No. 7925934. Sgt. Greenwood, R.T.
‘C’ Squadron
9th Battn R.T.R.
B.L.A.
20.7.45
The Chairman
Committee of Management
Hazel Grove Co’op Society.
Dear Sir,
I have just been informed by my wife that she is taking steps to close our account with your Society, and I feel that the reason for this action may be of some interest to you. For some years past, we have been purchasing coal which is deposited by your men at the rear of the house. Subsequent to my joining the army about four and a half years ago, my wife had cause to suspect that fewer bags of coal were being delivered than shewn on the delivery note, but as these deliveries were made whilst she was absent at work, it was not possible for her to take any action to obtain proof. Later on, however, she was able to check a particular delivery by re-weighing it and her suspicions were confirmed. She immediately lodged a complaint with the management, and was assured that the matter would be investigated. This was two or three years ago; maybe longer.
A few months later, my wife ceased to be employed and so was often in the house when the coal was delivered… and after a time, she again became convinced that we were receiving short deliveries. This was because the heavy ‘thuds’ of the falling coal sacks, – audible throughout the house, – were usually one less than the number shewn on the delivery note pushed through the letter box after delivery. After several remonstrations with the delivery men, she again complained to the management, and was informed that the men were disobeying orders by depositing the coal before issuing the delivery note: she was assured, however, that future supplies would be preceded by the note, enabling her to check the delivery. Unfortunately, it would appear that the management’s orders are not treated seriously so far as coal supplies are concerned, because very few delivery notes have preceded the coal consignment, and for several months now, there has been the uneasy suspicion that we have been literally “paying through the nose” for our coal:- an unpleasant state of affairs for one to contemplate when in the army.
Last Friday, matters came to a head when my wife heard three bags delivered, and was later presented with a bill for four bags. Her indignation can be imagined, but the men denied her accusations, naturally. She immediately ‘phoned the branch office and arranged an interview with the manager for any time between 11.30am and 12 noon on the following day. But there was no interview because the manager was not available at the appointed time. And now my wife has decided to leave the Society, principally to remove the source of so much irritation and unpleasantness.
I regret troubling you with a complaining letter of this type, but I feel compelled to bring these circumstances to your notice, if only to further the interests of an organisation with which I agree in principle, but am unfortunately no longer able to support in practice.
Yours truly,
R.T. Greenwood.
(of 29 Cavendish Rd.
Hazel Grove)