My car problem has finally been resolved, I have discovered the reason why I had difficulty starting my usually very faithful Honda.

The problem started last Saturday morning when I wanted to drive to Wimpole Hall to join Cambridge Rambling Club for a walk. I used a key I found in my rucksack which I thought I had lost, but it wouldn’t start.

Earlier in the week, I had ordered a replacement spare car key from my local Honda garage, John Banks, which had to be programmed into the engine – you know what exhorbitent prices they charge for this!

What they didn’t tell me was that my lost key had been de-activated, so this is why I had so much anxiety over the weekend with my car starting sometimes and not others.

I wasn’t aware of this when I dropped my car off at a village garage expecting some engine problem to be the cause. After two days of not being able to find a fault, the garage called and asked if I had had a new key cut recently. Then it began to click.

This morning, John Banks dropped off a courtesy car at my house at 8am and took my Honda into their workshop to reprogramme all three keys. They have just called and told me it is ready for collection, mission accomplished.

I shall pick up some new business cards en route from Cambridge Printers. I have gone for a totally new look with a beautiful blue colour. I had previously placed an order with Staples, but the first draft came back with four errors and so I cancelled my order instantly as I did not want any hassle, they charge after one correction, I wanted a professional service. I had a similar experience with them last year, my business cards had to be returned three times before they got it right. 

There was very little difference in price and Cambridge Printers had my order completed within four days, including posting a proof. Their service has been excellent, though I have yet to see the finished product.

UPDATE: Unfortunately, I had a very unpleasant experience when I went to collect my car from John Banks. I did not expect to be charged for having to reprogramme the keys, I put it down to a misunderstanding on their part, that they had not warned me that there could be problems if I tried to use my lost key which they had deactivated.  All they wanted was my money and I was told I would not be allowed my car back unless I paid. This all came from the mouth of their services manager Mark Goddard, who instead of graciously apologising for the considerable inconvenience I had suffered as a result of this misunderstanding (as well as my husband and father-in-law who had to give up their cars to see me through this difficulty), he would not allow me to have my car back unless I paid there and then. It was very confrontational, and not how expected a reputable organisation to operate. As I already had my keys, I have no idea how he planned to instigate this – personally blockade my car? I certainly have no desire to return to that organisation. Other customers who overheard this discussion sympathised with me.

I see from their website that they have a Charter on customer service, I shall read this with interest and refer to it in my letter of complaint. I would much rather have been praising their excellent customer relations skills, but this is an area they obviously need to work on it.

On the other hand, my local village garage who spent their time trying to identify my starting problem, as well as running me to and from their garage, said they would not be charging me. I have graciously thanked them and given them some wine as a token of my appreciation – I know when I get good service.