Ms Shara of DBS Bank made my day today.
She surfaced like a breath of fresh air just as I was getting increasingly irritated by the unavailability of my relationship manager (RM) and a telephone voice that kept telling me to hold on as "all our officers are busy".
When it seemed like all my efforts were ending up futile, I decided to call the bank's 24-hour service hotline. Right move --- an angel in the form of Shara came to my rescue.
The moment I heard her voice, I knew somehow that she was going to be the person who was able to help me.
I told her about the difficulty I encountered in getting hold of the RM and what I wanted from the bank -- a credit card that would reward air miles against my spendings.
"Not a problem," she chimed, before showing me an easier way of doing it without even having to fill in any document as I was already a card holder.
All it took was less than 10 minutes for me to log on into my account, indicate the card that I wanted and the request was approved.
Before I rang off, I thanked and complimented Shara on her cheerful attitude, patience and EQ.
She certainly deserves a bouquet for displaying that special personal touch!
Monday, December 30, 2013
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Miniinthebox: A warning
I was bitten by the online shopping bug after I was given a HD plasma TV and needed two HDMI cables so that I would be able to enjoy its full benefits.
I thought of going to Sim Lim Towers to get them but decided against it as it was too much of a hassle at this time of the year.
Then, while surfing the Net, I saw an unsolicited online shopping email from an outfit called Qoo10. My search for HDMI cables at the website threw up a whole range.
As I wasn't sure about the reliability of the products, I went for a brand name (Sony, but made in China) as I wanted to be careful.
The cables, which cost me less than $20, arrived three days later, all carefully packed. I was so pleased with the purchase as everything worked out well.
The following days saw me scouring various online sites randomly looking for things that interest me.
One caught my eye -- a car camera that had good reviews and cost less than $50. With my confidence boosted by my TV cable experience, I decided that I would make another purchase, this time from another website, Miniinthebox.
The car camera was delivered promptly. Setting it up the camera (see picture below) itself was not difficult although the instructions left a lot to be desired.
The nightmare only started when I tried to get the camera to work. Nothing I did was successful. After countless attempts, the screen finally went blank. Nothing I did could revive it!!!
I decided that I should write a review to warn people who were contemplating on making the same purchase. After sending it in, I did not see it in the Reviews section. So I guessed it had to be moderated.
A day or two later, when I logged on to check on the status of my review, this was what I saw...
A creative way indeed to keep out the unhappy customers. But why was I kept out of the website when all I wanted to do was to check whether my review had been published?? One can only speculate on the reason for the lockout.
Did I try to contact the website to inform them about my complaint? You bet, but it would take the patience of a saint to learn how to do it. I failed.
One thing's for sure. I will never purchase anything from this Miniinthebox website. By the way, it is also known as Lightinthebox.
Happy Christmas shopping but please keep away from this product, if not the website.
Did I try to contact the website to inform them about my complaint? You bet, but it would take the patience of a saint to learn how to do it. I failed.
One thing's for sure. I will never purchase anything from this Miniinthebox website. By the way, it is also known as Lightinthebox.
Happy Christmas shopping but please keep away from this product, if not the website.
Friday, May 17, 2013
LTA's mind-boggling rule
The Land Transport Authority makes a distinction between the Singapore identity card and Singapore passport when the two are used to establish someone's identity to effect a transfer of vehicle ownership.
I realised this when I went to LTA's office in Sin Min last week to transfer the ownership of my wife's car to the buyer. She had misplaced her IC and despite searching for it, was not been able to find it.
As the IC was needed to effect the transfer, I was in a dilemma over what to do next. I decided that her passport should be a good substitute as it was just a matter of confirming her identity.
So off I went to LTA with her passport and the signed transfer form, confident that I would not encounter any problem. But I was wrong.
The LTA officer who attended to me said my wife had to be present if I was using the passport for the transfer, but her presence was not required with the IC.
