May I report three recent cases when I was overcharged by outlets, in one case badly.

After the election, I made some purchases at a mini-market and, on paying, I asked for a receipt. The day after I bought a carton of milk from the same mini-market. The product is normally priced €1.25, however, I noticed that I had been charged €1.35 and decided not to return to that outlet as I felt somebody wanted to pay me back for asking for a receipt, as I have every right to do by law.

On another occasion, my wife and I accompanied two French friends to a Marsaxlokk restaurant. We were charged for eight starters and for a soft drink we never ordered or consumed. The bill amounted to €99.80 and, on protesting, it was revised to about €57.

Besides, the service at this restaurant was atrocious, having to wait for 45 minutes to get our drinks, then another 45 minutes to get the starters.

There was no cutlery and when we protested we still got one fork less. We had to eat a cold starter by the time we got the waiter’s attention.

Then, at a chemist in Swieqi I was charged €5.50 for vitamins when the price on the box clearly indicated €5.05. I was refunded the difference when I pointed this out to the chemist.

Therefore, customers should check their bills properly.

If honesty is the best policy, dishonesty must be the worst policy.