It's Saturday. I should be at home sleeping, or watching TV, or reading the newspaper, or surfing the net (ok, i am doing that), instead, I am stuck at work now.
I was supposed to be off today. Was planning to enjoy my weekend in SG. Been going back to PJ nearly every weekend to see my kid. This week, I thought I would get some rest as I had fallen sick for the past few weeks.
Well, it all started during a meeting at 5pm yesterday. 5pm!!! I get off work at 5pm, supposedly. Anyway, another colleague of mine promised something to the bosses that involved me. So, he asked if I could come in today to settle with him.
Being the nice guy (and also bcoz my bosses were at the meeting as well) I agreed. Then he said, he could only come in the afternoon! I said, never mind, I will wait for you. I told him to come as early as possible.
I woke up late today, and came to work half drowsy. Who would have thought, he called me up at around 10am. Said he can't make it today!!! He asked for some info and said he will pass the work to me on Monday!!!
So, I am still stuck here in the office, thinking what to do. Should I go home? Should I go catch a movie? BTW, it's raining outside and I cannot leave. Hmmmm ....
Showing posts with label Rants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rants. Show all posts
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Saturday, November 3, 2007
SG Housing Agents are Unprofessional; Crap & Dirt!
In my quest to look for a place to stay, I have encountered many agents. I have come to one conclusion, most agents, if not all, are crap! I have heard of all of this before, from others who have had bad experience with them. But dealing with them really can cause you unnecessary pain and distress.
Let me enlighten you on some. It is a booming market here in SG, whether you want to rent of buy a place. Which has probably given the agents the right to grow a nose so high that they look upon any potential home seekers as dirt.
F**k you, agents. We are the customer! We are the ones paying you to find us a place, not the other way around. BTW, here in SG, both the landlord and the rentor both pays comission to the agent! Yes, it's dumb, but that's the practice here.
I came across an ad in the papers, claiming to have rooms in certain areas, etc. I called up and he said he had no more rooms now. Ok, so I told him if he had any rooms, he could let me know. He responded rudely saying he does not have time for this and insist that I call him to find out myself. Barger! Who is the customer now? Scrap one agent of my list.
Then I decided to post online to potential landlords to contact me directly. In the end, another agent called me, at 11.10pm at nite. He called up and told me that he had a room to view NOW! He did not even introduce himself, and I was still wondering who the f**k he was. He just said that the owner is coming home at 11.30pm and ask me to go there immediately. I told him it was late but he insist I get there by 11.30pm. I told him no and he said he'll called me back. Till now, there's no call. As**ole!
When I first arrived here in SG, I was a bit surprised why every ad that I called in the papers was an agent. It seems to be a norm here in SG that nearly 99% of all potential landlords engage agents to find suitors for their unit. Any Tom, Dick or Harry can become an agent. You do not need a license or training. All you need is a unit for rent or a rentor. Then why the heck are the landlord still engaging agents?
Most agents, if not all, are independent agents. Meaning that they do not have any agency or a damn big database of customers. He could be having only ONE unit for rent, which is probably his neighbour's or his friend's. Even those that tie up with housing agents, are only for namesake, so that they have a nicer namecard! Or they can reccommend a potential rentor to another agent who has a room, whom he happened to bump into at the agency. Then they can share the commission.
When you engage an agent, what most of them do is post an ad online, at no cost (which you and I can do easily, without costs as well) or stick an ad the size of a post it note on the notice board at the bus stands. But they still prefer to engage agents. Beats the heck out of me why they do it. Maybe they feel proud that an agent got them a rentor or an agent can get them a better rentor.
Wake up landlords! Agents do not do what you can do yourself! He does not screen your potential rentors. He sends you the first person who calls him. He could be a mass murderer or the unabomber, and the agent won't even care. All he cares is his commission.