I asked her why the IC was given more credibility. Her short reply: it was the rule and clearly stated in the transfer form. As expected, she was not able to give me the rationale.
That ended our conversion. And the end result? My wife, still in her exercise outfit, was summoned to LTA to show her face.
Mind-boggling!!!
I realised this when I went to LTA's office in Sin Min last week to transfer the ownership of my wife's car to the buyer. She had misplaced her IC and despite searching for it, was not been able to find it.
As the IC was needed to effect the transfer, I was in a dilemma over what to do next. I decided that her passport should be a good substitute as it was just a matter of confirming her identity.
So off I went to LTA with her passport and the signed transfer form, confident that I would not encounter any problem. But I was wrong.
The LTA officer who attended to me said my wife had to be present if I was using the passport for the transfer, but her presence was not required with the IC.
I asked her why the IC was given more credibility. Her short reply: it was the rule and clearly stated in the transfer form. As expected, she was not able to give me the rationale.
That ended our conversion. And the end result? My wife, still in her exercise outfit, was summoned to LTA to show her face.
Mind-boggling!!!
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
StarHub replies --- two months later...and 'it's not our fault'
I posted an item two months ago -- Dec 14, 2012 to be exact --- about
StarHub springing a surprise on me with this message on my computer screeen...
Please note that as your PC/router has been set to manual DNS settings, your internet access will be affected and must be re-configured to automatic DNS selection in order to restore normal internet access to your computer...."
It went on to instruct me on how to solve the problem without realising it was dealing with a non-technical person. Ultimately, I had to call the telco to send a technician before I could regain my internet connection.
After all the hassle was over, I decided to write about it. I also alerted StarHub to the posting, titled: "StarHub springs a surprise -- go reconfigure yourself".
There was complete silence for more than two months UNTIL today when, surprise, surprise!!! , I got this reply from the telco:
"We refer to your blog entry dated 14 December 2012 at
http://boo-n-bouquet.blogspot.
delayed response to your feedback.
We would like to clarify that any change in StarHub's DNS settings is
meant to be transparent to customers as computers and network
equipment will retrieve the new settings automatically via DHCP
(Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). DHCP is used all over the
world to dynamically assign IP configuration settings to end-users.
From your description, it would appear that your equipment's setting
was hardcoded with a static DNS setting which resulted in the loss of
Internet connectivity. Unfortunately, we will not know who edited the
settings on your equipment since this will usually require physical
access to it.
While the settings on your equipment is beyond StarHub's control, we
sincerely apologise if this episode had given you the impression that
we have disconnected your internet without prior notice.
Please feel free to write to us if you require further clarification
on this.
Thank you.
Warm regards
Howard Toh
Service Manager, Technical Helpdesk"
What is StarHub telling me??? That I or someone in my house had tampered with the setting?
I like the sensitive manner in which Mr Toh put it: "Unfortunately, we will not know who edited the settings on your equipment since this will usually require physical access to it."
Hello, Mr Toh, I am the only person using the computer in my household and, for the life of me, I have absolutely no idea what is meant by "hardcoded" or "static DNS setting" let alone knowing how to reset the equipment.
What intrigues me now is why the telco has suddenly jumped to life and decided to respond to my complaint.
If you were to check my blog, there are many which they have not bothered to do so.
And I have many more complaints which I have not blogged about StarHub
StarHub springing a surprise on me with this message on my computer screeen...
"Your PC/router DNS settings is currently configured to link to our decommissioned DNS server, and thus being re-directed to this webpage.
Please note that as your PC/router has been set to manual DNS settings, your internet access will be affected and must be re-configured to automatic DNS selection in order to restore normal internet access to your computer...."
It went on to instruct me on how to solve the problem without realising it was dealing with a non-technical person. Ultimately, I had to call the telco to send a technician before I could regain my internet connection.
After all the hassle was over, I decided to write about it. I also alerted StarHub to the posting, titled: "StarHub springs a surprise -- go reconfigure yourself".
