Why do so many of us find assembly or operating instructions so difficult to follow

A.� Most problems arise with goods from overseas which have instructions that have been 'translated'. If the translator translates literally from the original language the result is often unintelligible.

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Seven years ago a frustrated customer set up a company called Userview which puts instructions to the test and advices companies on how to make them easier to follow. Userview recently gave the following example of the instructions for a device to hold nails while hammering from Asia: "Step 1: Introduce the nail in one of the holes lightly inferior to the nail, which will deeply firmly supported in vertical position. Step 2: Leaf the sharp pointed extremity of the nail stand out a little from the base of instrument to receive nail."

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A.� As things stand there is no obligation on a manufacturer to make their instructions easy to follow or conform to any set standard.

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This is due to change from January 1st 2001, when a European Commission directive which rules that 'any installation instructions, intended for consumers, must be without shortcomings' comes into force. Practically it means that if you do not get proper value from a product because you can the assembly instructions or operation manual is incomprehensible you have grounds to sue.

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A.� Be calm, and try not to start something when you're already in a bad mood. Keep the kettle boiling for plenty of soothing cups of tea.

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It's tempting to think you can refer to the instructions if and when you need to, but it is actually likely to save you a lot of time and bother if you read them all the way through first and group all items for each stage together before doing anything. That way you should notice if you are missing that vital bolt or nut before you are three-quarters of the way through.

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Finally make sure there is help available if and when you need one. Even fitting two relatively small components together can be difficult with just the two hands.

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A.� There is now a firm called Screwdriver who will come and put the thing together for you, for a fee of course, be it a bedroom mirror or a garden shed.

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