Public Counsel Barry Carrington
Public Counsel Barry Carrington /Nation Newspaper

The Barbados Consumer’s Watch (BCW) organization is reporting in its latest blog that consumers in Barbados may just have something to shout about after all. For years the passive Barbadian consumer who has been taken advantage of by merchants who have appeared to be impervious to a sense of what is fair and just. Finally there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel. It appears that a FEW customers have been availing themselves of the services offered by the Office Of Public Counsel, and Public Counsel Barry Carrington has been rising to the challenge.

Here is a snippet extracted from BCW’s blog which caught our interest:

Consumers, you have something to shout about and a man to thank for his tireless work as Public Counsel. Though Barry has moved on up, he has left a legacy of cases before the Consumer Clansumersims Tribunal, over a four year period of championing the cause of Consumers; a well kept public secret.

Imagine that Barry took Mrs. Ram before the Tribunal ten times between 2004 & 2005 and won all. Not only that, after the tenth time, Mrs. Ram like she decide that she ain’t coming back (brought her to her knees) to the Tribunal because there are no entries with any of her companies since then, so she got to be settling everything before it get there. A serious victory for consumers.

Moreover, just prior to his departure, Barry successfully argued a landmark case fitting for a good send off and for a job well done. This is Case No. 87: Kimone Phillips v Courts (Bdos) Ltd. where the facts of purchase or arrangement are not in dispute since Courts agreed to give a refund. The matter in question is, “What is a refund?”

We recommend that the BU family go over and read about a landmark judgement which has been handed down by our Consumer Claims Tribunal on the Barbados Consumers Watch blog.

47 responses to “Mrs. Ram Merchandani Brought To Heel By Public Counsel Barry Carrington And The Consumer Claims Tribunal”


  1. great to see that somethings in Barbados work and are to be applauded!


  2. Thank you Barry!


  3. who is mrs. ram. what companies does she own


  4. Is that a rhetorical question; that requires no answer?


  5. Rok:

    No, I too would like the question answered. Not everyon on here lives in Bim.


  6. Mrs Ram is an Indian business woman notorious for not being exactly very nice to Bajans.


  7. Furniture Limited.

    I am not sure that it is fair to say that she is an Indian. She may well have been born in India, but she has lived in Barbados most of her adult life. She has lived and been running a store in Barbados since I was a child back in the 1960’s.

    Not of course unless Ganong believes that it is impossible to “become Bajan”


  8. It seems justice is finally being carried out in Barbados .In this case & Jippy Doyle case.I remember the allegations that Mrs Ram of Furniture Limited subjected her workers to some of the worst possible treatment imaginable.I hope we also remember the Dead Chicken Affair,The Opelika Garment Factory issue with strike and the condemnation of Furniture Limited by the Fire Service and Dr Don Blackman the then Minister of Health in a BLP administration.Nothing substantive came out of those issues.
    I remember the late Dr Rameses Caddle saying that Mrs Ram rushed into his office when he became Minister of Tourism in a Errol Barrow cabinet and proceeded to give him all types of gifts.He indicated to her that is not his way of doing business and subsequently put Mrs Ram in her place.
    Justice for Barbadians is long overdue from Mrs Ram.She was allowed to do too much nonsense in Barbados for a very long time.
    The next issue to deal with is the blocking of traffic on Bay Street by her business there.
    It amazes me that after the apparent not so nice treatment from the business places owned by Mrs Ram when still have many Barbadians shopping at her businesses.When will we learn.


  9. Mrs.Ram because of her legal background and her ability to cement relationships in the political and business arena has become very good at exploiting the system in Barbados. We say all the power to her because ultimately she is not to blame.


  10. Unfortunately, too many people in Barbados are able to succeed through underhanded means, including bribery, influence peddling, clan associations etc…

    ..people who can blatantly break the law without consequences because critical ‘officials’ fail to take action (for all kinds of technical and administrative reasons)…. because court cases can be made to disappear…. because matters can be hidden by the press (before the blogs came…) etc

    …How can fire safety regulations be so blatantly disregarded for so long without official action?

