Here's one - Oliver Bonas the one at the Broomwood Road end of Northcote. The staff are always super helpful even when swamped at Christmas. Great source of cards and pressies.

Delicat - different menu and good service whenever I've been there.

Another vote for Henessy!!! The loveliest people. And so kind with the kids....that piano must drive them nuts but they never seem to mind!!! I ALWAYS buy my meat from them.

And the nice people at the dry cleaners Unicorn! Great service and always so friendly!

And lastly Galleria Conti on Battersea Rise....I do a lot of browsing....and not much buying butthey never seem to mind!

very good service from Gail's. (Staff at Paul are always clumsy and messy)-
Co-Op: very good too.
Ocado: the most courteous of all supermarket deliveries...Farah kids: always have good service there.
Another vote for Henessy. I like QT toys too, they always seem to know their (incredible) stock really well.

Hennessey's - yes! What great personal service! They even patiently listen to me describe my American cuts of meat and then cut it for me. Plus the quality is terrific. (I had a similar situation at Dove's. Will never go back)

The alterations guy on Lavender Hill across from the post office. Last winter when my coat wouldn't close over my belly, I went to him to buy some hooks. He wouldn't let me pay for him. When I thanked him he said they were for my baby not for me! I appreciated it anyway.

The owner at Yumeas is quite possibly the friendliest restaurant owner ever. He asks after our family, remembers little things about our order (no carrots) and will chat while you wait for your order. Normally I might find that annoying, but he's so nice I enjoy it.

And lastly, Abel and Cole. Their customer service is unmatched. Once they rang to tell me that the driver accidentally crushed my tomatoes so they were refunding me for the cost. Another time I had put in a big christmas order, but neglected to hit 'place order'. They called to make sure I meant to do that. I have several other examples, but I have always found them to be proactive and so helpful.

I wanted to put a good word in for a local electrician, Steve, who is based in Mallinson Rd.

http://www.swbishop.co.uk/

I called him to ask about an electrical problem that needed fixing in my flat, and we made an appointment for him to come round. He turned up on time, was very friendly, and fixed the problem very quickly. And his rate was reasonable.

Yes I agree with you on Hennessy's. Lovely men. Not like that awful grumpy man in Doves. I once went in there to buy some braising steak for an Annabel Karmel recipe and he said the quantity was too small and it 'wasn't worth his while'. He actually refused to serve me! Luckily the guys in Hennessy's were much more helpful.

I want to celebrate Hennessy's butcher. I go there weekly (if not twice weekly), they are nice, friendly and they love children plus their meat is fab (and well priced). So for the last 7yrs, they are my sole (dometimes coupled with waitrose) suppliers of meat. Thanks guys!

Bolingbroke Bookshop on Northcote Road - they've stayed open to let my daughter choose a book, other shops would have chased us out. They are also very friendly and will order any book for you.

I also like the staff at Oddono's on Northcote Road, always service with a smile (but who wouldn't smile in a shop filled with delish ice cream!)

Oh yes, Ocado definitely get my vote too. Nothing seems to be too much trouble for them and on the rare occasion anything has gone even a little bit wrong, I've had a voucher and sincere apology.

Waitrose in CJ too, as above - they've been so brilliant and always so lovely to my son.

Adding to the Lavender Hill love-in (there are just so many good businesses there!) the people at Cake Boutique are so lovely and accommodating, plus they sell cake - what more could anyone want?

Opposite that is Duke's Dry Cleaners (I hope I've got the name right) - the guy in there is possibly the friendliest person I've ever met and they do clothes alterations etc too.

Tarragon restaurant on the corner do delicious Persian food and are really lovely along with it.

Then further up, next to the wine shop and opposite the police station is a dry cleaners and shoe repairers - the guy there is so nice and has fixed up much loved shoes of mine that I thought I'd have to throw out. He always brings the price down a bit if he can too.

And away from Lavender Hill, I absolutely love Recipease. They have the most amazing food, coffee is lovely, the breakfast is great and the staff are amazing. You can tell they all love working there. I've even done a cookery course there which was brilliant.

I've done a post before called "I love where I live" and it's clear to see why!

Gotta love 'em. Snow chaos, non-gritted road, ice-covered exterior stairs - nothing stops Ocado man. Full delivery, no substitutions, on the dot at 9.30am this morning.

the new ish cycle shop on lavender hill is fabulous. http://www.getagripbicycleworkshop.co.uk/

they fixed our buggy wheels, and they're always really nice and smiley. when my daughter was scared to get on a balance bike, the guy who runs the shop did (on the tiny balance bike) to show her how it was done. a great addition to our local shops!

also, lavender hill siam beauty. no frills, but also in my experience, never any waiting, good therapists and open late with lots of appointments.

Cooker solutions

When the oven element broke on my oven I found a company called Cooker Solutions.
I think they are based in SW16 and I was in SW4 at the time but they came out the same day and replaced the element straight away.
The man Michael, is knowledgeable friendly and polite.
Since then I have used them again as when I moved house the oven I inherited needed some TLC.
They remembered me and gave me a small discount for my loyalty. They followed each of my visits up with a courtesy call the next day to check all was well.

Obviously its not often you need an oven repaired but I would highly reccommend them should it be a service you require.

The Des Lys Cafe on Bedford Hill (opposite Harrisons). Lovely coffee, gorgeous pastries and really friendly owner who doesn't mind small children!! Plus because it's round the corner it doesn't tend to get as busy as Bertie and Boo or Cafe Nero. And it's cheaper!!

I vote for waitrose in CJ (amazing people - was very embarrassed one day when u realised at the till that i had left my purse at home. They let me took the food i needed for the evening and kept te rest until the morning after plus they are always smiling) and Tamra in northcote rd. Last thursday a lady and her daughter came in, looked around and came out. Then they come back and the lady ask if she can buy smthg to eat at the breadstall and come back there to eat so she can have a tea... Although i found that the lady was cheeky to ask that (it was sunny, she could have sat outside at starbuck), i was positively amazed when the manager said yes!

I'd like to second Balham Argos and add a vote for Balham Boots. I go to both regularly in the 6 months we've lived and Balham and always been struck by how friendly and helpful staff are.