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As I said, I don't really bother where things come from as long as they're reliable.

I needed an unusual part for my car and the local main dealers couldn't source it through Madrid. I went direct to the manufacturers in Germany and they referred me to Madrid, who couldn't get the part for me.

I found a not so simple solution by going through a main dealer in Ipswich, who got the part within two days and I had it brought to Spain.

The Spanish main dealers were not surprised and offered to fit the part for me at a ridiculous price. I had it done privately for about a tenth of the main dealers quote.

I know it's just one silly example, and perhaps my remarks about the Seat were unfair because I wasn't comparing like with like. And my drains are rumbling again.

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Our Seat Alhambra is exactly the same as a VW Sharan (it has Volkswagen on the engine) and it was made in Barcelona . And it has been a brilliant vehicle.

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I had four SEAT's on the trot, was very happy with them. Knowing the dealer and brilliant after sales might have had some influence on my decision though. Currently my second VW on the trot sits on the drive, both spot on so far.

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I'd venture that Siemens is by no means only Germany origin. Not least because they have (or had) a plant in Spain!!!!

For balance, don't forget Whitelinen didn't say she only bought UK, she said she knew the provenance of everything in her home and didn't buy Chinese.

I still maintain that reference to tailor made and custom built adds significantly to the cost of stuff. I remain to be corrected!

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Difficult to answer without involving boffins:)

I do have a lot of antique furniture and for anyone interested in recycling or wanting to buy solid wood and not chipboard, plywood or hardboard, antiques are great and have never been as cheap as they are now for a long time (anywhere other than Spain).

Custom made/tailor made from my experience last longer if not forever so additional initial cost might pay off in the long run.

However, just for information I never planned to not buy Chinese when I first became a consumer, it just happened naturally but now I know more I am very choosy about what I buy.

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Not necessarily, depends on who you approach and what the item is.

My main experience with custom built has been items made in wood. I have found that if you commission an item to fit your needs from a person whose work you know is good that it rarely cost more.

Rosemary

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I love antiques, but our modern Spanish house (30 years old), doesn't seem to go with them. The tiled floors, thin walls and mostly open aspect for outside living seem to cry out for modern furniture with spinning fans everywhere, a bamboo, tasteless bar unit halfway in and out of the house, and a gazebo with torn curtains flapping in the wind.

I like fresh air even when it's cold, but it makes everything flap, there's a strong and cold wind at the moment and the terrace toldo is vibrating like mad.

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Things are looking a bit depressing for some the car manufacturers in Spain, with SEAT losing millions. That surprises me, I thought they were doing OK, it's a good middle of the range car.:confused: Reading the article, the thought of all those Spanish having to sell their Porsche Cayennes is really depressing!

http://www.businessweek.com/news/201...y-up-cars.html

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Have you thought of satellite broadband? If you use the 'net a lot may be worth looking into.

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Thanks for the tip J1 but dont use it enough to be bothered I go to friends in town if I need to receive or send a large file..... :)