—
Whatever it is, when in Singapore, watch out for the hidden charges!
And the hidden ingredients!
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6 January 2016
Yet another parking fee shocker: At $3513.50, this one takes the cake
Yet another parking fee shocker: At $3513.50, this one takes the cake http://goo.gl/5mCDco
…
Stomper Viceroy was stunned after he found out that he had to pay $3513.50 for apparently 3 hours and 14 minutes of parking at Bukit Batok Industrial Park.
He just had breakfast with his wife and was leaving when the incident happened.
In an email to Stomp, he said:
“Happened on my first day of work.
…
“It showed that I parked for 3 hours and 14 minutes and worst still, the total cost was $3513.50.
“I could not exit untill the security guard came.
“When he came, we both laughed together and eventually he opened the barrier to let me pass.”
—
5 January 2016
Parking fee shocker at Jurong East: A whopping $116 for 1 hour
…
Stomper 61yroldman ended his 2015 with a total shock — after discovering that his parking fee was a whopping $116 at a carpark in Jurong East Street 24 on Jan 2.
According to him, this happened when he was about to drive out from the carpark after an hour of lunch.
…
…I was so surprised by the amount that it caused a jam in the carpark for about 20 minutes.
“People at the back started to honk, causing me to panic and almost collapse on the spot.
“Then, I called the intercom up and said how the glitch was ridiculous and I had only parked for an hour.
“It took them 15 minutes to open the gantry and then all the drivers at the back asked me what had happened.
—
They felt that the bill was too unreasonable and refused to pay, so a fight started!
4 injured, 7 arrested after dispute over $120 bill outside Yishun restaurant
…
AsiaOne
Jan 04, 2015
A fight at Block 261 Yishun Street 22 on Sunday (Jan 4) night resulted in four people getting injured and seven people arrested.
Shin Min Daily News reported that the brawl, which occurred at about 10pm, happened over a $120 restaurant bill dispute.
The owner, employees of the restaurant and a group of diners got into a fight after the diners were unwilling to pay the bill, citing that it was too expensive.
A 25-year-old eyewitness said: “They threw chairs and even used beer bottles in the fight. After that, they ran to a nearby bicycle area below another housing block about 50 metres away and continued to fight.”
The fight lasted for about 10 minutes and only came to a stop after many of them were bleeding.
The police and ambulance arrived shortly after.
—
Customer refuses to pay bill, fight breaks out with restaurant staff http://ebx.sh/1Z3Bi2O
By TAN TAM MEI
She had been folding napkins at the coffee shop when she happened to glance across the road. What she saw shocked her.
A group of about five men were gesturing violently and shoving one other outside the restaurant on the first storey of the HDB block across the street.
The 30-year old waitress, who wanted to be known only as Ms Weng, said the fight escalated when one of the men picked up a plastic chair to hit another.
The brawl took place on Sunday night outside Yun Wei Restaurant at Block 261, Yishun Street 22.
…
Shin Min Daily News reported that the brawl broke out between four customers and three restaurant staff, one of whom is the owner of the eatery.
One restaurant worker who declined to be named said the customers had refused to pay their bill of $120.
A witness, who gave his name as Mr Tan, told Shin Min Daily News that he was alarmed when he saw the men use bottles and chairs to hit one other.
…
Seven people were arrested in relation to the case, four of whom were taken conscious to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH).
—
2 January 2016
Did you think it would be less expensive at Woodlands?
WRONG!
$97 for 2 plates of hor fun! What did they put in it? Gold dust?
Manager: The dish contains expensive ingredients such as sea cucumber, baby abalone, abalone slices and scallops, said the manager. However when contacted, Madam Huang said there were no scallops in the dish.
…
Family shocked when dinner bill at Sungei Kadut restaurant totals $731 — including $97 for 2 plates of hor fun
…
SoShiok
29 December 2015
A woman ordered two plates of hor fun at a zi char restaurant, only to be charged a jaw-dropping $97.60 for the two dishes.
According to a report in Shin Min Daily News, the 49-year-old customer patronised the restaurant located around the industrial estate of Sungei Kadut at Woodlands.
The customer, Madam Huang, was there with a large group of about 20 family members for dinner. They ordered hor fun, steamed fish, pork ribs, crispy chicken, cereal prawns, among other dishes.
The total bill came up to $731.30, but the cost of the two plates of “special hor fun” left Madam Huang aghast.
Speaking to the Chinese evening daily, Madam Huang said the dish was not listed on the menu, but she ordered two plates “to try” upon the staff’s recommendation, thinking they would cost $25 at most.
She added that although each portion was supposed to be ‘large’, the dishes could only feed about 10 people.
Madam Huang was disappointed that staff did not explain the prices before recommending the dish, saying it would be “the first and last time” she patronised the restaurant.
“If it were a high-end restaurant, I can understand, but this is an eatery in an industrial estate after all,” said Madam Huang.
She also complained that the plate of pork ribs that she ordered cost $62, but only contained 10 to 12 pieces of meat.
When contacted by Shin Min Daily News, the manager of the restaurant said the menu had recently undergone a revamp, and there was a new head chef in charge.
But the hor fun, which is their signature dish, is still available although it is not listed on the menu.
—
THE END OF THE YEAR SCHOOL HOLIDAYS ARE HERE!
Making plans to visit Singapore with your family? Watch the food prices at hawker centres! And look carefully at the food that arrives BEFORE you eat it!
13 December 2015
EEEW!!! Yikes!!!
Diner crept out by ‘spongy, worm-like growth’ in crabs from restaurant at Turf Club Road http://bit.ly/1Y6vNQj
…
Stomper Goh and his family found these strange, black and worm-like growths in their Sri Lankan crab dish, which even restaurant staff could not identify.
The incident took place on Dec 12, at a restaurant at The Grandstand along Turf Club Road.
Said the Stomper:
“My family and I went to the TungLok XiHe restaurant at The Grandstand to eat dinner on December 12, and we ordered Sri Lankan Crab with glass noodles.
“We found these black, worm like growths on the shell and cartilage of the crab. These growths have a sponge-like texture and were soft to the touch.”
…
Goh added that the restaurant later waived off the cost of the crab dish from their total bill.
—
More hawker stall owners charging above norm: CASE survey
Which dishes are hawkers charging above the norm for? http://bit.ly/1RhB8N8
…
A survey conducted this year found while there has been no change to the modal price – the fee most commonly charged – of the 5 dishes surveyed (chicken briyani, chicken rice, fishball noodles, mixed vegetables rice, roti prata), the number of stall holders charging consumers more has increased.
- POSTED: 30 Oct 2015 12:09
SINGAPORE: More stall holders are charging higher prices for five popular hawker dishes, according to a survey by local consumer watchdog Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE).
A survey conducted this year between Jul 16 and Aug 5 at hawker centres, markets, food centres, coffeeshops, food courts and eateries showed that while there is no change in the price most commonly charged – or the mode price – of the five dishes surveyed in 2014 and 2015, the number of stall holders charging consumers more has increased.
The five food items surveyed were chicken nasi briyani, chicken rice, fishball noodles, mixed vegetable rice (with two vegetable dishes and a meat dish), as well as two roti pratas, CASE said in a media release on Friday (Oct 30).
…
About 1 in 6 food stalls in Singapore are failing to display food prices prominently, according to the survey.
