Dear Claudienne

On Saturday, January 22 I bought a pair of school shoes for my daughter at the Sammys Shoe Store, Premier Plaza, Half Way Tree. She wore them to school the following Monday. Tuesday was PE (Physical Education) so she did not wear them. On the Wednesday when she wore them again the buckle fell off one of the shoes. I took it back to the store and the cashier told me that they could not replace the shoes but would have the buckle repaired. I asked her what she expected me to do but she said that was the policy.

I asked to speak with the manager but the clerk said he was not available. At this point I had no choice but to give her the shoe for it to be repaired.

She promised to call me on the Monday or Tuesday but when I did not hear from her, I went back to the store and was told that the shoe could not be repaired. I was told to choose another pair of shoes but I could not find one of the required style and colour that could fit my daughter. I tried other styles just to comply as long as it was brown which is the colour required by the school, but to no avail.

I requested a refund as the store could not satisfy my needs but was told that I had to take a credit note. However, I refused to take a credit note and asked to see the manager but was again told that he was not available.

Could you assist me to recover my money as subsequently I had to buy another pair of shoes elsewhere in order to have my child in the appropriate uniform for school.

MB

Dear MB

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) said that in regard to goods being sold to the consumer, Section 18 of the Consumer Protection Act states that information re the goods should be provided verbally or in writing in the English language. The CAC told Tell Claudienne that a written notice prominently placed in the store advising customers that there is no cash refund on purchases would meet this requirement. Customers could also be advised that there is no cash refund via a notice printed on the receipt. The CAC said that the Act also recognises a credit note as a valid form of redress. Most credit notes have no expiry date, the CAC said.

We spoke to the manager of Sammy’s who is not located at the Premier Plaza branch. He said that in the interest of good customer relations he would give instructions to the Premier Plaza branch staff to refund your money.

Good luck.

Dear Claudienne

My wife died in New Jersey in December 2010. She had paid contributions to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) for over 25 years. On January 10 I made a claim for the funeral grant but I have not heard from the NIS office.

Could you help me please.

EO

Dear EO

The NIS Ripon Road office informed Tell Claudienne that they have received your application and are awaiting a copy of your wife’s will.

The NIS needs to establish if the deceased left a will and who are the executors as they will have to grant a waiver.

If you are the only executor you will have to send the NIS a notarised photocopy of the will. If there is more than one executor, each can write a separate letter to the NIS, or one letter can be written and each executor sign it. The letter must be notarised. If any of the executors reside in Jamaica, this person’s letter to the NIS must be signed by a JP, the NIS said.

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.