Very poor service from Alan Photo, Funan

[vince123123]

Bring a lady along for the trip then; if he tries to scold foul language, then report him to police for a criminal act hehe

I think if like that when the customer leaves i won't be surprise he will use hokkien foul language, behind you, but loud enough for you to hear him. ;p

 

[peterlimyk]

There's only one nice person in AP. David!!
I went to Funan to test Canon 70-200mm f4L and all shops were reluctant to let me try it (I've made up my mind to buy that lens) except AP. David not only let me try it, he taught me some techniques on testing & holding the lens! He helped me solve my flash problem as well (the tall skinny guy wasn't helpful & bad attitude).

So, find ONLY David whenever you decide to buy from AP.

 

[ManWearPants]

Sometimes sales people with "bad attitude" will open up if you are more assertive. Singaporeans are slow to warm up and also have the "know it all, seen it all" attitude. This applies to sales person as well. So don't be too passive and persist in chatting with the sales person. Usually, they will open up after a while. Of course, there are the really hopeless ones. Just don't part with you $ if u r not happy. If you still smile, say "thank you" and kowtow to the sales person after spending $ and getting poor service. The salesman already got his commision. Why should he be bothered with you?

 

[agentxq49]

Well, my experience at AP wasnt bad. It's better than some of the other shops that i went to. At least some of them have the buay chap attitude, but its expected. Its better than those who smile and give 'good service' then you end up going back and found you they conned you $500.

 

[Lomographer]

Lesson learnt, don't go back there.

Go to j316 or AP at SLS.

Life goes on.

 

[dannytomato]

My experience also doesn't that bad. I did purchased from the so-called nearly bald salesperson. His name is Koh. Ok ok lah. looked fierce only, actually he is kind of straight-forward person, never have sales/flowery talk. Things are cheap and never bluff you for anything. No discount means no discount cos maybe he is tired of those repetitive explanation since he believe that the price is cheap enough.

Some people born to have stern look, some people born "Bueh Song" face... no choice.

Can you imagine Ah Nan? That kind of face sure scary one..but with a smile should be ok.

So Mr Koh, if you see this, please give a smile to your customer and ask politely..

We are in Singapore, it is a courtesy society.. I'm sure all of us enjoy a pleasant buying experience!

Smilling face is much much better that the TL or Bueh Song face..

So enjoy your everyday and smile always!

 

[HeiPiGu]

Sorry to hear about this, kaiflux


And yea, not even thanking you or anything's pretty damn sloppy service ;(


(Luckily most of the stuff i buy are 2nd-hand from CS-ers and i'm glad to say they're all very nice Yay for clubsnap! )

I second that! Most of my stuff are bought from Mass Order or B&S. So far so good, best deal on the market for me :thumbsup:

But CSers also got con man one, so still must do homework :sweat:

 

[foxfoo]

Recently I went to Alanphoto Funan to put de rumours to test.

Went to Alanphoto, Monday noon, no customers was inside de store. Before i stepped into de shop, i saw de cam i'm looking for, with a higher price(prob to chop ang mos)
I barged in, saw this tall stern looking guy, asked him over and told him i'm looking for a cam. He got me one and i asked for shutter count. den when i'm ready to make payment, he ask for cash only. so i went to atm to draw $ and came back paying him.

I even commented to them, hinting that i've heard online rumours tt they provide quite poor services hor. They look surprised n laughed n gave some reply, which i didn';t even bothered to rem.

saw another small looking ah beng (he got tattoo on his right arm), went to test him and asked for another cam and he gave me his sales pitch.

My overall verdict: Pardon based on my looks, and my attitude when inside de shop( i wasn't my usual frdly self) I realized that to deal with such ppl, u can't be soft.

Of cos on a retrospect, imagine given de ratio of 1000 walking in everyday n only 2 ppl buy, can't blame if this ppl, whom are not taught in service orientation to give u 5 star red carpet treatment.

 

[Tokyoexpress]

I am sad to hear that, there are lots of shitty service in singapore. They look at pple by their age and dressing... I think its good to point out, so that pple can avoid that shop... I also got very extremely sucky service at pernisular plaza 1st floor buying a "benro" tripod, from a "advertriser" here which many clubsnapers claims to be nice and trustworthly.. *I Guess*... He service and face is like "I own him money" and yet i am still so polite, also in the end i realise he never give me a recipt too. Now I realise the price is a little overprice compare to others. Even if its cheap now, I would buy from there. Always remember, without customers buying, You have all kinds of PRO camera n equipment also no use... Doing business is about thankful customers! Ungradeful pathetics...

 

[vince123123]

Care to name who this "Advertiser" is so we can avoid?

I am sad to hear that, there are lots of shitty service in singapore. They look at pple by their age and dressing... I think its good to point out, so that pple can avoid that shop... I also got very extremely sucky service at pernisular plaza 1st floor buying a "benro" tripod, from a "advertriser" here which many clubsnapers claims to be nice and trustworthly.. *I Guess*... He service and face is like "I own him money" and yet i am still so polite, also in the end i realise he never give me a recipt too. Now I realise the price is a little overprice compare to others. Even if its cheap now, I would buy from there. Always remember, without customers buying, You have all kinds of PRO camera n equipment also no use... Doing business is about thankful customers! Ungradeful pathetics...