…
CASE added that takeaway charges for the food items surveyed ranged from S$0.10 to S$0.50, depending on the type of container used.
“We encourage consumers to always ask for the price of the food item and the take-away charges (if any) before ordering,” it said.
– CNA/dl
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/more-hawker-stall-owners/2227466.html?cid=twtcna
—
21 September 2015
What if you went shopping and saw this Angry Bird dress?
WOULD YOU BUY IT FOR YOURSELF or your kid!
How did this happen? Angry Birds dress sold at Woodlands has ‘f-word’ printed on it http://goo.gl/nXaLue
It’s being sold at the old Woodlands area close to Woodlands Checkpoint, in a shop selling children clothes.
—
WHAT IF THE PLACE HAS A MENU WITH NO PRICES?
The boss even stated that they have never had menus with prices. Now, if this place were in Malaysia…
You won’t believe how much 3 porkchop rice and 1 steamed pork at coffeeshop cost a woman http://bit.ly/1BVDiKb
Woman receives $42 bill shocker for 3 porkchop rice and 1 steamed pork at coffeeshop in Yong Siak St
The woman’s post on facebook quickly went viral, and some even responded by highlighting their own bad experiences at the same coffeeshop.
…
iamboring Though expensive, the duck soup was damn good. It’s #YongSiakStreet what do you expect? #foodsg http://www.allsingaporestuff.com/article/woman-shocked-42-bill-porkchop-meal-yong-siak-st-coffeeshop …
http://www.allsingaporestuff.com/article/woman-shocked-42-bill-porkchop-meal-yong-siak-st-coffeeshop
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See what you can buy at Causeway Point in Singapore?
Causeway Point is a shopping mall in Woodlands in the north of Singapore.
…
Pants with four-letter word printed on them sold in children’s section at Causeway Point http://bit.ly/1PPe5gf
…—
The caterer was so ‘generous’ with the meat but how could he eat anything when he saw it?
One worker completely lost his appetite after finding this ENTIRE DEAD BIRD in his curry http://goo.gl/95N04d
A worker was eating his curry for dinner yesterday (May 22) when he discovered something truly revolting in it — an entire dead bird.
Stomper Amy sent in this photo to Stomp, which her worker had shared with her.
According to her, it was from a caterer which the dormitory at Boundary Close had ordered from.
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EVEN SINGAPOREANS, EARNING S$, CONSIDER THIS OUTRAGEOUS!
Food court employee’s epic reply when Stomper asked why his meal cost $9.20 http://bit.ly/1LVGu26
Stomper Rafee feels that the $9.20 he paid for his meal at Eastpoint Mall’s food court is “unreasonable”.
His meal consisted of rice, a slice of egg, meat and fish.
Rafee said that when he asked a stall assistant about the pricing, he was told that “rental is expensive”.
—
Now you know which place to avoid when you’re eating out in Singapore…
Customers staying away from Marina Square eateries after rat incident http://str.sg/4dp
Marina Square eateries say the rodents may not be entirely to blame for the fall in traffic, as business usually dips before Chinese New Year, with shoppers heading to Chinatown instead. Still, news that the National Environment Agency recently found signs of rodents at the mall has further shaken shoppers. — ST PHOTO: DANIEL NEO..
Business at some eateries at Marina Square has fallen by 30 per cent to 50 per cent after a dead rat was found in a dish of salted vegetables at a hotpot restaurant there earlier this month.
At The Corner Place Korean BBQ, on the fourth floor next to Hotpot Culture, the eatery in hot water for the rodent incident, takings have dropped by 30 per cent.
“Customers would ask if we’re related to Hotpot Culture,” said its part-time manager Alvin Goh, 27. “There has not been much of a crowd on this whole level.”
…
Eateries on other levels have not been spared either.
The manager of a restaurant on the second floor said takings have fallen by half, with just a handful of its 48 tables filled at lunchtime yesterday.
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REMEMBER THIS? That was ONE restaurant in MARINA SQUARE. It seems that many of the food shops in MARINA SQUARE were overrun by rats!
Rat activity found in false ceilings of 14 Marina Square foodshops
RATS, SPOTTED: 14 foodshops, foodstalls at Marina Square had rodent activity, says @NEAsg http://cna.asia/1tif4ee
…NEA said “enforcement action will be taken against one foodshop found with rodent droppings, and another two food premises which were found to be dirty”. It has warned foodshops to ensure proper housekeeping, food storage and waste management, and issued an advisory letter on pest control measures to all other foodshop operators.
The Marina Square shopping mall management has also intensified its pest control treatment for the building and has requested its tenants to submit pest control reports for monitoring, NEA said. Also, the mall’s false ceilings have been sealed to prevent rodents from entering the premises.
…
This is not the first time Marina Square has had a rat problem. Last October, NEA inspections found 12 foodshops with evidence of rodent activities and four food premises with foodscraps on the floor. Action was taken against them, and there had been no other rat sightings until the Hotpot Culture incident.
– CNA/ly
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/rat-activity-found-in/1616890.html
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DOES IT COST YOU ANYTHING TO ASK THE PRICE? She didn’t ask the price, so she had to pay what they asked for afterwards.
‘CHEATED’ IN JOHOR BARU! Of course, it has to be a nasi kandar place. 🙂
Worth it or not? Woman charged RM24 for yellow rice with only 1 prawn at JB hawker centre http://bit.ly/1xSWd9L
Stomper Yang felt upset after a stall in Johor Bahru charged her RM24,20 for a packet of yellow rice with only one prawn and some ikan bilis.
Her whole meal — which included a drink — amounted to RM26.20 (around S$9.80) at the stall, which is located near the Causeway.
When she asked a stall assistant about the steep price, she was told that it was the ‘normal rate’.
—
WHEN I SHOWED THIS PHOTO TO SOMEONE, SHE STOPPED EATING HER DINNER..
Can’t say I blame her.
Yes, that’s a RAT!
…
Hotpot Culture suspended by NEA after rat carcass found in its dish http://str.sg/ZrT
SINGAPORE – Chinese restaurant Hotpot Culture was suspended by the authorities after pictures of a rat carcass in a dish surfaced online.
National Environment Agency (NEA) officers were inspecting the restaurant at Marina Square after reports were made against the restaurant by one of its customers, Ms Caron Chan.
Ms Chan and her colleagues went to Hotpot Culture’s porridge buffet at Marina Square on Friday afternoon for lunch.
Instead, she found a rat carcass in a pot of vegetables.
She posted the picture of the horrific find on her Facebook account and it attracted dozens of comments.
—
AMAZING! YOU CAN GET CHEATED WHEN SHOPPING FOR A CAR!
More claiming car dealer cheated them of deposits: Mobile chat group draws over 80; total sum paid more than $1.5 million
More claiming car dealer Volks Auto cheated them of deposits http://goo.gl/VwGGoE
A WhatsApp chat group started on Monday doubled to more than 80 participants yesterday.
Customers said they had paid deposits of $20,000 to $30,000 on average but had yet to get their vehicles. Business owner Tan Poh Yong, 48, paid $44,000 for a Porsche in July.
IT systems integrator K.K. Lo, the de facto organiser of the WhatsApp group, said 57 buyers had given him their details as of 8pm yesterday and that 51 had made police reports. The total sum paid by the 57 amounts to more than $1.5 million.
—
40 car buyers look for missing dealer in showroom showdown: ‘This is worse than Jover Chew.’
