"excuse me sir, your left...

... headlight has blown."

i heard that as i drove past the gate slightly after 9pm on the first night of my ict.

and so i went to autobacs to have it changed this morning after my ict ippt.

guy: do you want the white light or yellow light?
me: the same as the previous headlight, i think its yellow.
guy: do you want those extra bright ones?
me: no, i think it will be very distracting on other drivers.
guy: ... ... (he must be thinking: this guy must be a weirdo)

and so i got it fixed for $48, inclusive of labour.

shock absorbers

"your front shock absorbers are leaking gas"


so off comes the old pair...


... and in comes the new pair @ $180 each. the final bill for this servicing: $661.40
happy birthday to me!

what a day

i met darlin for lunch and we checked out how much it would costs to repair my spare key. apparently an instinct tells me to check out the rates b4 going back to c&c but unfortunately, the shops we went to were unable to provide the repair service so i went to c&c:

me: i have some problem using this key (showing the workshop technician the key which i have disassembled)

technician: you dropped your key ah?

me: no, i just unscrewed it to change the battery because i initially thought that the battery was weak... (meanwhile the technician was pressing the buttons, trying to get some response)

me: the battery is not inserted (roll eyes) that's the new battery (which was just next to the key)

technician: oh? (takes out the battery and put it back) ya... it is not working...

me: so how much would it costs to repair?

technician: i dont know. you have to drive your car into the workshop first.

me: (cautious) but its the key that is not working, not the car right?

technician: ya but the sensor is linked to your car.

me: ok, so how much would it costs?

technician: i dont know. you have to drive your car into the workshop, we find out what is wrong, only then i can tell you how much it is.

me: (roll eyes) ok, so how long do i have to wait?

technician: its a long queue. you have to leave your car overnight and collect tomorrow.

me: its ok, i'll come another time.


i thought that was it. just my luck to meet such a response. but who knows, i came home, opened the letter box to received a reminder letter dated 6 mar, indicating that my application for cashback has not been processed. this really annoyed me becase i just met my agent on 4 mar to personally sign the documents and he told me that he will personally send it to the hq for processing that very day. so i decided to call up to find out what's happening:

me: i want to know the outcome of my application for cashback.

operator: sure, may i verify ...... yes mr tan, your application has not been processed because we have not received it.

me: dun you dare because me! i have personally met my agent to sign the forms and he told me that he would deliver the documents personally for processing the same day and now you are telling me that you have not received it. are you trying to tell me that my agent is lying to me?

operator: im sorry mr tan, we really have no records of your applications. please hold the line, i'll check for you again.

5mins later

operator: i have checked with my colleagues, there are no records to show that your forms have been received by us. would it be all right if i call your agent to check?

me: no, i wish to speak to your manger about this matter.

operator: im sorry mr tan, my mamager is engaged on the line.

me: its ok, i'll wait for your manager.

10mins later

manager: hi mr tan, i am k and r has brifely told me about your concerns. we really do not have records to show that the documents have been submitted.

me: i am very unhappy about how the matter is being managed. it has already past 1 mth since i last made my request to withdraw the money. right now, i just want someone to be accountable for the whole application process. i want to know what is going to happen if my agent really did not submit my application?

manager: ok mr tan, first let me check who the agent is.... (3 mins later) oh its f from xx bank.

me: yes i know. so if he did not submit my application, who can i approach?

manager: (pause) because he is not directly our staff, there is no one you can go to. i guessyou can direct it to me.

me: (roll eyes) im more concerned if the documents have been dutifully sent to you by my agent and the processing department sat on it, then who should i approach?

manager: please hold the line mr tan. (5 mins later) you can direct your concerns to ms t.c.l... she is the manager of the processing department.

me: ok, can i have her direct line?

manager: im sorry mr tan, we do not give out her direct line to our customers.

me: then how do you suggest i can reach her?

manager: you can email her at ......... customer.service@

me: wouldnt that email goes to you?

manager: yes, i'll then direct the email to her... you can put the subject as attn: ms t.c.l

me: (really stepped on my tail and i gave up) so what can you do for me?

mamager: mr tan, i can call your agent and find out if he has sent the form for you. i will also check with the processing department if that have received your application.

me: and when will i hear from you?

manager: can i call you back before 5pm today mr tan?

me: fine, and i how do i spell your name?

manager: k-X-X-X-X

me: thank you k. i'll be expecting your call by 5 today.


faints. i really have no idea why these people are being paid to provide such lousy services. to me the manger is just buying time and the biggest turn off is the way to contact the processing department is through him!