    …how can the unions allow behaviors in one organisation while striking and frustrating management of others for seemingly petty matters?

    …how does the ministry of transport and the Police allow commercial activity on the road in Bay street while other business places are not even allowed waiting nearby?

    Failure to derive answers to such questions- that can be shared with the public, should AUTOMATICALLY result in the head of those responsible organisations (Police Force, Fire Service, CTO etc) being relieved of duties and replaced by persons who can perform the needed roles….

    Everything depends on the attitude and ACTIONS of the man at the top, and while I hope that PM Thompson will continue to ‘Walk softly…’ I hope that we can soon see some swinging of that big stick….


  11. I am pleased to see that Barry Carrington was able to make some headway. It is good for the consumers and I would hope that they(consumers) will take advantage of the avenues opened to them and not let businesses run roughshod over them. Mrs. Ram Merchandi is one of those businesses who over the years unfaired employees and consumers alike, and yet people still continue to patronise her businesses. Don’t we have any pride???


  12. The Businesseses I could identify as being owned by Mrs. Ram that came before the Consumer Claims Tribunal are:
    Furniture Ltd.
    Handyman’s Hardware
    Builders Value Mart
    Liquidation Centre

    Of course this is probably not the extent of the businesses she and her husband owns.


  13. It would appear, from reading the above, that the woman is an octopus with a tentacle reaching every regulatory body in Bim. She seems to operate as she pleases, above/outside the law to boot.


  14. I am a well known businessman.

    Whenever, I hear stories about people being ripped off I always want to know all the sides: Their side; my side and the truth.

    From time to time I have to deal with some dishonest fellow Barbadians who would allow bigger firms to do what they want without a word. But when it comes to the smaller player – they want to unfairly extract blood.

    It is good to see that Barbadians are breaking out of the shell and going after the big ones.

    Mrs. Ram has driven fear in the hearts of many a Bajan over the years due to her money and political clout.
    It is good to see that some equilibrium is coming about.

    What about the parking on Bay St? The former Administration turned a blind eye. Will she still be allowed to park while others can’t?

  15. Would appreciate your comments Avatar
    Would appreciate your comments

    This topic is of current interest to me because of my recent experience.

    I am not trying to solicit sypathy (or even anger). I would like an honest legal opinion.

    I recently ordered a car part from a certain Establihment. It had to be ordered via courier as they did not have it in stock but told me they could get it.
    Because the part had to be couriered, it cost times the amount of the normal price.

    The part arrived, but it was incorrect.

    I went to the dealer and asked for a refund as the part was of no benefit to me.
    My request was turned down. I was told that I could not get a refund; that I ordered the part and it was not their fault that the wrong one came.

    Please adivise.

    Out of pocket


  16. I am not a lawyer so I will not offer a legal advice. But it would seem to me that even though it is not their fault that the wrong part arrived, that it is their ESPONSIBILITY and that they should work with their overseas dealer for a return or refund and as that even as they wait for their own refund that they should refund you. That would be good customer service. I take it that you will no longer do business with that company.

  17. Would appreciate your comments Avatar
    Would appreciate your comments

    Dear J,

    Thanks for the comments.

    You are correct that I would no longer do business witht the company. But the truth is, that I feel abused and taken advantage of. To me it is more than just loosing money.
    How many more “silent” Barbadians are there out there who have been unfaired but just take it cooly?


  18. Hi:
    This is the exact type of dis-service that we are trying to highlight and get the consumers to understand that there is some place for them to turn , before going to court on their own.

    “Would appreciate comment” needs to contact ‘Public Counsel” like yesterday and get the action going.


  19. WAC,

    Whose fault was it that the wrong part was ordered?


