KEY POINTS:
Thinking of going for compensation for delayed flights? Here's a yarn from Lisa's OE experience. "My flight from Shannon was cancelled at 11pm. I was offered a replacement, but departing from Cork at 6am the next day. When I asked how I was supposed to get to Cork, the airline told me it was my problem. Stranded, I had no choice but to rebook on another airline, pay a new fare and then to try to claim compensation. After 67 letters, faxes, emails and phone calls over five months, I lost my temper and told the customer service monkey I would take them to the small claims court if someone didn't respond. His reply? "Go on, I dare you." So I did, and claimed for every penny I spent on phone calls, postage and my usual employment hourly rate for holding on the end of the phone being charged at 10p a minute. I got back $1300 on a $90 flight, so it was worth it. Easyjet my (beep). I've just booked a flight on Air New Zealand, but if they're brave enough to bump me, I'll get compensation, no worries."
* * *
A jury has awarded Michael Sabo, 57, of Flushing, Michigan, US$122,400 ($175,000) for a cat bite on his hand. Sabo's fingers swelled so much they looked like "plump hot dogs", his lawyer said, and the infection put him in hospital for three weeks. He had to pay thousands of dollars in medical bills. Sabo's sister, and the cat's owner, Jean Toney, had warned people not to pick up Randy because he had bitten people before, but the newspaper said the cat leapt into Sabo's lap.
* * *
On the matter of a US$275 ($400) Armani T-shirt: "Value is not only quality, function, utility, channel of distribution," explains Arnold Aronson, managing director of retail strategies for Kurt Salmon Associates and former chief executive officer of Sax Fifth Avenue. "Part of that value is a customer's appreciation for the luxury connotations of that item or that lifestyle or the brand or designer who has developed over years a certain cachet."
* * *
Bryn Nealie reckons NewZealandTravel-Info.com should update its information on Auckland: "One of the suggested activities is to watch the rugby league at Carlaw Park. And it says 'The Cook Street market bustles with shoppers on Friday from 9am to 9pm ...' There is also news that a large Regent International hotel is due to open in early 1985 at Albert and Swanson Streets."