In Malaysia, if I wanted to rent my room out, I would just hang a sign in front of the house. I can post online myself as well. If I post an in the papers, it would be maybe RM20 for one whole week! It's still cheaper than paying the damn agent.
Unlike Malaysia, it is very much easier to advertise. There's more or less only 1-2 major newspapers to advertise. And there are only a few prominent websites to advertise. It is so simple my 12 year old nephew could probably get me a dozen tenants to choose from. I still cannot understand the logic in someone paying an agent in this hot market. SG landlords, wake up lar! Stop pampering the damn agents. Let them know who's boss!
Let me enlighten you on some. It is a booming market here in SG, whether you want to rent of buy a place. Which has probably given the agents the right to grow a nose so high that they look upon any potential home seekers as dirt.
F**k you, agents. We are the customer! We are the ones paying you to find us a place, not the other way around. BTW, here in SG, both the landlord and the rentor both pays comission to the agent! Yes, it's dumb, but that's the practice here.
I came across an ad in the papers, claiming to have rooms in certain areas, etc. I called up and he said he had no more rooms now. Ok, so I told him if he had any rooms, he could let me know. He responded rudely saying he does not have time for this and insist that I call him to find out myself. Barger! Who is the customer now? Scrap one agent of my list.
Then I decided to post online to potential landlords to contact me directly. In the end, another agent called me, at 11.10pm at nite. He called up and told me that he had a room to view NOW! He did not even introduce himself, and I was still wondering who the f**k he was. He just said that the owner is coming home at 11.30pm and ask me to go there immediately. I told him it was late but he insist I get there by 11.30pm. I told him no and he said he'll called me back. Till now, there's no call. As**ole!
When I first arrived here in SG, I was a bit surprised why every ad that I called in the papers was an agent. It seems to be a norm here in SG that nearly 99% of all potential landlords engage agents to find suitors for their unit. Any Tom, Dick or Harry can become an agent. You do not need a license or training. All you need is a unit for rent or a rentor. Then why the heck are the landlord still engaging agents?
Most agents, if not all, are independent agents. Meaning that they do not have any agency or a damn big database of customers. He could be having only ONE unit for rent, which is probably his neighbour's or his friend's. Even those that tie up with housing agents, are only for namesake, so that they have a nicer namecard! Or they can reccommend a potential rentor to another agent who has a room, whom he happened to bump into at the agency. Then they can share the commission.
When you engage an agent, what most of them do is post an ad online, at no cost (which you and I can do easily, without costs as well) or stick an ad the size of a post it note on the notice board at the bus stands. But they still prefer to engage agents. Beats the heck out of me why they do it. Maybe they feel proud that an agent got them a rentor or an agent can get them a better rentor.
Wake up landlords! Agents do not do what you can do yourself! He does not screen your potential rentors. He sends you the first person who calls him. He could be a mass murderer or the unabomber, and the agent won't even care. All he cares is his commission.
In Malaysia, if I wanted to rent my room out, I would just hang a sign in front of the house. I can post online myself as well. If I post an in the papers, it would be maybe RM20 for one whole week! It's still cheaper than paying the damn agent.
Unlike Malaysia, it is very much easier to advertise. There's more or less only 1-2 major newspapers to advertise. And there are only a few prominent websites to advertise. It is so simple my 12 year old nephew could probably get me a dozen tenants to choose from. I still cannot understand the logic in someone paying an agent in this hot market. SG landlords, wake up lar! Stop pampering the damn agents. Let them know who's boss!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Looking for a new place to stay
It happened, a tad bit earlier than I expected, my landlord asked me to move. I was already planning to move, just not this early, maybe in January 08, when I expect to have more free time.
Instead, she just dropped the bomb on us. Suddenly last weekend, after lunch, she told us she's giving us one month's notice to move out. I have no arguement, since I was not interested in staying there very much longer. But the timing is a bit out.
I am not too bothered about the reason, even though I know more or less what it was, one for pride, the other for monetary reasons.
