Bad Experience with Orient Photo
- Thread starter zola70
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FilterFunk
Senior Member
IMO, i think there is abit of misunderstanding here.
1stly, i think the shop personnel did not specify that the price quoted is supposed to be made in cash.
2ndly, i believe some bro here mentioned about paying in cash..
- 1 example here: http://forum.clubsnap.org/showpost.php?p=2950671&postcount=44
3rdly, yes, NETS is charging more for the shops that offers NETS payment, think it was reported a few months back IIRC..
1stly, i think the shop personnel did not specify that the price quoted is supposed to be made in cash.
2ndly, i believe some bro here mentioned about paying in cash..
- 1 example here: http://forum.clubsnap.org/showpost.php?p=2950671&postcount=44
3rdly, yes, NETS is charging more for the shops that offers NETS payment, think it was reported a few months back IIRC..
Canew
Senior Member
Both these modes of payment are pre-paid. (have to top-up the card prior to the transaction)
Canew
Senior Member
hahaha ... 
ezlink is also by NETS (iirc)
funny ... this is what happens when everything is run by government sanctioned monopolies ... no choice 
if there was more then one alternative to NETS (or multiple vendors) if one put their costs up merchants could jump ship to another vendor ...
same as your government .. raise the gst .. who to stop them?? no opersition to threaten their position.... yet everyone complains .. but no-one is willing to step up and become a real opersition.
nevermind one ... 
sorry i am a young expat that worked in SG for 2.5 years. Until a large group of singaporeans willing to stick to their convictions step up nothigns going to change and a lot more complaining is going to happen.
Seriously though, it's actually against NETS and the credit card policies for there to be a mark-up when paying. Technically, every time a Sim Lim shop tries to charge extra, they're breaking the T&C and can lose the rights to charge purchases to NETS or credit cards. It's consumer rights...
The CC companies are well aware of this practice in Sim Lim but they don't enforce the T&C because businesses there account for a big chunk of profit (based on the 2-3% transaction fee.) Profit margin for most items eg hard drives, memory products are usually razor thin due to cutthroat competition, it is not uncommon for shops to earn $1-2 on a $200 item... so how to 'absorb' the CC charge of 2-3%?
grantyale
Senior Member
I think it's more a matter of convenience than integrity on the shop's side.
The fact that few can further push down the prices means either lack of competition or less-than-average profit margin. In a transparent market like camera gears, the latter seems to be the better explanation. I tend to believe that the shop's need to differentiate between cash and NETS is genuine, as it is exactly how such small shops operate in bigger cities in China, where there's slight over-competition.
I do think it's for the shop's benefit to clarify this point when giving quotations, but I can't fully appreciate the TS's action after discovering such inconvenience.
The fact that few can further push down the prices means either lack of competition or less-than-average profit margin. In a transparent market like camera gears, the latter seems to be the better explanation. I tend to believe that the shop's need to differentiate between cash and NETS is genuine, as it is exactly how such small shops operate in bigger cities in China, where there's slight over-competition.
I do think it's for the shop's benefit to clarify this point when giving quotations, but I can't fully appreciate the TS's action after discovering such inconvenience.
the mac 13
Senior Member
TS has a point.
But paying in cash has it advantages. Ask them for a cash price, they will give you another price.
But OP would learn their lesson when the ATM run out of money. :sticktong
But paying in cash has it advantages. Ask them for a cash price, they will give you another price.
But OP would learn their lesson when the ATM run out of money. :sticktong
EZ-Link is a subsidiary of LTA. CashCard is by NETS. But what the heck, all Left Pocket to Right Pocket at the end of the day, consumers are the eventual suckers.
All I can say is Singaporeans deserve every bit of this gov and vice versa. THEY decided at the ballot box that they want to pay and pay.
A very minor transactional incident...but sometimes given the circumstances, state of mind and other factors can become a major irritant no doubt. Am sure that OP did not mean to "cheat" zola...but maybe it could have been managed better by them.
Sure there is a charge on NETS too...that is 100% confirmed even by others in this thread. I have been often told in SLS of the same...but no choice there really...the credit card charge is v high...the NETS charge is at least more affordable...or alternately then Cash which is v inconvenient as all say.
BTW, in my email quotes from OP it is mentioned by them clearly how much extra for GST, how much with Cash payment etc so am surprised this happened...a slip perhaps on their salesman's end...
Sure there is a charge on NETS too...that is 100% confirmed even by others in this thread. I have been often told in SLS of the same...but no choice there really...the credit card charge is v high...the NETS charge is at least more affordable...or alternately then Cash which is v inconvenient as all say.
