We went to CASE Today....(16th of Sept 2006)

For the past few days, Sandy has been real upset........

She has signed up for a beauty treatment course and below are the details:
1) Aroma facial - $13 (Done)
2) Diamond facial (Trial) - $40 (Done)
3) Diamond facial 10 times plus 10 times foc - $50 (Deposit) Total cost will cost $650

During the signing up of the 3rd course, she was quite reluctant to sign up but was persistantly pestered by the beautician. In the end, she agreed to put a deposit of $50 on the promise that if she did not want to go for the Diamond facial, she could opt for other services.

After going for the Diamond facial (Trial), she found that she did not see any desired effects and called up the beautician with the thought that she could change for other services. Alas, the beautican default on her promise and mentioned that Sandy could not change to other services other than this $650 facial treatment.

Sandy: How can you default on your promise???
Beautician: I got said that meh?
Sandy: I want to talk to your boss!!!!
Beautician: My boss is a very busy man, you can't see him as and when you like..
Sandy: (Very angry)...

Few hours later ...
Marc: Let's go to CASE, they can help us
Sandy: What is that?
Marc: Consumers Association of Singapore. Basically they help people like us to redress our grievances. We can opt for a refund since this beauty shop has mislead consumers into believing that you can opt for other services when this is not so.
Sandy: Can win or not, I just want my $$ back
Marc: Call this number lah 6463 - 1811.......

Few days later...
Sandy: Hey, the person in charge said we got 50-50 chance of getting back the refund of $50. But we must get down in person.
Marc: Let's go this sat!



CASE is located near to Buona Vista MRT, about 10 mins walk. After waiting for 1 and a half hour, it was our turn.

We briefly explained our case to the Customer Service officer.

Customer Service officer: You see, CASE acts as a middleman to settle this case, it has no legal powers to force the vendor to refund you the money.

Marc: Huh, I thought you guys can do that?

Customer Service officer: Only the small Claims Burea has that, we don't. Tell you what, I will write a letter for you to be sent to the beauty salon asking them to exchange for products or refund. However, you guys need to pay an admin fee of $10 for this

Marc: Huh, no free one ah? We are the victims here.......

Customer Service officer: No lah, must pay

Marc: What if the beauty salon refuse to acknowledge this letter.

Customer Service officer: You can call up them and verify that they have received this letter. If they refuse to oblige to your request, you can file another complaint to the Small Claims Burea. Admin charge for this request is $10.

Marc: Huh, so troublesome, I thought CASE would follow up this for us?

Customer Service officer: No Sir, as what I mentioned, we only serve as the middleman.

Marc: If this is the case, I might as well submit my case to the Small Claims Burea now, hehehehe

Customer Service officer: If CASE helped to send this letter, what happened if that there is room for negotiation for exchange of funds / products. However, if Small Claims Burea handles it, the judge would decide what you guys would get. No lawyers would be engaged at this moment but the claimant and the accused must represent themselves in court.

Marc: What if I still can't win my case after it is heard in court?

Customer Service officer: You can file for an appeal to the higher court.

Marc: Wa, very troublesome leh....

Moment of silence....

Marc: If the transaction record indicated clearly that the $50 could be exchanged for other services / products, how does that help us?

Customer Service officer: You would have a stronger case.

Marc: Ok, you help me to compose the letter...

Customer Service officer: okie

We got the letter and wasted no time to send it by mail

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