The only thing on my mind now is to find a place to stay. The problem is I am not free this week and I will be back in Msia next week. And the subsequent weeks I will be busy. But I still have to look anyway.
Anyone out there has got a room or unit to rent, just drop me an email or you can just leave ur contact in the comments section.
Instead, she just dropped the bomb on us. Suddenly last weekend, after lunch, she told us she's giving us one month's notice to move out. I have no arguement, since I was not interested in staying there very much longer. But the timing is a bit out.
I am not too bothered about the reason, even though I know more or less what it was, one for pride, the other for monetary reasons.
The only thing on my mind now is to find a place to stay. The problem is I am not free this week and I will be back in Msia next week. And the subsequent weeks I will be busy. But I still have to look anyway.
Anyone out there has got a room or unit to rent, just drop me an email or you can just leave ur contact in the comments section.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Owww, my neck hurts like hell.
Yesterday on the way to work, it was raining, coincidently I forgot to bring my umbrella. So as I was running to the bus stand, I slipped and fell flat on my back. A minor gash on my left hand (got bleeding lar). But my neck hurts like mad. It hurts when I move my head, in any direction!
Went to the panel doctor to treat the neck. Wanted to get some pain killers and muscle relaxant. Instead the doctor treat the gash on my hand. She actually bandaged it! In Malaysia, a doctor would just wash it and ask you to go home.
Anyway, the nice doctor even gave me a tetanus jab! And all I needed was probably some paracetamol and muscle relaxant. She was even nice enough to give a MC. At first, like a hero, I told her I did not need a MC. But she gave me anyway.
Was still contemplating whether I should take the rest of the day off, which I did in the end, luckily. By the time I got home, my neck was hurting even more! I could not move my head at all! I think my shoulders are swollen and I had problems even lying down. So I doubled my dose of painkillers. Slept almost the whole day.
It still hurts. And I am at work. Barger! Should have asked for one more day MC. Owwwwww! It's still hurting. Think I'll take some more painkillers ...
Went to the panel doctor to treat the neck. Wanted to get some pain killers and muscle relaxant. Instead the doctor treat the gash on my hand. She actually bandaged it! In Malaysia, a doctor would just wash it and ask you to go home.
Anyway, the nice doctor even gave me a tetanus jab! And all I needed was probably some paracetamol and muscle relaxant. She was even nice enough to give a MC. At first, like a hero, I told her I did not need a MC. But she gave me anyway.
Was still contemplating whether I should take the rest of the day off, which I did in the end, luckily. By the time I got home, my neck was hurting even more! I could not move my head at all! I think my shoulders are swollen and I had problems even lying down. So I doubled my dose of painkillers. Slept almost the whole day.
It still hurts. And I am at work. Barger! Should have asked for one more day MC. Owwwwww! It's still hurting. Think I'll take some more painkillers ...
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Sleepy Thursday morning; Liverpool lost to Marseille
Feeling really sleepy now. What to do? Slept at 5am yesterday and woke up at 7am. 2 hours of beauty sleep. Had to drag my reluctant body out of bed and to work. It was still sleeping in the MRT.
The reason I slept late was due to work (meeting today; have to finish up some stuff) and watching football. The worst part of it is that I stayed up late to watch the game and Liverpool lost 1-0, at home!
For most of the game, Liverpool played really bad! They were the home team and they were not dominating; giving the ball away too easily. It was only after Marseille had scored that they started to look lively. The last 15 minutes were really frantic. If Liverpool played the game like the last 15 mins, they would have won by 3-0 at least.
Lunch time soon. Grab a quick bite and then try to catch a few minutes of shut-eye.
The reason I slept late was due to work (meeting today; have to finish up some stuff) and watching football. The worst part of it is that I stayed up late to watch the game and Liverpool lost 1-0, at home!
