Dear Claudienne

I live in St James and I own a home in a newly developed housing scheme.

Despite my house being newly built and unoccupied, on March 23, 2015 I got a Jamaica Public Service bill in the amount of $14,636.91.

I am disputing the amount on the bill (actual reading) as I am not living at the house nor is anyone else. I called the customer care centre on March 23, 2015 and explained the situation. After a lengthy discussion, the agent advised me that a hold would have been placed on the amount due, and that a technician would be dispatched to the premises to investigate the matter.

However, on April 4, 2015 I received a text message from JPS telling me to pay an amount of $19,033.48 due on April 5.

This prompted me to make another call to the customer care centre. The agent I spoke to told me that the technician who visited my house on March 30 did not see anything out of place. After much debate he advised me to go to the parish office at Baywest, Montego Bay and lodge another complaint.

I visited the JPS Baywest office on April 10 and that agent again brought up the matter for review. She promised me that a review would have been done on April 13, but up to the time of writing this letter (April 16) nothing has been done. I also told the agent that I had not received a Customer Display Unit and she told me that I should be getting one. In fact, I had been promised a customer display unit on March 27 when I first visited the office.

While communicating with JPS, I contacted the developers/sales office of the housing scheme and was referred to their electrician.

The electrician suspects that there must be a cross in the panel box and asked the JPS to do an investigation . However, to date the JPS has not responded. This has left me feeling very frustrated as I do not believe this issue is getting the due priority it deserves.

I would appreciate your assistance as I need to move in and occupy my home.

OC

Dear OC

We contacted the JPS and they assured us that they would investigate your complaint. We note that the matter has now been settled. On April 27 Tell Claudienne received the following e-mail from the JPS parish manager, St James and Trelawny:

“Thanks for bringing the attached letter to our attention. At JPS we do value our customers and want to ensure that they have a great experience when doing business with us. We reviewed OC’s account and have found that the meter reading associated with his account was inaccurate. The account has already been adjusted to reflect the true bill amount and this adjustment will be reflected on his next monthly bill. The information has been communicated to OC and he also received his Customer Display Unit (CDU) today, April 27, 2015. The CDU will allow him to monitor his consumption. I have personally met with OC and apologised for the inconvenience caused and the level of customer service he received. An internal review is currently underway to prevent a recurrence.

Thanks again for giving us the opportunity to resolve this issue.”

You also advised us of the resolution of this matter through an e-mail sent to us on April 28. The e-mail stated:

“I’m happy to report that my issue with JPS has been resolved. I was contacted by the Regional Director – West and the Parish Manager. Both of them were able to test and confirm that it was my meter that was being read, but the high bill was due to a billing error. I received my CDU yesterday (04/27) and am looking forward to moving in.

Thanks for your efforts as well. Much appreciated.”

Good luck.

Dear Claudienne

I am an Advantage Client – Claim # ………..

On February 15, 2014, as I drove along Worthington Terrace and approached the intersection of Worthington Terrace and Worthington Avenue, New Kingston, I was hit on my side of the road by a driver turning onto Worthington Terrace from Worthington Avenue at high speed.

We exchanged details and we were both covered by 3rd party insurance. I am insured with Advantage General Insurance and the other driver is insured with Guardian General Insurance.

It is over a year since I submitted a claim and I am yet to get a resolution to this matter.

I gather that the other driver has not accepted responsibility, and that Guardian General has not heeded the request of Advantage General Insurance for a site visit.

My only request is for a resolution of this matter as soon as possible.

Please assist me to have this matter resolved.

RS

Dear RS

When Tell Claudienne spoke to Guardian General Insurance on May 27 they said that their client had not admitted liability for the accident as you were exiting a minor road. Guardian argued that both parties had contributed to the accident. Guardian told us that they had just written to advise Advantage General Insurance that they would agree to a contributory settlement. In such a settlement both of the insurers as well as the persons involved in the accident contribute to the amount of money each of the parties will receive. Advantage General told us on Wednesday that they had agreed to the contributory settlement. Please contact them for further clarification on this matter.

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.