THE EDITOR, Sir:
SEVERAL MONTHS ago I learnt that my name had been published in a Gleaner supplement issued by Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo) advising that I was entitled to a rebate on my electricity supply account. I thought that JPSCo had brightened up my day with that news. I immediately contacted one of their officers and made enquiries about how to claim.
I went to the Spanish Town office with personal identification and the necessary proof of residence required and filled out a form. The wait to see a customer service representative was relatively short and I have no complaint with the assistance that was given to me in completing the form.
I was shocked when I was told that my rebate sum was $90.80. This could not even cover the cost of gas for my car to travel from my office in Kingston to Spanish Town to JPSCo's office not to mention my time taken from work. My account is covered by the Spanish Town office and I was told that they would have to process my application for rebate.
Was such an involved process of producing ID, digging up old utility bills, completing a form and attending at the JPSCo's office really necessary for this paltry sum? I believe that quite a few other customers have also received nominal sums like this since I heard, while waiting to be processed at the JPSCo's office, several stories recounted of customers who chartered transportation from upper St. Catherine to get their rebates after seeing their names in the press only to discover that they had incurred a far greater expense in the cost of transportation than the value of the rebate.
My suggestion to JPSCo if it ever has to undertake this exercise again is simply to publish the amount of the rebate at the time of listing the names of the persons entitled. This way customers can decide whether it is really worth the time and hassle. In my case I don't think it was. Rebates could easily have been credited to the accounts and shown on the bill. As it now stands I think that this was neither an electrifying performance by JPSCo nor was it a bright idea.
I am, etc.,
JEFFREY DALEY
Kingston 5
