Plumb Center -- the place to go

I've got a bath tap that's playing up. Taking it apart, I find the brass core of the tap seems to have a problem. I go up, carrying the duff item, to B&Q, and what's on sale isn't really what I need.

Foolishly I go to Plumbase next, of whom I have written before. I show the brass widget to the man on duty, and ask him if he has a replacement. He walks off and returns carrying replacement tap units. He doesn't even examine the brass widget. Then he tells me that spares are not made for this part. And then he then tries to tell me, with a "let's see if I can kid this guy along" look on his face, that the taps on my bath operate in different directions. Fortunately I know better and realise what is going on.

Out I go, and up to Plumb Center in Derby Road. The assistant takes the widget and tries to fit it to a tap they have there on the counter for the purpose. It doesn't fit, and he tells me that it is clearly an unusual size. He then gives me advice to try B&Q, as having the widest range, and some info on what to look for. In short he does his best to help me.

Well done Plumb Center.