I am with Pine Man as over the past two months my car has cost me a fortune, despite significant help from both the manufacturer and my garage. Electrics and electronics in a modern all singing, all dancing motor are a real problem when they go wrong.

I'm not sure it's about how much technology / widgets cost, but rather how much it's used, and if it's used to its full potential. I'd think my top two expensive widgets are my telescope (£1500) and camera kit (dare not say how much in case the wife reads this thread!). I'm no where near using either to their full potential.....yet. But they both get used a lot, and commonly in conjunction with one another.

About four years ago, when my doctor told me he thought I was deaf, I agreed and he sent me to the audiology department of my local hospital in Southport, for a hearing test. The appointment took about two weeks to materialise and the actual test took about three quarters of an hour at a guess. I walked out about 90 minutes after walking in, with a brand new hearing aid in my right ear and was due back a week later to have the left ear fitted.(a mould had to be made for that ear because I was deafer in that one than the right ear). My hearing improved about 70% I would think and it never cost me a penny. I go back for free batteries when ever I require them. Once after being caught in a deluge and therefore having the gadget give up the ghost because it had got rather wet. I was given a free replacement. Then a few months later I accidentally dropped the same one in to the washing up water. This time I told the audiologist that I must pay for it as it was my fault for being so stupid. So a new one cost me £70. Then about two weeks ago I went for a checkup and they told me that the model of hearing aid I was using had been superseded by a new model and that if I could come back for a test I would be supplied with the new model. So I now have two brand spanking new hearing aids fitted and working a treat. At no stage has it cost me any money other than when I volunteered to buy a new replacement for the one I had damaged. So I can't understand why people are paying exorbitant prices for hearing aids. Is it a postcode lottery thing I wonder? (By the way it is a shock when you first start wearing them because the least sound is multiplied so much. Having a widdle in the toilet sounds like the Niagara Falls). (TM Info I suppose.)

Has to be the car, though, it is now next to worthless unless I part exchange. That is another con open to debate I think.

fourm member Sorry to read of your hearing problem.

Nice to learn, though, of the good service Bingalau has had off the NHS. Surely that's why we pay in to the coffers? For every one.