Dear Claudienne,

I booked three first-class tickets for myself and family on flight BW 031 to Fort Lauderdale from Kingston to depart November 26, 2015 at 6:10 am, and to return BW 036 November 29, 2015.

The tickets were booked September 14, 2015 and totalled US$2,357.59. I received a call at 1:30 am on November 26, 2015 to say that the flight would be delayed until 12:00 noon.

Upon checking in and arriving at the gate, we were informed by a ‘mechanic/technician’ that we would have a further delay due to a problem with a part on the plane.We are still unsure as to which ‘part’, as we were told multiple stories as to what was wrong.

The characterisation of their customer service support or lack thereof during this time was that it was unsatisfactory at best. My family and I decided not to take this flight.

I am writing you today (November 27, 2015) as I was told that not only might they take a processing fee from my initial payment, but that it would take six to eight weeks to get my refund. This after I was told at the gate that it would take seven days (one week) to get a refund.

All I require from Caribbean Airlines is my refund in a timely manner, preferably immediately, but certainly not after six to eight weeks.

I would appreciate your assistance.

R W

Dear RW,

Tell Claudienne communicated with Caribbean Airlines and note that you were refunded for the first-class tickets in mid-January 2016.

Good luck. I have a loan with the Students’ Loan Bureau (SLB).I have been making my monthly payments, but they are below the amount stipulated by the SLB. I wrote a letter to the SLB management and explained that based on my circumstances I could not afford to pay the amount ($23,500 monthly) as stipulated by them.I was told that I had to pay that amount. I also spoke to the loans officer assigned to me in person and via phone and email, and got the same response.I was only able to pay between $8,000 to $10,000 monthly, and sometimes I could only pay $5,000.My loan has now been passed to a debt collector. I am willing to repay the loan and I believe they are very unreasonable as they are aware of the harsh economic climate that we are experiencing. Since I left college I have not been able to find a permanent job, so I have to be taking part-time positions and working with CXC in the summer. I just need the amount to be reduced monthly and for the unnecessary charges to stop, as they are causing a rapid increase in the amount I owe to the SLB. I would be most grateful for your help. We have been in communication with the SLB and note that you met with them and were able to have your loan restructured. We see that the SLB gave you two options: (1) To pay $27,100 monthly, or (2) To pay $13,100 monthly for one year, and then pay $29,000 monthly in succeeding years.The loan which was to be paid off by December 2017 has now been extended to 2022. Under year one of the repayment plan, you are required to pay $13,000 monthly. In year two and to the conclusion of the loan in 2022 you will pay $29,000 monthly.The loan arrears were $1,800,000 plus another 20-25 per cent that was to be added for debt collection.However, because you had been making an effort to make payments, you have been promised a reduction in the amount of the arrears.We see that you now have a permanent job, so please strive to meet your SLB obligations.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.

Good luck.

Dear Claudienne,

I have a loan with the Students’ Loan Bureau (SLB).

I have been making my monthly payments, but they are below the amount stipulated by the SLB. I wrote a letter to the SLB management and explained that based on my circumstances I could not afford to pay the amount ($23,500 monthly) as stipulated by them.

I was told that I had to pay that amount. I also spoke to the loans officer assigned to me in person and via phone and email, and got the same response.

I was only able to pay between $8,000 to $10,000 monthly, and sometimes I could only pay $5,000.

My loan has now been passed to a debt collector. I am willing to repay the loan and I believe they are very unreasonable as they are aware of the harsh economic climate that we are experiencing.

Since I left college I have not been able to find a permanent job, so I have to be taking part-time positions and working with CXC in the summer.

I just need the amount to be reduced monthly and for the unnecessary charges to stop, as they are causing a rapid increase in the amount I owe to the SLB.

I would be most grateful for your help.

JJ

Dear JJ,

We have been in communication with the SLB and note that you met with them and were able to have your loan restructured.

We see that the SLB gave you two options: (1) To pay $27,100 monthly, or (2) To pay $13,100 monthly for one year, and then pay $29,000 monthly in succeeding years.

The loan which was to be paid off by December 2017 has now been extended to 2022. Under year one of the repayment plan, you are required to pay $13,000 monthly. In year two and to the conclusion of the loan in 2022 you will pay $29,000 monthly.

The loan arrears were $1,800,000 plus another 20-25 per cent that was to be added for debt collection.

However, because you had been making an effort to make payments, you have been promised a reduction in the amount of the arrears.

We see that you now have a permanent job, so please strive to meet your SLB obligations.

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.