-
Today’s P1: 40 car buyers look for missing dealer in showroom showdown. He had taken at least $1m in deposits. pic.twitter.com/FBM4VgBUPF
The New Paper An angry crowd of around 30 customers gathered outside a car dealership in MacPherson Road yesterday afternoon to demand their money back.
They believe they had been conned of their downpayments for their new cars – between $20,000 and $40,000 each – by the director of Volks Auto, a parallel importer.
Said Mr Kenny Lim, 36, who paid a $37,000 deposit for a Honda Vezel S meant as a gift for his father: “I almost wanted to smash the glass down to get in.”
At $108,000, including a certificate of entitlement for the car, it was a bargain.
http://www.tnp.sg/news/40-car-buyers-look-missing-dealer-showroom-showdown-worse-jover-chew
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RESTAURANT IN SYED ALWI ROAD CHARGES S$4.90 FOR PLAIN RICE!
Is the rice gold-plated?
You won’t believe how much this restaurant charges for white rice http://bit.ly/1un7ZTn
Stomper Sherron said she felt it was “too much” to be charged $4.90 for plain rice and $2.50 for a cup of teh tarik at a restaurant along Syed Alwi Road.
The Stomper was also charged $13.90 for pepper mutton gravy, $8.90 for mixed vegetable curry, $9 for two pieces of garlic naan and $15.80 for two pieces for chicken murtabak.
The total cost of the meal amounted to $78.86, after service charge and GST.
—
TOURISTS CHARGED S$1,259 FOR MANICURE AND PEDICURE AT QUICHE NAIL SPA, HARBOUR FRONT CENTRE
“We checked that a manicure at our five-star hotel only costs $75. For $1,200, I would expect my nails to be gold-plated or something.”
“We never expected something like this to happen in Singapore, much less a legitimate mall.”
Bahrain tourists charged $1,259 for manicure and pedicure at S’pore nail spa http://bit.ly/1skI4w5
It left Ms Michelle Ong, 36, and her husband, Mr Ali Hasan Aldhaen, 45, fuming.
“It wasn’t anything special. Just a regular session. How could it have cost more than what five-star hotels charge?” said Ms Ong, who grew up in Malaysia.
The shop, Quiche Nail Spa at HarbourFront Centre, said the couple were told of the fees. But the couple are disputing it.
…
“They offered us a $128 package each and we thought it would be nice to do our nails and relax,” she said.
…
“During the session, the therapists asked me if I wanted lotion applied to my hands, if I wanted a mask or if I wanted nail extensions,” she said.
Ms Ong claimed that the worker did not inform her that there would be additional charges. So she assumed it was part of the package.
She also pointed out that the brochure they were given seemed to indicate that services such as scrubs, putting on a clay mask and applying lotion were included in the $128 package.
“When I went to the cashier to make payment, I didn’t realise how much the bill was at first because I was trying to convert the amount back to Bahraini dinar,” she said.
…
A Singaporean who wanted to be known only as Charlie, told TNP that his wife had also incurred a hefty bill of $371 after a one-off session at Quiche Nail Spa last month.
…
His wife opted for a manicure costing $148 and a $35 pedicure. After the session, he was shocked to find that the bill, which was not clearly itemised, came to $371.
—
IN MALAYSIA, YOU EXPECT TO BE CHEATED SOME TIME OR OTHER, ESPECIALLY AT A NASI KANDAR RESTAURANT. But at a food court?
IN SINGAPORE, WHEN YOU EAT AT A FOOD CENTRE, ALWAYS ASK THE PRICE FOR ANYTHING YOU ORDER! Do not assume that every stall holder is honest.
It’s too late after you have eaten.
…
Meal for 4 at Seletar Mall food court costs a whopping $110!
How does a meal at food court add up to $110? http://bit.ly/1A7rOCR
This meal, including four plates of rice, cost slightly over S$110.
The 2 chicken drumsticks came to S$12.
Though placed on one large plate. the price was $12 per person for each portion of char siew (x 4 = S$48) and pig skin (x 4 = S$48), a total of S$96.
Suppose you got 24 slices of char siew. That would be S$2 per slice! Same with pig skin, S$2 a piece.
Don’t choke! Just pay and walk off.
This was at the Seletar Mall food court.
—
IN 1980, YES, THAT’S HOW LONG AGO IT WAS, when my Kiwi friend was cheated in Singapore. He bought a camera in Singapore, on Orchard Road, having been assured that it was genuine, and as cheap as any in the other shops. It was genuine but it turned out to be much more expensive than in the shop next door! Since then, I’ve heard of and read about scammers in Singapore. Note: the two malls that attracted the highest number of complaints of all types from shoppers are Lucky Plaza and Sim Lim Square.
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JOVER CHEW, BOSS OF MOBILE AIR, TRIES TO CLEAR THE AIR: HE BLAMES HIS EMPLOYEES! But no one is convinced…
Mobile Air staff bullied customers, not me: Jover Chew complains about netizens http://bit.ly/1zO0kBR
When Jover Chew, whose name has now been completely dragged through the mud, made an appearance at Sim Lim Square last Friday afternoon (Nov 28), he also lamented about several things.
According to Lianhe Wanbao, the 32-year-old told a reporter that he will be unable to set up shop again as angry netizens are out to get him.
Chew also said that no one is willing to buy the shop over from him. This is because once they do, netizens expose the personal details of the new owners online. Their private photos are also made public.
This was exactly what happened to Ricky Lee, who was earlier reported to have taken over Chew’s Mobile Air. The new shop was supposed to be called HJ Mobile.
Netizens found out that Lee had changed his name twice. He also has a history of bad debts.
…
In the conversation with the reporter, Chew also mentioned videos showing customers being taunted at Mobile Air which have been circulating online.
…
He claimed that the ones behind the taunting and bullying in the videos were his employees and not him, and asked how people could blame it on him.
However, another video — in which an Indian customer was ‘forced’ to buy an iPhone at Mobile Air — clearly shows Chew telling the camera, ‘Say cheese!’
Chew also made fun of a man who tried to help the woman who was made to pick up her $1,010 refund in coins from the floor. This was another one of the many incidents at Mobile Air that have been caught on camera.
—
Jover Chew calls police after going berserk on reporter: Here’s what he allegedly did http://bit.ly/1vLfGH1
The infamous Jover Chew made an appearance at Sim Lim Square last Friday afternoon (Nov 28), alerting both Police and reporters to the scene.
According to a report on Lianhe Wanbao, Chew was spotted with a few others, moving goods out of the shop that used to be Mobile Air.
…
“While they were inside, reporters stood outside their shop to take photos,” said the 25-year-old witness.
According to Lim, this upset Chew, who came out of the shop and asked reporters to stop taking pictures. A dispute ensued between both parties.
“They were arguing very loudly. Jover Chew asked that reporter to stop shooting, but the other party refused. He then returned to his shop to call the police,” said Lim.
Lianhe Wanbao reported that Chew went berserk on the spot. He apparently tried to snatch the reporter’s camera and threatened to smash the other party’s phone.
—
The Sim Lim Square SCANDAL has such far-reaching consequences for Singapore’s reputation that even the Minister of State for Trade and Industry is involved.
Teo Ser Luck meets with Sim Lim Square management council to discuss issue of errant retailers http://shar.es/1Xf3BG
SINGAPORE – Minister of State for Trade and Industry Teo Ser Luck met with 10 members from the management council of Sim Lim Square today to discuss the issue of errant retailers in the electronics mall.
