Can I add a comment in support of a local (fairly) business here in Haute Vienne.
Abeille Vidange who have all singing, all dancing trucks which empty your fosse septique, answered me on the second email asking for an appointment, confirming when they would be with us - and they were. Superb guy who gave us all sorts of information, also emptied our neighbours' and gave us a 10% discount on each as we were classed as a group...........
So not all bad, then.