Some months ago I responded to an advertisement in a well known national newspaper for Coldshield Windows, and very soon a rep came down from Cheshire.

Samples were shown, very strong and well made, but pricey.

He said new machinery was soon to be installed in the factory so the decision must be made right away as the price he quoted would not be available again.

He did by this time drop his prices a little and said the windows and doors were of a quality non better on the market. My husband I felt pressurised so we signed an agreement with him.

The next day when we had time to think we decided the price was more than we wanted to spend.

I rang the company and said we wanted to cancel the order and was told it was a legally binding document we had signed.

I was determined, I wrote to them and got the reply that it would cost £531.65 to cancel the order, which had only gone as far as the rep's time and petrol.

Our solicitor read the document, which was in very small print (well most of it).

She said she could see no way out, if we had gone for credit easy payment terms there is a seven day cancellation period. We and she wrote to Coldshield, their reply was the order would be processed unless we paid the £531.65.

I can tell you they never got that payment.

It has taught us one thing. Always go for the easy payment terms which give you a seven days cancellation period. Thankfully our solicitor has charged very little.

Since the firm was featured on the television Watchdog programme recently I have written to them again, but so far have had no reply.

The point of this letter is to help other people always read the small print on contracts.

VALERIE BUCKTHOUGHT,

Lower Tremar.