My parents however have built up quite a good relationship with a chap who sells hotel carpet off the back of a lorry he has no overheads so does a good deal and goes round all the hotels in Harrogate where I live every six months. So don’t discount all door to door sales men but make sure you are getting what you want and don’t pay over the odds. It is very easy to think you are getting a good deal in the heat of the moment and then find out later that what you have bought could be bought cheaper on the high street.

Another area to be wary off is inn keepers who tell you that they take a lot of money off the books ie cash that never makes it to the tax man. There are two reasons for this 1 nowadays there is a lot less cash changing hands as most people pay by card and second if they are willing to tell you that when you are only enquiring it is a bit dubious.