One of the most frustrating things about running a website is all the snake-oil merchants who flood your inbox with promises of improving your website for just the price of an arm and a leg. It has become so bad that I am seriously considering closing down the email part of the website and relying on telephone, snail mail or social media for customer contact. Given that is how many of my interactions already occur this might be a viable alternative. The constant clamour for attention by these people is irrepressible, as is the continual bombardment we receive on a daily basis from all manner of advertisers keen to part us from our hard earned cash. They often use scare tactics too, undermining our confidence and playing on our fear of missing out if we don’t buy now and often pay later. If we stop to think about it we will realise we have made it this far through life without them, and we should always ask, “What is in it for me?” Are they really going to improve my lot, is what they are offering worth the price and, crucially, can I get that service elsewhere cheaper and better? Having said all of this, don’t miss out this Christmas on any of my wonderful musical bargains! Head over to the Publications page on this website and Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! while stocks last.