DEAR SIR: I’ve read recently in your paper of scams relating to shed supply and construction. My problem is with inferior quality galvanised sheeting purchased from a reputable building supplier in the west of Ireland in 2009.

For a 1,500 sq ft shed, I had used galvanise on two smaller barns in 1987 and 2005 and both are still perfect, but the 2009 product is rust-prone.

I got rid of the receipts after three years trusting that all would be OK, but did have the chequebook stubs of payments to the suppliers who, in fairness, accepted my complaint but said there were no guarantees. They are still selling the product with no complaints to date.

There are so many people who may not admit to being caught out and take these knocks on the chin or may not have noticed the rust. It was only because I used a sheet to cover a dog kennel and seeing rust I decided to inspect the shed roof to find streaks of rust. Rather than let the problem worsen, I sanded and primed the rust areas last autumn. A 20-litre drum of paint for €40 was the only compensation I got from the suppliers, a case of take it or leave it.

I do hope my experience is a warning to other potential purchasers who in all probability will be rural people.

Galvanise is not the reliable product of old – it’s just 0.5mm in thickness compared with 0.9mm (old) and the coating rubs off easily with a sanding pad. Even at this stage and having the evidence covered over, I would like to know if there is a company who would be in a position to test the sheet coating as to whether it is galvanise or an imitation.