[joglynne]

When I worked in the Civil Service I used to order my own general office stocks and it annoyed the hell out of me that I knew I could get everything I ordered cheaper at a wholesalers I used for my husbands business. Even WH Smiths which were by no means the cheapest office suppliers on the high street were cheaper than the Official CS suppliers.

When I tried to do something about the exorbitant prices we were being charged I received a virtual pat on the head and was told that the suppliers we were using had won the tender as they had put forward the most competitive bids and we were stuck with them.