IN reply to the letter lamenting the '"obstacle course" of town centre sales people, I feel I must respond on behalf of those individuals many of whom are providing a valuable service for the general public.

My own company GUS Home Shopping, part of the Argos Retail Group operate a Salesforce whose representatives sometimes work in town centres. Our sales people are well trained, courteous, respectful and mindful of the need to allow the general public to go about their business unemcumbered by unwanted harassment.

However in our case, a polite approach from one of our representatives is simply countered by an equally polite "no thank you" and both sales person and members of the public can continue on their respective ways.

It should be remembered that home shopping catalogues offer a great variety of goods and services which compete with those on offer via traditional "bricks and mortar" retailers. Just because our sales people undertake their day job out of doors does not make it any less worthwhile or respectable.

So to Mr Bickerstaffe of Clunton Avenue, may I say don't despair, we are not out to "get you", we simply want to make sure you have every opportunity to discover the joys of catalogue shopping.

Ken Dillon

General Manager

Salesforce

GUS Home Shopping Ltd