There was complete silence for more than two months UNTIL today when, surprise, surprise!!! , I got this reply from the telco:
"We refer to your blog entry dated 14 December 2012 at
http://boo-n-bouquet.blogspot.
delayed response to your feedback.
We would like to clarify that any change in StarHub's DNS settings is
meant to be transparent to customers as computers and network
equipment will retrieve the new settings automatically via DHCP
(Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). DHCP is used all over the
world to dynamically assign IP configuration settings to end-users.
From your description, it would appear that your equipment's setting
was hardcoded with a static DNS setting which resulted in the loss of
Internet connectivity. Unfortunately, we will not know who edited the
settings on your equipment since this will usually require physical
access to it.
While the settings on your equipment is beyond StarHub's control, we
sincerely apologise if this episode had given you the impression that
we have disconnected your internet without prior notice.
Please feel free to write to us if you require further clarification
on this.
Thank you.
Warm regards
Howard Toh
Service Manager, Technical Helpdesk"
What is StarHub telling me??? That I or someone in my house had tampered with the setting?
I like the sensitive manner in which Mr Toh put it: "Unfortunately, we will not know who edited the settings on your equipment since this will usually require physical access to it."
Hello, Mr Toh, I am the only person using the computer in my household and, for the life of me, I have absolutely no idea what is meant by "hardcoded" or "static DNS setting" let alone knowing how to reset the equipment.
What intrigues me now is why the telco has suddenly jumped to life and decided to respond to my complaint.
If you were to check my blog, there are many which they have not bothered to do so.
And I have many more complaints which I have not blogged about StarHub
Sunday, February 24, 2013
StarHub sucks --- again!!!
While reading some of the postings by hotelier Loh Lik Peng in his blog,
Loh and Behold, I spotted one that commented on StarHub's poor service.
My friends and I have written and complained ad nauseum to the telco about its service but to no avail so far. So when I saw Loh's story, I thought I would lift it wholesale (I hope he won't mind) and post it in my blog.
A bit more pressure would make the telco see the light, I hope.
Below is Loh's posting last December....
StarHub Sucks!
"I’ve terminated my StarHub fixed broadband service and some dude named Adrian Koh from their Retention Team had the balls to email me to find out why.
To all the clowns at StarHub, here’s why:
Service from StarHub has always been inadequate commensurate with the price charged. For example to cancel my StarHub fixed broadband service, I first phoned in October to inform StarHub.
I phoned again in November, just to make sure. (In the past, my experience with StarHub has been you need to remind them over and over again for the slightest shit you want done.)
And in December I phoned yet again. Each time I phoned I was told that my request has been noted. But way past the last date of service (which was December 15th) the fixed broadband service was still available and I had to call once again to request for termination.
Finally spoke to a person named “Heuer” on the other end of the line and he was the one who eventually terminated the fixed broadband service for me on December 17th.
How any times does a customer need to phone and phone? This fucked-up level of service – I can’t imagine anything more shoddy that this - is among the reasons why I decided not to renew my fixed broadband service with StarHub.
Besides, other providers now offer fiber with NO contract at cheaper prices.
For those still stuck with StarFucks do consider moving. And check your bills.
My son’s cell phone bill recently had a charge for roaming in Malaysia and he wasn’t even in Malaysia.
StarHub, please get your act together. There are enough clowns in Singapore already. No need to add to the ballooning population of jokers, retards and morons here."
Friday, February 15, 2013
SIA's Valentine's Day service lacks attention to detail
It was Valentine's Day, but, sadly, much of the romance was spoilt by the "service that others talk about" as the Tongs flew SQ biz class to Hong Kong to celebrate their anniversary.
Madam Thng Poh Choo, the wife, was upset by the way her bread roll was served. And KC, her hubby, was not thrilled when he bit into his cereal.