The management council had sent a letter to the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) earlier to express their concern following recent reports of negative customer experiences.
At today’s meeting, the members shared the challenges they faced over the years, and suggested that laws could be strengthened to punish errant retailers with harsher penalties.
Both sides agreed on the need to better protect consumers and rights of the majority of the law-abiding retailers to uphold Singapore’s reputation as a retail destination, the MTI said in a statement today.
—
THE WHEELS OF JUSTICE MAY TURN SLOWLY BUT IN SINGAPORE, THEY DO TURN..
Plainclothes police investigators leaving Sim Lim Square’s Mobile Air with boxes
…
Investigators raid #SimLimSquare shop Mobile Air, seize documents and products. http://goo.gl/2vJ66I
According to Shin Min Daily News, eight plainclothes officers were at the shop for more than two hours. They left with four large boxes of documents and products. They also took with them three computer monitors, said the report.
When contacted by Shin Min, a police spokesman confirmed that they were investigating several reports filed against Mobile Air.
—
Shopkeepers Channel NewsAsia spoke with said some stalls at Sim Lim Square which have constantly changed names are alleged to be linked to Mr Chew.
New shop opens where Mobile Air used to be, run by a former employee of Jover Chew http://cna.asia/1BowpFw
SINGAPORE: After being shuttered for a week amid backlash over unsavoury business practices, the shop space for Mobile Air at Sim Lim Square has reopened – this time, under the name HJ Mobile.
The shop has a new owner, Ricky Lee, who used to work for Mr Jover Chew, former boss of Mobile Air. Mr Lee said he bought the products off Mr Chew at a 20 per cent discount and was also offered a discount for rent.
Shopkeepers Channel NewsAsia spoke with said some stalls at Sim Lim Square which have constantly changed names are alleged to be linked to Mr Chew.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/mobile-air-shop-reopens/1473336.html?cid=TWTCNA
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Sim Lim Square retailer Mobile Air reopens
WILL IT BE BUSINESS AS USUAL?
Errant Sim Lim Square retailer Mobile Air reopens http://goo.gl/P90Zzg
Consumer watchdog Case to start injunction proceedings against Sim Lim’s Mobile Air http://goo.gl/VgP171
Case said it is taking action because Mobile Air declined to sign a voluntary compliance agreement and pledge to stop unfair practices. Case added that it needs to seek approval from relevant committees as well as the Injunction Proposals Review Panel at the Ministry of Trade and Industry and then apply to the Court for the injunction. The process might take several months, Case said. The consumer watchdog also stressed that it will “crack down strongly” against errant traders who refuse to stop their unfair practices despite repeated warnings. … n July, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) filed an injunction application in court against electronics wholesale company Cyber Maestro in Sim Lim Square, after many complaints against it for practices such as over-charging. While the store can continue operations, should the company continue to engage in unfair practices, the STB can report it for “contempt of court”. http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/consumer-watchdog-case-start-injunction-proceedings-agai —
We’ve been alerted to a FAKE AsiaOne page titled “Man behind satire page, SMRT Ltd (Feedback) arrested; believed… http://fb.me/3CKbZbM6F
We’ve been alerted to a FAKE AsiaOne page titled “Man behind satire page, SMRT Ltd (Feedback) arrested; believed to be linked to Wikileaks”. While we are glad the ‘joker’ chose AsiaOne out of all the news sites out there to spoof, there is nothing accurate about this article at all, even though he/she did a pretty good job of mimicking our layout. For more REAL news updates on the Sim Lim Square saga please refer to this url http://www.asiaone.com/tags/sim-lim-square 
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Sim Lim Square is not the only mall with rogue retailers. Until the law has bite, it seems that errant retailers… http://fb.me/3DUxhIGSg
In the spotlight: Other malls with rogue retailers
peoplespark-st.jpg
The recent antics of rogue retailers in Sim Lim Square have cast the spotlight on other malls such as People’s Park Complex in Chinatown and Lucky Plaza in Orchard Road, which are also no strangers to complaints. People’s Park Complex may not have racked up as many reports of rip-offs as Sim Lim, but it has more than its fair share of cases involving mobile phone shops preying on customers. A sales executive at a tourism agency there said he sees disputes between phone retailers and upset customers almost weekly, sometimes every two or three days. “Affected customers are mostly tourists and migrant workers from China,” said the 30-year- old, who declined to be named as he feared repercussions from the retailers in question. “Human traffic has dropped quite a lot since these shops started operating around 2011.” http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/spotlight-other-malls-rogue-retailers — HIS WIFE URGES HIM TO CLOSE SHOP AND APOLOGISE PUBLICLY but will he listen to her?
Jover Chew’s wife hopes he will close down his shop and do public apology http://bit.ly/1tVQIVX
Jover Chew’s wife, Ms Winnie Koh, 31, has been trying relentlessly to urge her husband to close down his shop and do a public apology. Mobile Air owner Jover Chew has been the subject of intense internet scrutiny the past few days. … According to Shin Min Daily News, Ms Koh expressed that Jover Chew has not been home for many days. She hopes that he will reflect on his mistakes and start a new life by winding business. She said: “I really hope my husband will come out and do a public apology, but I don’t know if he will. “I really hope he can turn over a new leaf, because this time he has gone too far.” http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/singaporeseen/this-urban-jungle/jover-chews-wife-hopes-he-will-close-down-his-shop-and-do-public-apology#xtor=CS2-4 — Watch out for People’s Park Complex in Chinatown and Lucky Plaza in Orchard Road.
Sim Lim Square in the spotlight: Other malls with rogue retailers
Sim Lim Square in the spotlight: Other malls with rogue retailers http://goo.gl/np5gnB
Among the People’s Park Complex retailers blacklisted by Case is Tele Infinity (above), which had seven complaints in the past three months. Other blacklisted retailers include Mobile Alliance and S Team Mobile. — ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN The recent antics of rogue retailers in Sim Lim Square have cast the spotlight on other malls such as People’s Park Complex in Chinatown and Lucky Plaza in Orchard Road, which are also no strangers to complaints. People’s Park Complex may not have racked up as many reports of rip-offs as Sim Lim, but it has more than its fair share of cases involving mobile phone shops preying on customers. … Case executive director Seah Seng Choon thinks malls can do more to warn customers about unfair practices. At People’s Park, notices of shops blacklisted by Case are put up at entrances. He cited Lucky Plaza, which was “problematic” 11/2 years ago, as a mall which cleaned up its act. “So far, we have not had complaints for them this year,” he said. Shop owners at Lucky Plaza’s basement, where most of the unsavoury tenants used to operate, say it is quieter now that these shops have closed down. A 52-year-old shop owner who wanted to be known only as Mr Tan, said the rogue shops closed as they could not do business. “I think their Visa machines got confiscated because they had too many complaints – they tried to borrow ours,”he said. oliviaho@sph.com.sg lesterh@sph.com.sg http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/sim-lim-square-the-spotlight-other-malls-rogue-retailers — Named, shamed, shut: Has Jover Chew succumbed to pressure from Sim Lim saga?
