It's often said that rec-to-rec firms don't do themselves any favours, but an email exchange which came into Recruiter's hands recently surely provides the proof.

When Consultant X, of a certain rec-to-rec outfit, wanted to find an 'experienced' recruiter for a niche firm in Winchester, he evidently felt the best way was to mass-mail about 40 potential candidates.

When one of these candidates pointed out that he wasn't happy with Mr X disclosing his email address to that number of rivals, he received the following succinct, if low-brow, response: "Couldn't care less mate. You t**t."

Well, it's good to know that the concept of customer service is alive and well…