For most of the game, Liverpool played really bad! They were the home team and they were not dominating; giving the ball away too easily. It was only after Marseille had scored that they started to look lively. The last 15 minutes were really frantic. If Liverpool played the game like the last 15 mins, they would have won by 3-0 at least.
Lunch time soon. Grab a quick bite and then try to catch a few minutes of shut-eye.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Lower speed limits on federal and state roads
Somehow, they have done it again. In anticipation of the raya holidays and the current issue of accidents on the road, the transport ministry has come out with a new ruling. (source : The Star)
"The speed limit on federal and state roads will be reduced from 90kph to 80kph for 36 days effective Oct 6"
Is reducing the speed limit actually the solution to the problem? I am sure that reducing 10kph would help some what, but are we actually tackling the main cause.
Firstly, the roads are designed for the speed of 90kph, otherwise why in the first place is the speed limit 90kph. Secondly, how many accidents occured because motorist were speeding at 90kph. If motorist speeding at 90kph is the problem, then why was the speed limit 90kph in the first place again. Somehow this does not make too much sense.
This has been an ongoing issue and a big problem for such a long time. Almost every festive season, there are numerous operations undertaken to curb this problem and lower accidents rates. But over these years, have we solved the problem? and why have we not solved the problem yet?
Are we actually looking deep into the problem or are we just scratching the surface? Taking action like lowering the speed limit by 10kph or deploying police personnel to "monitor" is NOT the solution. We need to start looking deep into the problem at hand. Analyse what is the root cause of the problem and try to mitigate it.
Probably I am being too judgemental. Perhaps I am not the expert. Perhaps the ministry knows more. If so, why don't the ministry do something that's more effective? Lives are at stakes. If there's a problem, fix it. Do not wait for a tragedy to happen before taking action. Haven't we learned from that?
As a Malaysian, I want the comfort in knowing that everytime I go back home in Malaysia, I know I will arrive home safe and sound. I don't want to have to worry about unqualified bus drivers, mat rempits, unsafe roads, not-up-to-par vehicles or even someone waiting for someone else to buy him a cup of coffee.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Monday Morning Blues
It's Monday again. The weekend passed so quickly. Only yesterday I felt the world was blooming like a flower in spring. I woke up at 11am and squirmed around on the bed until I was fully awake.
Today I woke up at 7am, dragging myself out of bed reluctantly, asking why morning came so quickly. It was raining and the buses were late. Traffic was terrible and I arrived late for work. For one whole hour I was staring at the screen, unable to make sense of what I was doing. Finally I realised I had not turn on my computer. (Not that bad, it's on, but no application was running. I was staring at my wallpaper)
Anyway, one of the reasons for this hangover is because I went chor dai di with Ian, A.Ze and Douglas yesterday in A.Ze's room. It was another late night ... errr, actually we left early. Everyone went back early.
Time to get back to work. Need another cup of coffee.
Today I woke up at 7am, dragging myself out of bed reluctantly, asking why morning came so quickly. It was raining and the buses were late. Traffic was terrible and I arrived late for work. For one whole hour I was staring at the screen, unable to make sense of what I was doing. Finally I realised I had not turn on my computer. (Not that bad, it's on, but no application was running. I was staring at my wallpaper)
Anyway, one of the reasons for this hangover is because I went chor dai di with Ian, A.Ze and Douglas yesterday in A.Ze's room. It was another late night ... errr, actually we left early. Everyone went back early.
Time to get back to work. Need another cup of coffee.
Friday, September 21, 2007
New Shoutbox
Just installed a new shoutbox on the right side of the page. You can shout what you want, say hi to friends or just for you to exercise your fingers.
The shoutbox is especially for those of you who are too lazy to write emails, post comments, use msn messenger or even SMS. All you need to do is just type a short message and click go. If you are too lazy to even do that, ...
The shoutbox is especially for those of you who are too lazy to write emails, post comments, use msn messenger or even SMS. All you need to do is just type a short message and click go. If you are too lazy to even do that, ...
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