STOMP Named, shamed, shut: Has Jover Chew succumbed to pressure from Sim Lim saga? http://bit.ly/1u8bEZK
When The New Paper visited Sim Lim Square yesterday, the shop was closed. Mr Chew has also diverted his calls to another number. Previously, Mobile Air did not cease operations despite regularly making it to the Consumers Association of Singapore’s (Case) blacklist of Sim Lim Square tenants. Some businesses on the list, like Cyber Maestro, simply switch their signboards and it’s business as usual. Cyber Maestro, which was slapped with a court injunction on Monday, gave way to a new tenant, Megacentrix Technologies, and subtenant VS One in August. But a check revealed that the person behind VS One is related to the boss of Cyber Maestro. The two businesses also share the same registered address. The shareholders of the two businesses are husband and wife. This is where the problem lies, said lawyer Steven Lam. http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/singaporeseen/this-urban-jungle/named-shamed-shut-has-jover-chew-succumbed-to-pressure-from-sim-lim-saga#xtor=CS2-4 —
Indonesian maid latest scam victim at Sim Lim Square, but manages to get refund http://goo.gl/hohVDf
The series of media reports on Mobile Air over the past week was read by Mr Christian Ratnam while on holiday in Australia. When he returned to Singapore on Thursday evening, he was shocked when his family’s 43-year-old maid, Ms Ati Rohi, told him she had fallen prey at another Sim Lim shop. … Yesterday, Mr Ratnam accompanied Ms Ati to the shop to resolve the issue, after informing The Straits Times. Four salesmen were at the shop at the time, but only one talked to Mr Ratnam. He insisted that Ms Ati had signed the receipt for the warranty and owed the amount stated on it. The receipt did not have the name of the shop or any receipt number. But, realising they were being observed, the salesman changed tack and said he could return the maid the $450, but would keep the GST charged on the phone. When Mr Ratnam, who is self-employed, stood firm, the salesman took out a $1,000 note and asked if he had change. Mr Ratnam said he did not. After getting $50 notes from a money changer next door, the salesman handed $450 to Mr Ratnam, crushed Ms Ati’s receipt and threw it onto the floor. The whole affair was over in five minutes. amirh@sph.com.sg http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/indonesian-maid-latest-scam-victim-sim-lim-square-manage — TIPS ON WHERE TO SHOP AND NOT GET CHEATED!
Don’t get scammed: best places to buy mobile phones, gadgets, and computers in Singapore
The writer suggests The Funan-Digital Life Mall ( 109 North Bridge Road) and The Far East Plaza (14 Scotts Road).
Don’t get scammed: best places to buy mobile phones, gadgets, and computers in #Singapore. http://yhoo.it/1tGbDur
First and foremost, DO NOT BUY anything from Lucky Plaza. The only thing you should go to Lucky Plaza for is food.
Secondly, DO NOT BUY anything from the first and second floor of Sim Lim Square because of cases like this and this.
The most popular place to get gadgets or computer related components will be at Sim Lim Square, but try to avoid buying anything from the first two floors. … My favorite store would be Fuwell at #04-02F/G. Fuwell
- Address: 1 Rochor Canal Road, Sim Lim Square, #04-02F/G, Singapore 188504
- Opening Hours: 12pm to 7pm daily
- Contact: +65 6339 3901
- Email: sales AT fuwell DOT com DOT sg
- Website: http://www.fuwell.com.sg
PC Themes
- Address: 1 Rochor Canal Road, Sim Lim Square, #04-19, Singapore 188504
- Opening Hours: 12pm to 7pm daily
- Contact: +65 6339 8339
- Email: pcthemes AT yahoo DOT com
Funan – Digital Life Mall
- Address: 109 North Bridge Road, Funan Digita Life Mall, Singapore 179097
- Contact: +65 6336 8327
- Website: http://www.funan.com.sg/
For more, click on: https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/don-t-scammed-best-places-025433397.html?linkId=10411966 — TIPS ON HOW THEY TRY TO CHEAT TOURISTS: THEY COULD BE USEFUL IN MALAYSIA AS WELL AS SINGAPORE! Not ‘Tips on how to cheat tourists in Malaysia’, but ‘How, as a tourist, you could avoid being cheated!’
Sim Lim Square saga: How rogue retailers scam customers http://goo.gl/n9jtSs
Scam tactics used by rogue retailers at Sim Lim Square have surfaced since the mall made the news in a spate of incidents. Another video, showing Mr Chew in action has since emerged. Click on this link for the video: http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/ex-employee-reveals-dubious-tactics-used-sim-lim-square-shop — FOR THE OWNER OF MOBILE AIR, WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS! WILL THE FLOODS SWEEP HIM AND HIS BUSINESS AWAY FOR GOOD? … “After I signed the receipt, the staff added some costs….”
Another complaint about Mobile Air shop at Sim Lim — this time from a Filipino customer http://bit.ly/1slqebQ
After being quoted $1,300 for an iPhone 6+ at Mobile Air, Stomper R was made to pay a total of $2,836. Like the other victims, Stomper R agreed to get a one year warranty package along with the iPhone 6+, not aware that the final cost would be so high. He was shocked when he was asked to cough up another $1,500. … “After they received my cash payment, I was asked to sign some papers. “I asked several times what the paper was for. “The staff said it was regarding warranty and freebies. He also added that I need the papers so that I can show it to airport customs if they ever asked for some documents regarding my purchase. “I asked if it would incur additional cost because I see some amount written in the paper, but the staff repeatedly said no. “After I signed the receipt, the staff added some costs and the bill totaled to $2,836. http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/singaporeseen/this-urban-jungle/another-complaint-about-mobile-air-shop-at-sim-lim-square-%E2%80%93-this-time-from-a#xtor=CS2-4 … Tourists, maids, foreign workers and the elderly are frequent targets of Mobile Air. Tourists with luggage are targeted especially because of the low likelihood of them returning.
Ex-Mobile Air staff exposes shop’s “7 dirty tricks” — which he earns $20k a month from http://bit.ly/1tGxHoJ
According to the ex-employee, these were the 7 underhanded techniques that Mobile Air staff commonly used to scam customers. 1. Mobile air entices customers with low prices. Their products often have a lower price tag than that of their competitors, but these products come with excessive hidden costs 2. After customers decide to make a purchase, the staff will take their credit cards. 3. Customers will then be made to sign a form saying that they agree to purchase the warranty for the product. The cost of the warranty, which may amount to as much as $1000, will be covered while customers are signing the form. 4. Customers will then be informed of the cost of the warranty after the form is signed. 5. The staff will threaten to call the police if customers make a scene at the shop. 6. Customers will also be told that all their actions were recorded and the footage may be used against them. 7. Staff with links to secret societies will also act like gangsters to intimidate customers. According to AsiaOne, shop assistants could earn up to $10,000 – $20,000 a month by utilizing such techniques. http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/singaporeseen/this-urban-jungle/woes-not-over-for-jover-ex-mobile-air-staff-exposes-shops-7-dirty-tricks-which-he#xtor=CS2-4 —
Another complaint about Mobile Air shop at Sim Lim — this time from a Filipino customer http://bit.ly/1slqebQ
— CONSEQUENCES OF THE MOBILE AIR SCANDAL SPREAD FAR AND WIDE!
