Originally posted by dibilo:
if u were to buy many of the above stated items from NTUC, then u
can only blame yourself if u burn a hole in ur pocket. In
singapore, if u want cheap stuff, go to those $1 shop, Seng Song,
Giant or wherever, they all offer better value for money. (if u are
talking about conveinence, those places are definitely nearer to
yoour home than JB.)
You are correct concerning the
NTUC 'not-so-fair pricing' despite their attempt to promote
'FairPrice'.
Unfortunately, not all items in your "Seng Song" - or even Mustafa - are
cheaper than what is available in Malaysia; despite having a strong
Singapore Dollar and the ability to buy in bulk purchases by the
Singapore Retailers.
This has largely to do with the high cost of the retail properties
- either on rental or long term mortgage payments - as well as the
high wages paid to the workers in Singapore.
Whatever amount that is saved in lower purchase prices are negated
by high rentals, utilities, and wages; and little is passed on to
Singaporeans.
Can you get a 5kg pack of detergent in a $1 shop ?
Be realistic, from a basket of 50 items needed for everyday use in
Singapore, there are at least 80% of the items priced cheaper in
Malaysia than in Singapore.
One trip into JB to purchase these 40 items is not too much of a
hassle - especially if you are going into Malaysia for business or
entertainment, and pick-up these items for your own
needs.
Also, although you are comparing the same kind of product, are you
comparing the same brands as well? 4 way plugs, Fans, for example.
there are a wide range of products there out in the market. if you
are ok with low quality electronics, i bet you can find one that is
comparable in price with what u can get in MY (probably MY is still
a little cheaper but then i doubt u would want your warranty to be
valid in MY instead of SG.)
How much different can a 4-way
socket extension be - when both are certified by the respective
National Safety Board of each country, with both applying the same
electrical engineering accreditted standards ?
Surely, the fans priced between RM19.00 to RM28.00 or S$19.00 to
S$28.00 cannot be too different in the respective circumstances
?
Can I realistically expect the quality of a Panasonic or KDK Floor
Standing Fan priced at S$130.00 - when I consider similar type fan
from lesser known Made in Malaysia brand priced at S$19.00 to
S$28.00 ?
Lets have some realistic sanity in our discussion, as too many
insane assumptions can misdirect our efforts into insane arguments
that lead us to no where.
Obviously, if I were to decide on a RM22.00 Floor Standing Fan, I
will be quite happy if it can last through 3 months, and it will be
probaby be a sin if the fan should last beyond one year.
Should I be worried about guarantee issues when the product is
already a steal ?
I would not buy a refrigerator or a TV set from Malaysia for use in
Singapore - as the money paid is larger, and such product will
normally have some warranty issue during the first two years. It
will be impossible to have the Malaysian technicians to cross the
border to attend to any problems, and there is the exclusive market
territorial issues between the Malaysian and Singaporean agents or
dealerships.
