One of them arrived and quoted her a price there and then, the other two made their sketches and told her that they would "put a quote in the post in the next few days".
Despite several phone calls, and leaving messages on answerphones, no quotes have been received; neither have the tradesmen had the decency to return her calls. Two months ago, she contacted two more local tradesmen. A tile is missing from her roof and there's a hole into the attic, and as she's given up on the idea of a new open porch, she's now decided that she'd like a new front door instead.
Once again, no-one arrived when they said they would, and again, none of her phone calls have been returned.
Is this the way local tradesmen now treat potential customers?
A few years ago we needed a painter and decorator to do mum's stairs and landing. There is a person just around the corner from where my mum lives and we decided to give him a call. His wife answered the phone and asked who had recommended him to us: "No one," I said, explaining that mum lives just a stone's throw from them. "Sorry, he only takes recommendations," came the reply.
Disillusioned
(name and address supplied)

Networking comes at too high a cost
I was surprised to read about the Government proposal to make sure every youngster has home access to the internet, in order to broaden their knowledge. What a good idea.
But I understood that this same Government was on course to borrow £90bn just to balance its books.
Do ministers not understand that much of the economic crisis is due to people being encouraged to borrow too much and live beyond their means?
"When in a hole, stop digging" is a common enough phrase. Why has it not permeated the thick skulls of Westminster?
Despairing, via email
(name and address supplied)
Give your lifestlye extreme makeover
Ricochet, the makers of the BBC series Extreme Dreams with Ben Fogle, and Channel 4's No Going Back are currently making a major new prime time series for BBC 1.
The series is looking for families who are struggling with the emotional and financial cost of the modern British lifestyle and who would jump at the chance to escape the UK credit crunch.
We will be taking four British families to far flung and idyllic locations all around the globe - far removed from the stresses and strains of costly city living. The locations aren't the kind of places you'll find on a package holiday tour.
The chosen families will learn a new way of life, going back to basics as they go on a four-week crash course in living the simple life.
The experience will be a million miles from anything they've known, and will certainly test their resilience.
If any of your readers fancy the challenge, they should call 01273 224817 or email adventure@ricochet.co.uk to find out more.
Sophie Chandler, via email

Seasonal shuffle
I seem to recall that summer arrived in autumn last year too. Stand by for confused daffodils blooming in January, which will of course mean that spring has arrived in winter . . . again.
I really think it's time we shuffled the seasons around.
Observer, via email
(name and address supplied)