Thursday, June 30, 2011
The Funniest Joke In The World
Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He doesn’t seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other guy whips out his phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps, “My friend is dead! What can I do?” The operator says “Calm down. I can help. First, let’s make sure he’s dead.” There is a silence, and then a shot is heard. Back on the phone, the guy says “OK, now what?”
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Cash Is King
Really can't see much value in the markets these days.
What with the whole global economic situation being so precarious. In the US, nobody dares to pull off anything until early August when the debt limit issue is settled. Still lingering talks of QE3 there as well. Europe isn't any better. One day its going to be a successful Greek rescue and another day the whole Europe will go bankrupt. Asia is more of a property bubble is it happening or not conundrum.
Decided to shift a chunk of my funds into cash now.
Cash is king. With the SGD slated to hit 1.15 against the USD by year's end, I think we're in a strong position to benefit. US stocks just keep getting cheaper and cheaper.
Long SGD!
What with the whole global economic situation being so precarious. In the US, nobody dares to pull off anything until early August when the debt limit issue is settled. Still lingering talks of QE3 there as well. Europe isn't any better. One day its going to be a successful Greek rescue and another day the whole Europe will go bankrupt. Asia is more of a property bubble is it happening or not conundrum.
Decided to shift a chunk of my funds into cash now.
Cash is king. With the SGD slated to hit 1.15 against the USD by year's end, I think we're in a strong position to benefit. US stocks just keep getting cheaper and cheaper.
Long SGD!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
July 3rd
Thai national elections.
This should be interesting...
Reminds me of the time we had to travel up for business and it turned out to be an anniversary of the Thai King's sister's death. Alcohol was banned all weekend. Heard it's gonna be the same this time around too.
I'm rooting for Abhisit to stay in power. He's been doing a good job handling the Thai economy so far.
Yingluck Shinawatra is pretty hot nonetheless.
Hopefully there wouldn't be any violence.
This should be interesting...
Reminds me of the time we had to travel up for business and it turned out to be an anniversary of the Thai King's sister's death. Alcohol was banned all weekend. Heard it's gonna be the same this time around too.
I'm rooting for Abhisit to stay in power. He's been doing a good job handling the Thai economy so far.
Yingluck Shinawatra is pretty hot nonetheless.
Hopefully there wouldn't be any violence.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Rainbow And Delphin Vacuum Cleaners
Has anyone bought either of these brands of vacuum cleaners for SGD3,000+ and up?
Basically what they do is they either get your contact via a referral from a friend, or they give you a free pot(or something) at a household fair. They then lug their huge-ass water-filtration based vacuum cleaners to your home and tells you it's a one-off free cleaning service.
Once they enter your home, the selling begins. From praising you, giving you irresistible offers, spouting all the healthy living spiel, to very amazing demonstrations sucking up your bed and sofas to leave you almost embarrassed that they are so dirty.
Finally they refuse to leave, throwing everything at you from interest-free instalment plans, free gifts, cheaper rates if you gave her a few names of friends who could use the product, leaving at least a small initial deposit, using their cleaning service. Anything just for you to part with your money.
I did abit of searching for both products online and was amazed by the amount of negative news, comments, reviews available.
Basically, if a product were this good, it would never receive so much negative publicity bordering on people calling them scams and con jobs. Now I won't say that they are, but I believe there are a few things that you readers should know so that you know what to expect when you next receive such an invite for free cleaning service etc.
Point 1. The vacuum cleaner seems quite good. There are not many water-based filtration vacuum cleaners around and it is true that water does contain dirt and mites better than your normal filter bag. The machine itself is as powerful as it gets too. A check on US websites actually gives the vacuum cleaners a four out of five star rating on average.
Point 2. The most common complaints I can find on the use of the vacuum cleaners are that firstly, they are too bulky. At 30lbs that's like 15kg of rock to lug around. Sucks if you have stairs in your house. Secondly, the assembly and cleaning process is extremely tedious. Unlike conventional cleaners where you just turn off the machine and store it, this one you have to assemble, and after cleaning you have to clean out the filter bowl, grimy dust filled water and all. Thirdly, they're loud. But then that's because they have a huge motor to suck right? Lastly, they have no retractable wires, so you have to wrap the wiring around the machine and basic storage looks ugly.
