Customer relations are important
published: Wednesday | November 17, 2004

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I AM of West Indian origin and own a grocery store in South London where many Jamaicans live. I sell ethnic foods including West Indian foods such as canned ackees. The Jamaica Bureau of Standards recently issued an alert on untested canned ackees on the market. I heard about the alert through my customers but none of them could provide information as to what brand or batch of ackees were affected. My customers were hesitant to buy canned ackees because of the uncertainity surrounding the matter.

BUREAU OF STANDARDS' WEBSITE

I visited the Bureau of Standards' website and out of curiosity sent an email to the communications officer Marie Berbick-Graham, who was listed as the contact person. I was pleasantly surprised the next day when I received a response from the lady, which clearly explained the action taken by the Bureau of Standards, and relevant information.

I was extremely grateful for the information as I know other operators of West Indian food stores who were facing potential losses because of a lack of information. I also felt very proud to have received such good customer relations service from a Caribbean organisation. I was very impressed by the quick response and professionalism shown and would like to publicly congratulate the Jamaica Bureau of Standards and Ms. Marie Berbick-Graham for the level of professionalism displayed. I hope other government agencies will follow suit and not simply host websites which serve no purpose but to give information. Customer relations and interaction are just as important.

I am, etc.,

SHAIHAN LEWIS

Streatham High Rd

London, United Kingdom