Prettibride 0 Report post Posted June 7, 2007 Jus to share a bad experience that one of my friend had with this shop so that we can all b careful. My friend bought a plasma tv from them earlier this year. One week after receiving the tv, the screen starts to flicker...after on and offing a few times...she discovered a burning smell coming from the back of her tv. So she decided to contact Hai Chew to request for either warranty or exchange since the item is only 7 days old. But instead of getting the aid she wans, she was rudely directed to contact the tv manufacturer to claim her warranty. Out of no choice, she decided to give it a try. What happened next shocked her, the tv manufacturer claimed that they do not have any record of her tv set. Which means this set could be a parallel import unit and is not entitled to any warranty in SG. She called back HC again and this time demanded for an explaination. There was some correspondence btw HC & the tv manufacturer. The end conclusion, she is given warranty but only entitled to 6 months instead of the full 12 months she'll get when she purchase a new tv set. She had no choice but to accept this unfair result so that she'll at least have a working tv. I had some bad experiences with them myself when i called up to check for prices on some items as well..the salesman are rather rude and sound impatient when you start asking for pricing for a few items. From my research, their prices is relatively more expensive as compared to other shops on the 2nd level of Sim Lim Sq. Therefore I would suggest anyone interested to get electronics items to consider those shops on the 2nd level instead. Those on level one probably are more suited for tourists or expats. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zirhk3355 1 Report post Posted June 7, 2007 Sorry to hear about your experience. Do not want to burst your bubble, but I have a feeling that your friend might be getting a refurbished set replacement instead of a new one. Well just hope that it does not get spoilt lor...Meanwhile, not all the level one shops are bad lah - I had good experience with Merdeka, although of course the usual price-haggling is a must lor. Song Brothers is also a reputable chain, with one outlet located at level one.Parallel import sets, refurbished sets and high prices are very common in sim lim square; thus caveat emptor. Usually you can get a variety of prices +/- 15% to 20% max, if a shop offer you too low also must beware. No harm to ask more questions like whether GST included, warranty, etc.Check the box if it had been opened before and if its sealed make sure the model/serial number is correct. Always ask for the make/model of the item to be typed clearly in the invoice and ask about their return policy. Everything must be in black and white, even freebies also must show in the invoice, reflected as $0.Just my two cents' worth, sharing some experience after dealing with all the sim lim ah bengs, kana carrot/smoke/screwed a few times and now became smarter... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MaCe 3 Report post Posted June 7, 2007 same type of news from simlim sq for the last 10+ years.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Prettibride 0 Report post Posted June 7, 2007 SOmehow buying electrical items from shops like Hong Liang or Goh Ah Bee etc seems to be more trustworthly than a established outlet in Sim Lim even though we might have never been to their shop before. I have officially label those shops in Sim Lim 'black shop'...unless i have no choice, if not i'll never buy any electrical items from them...I have many friends who claim that those ah bengs in Sim Lim Sq..will promise you anything juz to close the deal, but after sales, they'll give you a different attitude altogether. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
genesis 0 Report post Posted June 8, 2007 some shops in sim lim tower or sim lim square does sell parallel import products, so it's the comsumer who have to ask before buying. I've aviod to buy "costly" products in those area, I'll rather go to BEST and purchase thru 0% instalment to make use of thise benefit and save this hazzle. Sometime in SL you may end up paying higher if you did not do homework. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sepultura 0 Report post Posted August 13, 2007 Thumb rule is to avoid SLS stores unless you know the guys well, there are too many scam shops and tourist trap types there. Even a reputed store like Al** photo has some nasty sales people who jack up prices, if you get the wrong salesman. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