 

[reviveramesh]

kaiflux - thanks for sharing - but i am wondering why you put with such service...and also BUY from them and say thank you and buy more accessories etc - if it were me I will give them a piece of my mind and walk out -

 

[reviveramesh]

hi what is AP @SLS? - is it alan photo at sim lim square?

 

[godaikyoko]

hi what is AP @SLS? - is it alan photo at sim lim square?

Yeah it's alan photo at sim lim sq

 

[gazkw]

alan photo is the worse at funan... its almost a known thing to stay away from them.

alan photo SLS is a different story.

i normally get my gear either at OP at SLS or CP at peninsular. and only once MS colour at AMK

 

[PrimePhotog]

alan photo is the worse at funan... its almost a known thing to stay away from them.

alan photo SLS is a different story.

i normally get my gear either at OP at SLS or CP at peninsular. and only once MS colour at AMK

Totally agree.Both AP outlets are TERRIBLE in terms of service.:thumbsd:

 

[foxfoo]

I once saw a tee shirt that writes:


If you want it good, it won't be cheap

If you want it cheap, it won't be fast

If you want it fast, it won't be good.

 

[nottipiglet]

If somebody spit in my face... I think I won't say 'thank you'... and if I did, I will be too ashamed to tell anyone. :bsmilie:

 

[kaiflux]

thank you for all the comment and replies. appreciate it i guess it is a lesson learned for me, should not be too hasty in buying and put up with such uncouth retail assistants who provide appaling services. I believe by sharing, your own personal views and experiences, it benefits all those who are making purchases in the future, not to make the same mistake and be more aware of the shops we patronise.

I believe that customer service is very important.
If you are someone who goes out a lot then you know how important customer service is. Of course, it varies from establishment to establishment, and from person to person. Opinions and standards vary quite a bit, but I think we all agree that customer service is very important. We all want to be treated well and to enjoy that friendly service we all deserve.
This not only keeps the customers happy, but the boss as well.
Poor customer service can certainly cause a customer to never return.

 

[wildcat]

Time and again, such "complaint about shops" posts will always surface and they will never end. It's been many years but nothing has changed.

I can understand TS's psychology slightly. For the seasoned photographers and buyers, they know how to compare prices, read reviews, visit several shops and defer purchase until a satisfactory time comes. But for a typical newbie or the general consumer, sometimes, you just want to buy on the same day you made up your mind to own something. You can't wait to have that new toy. You thought the people in the shops will be such nice angels to serve you, answer your doubts, and thus make you even more interested in the hobby. WRONG!

Let this be yet another repeated warning to any shoppers for camera equipment: There are generally no good camera shops in Singapore. You have to really be careful about what you buy. Shopping here is not necessarily a pleasant affair, especially if you are a new buyer. You want a relatively good deal here, if have to really check around. And don't come with an expectation that you will always get a friendly helping hand. In that way, you won't go disappointed with the way things are here, should you meet with rude sales people.

GENERALLY, this is what I can summarize:

AP

Pros: Can give the cheapest price among all the other shops if you are lucky.

Cons: Rude service. Ironically, items can cost more than what the other shops chrage if one of the sales guys decide to chop you.

Cathay

Pros: Shop is the biggest among them all. Widest range of stuffs to view. But still pathetically small if you compare to the big names overseas. Staff are ok. Not as rude as most other shops.

Cons: Rubber price. Period! They change their prices as and when they like it, even within a period of a few minutes. And they are good actors in pretending you got their prices mistaken.

John 3:16

Pros: Friendly staff. Comfortable setting.

Cons: Prices are usually slightly higher than mnay other shops. Small and crowded shop. You have to wait for a long time to get served. Not the shop to go for those who simply want to buy and leave. Product knowledge may be erroneous or biased. For eg, twice I was told a certain lens is not good when in fact it is THE lens used by many others.

MS Color

Pros: Friendly staff only if you know who to go to. Can be cheaper than other shops but only sometimes.

Cons: Unhelpful staff if you go to the wrong one. (Has anyone ever thought why this has been happening for such a long time? I'm sure people have complained to the shop's 2 bosses but nothing seems to be done. I suspect the bosses themselves have ulterior motives in this. I don't know.)

Orient Photo

Pros: Nothing much I can think of.

Cons: Typical China guys when selling things. Very shrewd in business. Exchanges not entertained. Equipment sold may be old or "China version". They sell many grey market items. Be careful and clarify with them what sort of guarantee you are getting, especially if are a newbie and think you are getting a good price.

...

I think you've put it in a very good summary of what I've experienced from all the above shops also. So far I've been lucky.. but I also do my homework beforehand. Got a good deal from AP before and quite happy with what they quoted me (despite me asking for the prices of a number of items).

 

[luntut]

Ya i agreed also... Alan Photo service quite bad, especially the Funan one....

Dog eye see people low... go in there and no one bother to entertain me at all when the fact is they got so many staff idle around.... Boo...

hahaha i am soooo inclined to agree.

actually to be fair, its not just them. a few other reputed shops i been to gives me exactly that response whenever i walk in with old faded grey berms, singlet and slippers.. they totally ignore me. i ask for price, answer me till as though i cant afford to buy.

and CP is probably bout the only one who still welcomes and talks to me like a human when i am in that sorta attire... to me, that is enough of customer service. i dun need them to tell me about camera specs and uses of lens. i only need people to treat me like a customer, like many bros out here.