Dear Claudienne,

My house is in Patrick City, Kingston 20. The National Water Commission has not been reading the meter consistently and since a new meter was installed in 2008 the water bills have skyrocketed. The house is occupied by three adults and three children.

The estimated June – July bill that I recently received from the NWC was for $18,363.36. The bill for the previous month was for $11,865.31 and it was paid on July 16. Every month I pay my water bill.

I would like the NWC to investigate and sort out this matter.

In April we discovered that the lock-off pipe was located on the neighbouring premises and I am wondering if this could affect the meter readings.

At the same time the NWC is threatening to cut off the water if the bill is not paid.

Could you please look into this matter for me.

TJ

Dear TJ

The NWC has advised Tell Claudienne that when the meter at your premises was read on July 22. The cost of your actual water consumption for the June – July period was $21,457 and not the $18,363.36 that was estimated.

The NWC said that your consumption was unusually high and advised that you get a plumber to check your premises for underground leaks.

The NWC said that the location of your lock-off pipe on your neighbour’s premises would not affect the meter reading as in some cases the property boundaries were decided prior to the insallation of the meters.

Good luck.

Dear Claudienne

I bought a television set in April but I have not used it for a while. Recently I tried to turn it on and realised that it wasn’t working. It had a six-month warranty.

I took it back to the store where I purchased it and was told that the problem stemmed from a manufacturer’s fault. The manager said that the part to fix it has been ordered.

I am wondering whether I should not get a new TV since the problem was due to a manufacturer’s fault.

What do you think?

AF

Dear AF

We checked with the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC). According to the CAC, under the Consumer Protection Act for items under warranty the vendor is allowed to offer redress where there is a problem. The redress can take the form of repair, refund or replacement, and this is for the vendor to decide.

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.