Poh Choo, who knows a thing or two about quality service, having been a stewardess herself in SQ's first-class cabins many, many years ago, decided she should email me to give her feedback.
She says: "Small a complaint it may be, (but) it is certainly something for the crew to think about.
"When a passenger decides to forgo her main course and asks for a bread roll....mind you, this roll is now my main course.....the crew serving this bread roll must have some PRIDE in wanting to present the bread roll warm."
Unfortunately, it came to her cold. And when she requested for it to be warmed up, "it came back to me in a hot, soft and puff-like nature..."
She was elated and thought to herself: "Well done, crew! Hot bread roll!"
But her joy was short-lived. She says: "In less than a minute (seems like a minute...I cannot be accurate here) after tearing up the roll into pieces, I could feel the roll hardening up.... making it not so good to eat.
"Was it microwaved? I asked the Chief Steward.
"He said, "we do not have a microwave on board".
"What the Chief Steward could have done was to stop for 30 seconds and asked me if there was anything wrong with my roll....
"In the case of my husband, besides having to eat his overly-drenched and soggy cereal, he had to call for a clean spoon when he was served the main course -- chicken congee.
"It is not Economy class service we expect in Business Class!! Attention to such details seems lacking today (February 14)."
Calling on SQ to "kindly re-train these girls", she adds a pointer on how to prepare cereal: "They should not pour the milk into the cereal too early. Cereal should be eaten with a crunch even if it is taken with milk. The trick is to serve the cereal with the milk poured in at the very last moment...it is not difficult to serve this simple dish."
The Tongs, however, had a pleasant surprise when the crew brought out an anniversary cake for them just before landing, but Poh Choo could not help but wonder: "How am I supposed to enjoy this cake? Take-away? It was quite funny!"
As a former Singapore Girl, she says she understands that "the crew want to work fast" but she qualifies that by adding: "They must not compromise on quality."
Indeed!
Madam Thng Poh Choo, the wife, was upset by the way her bread roll was served. And KC, her hubby, was not thrilled when he bit into his cereal.
Poh Choo, who knows a thing or two about quality service, having been a stewardess herself in SQ's first-class cabins many, many years ago, decided she should email me to give her feedback.
She says: "Small a complaint it may be, (but) it is certainly something for the crew to think about.
"When a passenger decides to forgo her main course and asks for a bread roll....mind you, this roll is now my main course.....the crew serving this bread roll must have some PRIDE in wanting to present the bread roll warm."
Unfortunately, it came to her cold. And when she requested for it to be warmed up, "it came back to me in a hot, soft and puff-like nature..."
She was elated and thought to herself: "Well done, crew! Hot bread roll!"
But her joy was short-lived. She says: "In less than a minute (seems like a minute...I cannot be accurate here) after tearing up the roll into pieces, I could feel the roll hardening up.... making it not so good to eat.
"Was it microwaved? I asked the Chief Steward.
"He said, "we do not have a microwave on board".
"What the Chief Steward could have done was to stop for 30 seconds and asked me if there was anything wrong with my roll....
"In the case of my husband, besides having to eat his overly-drenched and soggy cereal, he had to call for a clean spoon when he was served the main course -- chicken congee.
"It is not Economy class service we expect in Business Class!! Attention to such details seems lacking today (February 14)."
Calling on SQ to "kindly re-train these girls", she adds a pointer on how to prepare cereal: "They should not pour the milk into the cereal too early. Cereal should be eaten with a crunch even if it is taken with milk. The trick is to serve the cereal with the milk poured in at the very last moment...it is not difficult to serve this simple dish."
The Tongs, however, had a pleasant surprise when the crew brought out an anniversary cake for them just before landing, but Poh Choo could not help but wonder: "How am I supposed to enjoy this cake? Take-away? It was quite funny!"
As a former Singapore Girl, she says she understands that "the crew want to work fast" but she qualifies that by adding: "They must not compromise on quality."
Indeed!
