Each week, the Guardian Angel column highlights complaints sent in by you, the consumer, and provides ready solutions or directs you to the appropriate resource. Problem: Francis Williams from D’Abadie worked for the Water and Sewerage Authority for 39 years before retiring in August 2012, but he has yet to receive any pension payments from the Pensions Department of the Ministry of Finance. Williams said he has an incorrect date on his birth certificate, but with an affidavit from his late father, he received an identification card, driver’s permit and a passport.
Despite this, Williams said, the Office of the Auditor General will not accept the affidavit and so he cannot receive his pension.
Solution: The Guardian Angel spoke to a Mr Ali, an assistant auditor general at the Auditor General’s office, who said Williams’ file is still with the Comptroller of Accounts. Ali said despite using the affidavit to apply and receive other government-issued documents, in this case, an affidavit cannot be used to process Williams’ pension. The incorrect date of birth, he said, raises the question as to whether Williams retired at age 60 or 62, which could have further implications as to whether he was overpaid or not. Ali said Williams must go in to the Registrar General’s office, where he will be given the list of supporting documents he needs to supply that office to prove his birth date before his claim can be processed. Ali said once that is done and Williams’ file is sent to his department, Williams’ claim will be processed expeditiously.
Problem: T&T Guardian employee Nicole Drayton bought an iPhone cellphone case from Secure Mobile Ltd in Nicholas Towers, Port-of-Spain, on August 20. Within two days, she said, the case broke, so she went to the store with her receipt to seek a replacement or a refund. However, Drayton said the sales clerk told her once a product leaves with the customer it will not be replaced, nor will she receive a refund. Drayton returned to the store on another occasion and was told the same thing by the manager.
Solution: The Guardian Angel spoke to a Nadia at Secure Mobile Ltd, who said the location of the break made it clear the customer was responsible for the damage. When asked to clarify the store’s policy that once a product was taken off the premises it would not be replaced nor a refund given, Nadia said she was very busy and the matter had nothing to do with the T&T Guardian. She said it was Drayton’s choice if she chose to take the matter to the media. According to the Consumer Affairs Divisions’ Web site, the phrases “no refund” or “no exchange” are contrary to the Adverse Trade Practices Order 2000. In this instance, the Guardian Angel recommends that Drayton make a formal complaint to the Consumer Affairs Division.
Even as you’re encouraged to take the appropriate routes for addressing your complaints, the Guardian Angel is here to assist you. You can send the Guardian Angel an e-mail about your problem and what steps you took to deal with the matter. The Guardian Angel looks forward to hearing from you and bringing some relief to your problems.
E-mail her at angel@guardian.co.tt
Please include your name, address and telephone number as we’ll need them to follow up with you.