We finally completed the transaction of our new flat at Tanglin Halt on 31 Jul 09. We are still waiting to complete the final transaction for our current flat. More on that update later, but now, I would just like to record a series of interactions I have with Meng Design, one of the contractors we were considering to help us do the renovation. Here's a transcript of the email correspondence. I am not saying that I am not at fault somewhat, but I am still a potential client.....sigh.
We first went to their AMK showroom to discuss about the renovation on 24 May. No response from the guy we talked to after 2 weeks, and I don't have his contact no, so i went to Meng design website and sent the following email.
First email correspondence after I sent an email
From: Meng Design
Sent: Monday, 08 June, 2009 8:58 PM
Hi! Christopher,
can u email us your floor plan cum do list so as to aid the quote?
Rgds.
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From: "Christopher Chua"
Sent: 08 Jun, 2009 10:02 PM
Hi
Please see attached floor plan although the layout is slightly different for bathroom 2 (instead of the current e-w facing, it is actually extended out to N-S facing, with windows by the end for the kitchen. We are a family of 2 adults and 3 children (aged 5, 2 & newborn)
Some things we would like to see:
<
Please send us your quote and let us meet up for discussion. My first appointment is 15 Jun and I hope to see the 1st quote by then so that I could consider and arrange for viewing.
please also keep my office email address in the loop when replying.
Thanks.
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From: "Christopher Chua"
Sent: 11 Jun 09
Hi,
Apologies, our move in date is 20 Aug 09.
Thanks.
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This are the 2 emails I missed as I was busy with work.
From: Meng Design
Sent: 12 Jun 09
Noted. Thanks.
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From: Meng Design
Sent: 12 Jun 09
Hi!
Looking at your reno list. 20k is definitely out of reach. What is your max. that you can stretch?
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Probably my fault for letting them know that I saw their email and thought it would be ok to let them know we are already going ahead, so no need to follow up.
From: Christopher
Sent: 23 Jul 09
Hi,
It's ok. We have decided to go with another contractor, who has responded promptly to our queries and attended to us properly as clients.
Thanks.
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This is where it gets interesting and maybe I got a little excited. But how would you feel in receiving this email?
From: Meng Design
Sent: 23 Jul 09
Oh! Its July now. Doesn't matter, we don't spend time on queries without response.
rgds.
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From: Christopher
Sent: 23 Jul 09
Excuse me, are you implying that you expect your clients to come and give you work? Is this the kind of attitude Meng Design has?
I first went to your Ang Mo Kio showroom on 24 May 09 to discuss with your staff there about the renovation for my new flat, and the guy promised to get back to me with a quote. He never did. He didn't even have the courtesy to give me his name card. After 2 weeks of waiting, I went to your website, because I do not have the guy's phone number. I sent out a query on your website, and waited for your response.
I left my name card with your Ang Mo Kio showroom and contact details also on the website query form. You never did give me a call at all. It goes to show how serious Meng Design is about doing my renovation. It probably is too small a figure for you to consider. nevertheless, it is poor taste and lousy customer service.
Thanks but no thanks for causing grief.
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From: Meng Design
Sent: 24 Jul 09
Perhaps, you should refer to all the email correspondences especially the
one dated june 12 before claiming no one response to you.
Besides, don't have to inform us you already engage others cos.. we don't
want to waste time looking back either.
In any case, good or bad don't lie on you.
Good luck anyway.
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From: Christopher
Sent: 24 Jul 09
Sure, if you look at the chain of emails below to see how many emails I sent to Meng design and how many you responded. Certainly, your last one is 12 June, but no followups after that. Do you think I have nothing better to do except to hang after you and depend on Meng Design only for the job? If you are offended by me sending you an email to inform you that my contract is handled by another person, too bad. I had no ill will in replying, but just providing a feedback and closing the loop.
Certainly, you may think I am one person and cannot determine whether Meng Design is good or not. That's' fine. It's really your business and your job, not mine.
The way it goes, Meng Design and you needs luck more than I do. Good luck to you too. I don't need luck.
You would probably be glad to know that this is my last email to you for feedback, and don't bother to respond anymore cause you are such a forward looking person.
------End of email response-----------
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From: Meng Design
Sent: 24 Jul 09
If you feel offended don't response. Furthermore, not every chapter in life will be close to your satisfaction. Besides, why so heat up when you don't even bother to response to june 12 email?
In any case, we don't need such feedback. Yup! I am forward looking just like you and if you don't need luck than blessing lah..k
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Unfortunately, every chapter of my life is close to my satisfaction. I am blamed for not responding to his 12 Jun email. well....I admit I had missed it, but I finally responded. I guess I am not in sales & marketing, but I would have followed up if I did not get a response from my potential client. It's just basic courtesy, isn't it? Perhaps like the 12 Jun email indicates, they can't do the work for a 20k budget, which is kinda low for them, i guess. small contract, and they would rather pursue the larger contracts perhaps....
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