I HOPE nothing goes wrong with readers' digital TV boxes -- if they're lucky enough to have them.

Mine went doolally recently, but I stuck with the breaking up chequered pictures and clunking noises until I could stand it no more.

What a palaver trying to get it fixed. I rang the company's technical helpline and got bombarded with a recorded list of things to do to make it better (which I'd tried before and they didn't work) -- and electronically told the phone would be answered by a person in under seven minutes.

I hung up and rang the customer services line, where the waiting time was only two minutes, but after diagnosis they put me through to another technical services company.

First of all I had to pay £60 up front so I could be given a reference number, an agreement number and the name of someone who will come out - eventually.

I rang the firm in anticipation only to be told they were booked up all week, but they would ring me when they could come. They arrived nine days later!

It's the first fix it service I've paid for in advance. I'm appalled. If I could have anticipated all the faffing about I'd have asked them not to bother and tried a local independent. I'll know better next time.

I wouldn't mind but it only costs £30 to have a new one fitted.