Minding your Ps and Os

Letter from Joe Sweet:

As the highways authority responsible for an area roughly 95,000 kilometers square, we recently put in a sizable order for a range of road signage. Included in this order was a request for 3,000 composite aluminium (RA2) signs displaying the letter P (Parking). When we took delivery of this order, it was subsequently discovered that the relevant signs displayed the letter O. When we complained to the manufacturer, they sent us back a copy of our order claiming we had requested Os. Whilst it is true that the relevant entry had not been filled in with sufficient care and the handwritten P could, possibly, be mistaken for an O, we think the manufacturer is trying to evade his responsibilities. We have made numerous previous orders and never had this problem and, as far as I am aware, no highways authority in the western world uses O signs for anything. We certainly cannot use them.

Felicity answers:

At first the customer services department for this manufacturer was not particularly helpful when I called. However with a bit of persistence and, if I say it myself, a rather brilliant brainwave, we found a solution. They are prepared to take back the Os which, with only minor alterations, they can turn into signs indicating a roundabout and they will 'resupply' you with the Ps with only a small additional handling charge. I suggest that you buck your ideas up and in future you check any handwritten orders that might be misread or, alternatively, limit yourselves to electronic procurement.