good service experiences in Singapore

[Strong Eagle]

Good Experience - Handyhouse DIY on Six Ave. - These folks have been wonderful about making refunds for stuff that doesn't fit.

If you know anything about Singapore, you know 'refund' is not in the vocabulary. And yet, these good people have gladly refunded me for door locks that wouldn't fit, tools wrong for the job, extra parts I didn't need to finish a job, and more.

Good folks. Three thumbs up.

[x9200]

Sheraton Hotel - did their lunch buffet a few weeks back. The staff were very good - greeted me with a smile, cleared my plate everytime I went up to get seconds, thirds and fourths.... kindly offered me coffee with my dessert... very good service overall and definitely worth the 10% service charged I paid.

Other restaurants I go to, they practically ignore you but still slap you with a 10% service bill.....

Aargon, almost hate to pull out your post out again but this is just a standard service for places like Sheraton. This is how they suppose to serve you so if they act differently it is a bad service. Do not not know about your other restaurants but all higher end hotel restaurants normally do what you described but they are "patchy" - sometimes up to the standard, sometimes not and that's the problem. Still I would say these places are overall offering very reasonable service quality as per Singapore average.

[patsy_sg]

best service I've had is in John Erdos cafe in Dempsey... staff remember you, are quick (but discreet) to refill water, attentive without being obtrusive. food is good too!

retail stores, I'm probably one of the few, but love the service in harvey norman millenia

[BigSis]

Just complete a transaction at an HSBC branch and got home. About 30 mins later a sweaty bloke buzzed the door of my house, he was the teller from the branch, he noticed I left my credit card at the counter. Instead of putting it in the lost card system which takes days to process he decided to run over to my place during his lunch break and hand it over in person.

Wow, That was really good of him.

I was shopping at Giant at Parkway the other week and after I'd paid for my stuff I was right up at the other end, outside the store when the checkout girl caught up with me to give me an item that I'd paid for and forgotten to pack - that was unexpected and great for me (not so much for the next customer who she'd abandoned LOL, but she was a fast runner so I'm sure they didn't have to wait long )

But I think I get quite a bit of good service here - unfortunately most of us tend to remember the bad service more than the good and I'm guilty of that myself too at times.

[Smeck]

Ah haha. This is great. In 8 years here, the places I'd consider having good service I could count on the hand of my woodshop instructor after his run-in with a bandsaw.

Lately, Rite Pizza has consistently exceeded my expectations for delivery service (regardless of what you think of the food itself, since this is a "service" thread). They quote an hour delivery but are consistently at my door in 25 minutes after I hang up the phone. Not ringing me from the parking lot with a "how do I find your flat?". At the door, knocking.

Before that? Other than stores where I go often and am "known" (and have spent significant amounts of money), "customer service" in Singapore is just the longest 4-letter word in the English language. Just depressingly bad, outside the random kind act.

And usually the person who committed the kind act is gone/fired by the time I go back.

[curiousgeorge]

Ok I know this thread is a couple of months old and bumped by a spammer (it looks like) but I can add some good service stories:

Clarkes Shoe Shop at Harborfront...got the most amazing comfy shoes there and after six months of 12+ hour days I needed new ones...they took my number and called me a couple of days later when they'd tracked down replacements. And they still text me when new stuff comes in...of course it drives sales but this isn't some corporate spam text, its the sales girl who knows I like their stuff.

Also, Oaks Cellers, a branch I pass by daily on my way to get my morning coffee...left my credit card there a couple of weeks back, the next morning the guy came rushing into the coffee shop next door to give it me back. I didn't even know it was gone!

Oasis Restaurant at the Grand Hyatt...sorry to sound so expaty, but its a good place to take coffee in nice surroundings and it has a little smoking area. There is a guy called Tango who never fails to remember my name and see that I am looked after.

On the cheaper end of the spectrum, McDelivery always does the job when I need to to, and often quicker than they state.

After a month in the states earlier this year, I can see how the US system of living on tips/tipping culture makes a difference to service standards. But I also noticed the saccharine smiles and 'fake' concern. Waltzing past the table with a mumbled "iseverythingok" does not equate to "good service" in the rest of the world. Nothing worse than hearing "have a nice day" from some poorly paid worker who really couldn't give a toss. Its too fake for me.

[Brah]

I have loads of both sides so will (try) to keep it positive.

My current RE agent is great, my current travel agent is great. My former RE agents were shysters and recently was fraudulently misled by what looked like a reputable travel agent.

My GP knows me well and I trust her (with most things) and have been going to her for years.

Restaurant experiences vary from the worst to some pretty good, more of the former, unfortunately.

The thing that hasn't improved is the vast amount of people in shops who know absolutely nothing about what they sell, but won't admit it, then when you question them, they cave in.

Many complain about DBS but I've had nothing but very good experiences there.

[aargon]

Went to AXA (GB building 143 Cecil Rd) to pay my road tax and update my car insurance.

The cashier there was fantastic. So quick on the keyboard and service with a smile.

Made a lasting impression on me!

[nakatago]

Credit where credit is due:

I went to the Oakley service center because the finish off the lens of my glasses was chipping. They told me they needed a receipt with the model number in it but they phoned the store for me. They also reminded me to ask for the model number to be quoted next time I buy an Oakley product. They replaced the lens right then and there. But I noticed there's something wrong with the replacement. They're out of replacement lenses and would have to order some more so they'd call me when they come.

I left but then, they called me to tell me they found replacement lenses. I told them I'll come back later (I didn't have to leave my glasses) that day as I had errands to run.

When I came back, they also saw that the coating for the Oakley logo was chipped off (I didn't mind) but they replaced the frame anyway. Ended up with a brand new pair of glasses as a replacement, all for free. Also, they were pleasant to talk with, which is surprising for Singapore "retail."

[prkravi]

Me:- Hi, can you suggest something that's suitable for a Vegetarian to eat?

Waiter / Waitress - WHAT?? as if i asked something that was very offending.!!

Must admit not all establishments are like that BUT 80%..have a basic comprehension malfunction!

[poodlek]

The Big Easy at Sentosa. I was there New Year's Eve with my hubby. The hostess was especially attentive and offered me a seat and table that would be easy for me and my giant preggo belly to get into and out of, among other instances of attention to detail that typically get overlooked here in Sg.

[nakatago]

Me:- Hi, (a valid question said in a clear, and very comprehensible manner)

Service crew/attendant - WHAT?? as if i asked something that was very offending.!!

Must admit not all establishments are like that BUT 80%..have a basic comprehension malfunction!

FTFY

[poodlek]

Me:- Hi, can you suggest something that's suitable for a Vegetarian to eat?

Waiter / Waitress - WHAT?? as if i asked something that was very offending.!!

Must admit not all establishments are like that BUT 80%..have a basic comprehension malfunction!

I've also found that most waitstaff have no idea what's on the menu, beyond the name of the dishes. Awfully difficult for folks with unusual dietary restrictions (beyond vegetarian or halal) to order confidently.

[prkravi]

@ poodlek -thanks for pointing that out as well. Umpteen number of times i've noticed that they want to check with the Chef..and this iteration of checking with the chef goes into 2-3 loops.

Me - Can you have some extra olives added to the pasta? I like it that way.
Waitress:- I will have to check with the Chef first.
Me:- Pls also ensure that my pasta is cooked until soft.
Waitress:- Let me check with the chef first.
And in most cases I give up...

[vozzie]

I've actually always had good service from the Post Office and the Postie.