Dear Claudienne,

In September 2016 I purchased – on a “90 day for cash” hire purchase agreement – a 25 cu ft Frigidaire ice/water dispenser refrigerator from Singer Mega Store on Constant Spring Road. I also paid $9,320 to have the fridge installed. I paid the installation fee to Singer instead of having the installation done privately, as I was told that if I had it done privately it could affect the warranty if anything should go wrong.

The fridge was delivered to my home on October 12. On October 24, having contacted me by phone in the morning, one of Singer’s technicians visited my home to effect the installation, or so I thought.

After viewing the location of the refrigerator, he left my premises with the assurance that he would return either that same day or the next. He has not been back nor has he made any contact with me.

On Wednesday October 26, I advised someone at Singer’s technical department (unfortunately I did not get his name) about my situation, and he promised to investigate and call me back. I am still awaiting that call.

I have since been in contact with the manager of Singer Mega Store, most recently on Saturday October 29, to have the matter sorted out. She instructed the technician to visit my home on Sunday October 30 at 10:00 am to effect the installation. However, he has neither showed nor called. I have not heard from the manager, nor have I called her back.

I am seeking your assistance to have this matter sorted out, as I specifically invested in this refrigerator for its ice/water dispensing capabilities and would love to be able to use these features.

Please be good enough to investigate this situation as I am puzzled by the behaviour of the technician who assured me and the manager on several occasions that he would come to do the installation, but has neither showed up nor called.

JH

Dear JH,

Tell Claudienne contacted the Singer CEO on Thursday November 3. She apologised for the inconvenience the technician had caused you and assured us that the service manager himself would install the refrigerator on Thursday evening.

We note that the service manager kept his promise. However, because of the location of the refrigerator, he was unable to install it on Thursday evening.

The service manager told us that the water source should be within 6ft of the refrigerator. However, the dining room where your refrigerator is located is an estimated 30 ft from the water source in the kitchen.

The length of hose required to do the installation would result in the water pressure at the refrigerator being too low, he said.

In order to install the refrigerator, he has instructed your plumber to run a small hot water pipe to the back of the refrigerator.

Apparently the technician sent by Singer hesitated to install the refrigerator when he became aware of the problem, but failed to explain the situation to you.

Please let us know when the installation is done to your satisfaction.

Good luck.Dear Claudienne,

Good luck.

Dear Claudienne,

I was employed in the banking sector for 40 years until I retired in 2011. At that time I was told I would not be eligible for NIS benefits until age 65. I was 65 on February 8, 2016, and had filed my claim on November 18, 2015 at 18 Ripon Road.

Today (May 30, 2016) is six months after I called the NIS office and was told by one of the clerks that she did not see my claim and chances are that it was still “downstairs”. She further stated that at present there was no system and that they hoped to receive a new system by October 2016.

In summary, no claim could be processed at that time.

This is such an insult to the seniors of this country and certainly, this is not the response I am looking for after paying into a system since 1967 at age 16.

I would appreciate any assistance you can provide.

LRDear LR,

LR

Dear LR,

We communicated with the Permanent Secretary as well as the Labour Minister about your concerns and note that you received a lump sum cheque in July/August of this year. We also note that the NIS has been lodging a cheque monthly to your bank account.

All the best.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.

All the best.

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.