Singapore Expats

Did anyone try calling the Indonesia Embassy in Singapore before?
I had a very bad experience. When I called a few times to enquire about applying VISA to Indonesia for my boss.
I always have to wait for a long time before they answer the call.
I understand that they are very busy so I sounded very nice even though I'm not a patient person.
And the reason that I need to call a few times for just 3 simple questions is because this EXTREMELY RUDE lady simply don't understand the basics of Customer Service.
Everytime she answered my question, she just hung up the phone without saying bye and she don't even allow me to ask another question.
So, i called again... I waited a long time again... and the same lady answered.. I asked bout the operating hours, she answered me," 9 am to 12 pm " and the line went off..
I strongly believe that Singaporeans can provide good service but perhaps, to the expats only.
It is absolutely true that Singapore customer service level is dropping.

Na.

Well, first of all, it isn't Singapore customer service, it is the Indonesian Embassy customer service. They choose, hire, and train (or maybe not) the staff that works in the embassy.

Second, they are rude to everyone, expats included. Getting a visa to go to Indonesia if you aren't a VOA country is a major pain in the butt. It's a great place to avoid.

hi there...
u are not the only one that experience that...i think most of us who tried calling that embassy gets the same treatment...
i'm an indonesian n i got that same ugly experience when trying to renew my passport...
i have to call so many times and the customer service keeps hanging up on me after one questions....makes me so frustrated....
yes i believe they are busy....busy drinking their coffee and having gossip...
and we have no means to complain...i believe those people are just lazy...
this is the time where i thank Singapore for being efficient and properly managed...

Well, you could write a letter/e-mail to the Ambassador or the Head of the Consular section and voice your displeasure - it probably won't do much good . . .

me too... wrote:hi there...
u are not the only one that experience that...i think most of us who tried calling that embassy gets the same treatment...
i'm an indonesian n i got that same ugly experience when trying to renew my passport...
i have to call so many times and the customer service keeps hanging up on me after one questions....makes me so frustrated....
yes i believe they are busy....busy drinking their coffee and having gossip...
and we have no means to complain...i believe those people are just lazy...
this is the time where i thank Singapore for being efficient and properly managed...

too my experience, they even dare to ask for 'coffee money' to me when doing some documents over there.... this is more than rude...

Hmmm..... don't know what to say about this thread. Other than SE who has a very serious/valid point, everyone else come across as comical and provided me with a good laugh (much needed). And for the original poster to use the Indonesian embassy customer service as a yardstick to measure Singapore's cs is amusing.

It must be real frustrating dealing with people who has no understanding of their job function. They are suppose to help serve the customers, not fight/antagonise them. Some people treat their customers like their enemies. Na (does it stand for "not applicable"?), I understand your pain.

that's my country

I actually encountered the same more than once, but so far no one ever asked for coffee money (but then again probably because Im a 'local' there)
I remember calling the consulate number instead of the immigration number and when they said that I shouldn't call that number I complained back saying that this was the only way to get my call answered.

I'll check if i still have the number tonight...

Babykasim, me too. that is my ex-country i can say as actually i am married to singaporean and became sg citizen already.

Why they ask for coffe money because i need my marriage cert chop behind for some documents purpose.

I also experience to call their number. But, the reaction more or less same with you. After spent few hours to keep calling the number only to get a rude answer from them..

So desperate..

babykasim wrote:that's my country

I actually encountered the same more than once, but so far no one ever asked for coffee money (but then again probably because Im a 'local' there)
I remember calling the consulate number instead of the immigration number and when they said that I shouldn't call that number I complained back saying that this was the only way to get my call answered.

I'll check if i still have the number tonight...

that's really sad indeed. my suggestion is to get the direct contact number of the cousellor or whoever person in charge. (ask for their name and their contact number, usually they would give!) dont ever call the hotline coz most of the time /that/ operator guy knows no shit.

"Coffee money" is a very common thing over there. You dont even need to "q" to chop your passport when you go into indoensia.

As for embassy, i think they employ their own people to do the job and if you have got 10 questions you got to call them the whole day to get all the answer.. They have got to many coffee break.

Malaysia embassy also the same, i ever call them to make enquiry and the speak me in malay.

I worked all over Indonesia for over 10 years. The petty bribes are standard operating procedure for the entire country. Why would you think the embassy, staffed with indonesians, would be any different. Baksheesh is the only thing that will get them off their @$$3$!

Too bad us Dutchies nowadays again need to have a Visa for Indonesia.

Even a weekend Bintan will set me back quite a few dollars and the hassle of the incredibly rude staff at the embassy.

I decided to do it different and every time I go there now, I simply call newshan travel here at Maxwell road in Singapore and they do the Visa for me in 1 day for 75 Sing$. They have good contacts within the embassy, so I get it done in a day.

www.newshan.com

Eric

Get a visa on arrival. 10 USD, no hassle.

JayV wrote:Get a visa on arrival. 10 USD, no hassle.

Limited number of countries can take advantage of this.