Oh Eddie...I wish more people were like you !
The British psyche - I have found - is just not wired correctly, in the main, to make us complain when we should. I sometimes get so frustrated by people who allow themselves to be abused just because they feel that "they" ( the abusers ), are the people "in the know" and if they are doing it, it must be right.
You talk about the programme Watchdog and you are right that that programme has made many more people aware of just what they can do when they feel they are being ripped off by companies or individuals.
It and the internet, where people can get together in many ways, is slowly bringing the laid-back Brits a bit more forward so that we are more liable now to make a scene in public when we are being treated badly than we used to be.
This is great as when it does happen, ( and it is backed up by good information ), it means that the regular rip-off merchants are set back on their heels by such customer resistance.
Once again, well done Eddie, and I hope that your example brings many more Brits to the cause.