  20. @Would appreciate your comments…

    I Am Not A Lawyer (IANAL). I don’t even play one on TV…

    But my understanding of the Law is that if *you* ordered the incorrect part, then you would have to absorb the expense. (Or, at best case, you would face a “restocking” fee.)

    If, on the other hand, *you* ordered the correct part from the *Dealer*, but then the *Dealer* ordered the wrong part, or the Supplier delivered the wrong part, then the Dealer or Supplier takes the expense.

    The “test” would come down to what paperwork documenting the order is available. “He said”, “she said” (read: no paperwork) then it gets grey…

  21. Would appreciate your comments Avatar
    Would appreciate your comments

    BCW, et al

    I really can’t say that I ordered the wrong part as I gave the model no. and year of the car. I was assured that I would get the part.

    I really can’t take this sitting down. Consumers in this country are treated with disdain, disrespect abd outright contempt.

    Someone needs to take up the mantle.

    Thanks,


  22. Mr Carrington, my very close friend, has been doing an excellent job and I applaud him on a job weel done. Ms Ram has had all the top administrators in her hands. Her trucks block the road in lower bay st. and the police seem powerless to do anything. Let’s not forget the cases between her and RPB and GABBY with the issue of the songs on dead chickens. What goes around comes aroiund. It had to happen some day. I’ve heard so many stories about her and consumers, I wonder why people still shop there or even work there.


  23. So are you saying WAYC that the part was ordered by the supplier? Did they diagnose the problem and recommend the part? There is a case resembling yours on the Consumer claims Tribunal website, Case #86, Clarke v Carisma Performance Inc.

  24. Would appreciate your comments Avatar
    Would appreciate your comments

    Juris,

    The retailer (if that is what you mean by supplier) did not diagnose the problem and recommend the part. I ordered a specific part, but the wrong one came.


  25. This Ram sheep used to give the DLP government of Errol Barrow real trouble. Now in the year 0 she’s on CBC 100.7 radio every Saturday morning claiming she is a Christian and no longer a Hindu.


  26. Sorry for the tardy reply, WAYC, but I only just came online. If you ordered a specific part, then it is not the retailer’s responsibility to reimburse you. You got exactly what you ordered.

  27. Would appreciate your comments Avatar
    Would appreciate your comments

    Juris,
    Thanks for your comments.

    Don’t really understand when you said that I got what I ordered. Could you explain?
    My contention is that I did not get what I ordered. I got the wrong part.


  28. Yes, WAYC, you got the wrong part because you ordered the wrong part…through the fault of no one else. That’s what I mean by you got what you ordered. You needed peas, but you ordered beans and got beans. There is therefore no failure by anyone to comply with a consumer guarantee.

  29. Would appreciate your comments Avatar
    Would appreciate your comments

    Juris,

    I am glad you made the analogy above with peas and beans. I will stick with it.
    I ordered black eye peas but split peas came.

    Don’t want to be too specific, but the part that came was the correct type of part, but not for my vehicle.
    For example if I ordered a headlight, a headlight came – but not the one that would be used with my car.

    Juris, advice would be appreciated.


  30. So WAYC,
    ..you go into a shop and ask for a pork cutter with pepper sauce and a large mauby.

    The shop keeper brings you a pork cutter with pepper sauce and a large mauby, but after seeing the order, you realize that what you REALLY needed was a HAM cutter and a small coke?

    ..you still need advice?

  31. would appreciate your comennts Avatar
    would appreciate your comennts

    Bush Tea
    No, I was given something other than the pork cutter, pepper sauce and large mauby. I was given a Ham cutter and small coke – which I did not order. (Do you like pork cutters, with pepper sauce and coke?)


  32. So WAYC you did not get what you ordered. That was not so clear before. If you can establish this, then you are entitled to your money back, but the Public Counsel may not be able to handle this since there was no contravention of the consumer laws but a simple breach of contract for which you might have to go to court. But do give Public Counsel a buzz and seek his further advice.


