Article: 60 complaints after Toyota fix

WASHINGTON – THE government said on Thursday it has received more than 60 complaints from Toyota drivers who say their cars have sped up by themselves even after being fixed to correct the problem.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it is contacting every owner to learn more about the consumer reports. The complaints, which are submitted online or through a NHTSA hot line, have not been independently verified. ‘We are determined to get to the bottom of this,’ NHTSA administrator David Strickland said in a statement.

The new complaints, while small in number compared to Toyota’s population of recalled vehicles, raise questions about whether Toyota’s repairs will prevent reports of sudden unintended acceleration or if there could be electronic causes behind the safety issues.

The world’s No. 1 automaker has recalled more than 8 million vehicles worldwide to address gas pedals that can become sticky or trapped under floor mats, prompting scrutiny from Congress and federal prosecutors over the safety of its vehicles.

NHTSA has linked 52 deaths to crashes allegedly caused by Toyota’s acceleration problems.

Toyota dealers have been installing a metal piece the size of a postage stamp and shortening gas pedals to address the problems. But the government said if the remedy provided by Toyota is not addressing the issue, NHTSA could order Toyota to provide a different solution. — AP

Source from: http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_498239.html

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Special event by Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE)

Our Money, Our Rights Carnival

Come to the Our Money, Our Rights Carnival at HDB Hub to learn how to manage your money in fun and interesting ways! Lots of interesting activities and programs lined up for everyone including information on protection of consumers rights by the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE).

Date: 13 & 14 March 2010
Time: 11am to 8pm
Venue: HDB Hub, Toa Payoh Central

Enquiry: 62365790

Article: More complaints of unfair dismissal

SINGAPORE – There was a spike in the number of complaints to the authorities about unfair dismissals last year – particularly from pregnant women and executives. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) received 56 complaints involving pregnant employees, up from 26 cases in 2008 and 16 in 2007. Twelve of last year’s cases involved pregnant executives, up from just one the year before.

Minister Gan Kim Yong attributed the increase to various factors “including greater awareness of maternity protection” after the heightened publicity and enhancement of maternity leave benefits.

In all, 149 complaints of unfair dismissal were lodged, up from 101 the previous year and 118 in 2007, Mr Gan revealed in a written response to a question from Member of Parliament Lee Bee Wah.

Under the Employment Act, employees who feel they have been unfairly dismissed can appeal to MOM. Most cases were mediated and “amicably resolved”, sometimes with a settlement payment, said Mr Gan. But 3 per cent of cases were found to be dismissals without just cause, and the companies had to compensate the employee.

As for executives, those dismissed on grounds related to pregnancy can appeal to MOM. For non-pregnancy related disputes, the Ministry provides mediation; about 270 executives seek its help each year.

“Close to half of such disputes were resolved amicably. The rest of the cases were withdrawn, or the employee sought settlement with their employer directly or through the civil courts, after consultation with the Ministry,” said Mr Gan.

With the executive ranks in the workforce swelling, MOM recently announced plans for a dispute resolution process to help junior- and mid-level professionals, managers and executives resolve common employment tiffs.

Source from: http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC100224-0000069/More-complaints-of-unfair-dismissal

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Article: Why do some people complain about everything?

Some people are naturally positive and optimistic, whereas others tend to see the world in a more negative light and always think the glass is half-empty. Therefore, it is only natural that some people tend to complain more than others do. However, complaining is not always related to how pessimistic or unhappy a person is. Most of us have things we complain about, yet there are some people that seem to complain about everything.

Just because someone complains a lot, does not necessarily mean they are unhappy. Obviously, there is some connection between what happens in someone’s life and the things that they complain about. When a lot of bad events occur, one is more likely to complain than when everything is rosy. Some people though, seem to complain a lot regardless of life’s circumstances. We all know of people who are always complaining and never seem to stop.

There are different reasons why people complain. For some people, complaining comes forth out of a true sense of unhappiness. They are unhappy about themselves or about their lives and they express this by complaining to others about their bad fortune. When people are that unhappy it does not really matter what happens in their lives, because they will always find something to complain about. They need to complain, because for them it is a way of coping with their unhappiness that they have learned is effective.

This is different to the every day complaining most people do. We all complain sometimes, about little things that happen to us, like being stuck in a traffic jam or being turned down for a job. However, because most of us are not truly unhappy we do not have the need to complain all the time. When no bad events take place in our lives, we simply cease to complain. This is not the case with so-called compulsive complainers.

People do not only complain incessantly because they are unhappy, for some complainers it is more of a bad habit that they have picked up. These are the kind of people who either just need to complain for no good reason, or they are so used to complaining all the time that they do not even notice that they are doing it. You can recognize them by their casual way of complaining. They might walk into your house and mention that traffic was a nightmare, the weather sucks, they are not feeling too well and that something in your house smells funny.

A final reason why some people complain a lot is because it makes them feel better. These people are not necessarily unhappy people, but by complaining about every little thing that bothers them, they actually feel better. In other words, they burden other people with all their problems and worries, making those people feel bad, while they in turn end up feeling great. There is nothing wrong with complaining, we all need to do it now and again, but the trick is to not over do it. The last thing you want is to end up being known as one of those people who complains about everything.

Author: Bridget N. Watts. An assistant professor in psychology, as well as a writer.
Source from: http://www.helium.com/items/952751-why-do-some-people-complain-about-everything

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Complains to Tiger Airways

Hi,
During Oct 2009, I made a complain to Tiger Airways. What happen was, I was late for the 1 hour check in time. I apologised to the staffs profusely and hope that they will arrange another flight for me. I am willing to pay any extra cost. However, instead of providing me with the necessary information I need, the staff was rude and told us it was our fault to be late. I was shocked. As the flight was important to us, I decided not to quarrel with her but asked for alternatives. Without any reply, she pointed us to the direction of Firefly Airways.
I was extremely unhappy with their service so i decided to drop them a letter to complain. In the letter, I stated that, I understand the early check in timing but the problem is, the type of services I received was inappropriate. However, instead of showing apologetic, they mentioned in the reply letter that I was late and did not say anything about their services! Feeling so work up, I replied them again stressing that it was the service quality of your staffs. I waited and waited, no reply from them!!!
They give me the impression that, since their management deals with complains in such manner, their staffs is the same. I understand that the equation between the money you spent and services you get. However, providing most basic assistance to your customers is a basic courtesy.

– Anonymous

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Introduction

Always feel that your complains are unheard? Feel alone? Thinking that someone else might faced the same type of services as you? Or even after complaining to the relevant people, no reply to your complain?

Welcome to Complains Everywhere! YOU COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE! Please feel free to post any complains that you faced. Through your complains, we hope to:

1) Form a centralised portal to bring people with the same complains/feelings together
2) Let the community learn from each other at a one stop location
3) Giving the community a reference while making their choices at a one stop location
4) Or just… having someone to hear your voices!

Drop us your complains at complainseverywhere@gmail.com and we will review them to ensure that there are no violation against the terms and conditions of complaineverywhere.wordpress.com. For more information, please refer to our terms and conditions. After which, your complains will be posted on to the blog for the community to share and comments.

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