping from US websites is somewhat different. Most deliveries are by DHL. DHL has, on each occasion, collected all charges and duties due (which is fine and proper). But the last time they delivered, I paid the courier by cheque (which was cashed) but shortly after, I received a note from a debt collection agency asking me for the €7 that was owing - even though it had already been paid immediately on delivery. I have asked the US sender to change the courier so the mail arrives by An Post which in my experience offers a far superior and more courteous service. - Peter G

Toy recalls

Just think of all the people who were thrown out of jobs by the West's big toy companies who thought they could make their goods cheaper and better in China. Hopefully, any other firm thinking about outsourcing jobs to China might now think twice and realise the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence. - Paul Kelly