There are two letters in the Straits Times Forum about the poor standard of taxi service in Singapore. Taxis are not available on rainy days to pick up passengers at taxi stands or on the road, but they become available on taxi calls,where a large surcharge had to be paid. Commuters have been asking the authority to act against errant taxi drivers.
This type of complaints had been aired on countless occasions in past years. Nothing has been done to address this situation. It is not possible to rein in the errant taxi drivers, who have their own side of the story to tell. They have to pay high taxi rental fees and need the surcharge to make a living.
This is Singapore! Everyone is in the business of ripping off the consumers to make the extra buck. This is why citizens are complaining about the high cost of living in Singapore. And this is possible in the pro-business culture that is being encouraged by our government of the day.
What can be done to improve our taxi service? I have written a letter to the Straits Times. I hope that they publish it.
Tan Kin Lian
Monday, December 6, 2010
Excessive charges to boost profits
I read the reply from the Executive Director of the National Dental Center of Singapore. Dr. Kwa said that the fee for the medical report reflect some of their cost. It seemed to imply that the other part of the fee is to make profit for the center.
The situation in Singapore has become very bad in recent years. Many corporations, private and public, find ways (and excuses) to increase their profits, imposing a high cost on consumers. This is made in the interest of increasing productivity, efficiency and service. In reality, it is ripping off the hapless consumers in a deregulated environment. It is also unethical business practice, but has become a habit in Singapore.
When will our government leaders wake up and find out why the citizens are complaining about the high cost of living, and the high cost of operating a business in Singapore?
There was a time, in a more ethical environment, when corporation give incidental services free or at a nominal fee. There were not allowed to make profits from these services. I wish to go back to these good old days.
Tan Kin Lian
The situation in Singapore has become very bad in recent years. Many corporations, private and public, find ways (and excuses) to increase their profits, imposing a high cost on consumers. This is made in the interest of increasing productivity, efficiency and service. In reality, it is ripping off the hapless consumers in a deregulated environment. It is also unethical business practice, but has become a habit in Singapore.
When will our government leaders wake up and find out why the citizens are complaining about the high cost of living, and the high cost of operating a business in Singapore?
There was a time, in a more ethical environment, when corporation give incidental services free or at a nominal fee. There were not allowed to make profits from these services. I wish to go back to these good old days.
Tan Kin Lian
Enjoy discounts on books
There are two book bundles giving attractive discounts:
a) Bundle of 5 books - with 40% discount
b) Bundle of 3 copies of Financial Planning book (buy 2, get 1 free). Three friends can share this discount.
c) Bundle of 3 books (book 1, 2 and 3) - Wisdom on how to live life - Dr. Tommy Wong
Available at www.tankinlian.com/ishop
a) Bundle of 5 books - with 40% discount
b) Bundle of 3 copies of Financial Planning book (buy 2, get 1 free). Three friends can share this discount.
c) Bundle of 3 books (book 1, 2 and 3) - Wisdom on how to live life - Dr. Tommy Wong
Available at www.tankinlian.com/ishop
US needs more quantitative easing!
It is frightening that the US needs any dose of quantitative easing. Although the first two round has caused havoc around the world - asset bubbles in Asia and the potential of the collapse of the US dollar.
SGEP
SGEP
Social safety net
Does Singapore have a good social safety net? Read Ng Kok Lim's reply to PM Lee.
SGEP
SGEP
TKL Tips
Tips on financial planning, buying insurance and healthy lifestyle can be found here.
http://easyapps.sg/learn/
More topics will be added later.
http://easyapps.sg/learn/
More topics will be added later.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Avoid insurance agents
I wish to advise consumers to avoid insurance agents (unless this is someone that you know and can trust). I have seen too many cases of insurance agents cheating on unsuspecting consumers by telling blatant lies. (There are many cases where they used half truths, which is also dishonest, but not as bad as blatant lies).
This statement may be unfair to some agents who act honestly and take care of their customers' interest. But it is difficult for consumers to tell the honest agent from the dishonest ones. This situation is made worse when the the dishonest agents are allowed to get away scot-free by asking consumers to sign blank forms. Some of the life insurance policies are clearly unfair to consumers, with excessive charges that seem to be designed to rip off the unwary consumers.
I urge MAS to investigate complaints of dishonest practices, rather than let the matter be decided by FIDREC as a dispute. FIDREC takes a long time to decide, and does not have the disciplinary power.
Tan Kin Lian
This statement may be unfair to some agents who act honestly and take care of their customers' interest. But it is difficult for consumers to tell the honest agent from the dishonest ones. This situation is made worse when the the dishonest agents are allowed to get away scot-free by asking consumers to sign blank forms. Some of the life insurance policies are clearly unfair to consumers, with excessive charges that seem to be designed to rip off the unwary consumers.
I urge MAS to investigate complaints of dishonest practices, rather than let the matter be decided by FIDREC as a dispute. FIDREC takes a long time to decide, and does not have the disciplinary power.
Tan Kin Lian
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