The "good" was Diss Business Forum's Green Event, which promoted the best of local goods and services.

I took that to heart during the "bad and ugly".

The following is offered as both a cautionary tale and a tip for those who have experienced similar frustrations.

While my story involves my broadband supplier, it can apply to almost any large service provider today.

After three months dealing with a call centre in foreign parts, which refused to sort a major issue, I had reached the end of my tether.

This was deja vu as, several years ago, I needed to have a broadband line set up and dealt with a household name that shall remain anonymous.

That, too, involved three months of agony, before I took direct action, firing off an email to the chairman and entire board of the organisation.

Within an hour, I had a call from the chairman's office and my problem was sorted. In the current instance, I reached the chief executive's office. Guess what?

Again, problem sorted in an hour, along with compensation and a hearfelt apology.

Why must it come to this? Perhaps, because we don't insist on being treated as valued customers. My advice: Don't just sit back and bleat…Fight for right!

This week my broadband contract was up for renewal and the thought that, should anything go wrong again, I would be at the mercy of the scripted call centre staff, made me shiver.

Instead, I found a fairly local company that delivers superb service and has people with whom you can speak virtually 24-7.

I switched (having ensured a smooth transaction by ringing the executive who had previously helped, thus avoiding our overseas friends) and, lo and behold, I entered a parallel universe.

I cannot believe I put up with this for so long. If you have an issue, don't be put on hold.

Go to the top… and go local.

On a happier note, enjoy the Carnival this weekend. Look out for the DBF float… Give us a wave for moral support!.

Jenna Cox, managing partner of Articulate HLC, web and graphic design, marketing and PR agency, is a DBF member.