5 NOVEMBER 1988, Page 30

Netting

Sir: Further to Kingsley Amis ('Sod the public II, 15 October) on bookshops, on 15 September I ordered a book from W. H. Smith in Trowbridge costing £20. I paid a deposit of £10. Last week the book arrived, but I was told that the balance I had to pay was now £15. The price increase occurred on 23 September. Smith's tell me they must charge the higher price, despite my order being placed before the increase, because of something called the Net Book Agree- ment.

Toby Cowley

Park View Villas, Curzon Street, Calne, Wiltshire