Friday, February 8, 2013
Anne's web chat with NTUC Income
Anne Holloway emailed me this transcript of her web chat with an NTUC Income employee regarding her IncomeShield policy. The heading of her email was: Read this and cry...
Customer Service: Welcome to NTUC Income Contact Centre.
Customer Service: Please hold while we connect you to one of our Customer Service Representatives...
Anne Wong Holloway: It's 4:46 pm on Wed, 30 Jan.
Anne: How long do I need to wait? (Finally I got someone - Troms - at 4:49pm; usually web support chat reps answer much quicker)
Troms: Good afternoon, Ms Holloway.
Troms: We are sorry for the delay.
Troms: How may I help you?
Anne: Yes, at last!
Troms: Thank you for your patience Ms Holloway.
Anne: My Incomeshield policy is 9xxxx118 - I am informed online by POSB and also by your own website that the number does not have enough digits for me to effect online payment of my premium. What do I need to do?
Troms: How can I complete your afternoon today?
Troms: Thank you for the information.
Anne: You can help me make a premium payment
Troms: Let me check that for you.
Troms: One moment please.
Troms: Can I call you Ms Holloway?
Troms: May I have your number?
Anne: You can call me what you like as long as I can get this done ASAP
Anne: What number?
Troms: I would like to assist you in making the payment online. I will contact you on your phone number.
Anne: 9xxxx118 is my policy number; I am in Hong Kong now and can be reached on my HK home number +852 2812 xxxx
Troms: Oh I see. I apologise I`m unable to contact overseas number. Anyway, I`ll just assist you as quick as I can.
Anne: I see my premium should not be due immediately although my NTUC agent keeps chasing me - my policy renews 28 February.
Troms: Before we proceed Ms Holloway, I need to do a quick verification. May I obtain your Date of Birth and NRIC number?
Troms: I`m sorry to hear that your agent keeps chasing you.
Anne: S0xxxxxxx is NRIC and DOB is xx xx xxxx
Troms: Don`t worry, I`ll do my best to assist you from here.
Troms: Great! Thank you for your cooperation, Ms Holloway.
Troms: You need a bill reference number to make an internet banking payment. Is that what you were trying to do? Online banking payment?
Anne: How is it that my policy number is a few digits shorter than what is needed to pay online via your website and POSB's website?
Troms: Policy Number is different from Bill Reference Number, Ms Holloway.
Anne: I don't have a bill ref number, I only have what I can see of my policy details on your website.
Troms: At the moment, we have not generated any bill reference number yet.
Troms: The bill reference number can be found on the payment notice that we send to policyholders around one to two weeks from their renewal date.
Troms: You are correct. Your current policy will expire by 28 Feb 2013.
Anne: I am in HK, how would I have my bill number if they did not post it on the NTUC website with my policy details? BUPA, IHI etc all give full details to facilitate payment. And about 2 months in advance as well. Now, why is my agent chasing me for payment when a bill has not been generated?
Troms: It will renew on 01 March 2013.
Anne: This all means I cannot make a payment today?
Troms: The bill reference number will be generated around first week of March.
Anne: Now that's rather late for payment due before renewal, no?
Troms: Correct, Ms Holloway, the payment is not necessary today.
Troms: The grace period for your policy is 60 days from 01 March 2013.
Anne: OK then, I won't waste any more of your time -- or mine! Thank you.
Troms: No worries. We are always here to help you.
Troms: Since you are overseas, you can also send an email to us if you have enquiries.
Troms: Our email address is healthcare@income.com.sg
Troms: Is there anything else I may help you with Ms Holloway?
Anne: No thanks a lot. Bye
Troms: It`s my pleasure to help you. Enjoy your stay in HK!
Troms: Goodbye.
Anne: Oh, by the way, do you offer a transcript of this webchat?
Troms: I will send it to your email address, is that okay?
Anne: Terrific, thanks again. Bye.
Troms: May I verify that your email address is wongholloway@yahoo.com?
