broccola

Hi Toby, Not via a landline, but just in case you've not heard of it, Call2Friends is a way of calling online to landlines/mobiles, and is very cheap (much cheaper than using Skype credits and definitely cheaper than phoning via BT). Very good call quality on every call I've placed.

Another vote for Brockley's Rock - you can phone in your order and collect. I never "got" fish and chips before eating here. Now I'm there twice a month :D

I have used Gaby Hardwicke in Eastbourne for three purchases (res. & BTL), particularly Amanda Loftus, after a colleague used them. They have always been great, prompt, cheap (about ?700 per purchase), responsive and you get the sense that they know what they're doing. My partner also used them for him purchase and was also impressed. Another friend currently in process with them. I am a solicitor and went through a few less-than-good conveyancers before finding Amanda, would highly recommend.

Have used Stevie a few times and always had a beautiful, easy to maintain cut on my curly hair. Would recommend too!

Sorry to post something negative, but we've been using Kate (07731..) for a few months now, and it hasn't been great. She cancels frequently (maybe every second or third week), switches her days of availability, and also doesn't do dishes very well (i.e. I've found them in the cupboard quite dirty). It doesn't seem to be time pressure (we pay her for 3 hours and she sometimes leaves well before), so not quite sure how to account for this. We will speak to her about things to try to reach a resolution, but for the time being would not recommend. B.

I used one local (Brockley) solicitor for conveyancing on the basis that they "knew the area", and they were truly awful - down to getting the purchase price wrong on the sale contract (!) after a three-week delay (!!) and then suggesting I was unreasonable when I asked them to re-do it rather than Tippex out the incorrect details. Since then I have used Gaby Hardwicke in Eastbourne for three purchases (res. & BTL), particularly Amanda Loftus, after a colleague used them. They have always been great, prompt, cheap (about ?700?), responsive and you get the sense that they know what they're doing. My partner also used them for him purchase and was also impressed. Another friend currently in process with them. If you get over the need for a local conveyancer, I can't recommend them enough. As a solicitor (though not a conveyancer, admittedly), the fact that they are local doesn't add anything beyond the fact that you can see them on the high street - all the Land Reg searches etc are accessed electronically.

I'd suggest you get in touch with them in writing to explain problem and request discount from fees / that they rectify the problem, then raise your grievances here if they're not amenable. Yes, they know where you live and God knows what they'll do if they think you've harmed their business. You can change details so as not to identify yourself / give it some time so there's a few more customers between you and him? In general I think poor tradesmen should be named and shamed. We put our trust in them to do work, often in an area where we know next to nothing (plumbers, mechanics...) - it feels terrible when they rip us off.

No. Firstly, there's a legal defence of "fair comment" to libel - i.e. if you say that a painter did a bad job on your wall, and that's a reasonable thing to say, he's not going to be able to go after you for ruining his business. If by reprisals you mean that the tradesman will come onto the forum to scream and shout, well, he's entitled to. I really like the fact that reviews here can be negative if needed. I once got a plumber on the basis of lots of "recommendations" on a similar SE London forum, and the guy did a terrible job. When I tried to post on that forum to warn others (with photos of botched work etc) my post was deleted because the site took positive comments only. Practically that means that a tradesman can use five different names to post glowing reviews of himself, but a legit customer stung by bad service can't warn others. The EDF system is great.

Try Dan from South East Cleaning (I can't do links but if you search for "South East Cleaning" on the top right of this page you'll find a lot of recommendations for him). He did an end of tenancy clean for me which was excellent.

I'm a halloumi fan and think I've seen unsalted in there. They are on 020 8299 3636 if you want to save yourself a walk!

Just to add my recommendation for Pawel - he fixed a dodgy laptop keyboard and also (without prompting) a few other bits and pieces on my laptop that made it feel like new. Prompt response, too.

Another vote for Pure Gym Bermondsey - if you just want a standard range of gym equipment and a clean environment, it does the job.