I WAS in Singapore for work over a few months last year.
On one Friday last November, I went to a shop located on the second floor of Sim Lim
Square to buy a camera. The salesman, Mr E., was very attentive, and he recommended that I get a Kodak M1033, even though my heart was set on a Panasonic LX3.
Mr E. said that if I did not like the Kodak, I could exchange it the next day for the LX3.
When I returned to my hotel, I felt that I still wanted the LX3 and also realised that while the Kodak cost around US$200 (about S$300), I had been charged S$570.
When he gave me the receipt upon purchase, he had asked me to sign an agreement that there would be no exchanges or refunds, but I had refused.
When I returned on Sunday to make the exchange, Mr E. said there was no stock, but that I could come back in two hours or choose another camera.
When I returned at 1pm, he told me that the stock would arrive only three days later.
We then agreed that my camera would be sent to me by DHL as I was leaving the country that day.
As I wanted to know the DHL tracking number, I called the shop on Tuesday to enquire. I was told that Mr E. was on leave, but would be back the next day. I was given the same message over the next few days.
None of the other salespeople in the shop were willing to help me.
I have raised this matter with the Singapore Tourism Board, but there has been no sign of Mr E.
Is this the friendly Singapore I know?
Is there any way this can be resolved other than going through the Small Claims Tribunal?