Anne: Yes, indeed it is. I look forward to the transcript.
Customer Service: Welcome to NTUC Income Contact Centre.
Customer Service: Please hold while we connect you to one of our Customer Service Representatives...
Anne Wong Holloway: It's 4:46 pm on Wed, 30 Jan.
Anne: How long do I need to wait? (Finally I got someone - Troms - at 4:49pm; usually web support chat reps answer much quicker)
Troms: Good afternoon, Ms Holloway.
Troms: We are sorry for the delay.
Troms: How may I help you?
Anne: Yes, at last!
Troms: Thank you for your patience Ms Holloway.
Anne: My Incomeshield policy is 9xxxx118 - I am informed online by POSB and also by your own website that the number does not have enough digits for me to effect online payment of my premium. What do I need to do?
Troms: How can I complete your afternoon today?
Troms: Thank you for the information.
Anne: You can help me make a premium payment
Troms: Let me check that for you.
Troms: One moment please.
Troms: Can I call you Ms Holloway?
Troms: May I have your number?
Anne: You can call me what you like as long as I can get this done ASAP
Anne: What number?
Troms: I would like to assist you in making the payment online. I will contact you on your phone number.
Anne: 9xxxx118 is my policy number; I am in Hong Kong now and can be reached on my HK home number +852 2812 xxxx
Troms: Oh I see. I apologise I`m unable to contact overseas number. Anyway, I`ll just assist you as quick as I can.
Anne: I see my premium should not be due immediately although my NTUC agent keeps chasing me - my policy renews 28 February.
Troms: Before we proceed Ms Holloway, I need to do a quick verification. May I obtain your Date of Birth and NRIC number?
Troms: I`m sorry to hear that your agent keeps chasing you.
Anne: S0xxxxxxx is NRIC and DOB is xx xx xxxx
Troms: Don`t worry, I`ll do my best to assist you from here.
Troms: Great! Thank you for your cooperation, Ms Holloway.
Troms: You need a bill reference number to make an internet banking payment. Is that what you were trying to do? Online banking payment?
Anne: How is it that my policy number is a few digits shorter than what is needed to pay online via your website and POSB's website?
Troms: Policy Number is different from Bill Reference Number, Ms Holloway.
Anne: I don't have a bill ref number, I only have what I can see of my policy details on your website.
Troms: At the moment, we have not generated any bill reference number yet.
Troms: The bill reference number can be found on the payment notice that we send to policyholders around one to two weeks from their renewal date.
Troms: You are correct. Your current policy will expire by 28 Feb 2013.
Anne: I am in HK, how would I have my bill number if they did not post it on the NTUC website with my policy details? BUPA, IHI etc all give full details to facilitate payment. And about 2 months in advance as well. Now, why is my agent chasing me for payment when a bill has not been generated?
Troms: It will renew on 01 March 2013.
Anne: This all means I cannot make a payment today?
Troms: The bill reference number will be generated around first week of March.
Anne: Now that's rather late for payment due before renewal, no?
Troms: Correct, Ms Holloway, the payment is not necessary today.
Troms: The grace period for your policy is 60 days from 01 March 2013.
Anne: OK then, I won't waste any more of your time -- or mine! Thank you.
Troms: No worries. We are always here to help you.
Troms: Since you are overseas, you can also send an email to us if you have enquiries.
Troms: Our email address is healthcare@income.com.sg
Troms: Is there anything else I may help you with Ms Holloway?
Anne: No thanks a lot. Bye
Troms: It`s my pleasure to help you. Enjoy your stay in HK!
Troms: Goodbye.
Anne: Oh, by the way, do you offer a transcript of this webchat?
Troms: I will send it to your email address, is that okay?
Anne: Terrific, thanks again. Bye.
Troms: May I verify that your email address is wongholloway@yahoo.com?
Anne: Yes, indeed it is. I look forward to the transcript.
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