This is a little rant I'm afraid. I know it's basically my fault BUT!!!!!

Sometimes when at clients premises, I have to use a series of rescue/installation discs to resolve an issue.

Sometimes, it can take quite a few hours to sort out the multiple problems people allow to accumulate on their computer before seeking professional help. A lot of which is helped along by the 'bar room fixers' who know absolutely sod all in real terms about much at all.

They don't know what the real problem is because they've not seen it and clients rarely know how to describe the problem fully anyway - not that there's anything wrong with that, I don't expect it.

The client then goes and mis-follows the wrong advice they've been given and make an even bigger dogs breakfast of the whole thing and after they've totally screwed their computer, they call me.

Now to the point of my rant.

After I've spent hours sorting out the cock-up, I put my things back in my bag (or so I think) and head off home. Some days, or even weeks, later I open my bag looking for the discs to find that I've accidentally left at my clients.

The annoying thing is the client, who now has a full set of service and recovery discs that I've paid for, and doesn't have a clue in hell how to use them, hasn't had the decency to ring me and let me know I've left them. This has happened every time I've done it.

I now have to go through the time and expense of getting a new set of dics together.

ONE THING YOU GET FROM ME IS HONESTY, IF YOU CAN'T RETURN THE FAVOUR THEN YOU DON'T DESERVE THE SERVICES I OFFER.

​I will work out where I left them and that person will have a heavy bill next time they call me!

It just goes to show, there's a lot of really dishonest immigrants out there.

OK, hands up if you think your iPhone stands head and shoulders above the rest in the reliability stakes.OK, that's 1 ....... 2 ...... 3 .. 4 ........ 5. Anyone else?

OK, hands up if you think your Samsung Galaxy is the best.

Well ...... actually, the iPhone is both the best and almost the worst. The least reliable smartphone on the market is officially  the ...(fanfare of trumpets ..... tadaaaaaaa) Samsung Galaxy S3! Oh my gosh, is that right Clive? Who says so?

That would be Mobileinsurance.co.uk Bob.

According to them, the top 10 least reliable smartphone goes like this:

1. Samsung Galaxy S3
2. HTC Desire S
3. Nokia Lumina 610
4. iPhone 4
5. Blackberry Bold 9900
6. iPhone 4S
7. Sony Xperia S
8. Blackberry Curve 9220
9. Samsung Tocco Lite 2
10. LG Nexus 4

The most reliable smartphone is reported to be the iPhone 3GS from 2009 with the Blackberry Torch 9800 in second place.

Don't shout at me if you disagree, I didn't compile the list.

What I find interesting in this report is that branded mainstream smartphones prove to be so unreliable. The main criticism I receive from people when I show them my range of unbranded smartphones (at prices considerably less than the mainstream) is that they're unreliable - ha! The Galaxy S3 is less than 12 months old.

My unbranded smartphone is 12 months old and still works, it still gets the oooooohhs and aahhhhs when people see it and I'm immediately asked if it's a Samsung and how much.

They are totally amazed when I tell them. They all run on the Google Android operating system, just like Samsung, HTC and loads of other branded smartphones out there but they're less than half the price and have additional features such as:

• They accept 2 SIM cards
• They're unlocked so you can put ANY SIM card in. It can be your current PAYG SIM or your contract SIM. Your UK and your Spanish SIM, It doesn't matter.

So why not get over it, put that snobbery aside and take the plunge. We have smartphones that look like the S3 (it that's what you want), probably more reliable, and probably less than half the price.

Go on, ask us, you know it makes sense.


All brand names and registered trade marks acknowledged.