May 13 has a special significance in Singapore as it reminds us of how 'racial disharmony' can happen IF we are NOT vigilant, diligent and careful about mutually respecting ALL races in a multi-racial society! The price paid was too big. We never want to experience it again! Ever!
"Six months since the Vietnamese tourist scandal, what's changed at Sim Lim Square? - CNA 14 May 2015
"Six months since the Vietnamese tourist scandal, what's changed at Sim Lim Square? - CNA 14 May 2015
SINGAPORE: Last November, video footage of a Vietnamese man begging an employee of a mobile phone shop at Sim Lim Square for a refund sparked an outcry against unfair business practices.
The clip led to much public anger against errant business practices. Many called for consumer watchdog Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) to be given more teeth. Others reported several of these retailers to the police.
Half a year later, much has changed, it seems.
Since November, the number of complaints lodged with CASE against retailers in Sim Lim Square and People's Park Complex has fallen steadily. Just three complaints were lodged against Sim Lim shops in April this year, while People's Park Complex registered none.
CASE Executive Director Seah Seng Choon said the association gave warnings to errant retailers in both malls.
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB), which tracks figures on tourists seeking monetary redress on a quarterly basis, also saw a large fall in complaints. From October to December 2014, 120 complaints were registered against Sim Lim retailers. This figure fell to 55 for the period from January to March 2015.
STB said it is working closely with CASE to raise consumer protection awareness and improve overall shopping experience at Sim Lim Square. This includes making public announcements within the mall, giving consumers tips to improve their shopping experience such as asking for information on exchange or refund policies before purchase.
Together with the police and CASE, STB has also developed a brochure to advise visitors on purchasing electronic products in Singapore. This brochure can be found at Sim Lim Square as well as other key locations such as the Singapore Visitor Centre at orchardgateway and STB's office at Tourism Court.
Mr Raymond Sanchez, a shopper, felt that the situation was better than before. “I can see that the Government has taken some steps on how to eliminate those problematic shops.” Another shopper, Mr Johnny Wong, said he had no reason to patronise shops on the first floor, which was said to house many errant retailers.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry has said it will review legislation to speed up action against unfair trading practices by mid-2015."
I am VERY GLAD that CNA did a FOLLOW UP to a significant embarrassment to Singapore's reputation as a honest, safe and shopper-friendly place.
Lessons for me are:
1. when something BIG and BAD happened, the media has an OUT-SIZE influence on encouraging a CHANGE when it exposed them to the public and the authorities! In the cases quoted, they were brought to the attention of the national audience via an internet and viral posting. So, mainstream media can do better next time;
2. rightly or wrongly, when the BIG and BAD things are exposed to the public and the PUBLIC reacted, somehow the AUTHORITIES will take up the cases! Hopefully it was not true that the AUTHORITIES were just sitting on their hands and hoping that NO ONE will bring something BIG and BAD to the public. :-) ;
3. for the CHANGE to take root, CONSTANT vigilance MUST be provided UNTIL noticeable change of behaviours happened, and then slowly but surely taking roots. THAT is when the public and the authorities KNOW the change for the better is FOR REAL and FOR GOOD!
So, kudos to the press for doing this follow up piece. We like to know the next update in another 3- or 6-month time! YES?
The clip led to much public anger against errant business practices. Many called for consumer watchdog Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) to be given more teeth. Others reported several of these retailers to the police.
Half a year later, much has changed, it seems.
Since November, the number of complaints lodged with CASE against retailers in Sim Lim Square and People's Park Complex has fallen steadily. Just three complaints were lodged against Sim Lim shops in April this year, while People's Park Complex registered none.
CASE Executive Director Seah Seng Choon said the association gave warnings to errant retailers in both malls.
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB), which tracks figures on tourists seeking monetary redress on a quarterly basis, also saw a large fall in complaints. From October to December 2014, 120 complaints were registered against Sim Lim retailers. This figure fell to 55 for the period from January to March 2015.
STB said it is working closely with CASE to raise consumer protection awareness and improve overall shopping experience at Sim Lim Square. This includes making public announcements within the mall, giving consumers tips to improve their shopping experience such as asking for information on exchange or refund policies before purchase.
Together with the police and CASE, STB has also developed a brochure to advise visitors on purchasing electronic products in Singapore. This brochure can be found at Sim Lim Square as well as other key locations such as the Singapore Visitor Centre at orchardgateway and STB's office at Tourism Court.
Mr Raymond Sanchez, a shopper, felt that the situation was better than before. “I can see that the Government has taken some steps on how to eliminate those problematic shops.” Another shopper, Mr Johnny Wong, said he had no reason to patronise shops on the first floor, which was said to house many errant retailers.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry has said it will review legislation to speed up action against unfair trading practices by mid-2015."
I am VERY GLAD that CNA did a FOLLOW UP to a significant embarrassment to Singapore's reputation as a honest, safe and shopper-friendly place.
Lessons for me are:
1. when something BIG and BAD happened, the media has an OUT-SIZE influence on encouraging a CHANGE when it exposed them to the public and the authorities! In the cases quoted, they were brought to the attention of the national audience via an internet and viral posting. So, mainstream media can do better next time;
2. rightly or wrongly, when the BIG and BAD things are exposed to the public and the PUBLIC reacted, somehow the AUTHORITIES will take up the cases! Hopefully it was not true that the AUTHORITIES were just sitting on their hands and hoping that NO ONE will bring something BIG and BAD to the public. :-) ;
3. for the CHANGE to take root, CONSTANT vigilance MUST be provided UNTIL noticeable change of behaviours happened, and then slowly but surely taking roots. THAT is when the public and the authorities KNOW the change for the better is FOR REAL and FOR GOOD!
So, kudos to the press for doing this follow up piece. We like to know the next update in another 3- or 6-month time! YES?
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