Dear Claudiene,

Good day. I ‘m a regular reader of your column and I find your answers to various queries very informative. Keep up the good work.

I’m having a serious problem with an appliance store in Montego Bay, St James. Sometime in August 2013 I made a cash purchase of a small office refrigerator (Luxor 3.7) for my office. I took it to the office, plugged it in, and it worked for about a month. After that I noticed that it was not freezing properly, and was defrosting. When I got to my office the entire floor would be wet due to the water from the freezer.

I took it back to the store and they kept it for three days for observation. They then called me by phone and assured me that it was working alright again.

I took it back to the office and it worked well for a little while. Two days later I noticed that only half of the freezer was freezing and the other half had no frost.

I took it back to the store and pointed out the problem to them. They took it back and told me they would check to see what was the problem. It is now two weeks since I returned the fridge to the store and I am being given the runaround.

I believe that I am not being treated fairly.

Please look into this matter for me.

VF

Dear VF

The manager of the store told Tell Claudienne that over the two weeks that you have been without the refrigerator, they have been testing it to try to identify the problem. They said that it was plugged in for testing and had been functioning properly. “The technician has done nothing to it, it has been working fine,” the manager said. She said that if it malfunctions again they will send their technician to check on the electricity output at your office and try to identify the cause of the problem. We note that you collected the refrigerator on Tuesday. Please keep in touch with the store.

Good luck.

Dear Claudienne

Further to our discussion in regard to the collection of pension returns for my neighbour, the information is as follows:

She is a domestic helper and she made the payments yearly between 2002-2013. She is now unable to work due to chronic illness, and has no means of support.

Please see what you can do to assist her in the collection of her pension which she desperately needs.

MW

Dear MW

When Tell Claudienne communicated with the NIS we were told that your neighbour’s file was sent to the medical advisor for it to be determined if she qualified for a benefit. The NIS said that she has been granted a benefit. The amount she should get is being calculated and they have promised to expedite it. We have advised your neighbour.

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.