So near yet so far! The worst customer service.

I have an 11-year-old son called Jack. Jack loves camping.

It was Jack's birthday last week. He received $150 cash from various friends and relatives and had his heart set on buying a 3-man tent.

So in we went to the camping store today.

Jack and I looked around and decided on 2 tents. One for $50 and one for $90. A salesperson came along and told us something about the thickness of the tent poles. After much analysis and thought by Jack (he takes these things very seriously) he selected the $90 one to buy.

Up we went to the counter to pay.

"Oooooooh, look there Dad!", said Jack.

Swiss Army knives! Every 11-year-old camping boy's dream!

So we picked out one of those as well.

The salesperson took a look at our purchases and pulled out a warranty form for the tent. She filled in the tent type, the cost and where we purchased it from.

She then took Jack's money, gave him his change and receipt. Off we trotted - one very happy little boy with a tent, a Swiss Army knife and $48, and his Dad.

I dropped Jack off home and then came back into the office. Then I sat down to write this article.

Read on for...

Is that camping store owner out of his mind??!

Brendon Sinclair