#China warns tourists to be careful when buying electronics in #Singapore. http://yhoo.it/1tCJZhU
China warns tourists to be careful when buying electronics in Singapore
By Elizabeth Soh | Yahoo Newsroom – 19 hours ago
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a notice on their website on Wednesday evening asking Singapore-bound tourists to exercise caution when buying electronics from merchants who have received many complaints. “There have been many reports of incidents of fraud by Chinese tourists who purchased mobile phones and electronics in Singapore,” read the notice. https://sg.news.yahoo.com/china-warns-tourists-to-be-careful-when-buying-electronics-in-singapore-063803475.html — LATEST ON THE AIR MOBILE INCIDENTS; OWNER OF MOBILE AIR HAS REALLY BAD DAYS, AND THINGS MAY GET WORSE! sgagsg
BREAK-NECK NEWS! #YouChibai shirt successfully delivered to Jover Chew! 1) Cut 2 holes in nipple area and black out the “Don’t” word on the shirt 2) Pass the #YouChibai shirt to EasyVan Singapore deliveryman 3) Target area reached, take photo with Jover Chew’s Mobile Air shop 4) Slip the shirt into shop. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! http://instagram.com/p/vDEsQ-NL16/ … 
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Sim Lim case: Citizen action may be against the law http://tdy.sg/1E9mMql
Yesterday, a T-shirt printed with a Hokkien vulgarity was placed outside his shop, which was closed. Mr Chew’s particulars were also reportedly used to order three large pizzas to his home on Wednesday. .. SINGAPORE — As the netizen-led campaign against Sim Lim Square shop owner Jover Chew continues, lawyers warned that such tactics — in part driven by frustration over ineffectual action on unscrupulous retail practices — put perpetrators at risk of running afoul of the law. There are provisions under the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act which could apply in the case of Mr Chew, whose identity card number, address and mobile number have been dredged up and shared online by members of the public over the past few days. Lawyers also pointed out that online anonymity could pose a challenge to police investigations. … In a Facebook post, Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin expressed shock at the behaviour shown in the Sim Lim case and said the Government should explore ways to “strengthen or adjust” the laws to deal with cases where individuals face hurdles in seeking resolution. “Some are disputes that may fall short of violating any laws or regulations, but they clearly assault our sensibilities!” he wrote. http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/sim-lim-case-citizen-action-may-be-against-law?page=1 —
Now you know why Sim Lim Square shops continue to get away with cheating. http://yhoo.it/1wATHUw
Why The Lack of Intervention From Authorities? There are many reasons that come to mind. Notice however, that most scams in Sim Lim begin once the customer has paid the initial teaser fee and sign a contract and it is the contract that probably binds the hands of the authorities a fair bit. Items such as “warranty” or “phone plans” are included in the fine prints of the contract which states that the customer would have to bear the additional cost of anything which the cheating shop charges. The shops are smart too. They quote a ridiculously high price such as $2000 for a “warranty” to shock customers to the extent that a negotiated $800 “warranty” one hour later would appear reasonable. It is despicable, unfortunately, that is just how they operate. Moreover, a shop can easily change its name once it has been blacklisted.
How You Can Make A Difference
Aside from sharing this article with your friends to remind them to avoid shopping at Sim Lim, the next most effective thing you can do is to stop going to Sim Lim, and to remind your foreign friends to do likewise. These scams are highly profitable; otherwise, these shops would not be practicing them. Each time a shop tricks a customer into overpaying, it provides all the other shops further incentive to continue doing so.
Even if you are IT savvy and are able to get for yourself a good deal at Sim Lim, you are nevertheless supporting the shops whenever you buy something there. It is true; Sim Lim is able to give lower prices and some win-win transactions. However the good deals you are getting from these shops are coming at the expenses of others who are being ripped off. https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/economics-behind-sim-lim-scams-204537819.html?linkId=10411153 —
Sim Lim Square shop owner’s particulars used to order pizza in prank http://shar.es/10x5O8
Jover Chew’s shop, Mobile Air, became infamous after recently refunding a woman $1,010 in coins, which included one-cents and five-cents. Yesterday morning at 11am, Jover Chew’s particulars were used to order three large pizzas from pizza hut. http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/sim-lim-square-shop-owners-particulars-used-order-pizza-prank#sthash.0WCh40ZP.uxfs — In an addendum article on its website, The Real Singapore quoted the former employee as saying that the Mobile Air staff are “actual gangsters”, which made him very afraid of coming forward with the video.
Ex-employee leaks video, reveals dubious tactics used at Sim Lim Square shop http://shar.es/10xz9z
SINGAPORE – A video purportedly showing staff at Mobile Air attempting to scam a tourist has been circulating online. The shop at Sim Lim Square and its owner Mr Jover Chew have been in the spotlight following reports of negative customer experiences. … On Wednesday, a 36-second clip which seemingly shows Mobile Air staff selling a mobile phone to a man was posted on The Real Singapore’s Facebook page. The caption indicates it was leaked by a former employee at the shop. The former employee apparently wrote to The Real Singapore saying that the video was taken a few weeks ago. He said it showed Mr Chew and his partner attempting to scam a tourist from India, intimidating him by saying that he was on camera. They also told the customer that once his card was swiped, no refund could be given, which was not true, the former employee wrote. Click on the link for the video: http://shar.es/10xz9z http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/ex-employee-reveals-dubious-tactics-used-sim-lim-square-shop#sthash.GBPcAPOX.uxfs — A ray of light in the dark sky for Vietnamese tourist who begged Mobile Air! On his crowd-funding page on Indiegogo, Kang wrote: “We are not a nation of thieves and cheats.”
A crowd-funding effort initiated by Singaporean Gabriel Kang has raised over $8,000 for the Vietnamese tourist… http://fb.me/6QCcY7XyO
Over $8,000 raised for Vietnamese tourist scammed in Sim Lim Square
SINGAPORE – A crowd-funding effort initiated by Singaporean Gabriel Kang has raised over $8,000 for Pham Van Thoai, the Vietnamese tourist who was scammed by electronics store Mobile Air in Sim Lim Square while purchasing an iPhone 6 on Nov 3. With the raised funds, Kang intends to purchase a 128GB iPhone 6, and put together a goodie bag which may include local delicacies bak kwa, kaya jam and spice packs, to send as a gesture of goodwill to the traumatised tourist who has since left Singapore. On his crowd-funding page on Indiegogo, Kang wrote: “We are not a nation of thieves and cheats.” He also said: “I feel that Mr Pham was dealt a great injustice by the legal system and while we cannot undo those traumatic and humiliating scenes he has had to endure, we can try to make things right. Let’s give the man an iPhone 6!” http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/over-8000-raised-vietnamese-tourist-scammed-sim-lim-square … Outraged netizens, after reading stories of how tearful Vietnamese tourist Pham Van Thoai was forced to kneel down on his knees and beg for a refund, have resorted to Internet vigilantism to shame its owner, Jover Chew. Singaporeans, meanwhile, have rallied in support of Mr Pham. A man by the name of Gabriel Kang started a petition on crowdfunding website indiegogo to raise US$1,000 (S$1,250) to buy a new phone for him. As of 6pm on Wednesday evening, the campaign had received more than US$3,000 in donations. mklee@sph.com.sg http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/netizens-expose-details-sim-lim-square-mobile-shop-owner …
Sim Lim mobile shop owner Jover Chew exposed online http://bit.ly/1tGyCr0
…
Wife of Sim Lim Square shop owner claims she filed police report against online allegations http://goo.gl/qQ3zqy
Netizens expose details of Sim Lim Square mobile shop owner who scammed Vietnamese tourist
http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/netizens-expose-details-sim-lim-square-mobile-shop-owner — ANYWHERE BUT SIM LIM SQUARE?
