SINGAPORE — A member of the public warned against patronizing a newly opened hawker stall at the Senja Hawker Centre after experiencing poor customer service on Christmas Day. A “gangster” staff allegedly hurled vulgarities after keeping the customer waiting for almost two hours.
The Facebook group Complaint Singapore member shared their experience, noting they had ordered sambal stingray, kangkong and fuyong omelette from a stall at the Senja Hawker Centre.
“At first, the cashier told us the estimated waiting time was about 30 minutes. At 8 pm, our food was not ready, so we approached the cashier, and she said (they) needed 30 more minutes,” the customer wrote.
“We understand, as the store is quite crowded on Christmas night. So we went back to our seats and continued to wait.” However, at 8:50 pm, their food was still not served – even the omelet, which was easy to prepare.
They approached the stall and asked for an update on their meal, noting the children were already very hungry. The family suggested canceling the order if nothing was prepared and asked for a refund.
“Suddenly, the store man pointed his finger at me and spoke to me in a very fierce tone, ‘Eh jibai, you talk to me properly, you understand?’ as if he is trying to pick a fight,” said the customer who was shocked at the response.
“We waited for almost two hours, not even a sorry was heard. When we asked for a refund nicely, the storeman suddenly turned ‘gangster style’ and started to threaten people.
“The stall operator pointed to a sambal stingray and said, “Your food is ready, Do you still want it or not?”
The customers opted for a refund, which the man gave “reluctantly while murmuring vulgarities”.
“It’s a newly-opened store located at Senja Hawker Centre. Singaporeans, be aware of the gangsters running the store,” the Facebook group added.
Netizens were surprised that the customer who waited for hours for a meal at the Senja Hawker Centre got scolded in the end at the stall. “Let this be your first and last time buying from them. We won’t go hungry,” said Facebook user Wang Fu Sheng.
The Independent Singapore has reached out to the stall for a statement and will update the article accordingly.
UPDATE: 1:15PM
In response to this complaint by the customer, the stall operator informed The Independent Singapore that “Whatever he (the customer) said was untrue, and there were no vulgarities used. A police report has been made.” /TISG
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