Dear Claudienne

I bought an Acer laptop computer for cash from the Portmore branch of Courts in November 2011. The price for it was $70,000. To date I have taken the laptop back to Courts for servicing four times. However, it keeps shutting off.

On the first occasion that I took it back to Courts, they did a diagnostic test and said nothing was wrong with it.

However, the computer continued to shut off so I took it back to them. The second time I took back the laptop to Courts (about three weeks ago) they said the factory setting needed resetting. When an employee attempted to do the factory resetting, the computer malfunctioned.

I told the branch manager that I wanted a new laptop, but I did not get one. However, she promised to service the defective laptop.

They fixed it and returned it to me, but when I tried to use it that same day, it malfunctioned again. I returned it to Courts and it has been there since then.

I am totally fed up and would like to get a new laptop that works.

CD

Dear CD

We outlined the problems you were experiencing with the Acer laptop to the Courts Consumer Charter Manager.

The Charter Manager informed Tell Claudienne that the unit was checked by their technicians and "on each occasion no fault has been indentified".

According to Courts, what you perceived as the computer shutting down could have occurred as a result of, for example, the "hibernate" feature being activated unintentionally.

The laptop was thoroughly checked by technicians at the company's head office and the charter manager said that they have found no problem. "We experienced no shutdown over two days when we ran tests on the product," she said.

Nonetheless she said that to give you "peace of mind" a decision was taken to replace it.

We note that Courts has contacted you and that you have chosen a new replacement laptop.

Good luck.

Dear Claudienne

About two weeks ago I visited the Dunn's River Falls with my girlfriend and sisters. The cashier collecting the fees for members of the public to visit the attraction asked us for our IDs. We had no IDs as we were unaware of this policy that required us to have identification.

The cashier's request for IDs was resented by many of the persons in the line and resulted in loud quarrelling.

So that the public can be aware that the cashier will need to see a Jamaican ID to determine the admission cost, I believe that the authorities should install signs that state that identification is required.

Please have this matter clarified for me.

EM

Dear EM

Tell Claudienne spoke to the manager of the Dunn's River Falls. He said that there is one rate for everyone seeking admission to the Dunn's River Falls attraction. The rate is US$20 for adults and US$12 for children. However, for persons who can prove that they reside in Jamaica the entry rate will be discounted to J$600 for adults and J$300 for children.

He said that signs that state the entrance fee to the attraction and the identification requirements in order to pay the discounted rate have been prominently placed on the compound.

"Many persons see the sign and just disregard it," he said.

He said that on some occasions there are persons who will carry a group of foreigners seeking entry to the attraction. "An individual who sounds Jamaican will approach the cashier and want to get the Jamaican rate for the entire group," he said.

We suggest that you travel with your ID when next you visit similar attractions.

Good luck.

Have a problem with a store, utility, a company? Telephone 936-9436 or write to: Tell Claudienne c/o Sunday Finance, Jamaica Observer, 40-42 1/2 Beechwood Avenue, Kingston 5; or e-mail: edwardsc@jamaicaobserver.com. Please include a contact phone number.