Sim Lim Square gets 2 to 3 complaints daily: Management http://goo.gl/cZeiHD
Helping customers and shopkeepers settle disputes is a daily job for the management of electronics mall Sim Lim Square. Two to three complaints are made every day about problems such as overcharging. Sometimes customers call the police for help. Discussions can last up to an hour and they can sometimes get tense and heated, with either side turning defensive, said a spokesman for the management of Sim Lim Square. He said: “Sometimes the customer or shopkeeper gets angry, and we will try our best to talk to them.” He added that the job of the management was to maintain the facilities and undertake advertising and promotions. “It is not really the scope of the management to deal with such conflicts, which is why we have appealed to the authorities for help,” he said. http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/sim-lim-square-gets-2-3-complaints-daily-management-2014 — SIM LIM SQUARE: A SMALL NUMBER OF SHOPS ARE THE CULPRITS
18 complaints against Sim Lim Square’s Mobile Air this year: CASE
SINGAPORE: Sim Lim Square mobile phone shop Mobile Air was served with a letter by the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) on Tuesday (Nov 4), which invited the store to sign a Voluntary Compliance Agreement (VCA).
“Every now and then you can see police cars coming every week” – a tenant of Sim Lim Square http://cna.asia/10ROQlW
Shopkeepers at Sim Lim Square say little can be done about the unethical business practices of a small number of retailers at the mall, and are concerned that they might suffer retribution from the errant retailers if they voice their concerns publicly. One tenant, who declined to be named, said: “On Levels One to Three, all those dealing with mobiles phones and cameras, they have very bad reputations. Every now and then you can see police cars coming every week, visiting the shop because most of the time it’s the shopkeepers having conflicts with the customers.” But he said he was resigned to the situation. “Even if I were to say something, I would not know what is the response I am going to get, whether the black sheep will take revenge on me. There is nothing much I can do. At the end of the day, the landlord will just say: ‘Who’s going to pay my rental? Are you going to rent my shop?’” — SCANDALOUS! Mobile Air continues to operate and…!!!
Tourist kneels, begs tearfully for refund at Sim Lim Square shop that paid woman in coins http://shar.es/10e68k
SINGAPORE – A Vietnamese tourist was left in tears after a nightmarish ordeal buying an iPhone 6 for his girlfriend at Mobile Air, a shop in Sim Lim Square. Mobile Air made headlines recently for refunding a woman $1,010 in coins, including one-cents and five-cents coins. According to a report in Lianhe Zaobao, the Vietnamese tourist was on holiday with his girlfriend in Singapore and, after some research, he found out that there was ready stock of the phone in Sim Lim Square. The man is reportedly a factory worker with a monthly income of $200 and took months to save up for the phone, which he hopes to give to his girlfriend as a birthday present. The report stated that he was quoted $950 for the phone at Mobile Air and that he excitedly made payment in cash. … When he wanted to leave the shop with the phone, staff members from Mobile Air asked if he wanted a warranty package for one or two years. He decided to take the one-year package, thinking that it was complimentary. To his surprise, he was asked to fork out another $1,500 for the warranty package. He was told that if he did not pay up, he would not be allowed to leave with the phone. Not knowing what to do, he knelt down and tearfully begged for a refund. He said staff members at Mobile Air laughed at him, and that no passers-by were willing to help him. Click here for the full story: http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/tourist-kneels-and-begs-tearfully-refund-sim-lim-square-shop#sthash.Pwi6OyBe.uxfs — ONE FEWER SHOP IN SIM LIM SQUARE TO CHEAT US! High Court orders Sim Lim Square shop Cyber Maestro to stop unfair practices 
(Cyber Maestro – Picture of Sim Lim Square, Singapore – TripAdvisor) CASE listed Cyber Maestro among the top tenants in Sim Lim Square with consumer complaints in July to September 2014. The store at #02-77 has had seven complaints made against it. The shop was accused of over-charging, exerting undue pressure or influence to enter into a transaction and misleading consumers about prices and availability of goods, among other allegations. ..
Permanent injunction against Sim Lim Square shop Cyber Maestro for unfair trading practices http://cna.asia/1uhA4RJ
Permanent injunction granted against Cyber Maestro
SINGAPORE: The High Court has granted a permanent injunction against electronics wholesale company Cyber Maestro, announced the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) in a press release on Monday (Nov 3). “The injunction restrains Cyber Maestro and their employees and agents from engaging in several unfair practices within the meaning of the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act,” STB said. The tourism board filed the injunction in response to numerous complaints against Cyber Maestro’s trade practices. Complaints included over-charging, exerting undue pressure or influence to enter into a transaction and misleading consumers about prices and availability of goods, STB stated. The complaints did not cease despite notifications from the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) and requests to resolve the complaints amicably and refrain from further unfair trade practices, the tourism board said. CNA/av .. The shop apparently had its signboard changed in 2012 to mask its dubious reputation, the paper said.
High Court orders Sim Lim Square shop Cyber Maestro to stop unfair practices http://shar.es/104LD
20141103_simlim_st.jpg
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Sim Lim Square management seeks help to tackle errant retailers in bid to salvage reputation. http://goo.gl/MlQWqi
SINGAPORE – The management committee of Sim Lim Square on Monday appealed for help to tackle the problem of errant retailers at the mall, in a desperate move to salvage its reputation. The management’s plea for help comes amid many years of efforts to eradicate errant retailers, or the “black sheep”, at its mall, including seeking help from the police, the Consumer Association of Singapore (Case) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), the management said in a statement on Monday. http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/sim-lim-square-management-seeks-help-clear-bad-name-caus — Case or CASE is the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case). CASE executive director Seah Seng Choon said that it plans to invite the store to sign a Voluntary Compliance Agreement (VCA). CASE can bring the business to court or obtain an injunction, should it engage in unfair trading practices after signing the agreement. If the shop refuses to sign the VCA, CASE will still be able to apply for an injunction to put a stop to the unfair trading practices.
Case to investigate shop in Sim Lim Square that tried to refund $1,010 to a customer in coins. http://goo.gl/Ac7zyu
SINGAPORE – A mobile shop in Sim Lim Square, which made headlines recently when its staff tried to refund a customer in coins, is being investigated by the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case). A Lianhe Zaobao report said the industry watchdog is checking on whether Mobile Air has violated the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act. The shop has been involved in several cases of improper marketing practices in the past, the report said, where customers were told to fork out an additional sum for an insurance policy on the mobile phones they bought. Case has received a total of 14 complaints against the shop between July and September this year. Mr Seah Seng Choon, Case’s executive director, said he plans to ask the store to sign a Voluntary Compliance Agreement (VCA), the report added. This agreement will allow Case to bring the business to court if it is found to engage in unfair trading practices after signing the agreement. Should the shop refuse to sign the document, Case will still be able to apply for an injunction to put a stop to unfair practices. http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/sim-lim-shop-paid-coins-now-getting-probed-case-20141102 — AT MOBILE AIR, HOW DID AN 1PHONE 6 PLUS GET INFLATED FROM $1,6000 TO $4,000? Mr Jover Chew, owner of Mobile Air, explains: Basic price: $1,600 Other charges: $2,400 Total: $4,000 What are the other charges? $2,400 for 2 years of insurance! This “insurance” meant that if the phone was damaged, the customer could exchange it for a new one. Jover Chew: Included freebies such as phone accessories and a 24-inch flatscreen TV included in the “bundle”. The problem is that they take your $1,600 first, then ask for the remaining $2,400. If you refuse, they won’t let you take the phone. It seemed that you couldn’t buy the phone without buying the “package”! Ms Zhou had gone to Mobile Air at Sim Lim Square on Sept 24 and paid $1,600 for an iPhone 6 Plus. But after signing a “contract”, she was told she had to pay another $2,400 for a two-year “insurance plan”. After much haggling, she paid an additional $1,400, and later filed a complaint at the Small Claims Tribunal. http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/sim-lim-square-shop-owner-cant-explain-why-he-paid-coins?page=0%2C1 … “When we do business, we need to make a profit, of course. If you don’t want people to earn your money, then don’t buy,” Mr Chew said.