  33. Of course, WAYC, the situation would be a consumer act problem if you told the retailer the part was for a Fiat and he ordered one for a Datsun. Then he would have supplied goods that are not fit for the purpose you made known to him. That’s a contravention of the Act…but give Public Counsel a call.

  34. Would appreciate your comments Avatar
    Would appreciate your comments

    Juris,
    Thanks for the sentiments and advice.


  35. If this is a part that the Company is agent for the vehicles, wouldn’t it be sensible for the company to refund and sell the part to another client when needed? The goal is to keep the client happy so that they would not move to another dealer to do business e.g purchase another vehicle.


  36. I agree with you Scout. The problem is that there unfair business people out there who also suffer with tunnel vision and are not forward looking.


  37. Yes Scout
    Thanks for your comment. I hope you are not playing Stabby The Guard and trying to impersonate me THE SCOUT. While I welcome you to the blog, I would appriciate if you would find another name so that our blogs be not mistaken. Thank you in anticipation. Looking forward to hearing from you. Happy blogging.


  38. To Scout
    I am not trying to impersonate you.
    My address to you clearly shows that I agreed with your comments. However, if you want me to have a name you can call me “Yes, I agree”.


  39. Yes scout
    While we both agree on this matter, does it mean we will agree on all? If not, our comments can easily be mistaken. If you want to retain the name no problem, I would just stop blogging or change mine. I’m all for a PEACEFUL, HAPPY life.


  40. the reason why ms Ram can prosper in barbados is because she employs people that find it hard to get a job, the minute you enter her store she have staff there to take your bag. The staff then place your bag or belonging on the floor, then all of a sudden you see other staff watching you to see what you are doing. Ms Ram was operating stores from in the 60’s and got away with lots of underhand business deals like selling tv’s that would only work for three months. The government never did nothing about that because bajans shoppers dont have an active consumer complaints board, you can complain but nothing will happen. If you buy something from her store and you want to return it, forget it you cant return it or get your money back.This woman is so wicked and I know she hates black people, she treat her staff like modern day slaves.


  41. Nanci, have you tried Public Counsel? Government has done something since 2003.


  42. She have a few business…..Furniture Store, HandyMan, Liquidation, Builders Value Mart, (i think there is another store) and a hotel too Cassa Grande…..she imports stuff by the containers and a lot of stores here in Barbados buy from her and sell back. She pays the very minimum and u get no sick leaf money, no christmas bonus, the staff works hard for just over a hundred dollars a week.


  43. I was wondering if someone could tell me about the chicken song? I am aware of it but am not sure how it goes or what it means? Thanks.


  44. Handyman Hardware is on fire. This business is owned by Ms. Ram.


  45. Which one? If it is in Cheapside the Opposite one is a bigger fire trap!


  46. glad to see at last someone had the guts to stand up to ms ram, if you buy something from her store and its defective, she dont take it back, she dont care what is the price. I bought a toilet bowl, but by the next day it broke, her store people told me no way am i getting a refund or exchange. She dont pay her employees a proper wage, and she have some of them spying on consumers and co workers. Then she called her store down town Macy’s, that rat infested place, she was using and abusing consumers for years now, thanks to Barry he made her pay up something, I didnt get my money back but at least she was made to pay something.


  47. years ago I bought a tv from her, three months later it started getting really hot, like it was going to catch fire, but Ms ram got away with all this mess for a long time, i remember she had a house where she would employ maids, but she would have them live downstairs, they couldnt leave or go home for days, sometimes she would make up excuses not to pay them. She employs people that find it difficult to get a job, most of them are low educated, and would do anything to keep the job. Her staff is rude, and she also have family members watching you when you enter her store, You can buy something that looks good, but when you use it for three or four days its all ruined, people should stop buying from her, that way she would get hurt in the pocket, boycott her store, dont buy nothing, then she will have to bring down the prices.

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