Thanks for putting a reply. When the sale fell through - the property went back onto the market and the name of the architect was on the planning application available on line to everyone. I know that applying for planning permission prior to sale means that the plans can be used in the public domain by anyone - I dont have a problem with anyone wanting to use them, but we would have wanted compensation of course. I have not heard back from the architect - he was approached by the buyer who said he wanted to use them, he knew that they had been paid for in full by us. He was supposed to contact us and divide the cost of the plans and the architect would then allow him to use them. The architect just failed to keep my informed! When I questioned why this had not happened - he said that the guy had every intention of paying for them and it was a condition of using them, but really that I had no rights to the plans (even though I designed the internal thoroughly myself - the exterior had to be changed to abide with the planners). The situation is at best "lax" and is based on the trust that this guy is going to follow through on his word - hopefully this will happen, but I will be annoyed if it doesn't! But the architect says that he has the copyright that he can do whatever he likes with them without my say so - but he was trying to do me a favour in getting some of the money back. I have no desire to fall out with anyone and hopefully the architect will follow through on his word that he will tackle the buyer if he does not honour his promise - but he says that he is a gentleman (a gentleman would not have used them without asking first in my book!) I just wonder if I have any protection at all from this situation! Many thanks

Hi, My parents planned to purchase a property last year subject to planning permission for rennovation. I spent hours designing the perfect home for them. We instructed an architect and we agreed a price of around £800 he put plans together based on my design. The plans were rejected by planning based on the comments of 2 neighbours - so we had to amend the design and resubmit. We got the permission, but not without a lot ot stress, time and expense - the architects bill was £2000 in the end! Then the sale on my parents house fell through and they were unable to purchase the property. The architect assured us that the plans and our planning permission could not be used and the person that was now buying the property liked my design and wanted to approach us to purchase the plans. But once he found out the cost (which was considerably higher because of all the architects visits to the planners and a redraw), we didn't hear anything. The buyers have gone ahead with the build, put in a very small amendment and have been granted permission based on our application. No changes have been been made to the plans, but they did not have permission from us to use them. The architect's name is on the planning application, I can only assume that he has double crossed us as he promised that he would not allow them to use the plans unless they paid half of the fees. He may be on holiday - but he hasnt replied toe me yet. This is unethical at best, but I have no idea if we have any legal rights as even though the architect owns the copyright - it was all based on my thorough design. Does anyone know where I stand legally - can I do anything or is it legal to just use someone's planning permission? It is very annoying to have been landed with all the bills, whilst either the buyer gets off scot-free, or the architect gets more money for the job we paid him to do for us. Thanks

I think that the Manager should have offered you a giftvoucher to spend in Asda, it wouldnt have cost him much and you would have gone away happier. Lets face it - you did him the favour of pointing out that that he had a whole row of out of date coffee, which although was probably fine, does not look great for the company. I am always honest, but polite when I have situations like this - 9 times out of 10 I get a good result - if you are just clear about what you want from them, they know where they stand - just ask for a voucher as a gesture of goodwill, gently pointing out that it could have been worse for them if the packets had remained there! I never offend, but "greet a frown with a smile" and you will be surprised, it really brings out the best in people - you have to remember these guys often get a lot of abuse from customers which is bound to toughen them up!

I agree - it is not always possible to return things in 2 weeks - I am lucky if I get time to shop every 2 months- that is why I am starting to shop online more. I tooks stuff back after 45 days, with a receipt, all labels in tact and they would only give me £30 credit for £80 worth of stuff. I have spent thousands with them whilst doing 2 houses up and they just dont care - their attitude is reckless and a little arrogant - it will be interesting to see how they fare. I am finished with TK Maxx, at the start they were great, but their prices are not that great - particularly on all this stuff they are bringing in from China and the far east - the RRP labels are suspect! - I find good bargain online nowadays. I just think that there is no way that they would put the items you bring back out on the shelves for 30p!! The staff would probably snaffle them first - so to bring the prices down like that is unrealistic and I suspect just a ploy to avoid giving customers a refund.