Isn’t there a law that limits how much you can pay in coin? Have the shop violated another law? Ultimately… http://fb.me/73i9cdw5R
Sim Lim Square shop owner can’t explain why he paid in coins
Mr Chew evaded the question of why he had paid in coins and showed TNP a video of Ms Liu throwing the bag of coins on the floor outside the shop. The owner of a Sim Lim Square shop who refunded a customer $1,010 in coins, gave his side of the story yesterday. The New Paper reported yesterday that a student, who wished to be known only as Ms Zhou, was refunded $1,010 in coins and that shop staff members taunted her and her aunt, Ms Liu, as they counted the money. Mr Jover Chew, owner of Mobile Air, however, claimed that the Chinese national and her aunt were difficult customers, and that he and his workers had tried to handle the situation as best they could. … When pressed thrice on why he had paid in coins, Mr Chew evaded the question and said Ms Zhou and Ms Liu could have rejected the coins if they did not want them. “There was no need to be rude and use vulgarities,” he said. He showed TNP a six-second video on his mobile phone where Ms Liu could be seen tussling with a shop staff member over the bag of coins, her voice raised. … In two other videos of similar length, Ms Liu could be heard arguing with the shop staff member in Mandarin. In one, she is seen leaving the shop with the bag of coins before tossing it on the floor outside the shop. Click on this link for the videos: http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/sim-lim-square-shop-owner-cant-explain-why-he-paid-coins?page=0%2C1 — A SHOP TO AVOID WHEN YOU’RE SHOPPING IN SINGAPORE? The Real Singapore 
MOBILE AIR AT SIM LIM GAVE WOMAN $1,010 IN COINS WHEN SHE ASKED FOR REFUND
Miss Zhou, in Singapore for a hoilday, had bought an iPhone 6 Plus for $1,600 from Mobile Air at Sim Lim Square. Later on, she was shocked to find out that the shop demanded that she pay another $2,400 for two years of insurance. The Small Claims Tribunal ordered the shop to refund Miss Zhou $1,010. When she arrived, she was given the sum in coins, in a bag. The bag was then thrown onto the floor by someone, and while picking up the coins, she was mocked by the shop staff. http://therealsingapore.com/content/mobile-air-sim-lim-gave-woman-1010-coins-when-she-asked-refund ..
.. The New Paper
Sim Lim Square shop refunds woman $1,010 in coins
http://www.tnp.sg/news/sim-lim-square-shop-refunds-woman-1010-coins .. 
*FWAH KNNBCCB!* SIM LIM Mobile Air ANOTHER BIG SEGA, USE ALL 5, 10cents COINS TO REFUND $1K CUSTOMER
.. 更详细报道，可翻阅《联合晚报》。 
Ladies bought 1 set of iPhone 6 for SG$3000, want refund, Sim Lim square, Mobile Air Pte Ltd XIA LAN CHAO AH BENG shop staff buay song, purposely use all 5 cents, 10 cents coins to refund total of $1010 to customers. Caused big commotion for nearly 4 hours, police officers was there as well. (newspaper didn’t specify the exact reason for the refund, but most defnitely is related to the $3K iPhone 6 purchase) 
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/eat-drink-man-woman-16/*fwah-knnbccb-*-sim-lim-mobile-air-another-big-sega-use-all-5-10cents-coins-refund-$1k-customer-4861112.html —
M’sian diving champ paid more than $4k for two iPhones from Sim Lim Square shop
Shopkeepers at Mobile Planet refused to comment when approached by The New Paper on Sunday last night. Coaches for Malaysian diver Ooi Tze Liang said he performed badly at the Singapore Fina Diving Grand Prix 2014 finals on Saturday after getting involved in a dispute over iPhone 6 purchases. The Commonwealth Games gold medallist, 20, was expected to perform well, but finished fifth in the men’s 3m springboard finals at the OCBC Aquatic Centre at the Sports Hub.
Sim Lim scammers strike again http://digital.asiaone.com/digital/news/msian-diving-champ-paid-more-4k-two-iphones-sim-lim-square-shop …
Malaysian coach Huang Qiang said Ooi paid more than $4,000 for two iPhone 6s at Sim Lim Square the night before. The New Paper on Sunday understands that the Malaysian diver had gone to the Mobile Planet shop, and wanted to buy a 64GB iPhone 6 and a 64GB iPhone 6 Plus. The price quoted to him was $2,500 for the two phones. The market prices for the phones are $1,148 and $1,288 respectively on the Apple online store. However, Ooi claims that after paying for the phones, he was asked to sign up for an in-house warranty package which would cover damages such as broken screens and damage caused by water. … “I had already paid for the phone and signed the warranty contract, so I had to pay the remaining sum to take the devices,” said Ooi. “The shopkeeper would not hand over the phones unless I paid for the contract. He said I would have to fork out $800 to cancel the contract.” According to Ooi’s receipt, he paid a total of $4,876 for the phones, which included two power banks. http://digital.asiaone.com/digital/news/msian-diving-champ-paid-more-4k-two-iphones-sim-lim-square-shop — TripAdvisor :Avoid eOne Mobile Plus at Lucky Plaza! This month alone, Case received two complaints against eOne. Websites like TripAdvisor also carry posts from travellers warning others against shopping at eOne.
Blast from the past: Sim Lim Sq shop tried to charge Bangladeshi $10,103 for 2 iPhone 5s. http://digital.asiaone.com/digital/news/will-be-10103-er-two-iphones#xtor=CS2-4 …
SINGAPORE – Shopping for iPhones, a businessman from Bangladesh walked into a Lucky Plaza shop, where he was told that two iPhone 5s would cost $2,550. Mr Shaikh Bashir Ahmed Mamun paid and signed a receipt. But the 55-year-old was soon told by the salesmen of eOne Mobile Plus that he had to hand over another $7,553 before he could have the phones. They showed him the signed receipt. To his horror, he found he had agreed to pay $10,103 for the 32GB phones and warranty packages. After four hours of arguing, he paid another $1,730. In all, he said, he paid $4,280 for the two phones. The same phones, at $1,088 each, would have cost him $2,176 at the Singapore online Apple store. Mr Mamun’s encounter earlier this month adds to an uptrend in complaints against errant mobile phone retailers that consumer watchdog Case, or the Consumers Association of Singapore, has received this year. —
Sim Lim scammers strike again http://digital.asiaone.com/digital/news/msian-diving-champ-paid-more-4k-two-iphones-sim-lim-square-shop …
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