BTW, in my email quotes from OP it is mentioned by them clearly how much extra for GST, how much with Cash payment etc so am surprised this happened...a slip perhaps on their salesman's end...
TS is making a mountain out of a molehill.
Understand that businesses need every bit to survive and every bit counts for them. If it helps them save a bit more why not just walk over to the nearest atm to withdraw then pass to them?
I'm sure this makes everyone happier. Seriously.
You get your products at slightly cheaper price. Retailers save 0.55%(as stated earlier, though I rmbr someone telling me its more).
and ultimately, this wont leave you with a bitter aftertaste as you would feel you have done a good deed and you got your toy to play with! The salesperson would also be happy.
Why make two parties angry when both, could actually have a happy ending?
Understand that businesses need every bit to survive and every bit counts for them. If it helps them save a bit more why not just walk over to the nearest atm to withdraw then pass to them?
I'm sure this makes everyone happier. Seriously.
You get your products at slightly cheaper price. Retailers save 0.55%(as stated earlier, though I rmbr someone telling me its more).
and ultimately, this wont leave you with a bitter aftertaste as you would feel you have done a good deed and you got your toy to play with! The salesperson would also be happy.
Why make two parties angry when both, could actually have a happy ending?
I know of people that will spend hours walking round and round, search and ask just to save merely that dollar or two or just to get the best best deal.
While some shop operators will try to satisfy the consumers, maybe consumers should try to meet the shop terms or conditons(cashs, nets or cc payment) as well if you think the deal is worth it.
While some shop operators will try to satisfy the consumers, maybe consumers should try to meet the shop terms or conditons(cashs, nets or cc payment) as well if you think the deal is worth it.
Yo bro, not sure wat's e problem here actually.
OP actually states before u pay that e charge is for e NETS transaction. I kena tat wen i wanted to get my flash. I have e option of paying the 1% or 3% for either NETS or credit. He told me there's a ATM on e ground floor.
Most shops choose to absord the NETS transaction fee. N OP as far as i noe, they'l charge it if it's above a certain value. Not sure wat's e value actually is, cant remember wat he told me.
Wat's the bad experience here i still cannot understand. Just go down to e ground floor n draw tat money. It's NETS btw, meaning u have cash in ur acct, unlike credit where u might not have tat amt currently. Are u telling me ur time was too precious to take tat 5 min to draw e money? If tat's e case i'l rest my case.
Either way, i'm not sure if it's OP who's lost 1 customer or u losing a great deal. Cuz fm wat u post, dont tink many people will actually agree to u wat u've experience as something bad or even traumatic.
Peace out!!
OP actually states before u pay that e charge is for e NETS transaction. I kena tat wen i wanted to get my flash. I have e option of paying the 1% or 3% for either NETS or credit. He told me there's a ATM on e ground floor.
Most shops choose to absord the NETS transaction fee. N OP as far as i noe, they'l charge it if it's above a certain value. Not sure wat's e value actually is, cant remember wat he told me.
Wat's the bad experience here i still cannot understand. Just go down to e ground floor n draw tat money. It's NETS btw, meaning u have cash in ur acct, unlike credit where u might not have tat amt currently. Are u telling me ur time was too precious to take tat 5 min to draw e money? If tat's e case i'l rest my case.
Either way, i'm not sure if it's OP who's lost 1 customer or u losing a great deal. Cuz fm wat u post, dont tink many people will actually agree to u wat u've experience as something bad or even traumatic.
Peace out!!
Hahaha ...well said AdyH!! :thumbsup:
I notice that many forummers (in other threads) are more than willing to really flame this new shop that is actually offering such good service. What's the deal mates...can't stand to see your "popular & fav" shops suffer & languish coz this newbie shop is trying to make it happen by offering their best services & great prices!?!?? Why are so many people willing to flame OP at the drop of a hat!??!? :angry:
I actually know zola so I would say he is not in this category of random flamers...surely he felt a bad taste which as many say is subjective...not a big deal at all to many but maybe zola thought otherwise...let's give him that. But no reason to dis OP...great service (so rare with other cam shops) must in fact be rewarded by added patronage!
Cheers.
I notice that many forummers (in other threads) are more than willing to really flame this new shop that is actually offering such good service. What's the deal mates...can't stand to see your "popular & fav" shops suffer & languish coz this newbie shop is trying to make it happen by offering their best services & great prices!?!?? Why are so many people willing to flame OP at the drop of a hat!??!? :angry:
I actually know zola so I would say he is not in this category of random flamers...surely he felt a bad taste which as many say is subjective...not a big deal at all to many but maybe zola thought otherwise...let's give him that. But no reason to dis OP...great service (so rare with other cam shops) must in fact be rewarded by added patronage!
Cheers.
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