Turbulent Times

I have been back from my break for a week now. The past one week was rather...'messy' for me. From shifting out of the stinky old Jurong office to the now, all new, good and well office at OUB Center...and from looking for my diver's watch, up and down for months to no avail and having it found just opposite my new office during my lunch break...AND from a lazy evening stroll down Orchard...to have commited myself to a 15years contract which involves a huge amount of money. My past one week, could have been the best week of my year.

The new office is like seventh-heaven. The cubicles are really spacious, the furnitures are brand new...heck, the whole office was newly renovated...and to the back of me...the view of Singapore river, which overlooks the back of the Merlion. The days in hellish Jurong-the constant drilling, the poo at the stairs, the smell of urine...all that is now gone...for good.

The diver's watch I've been wanting to get; I have been to at least 5 big retails here...even the authorized dealer said they dont have such a model in the market here. I tried to order that off the net, but was rejected by the dealer. The reason being, they dont ship to Singapore! But the dealer is singapore-based! Strange. I had to give it up or have it shipped elsewhere but before I could do that; ironically, I found it just right opposite my new office...in a small watch shop's display window during my lunch break. Just where and when I least expect it to be. And...the price-compared to the one i found on the internet, its cheaper by 20dollars. Life...can be so interesting sometimes.

A fine Saturday evening, I was just walking along Orchard...hunting for a good phone contract when I got approached by a girl in her early 20s. She wanted me to help her do a survey. I took a glimpse at the paper- it was just a small list of questions...probably about 5 or so. Since I've got nothing better to do, I thought its fine to just waste a couple of minutes. I answered all the questions and I get a chance to draw for a scratch card. The card said I won a 30dollars shopping voucher and she was jumping with joy...she showed me a card saying she could get 10dollars as commission since i won that prize. Next question-if i own a credit card. I answered - Yes. So I can have another card. Cool! The next card - Wow! I won a 7nites accomodation to one of the countries listed in a leaflet. FIJI being one of them. I dont remember the rest. She was already jumping with joy. Kept shaking me hand saying thanks and all. She showed me her commission card again, I won the 1st PRIZE - and she can get 150dollars commission for that! Cool! I just made her day a great one...and my own too. A manager nearby came over to congratulate me. In order for me to CLAIM my prize, I gotta head to their office (which is nearby) to sit for a 1.5 hours presentation. No obligation, i was assured. Nice...since i've got the rest of the evening, I decided to PLAY along. Get my prize and walk out.

And...thats what I thought!

I was taken to their office, sat down and asked to show my credit card (there is another chance to WIN something at the counter), if the last 4 digits of my credit card matches the numbers listed on their counter. I won something again! But too bad...i dont think i'm that lucky either. My card doesnt match those numbers. But its fine...I have got a 30dollars voucher and a 7Nites Paid accommodation to any resort in the destination list. I'm still feeling VERY lucky. There is another indian couple with a kid, apparently they have won something too. But i was thinking..."well, they probably just won a microwave or something." B-)

I got a seat, the girl was still jumping with joy...shook my hand again for the 5th or 6th times...and i told her, that she was over reacting. She said Sorry, its 150dollars...its alot to a part-timer like her. She's only 21. So i suppose, it is a big amount. The 'consultant' finally appeared, a 26 years old lady. The small girl excuses herself...and the lady now asked me to switch off my handphone before entering the 'room'. No SILENT, please off it out of respect to the others inside - she insisted. I smelt fish. But fine - its off. I reminded myself that I was just there for the vouchers and the free nites. I can endure 1.5 hours and leave without buying anything.

That 1.5 hours turned out to be 3...or almost 4 hours. Somehow, somewhere in between the conversation...I got interested by what they were offering me. A lifetime (or at least 15 years - as per contract) of vacation to limitless 4-5stars resorts/hotels around the world. The final deal they made me were too good to be true. I paid an amount with my credit card, and the remaining...i will have to pay for the next 4 years by installment every month. And i left with just the 30dollars voucher and NO 7 nites accommodation which i was there for in the first place. Why? Because they used that to minus off 500 from the contract price i signup. Reason: It wasnt a great resort - so we write that off for you, in return u get 500 off your contract. NICE! And I wasnt thinking much at that time...so i did not argue, my mind was full with the nice pictures they have shown me during presentation.

I walked out of that building, still feeling high...the pictures still fresh in my mind. But as I walked further, the pics began to fade...and $$$ sign began to appear...replacing the pics. The amount is not a small time fee. Thats when I started calling some of my friends up. Telling them what I have done *again* on a boring day. The rest of Saturday, Sunday and Monday - I have talked to at least a dozen friends, all giving me very encouraging and constructive feedbacks.

And this evening, I went up to their office to cancel my contract. Excercising my right for the Fair Trading Act set up by the good singaporean government. Any contract that has been signed must have a 3 WORKING DAYS of cooling period before it can take effect. Of course, the cancellation wasnt a breeze...I had to endure some sarcasm from the manager. But at least, the cancellation form was signed...and I was promised to have my credit card transaction reversed in 2-4weeks time. All I can do now, is to just sit back and monitor my statement. Oh...and the 30dollars voucher-I didnt give them back (like they said, i can get that AND the 7nites accommodation wihout any purchase...but i figured the 7nites - thats probably not easy to redeem, Im sure there are * everywhere, so I did not and wouldnt wanna ask). I spent it on something more worthy. I topped about 50dollars for this.

Well, at least...i gained something in the end...and hopefully...the reversal would be as it was promised.

I spinned off a whole mess all by myself, got my emotions stirring like a whirlwind and now I am so glad that everything is calm and cool. I cant help but to ask myself...Now, why the heck did I do all that for?! x(