Point 3. The price factor. The Rainbow was offered to us for SGD 3.4K. NOT KIDDING. This hulk of a machine actually costs about USD 300 to assemble according to most online opinion. Yet the magic of removing dust mites from your bed does make people part with their money rather easily. Now I see little marketing for this product, so most of the extra profits should be used to pay the salesmen. Thats a very high profit margin. It explains their pushiness to sell.
Point 4. You have to understand how this company works. From what I've read, they could be abit like pyramid selling, Get-rich-quick selling, or MLM even. The salespeople themselves are lured with high income for little work adverts and the focus of their training is direct sales techniques. The salespeople apparently are not paid a salary and are paid on a tiered basis based on how many machines they sell. Apparently they can earn up to 1K per machine? Hence the pushy sales.
Point 5. Do more research online. Honestly, I only did it because I found it funny that I've never heard of these two brands prior and yet they dared to sell for such obscene prices. The online negativity and tsunami of bad experiences is one thing you might want to try not to get sucked into if you want an unbiased view. Just try to read the genuine experiences, some are really quite satisfied while others are downright terrible like getting cheated of even more money by their salesperson! Read and decide yourself.
Point 6. Aftersales support. The biggest complaint from owners of the machines, is after sales support. Most say they cannot locate who to be responsible when machines breakdown, when wanting to service under warranty or simple when trying to get in touch with the company. And most times the salespeople would just run you through an endless loop of people transferring you in circles. Next biggest complaint is high cost of servicing if not covered under warranty and sales of spare parts.
All in, do your check and balance before committing to buying the product even if you think it will be worth every cent of your thousands of dollars. It is not right to be aggressively pressured into buying after only one demo. If all else fails, there is always the Small Claims Tribunal. So far, several cases against Delphin have been won there.
Basically what they do is they either get your contact via a referral from a friend, or they give you a free pot(or something) at a household fair. They then lug their huge-ass water-filtration based vacuum cleaners to your home and tells you it's a one-off free cleaning service.
Once they enter your home, the selling begins. From praising you, giving you irresistible offers, spouting all the healthy living spiel, to very amazing demonstrations sucking up your bed and sofas to leave you almost embarrassed that they are so dirty.
Finally they refuse to leave, throwing everything at you from interest-free instalment plans, free gifts, cheaper rates if you gave her a few names of friends who could use the product, leaving at least a small initial deposit, using their cleaning service. Anything just for you to part with your money.
I did abit of searching for both products online and was amazed by the amount of negative news, comments, reviews available.
Basically, if a product were this good, it would never receive so much negative publicity bordering on people calling them scams and con jobs. Now I won't say that they are, but I believe there are a few things that you readers should know so that you know what to expect when you next receive such an invite for free cleaning service etc.
Point 1. The vacuum cleaner seems quite good. There are not many water-based filtration vacuum cleaners around and it is true that water does contain dirt and mites better than your normal filter bag. The machine itself is as powerful as it gets too. A check on US websites actually gives the vacuum cleaners a four out of five star rating on average.
Point 2. The most common complaints I can find on the use of the vacuum cleaners are that firstly, they are too bulky. At 30lbs that's like 15kg of rock to lug around. Sucks if you have stairs in your house. Secondly, the assembly and cleaning process is extremely tedious. Unlike conventional cleaners where you just turn off the machine and store it, this one you have to assemble, and after cleaning you have to clean out the filter bowl, grimy dust filled water and all. Thirdly, they're loud. But then that's because they have a huge motor to suck right? Lastly, they have no retractable wires, so you have to wrap the wiring around the machine and basic storage looks ugly.
Point 3. The price factor. The Rainbow was offered to us for SGD 3.4K. NOT KIDDING. This hulk of a machine actually costs about USD 300 to assemble according to most online opinion. Yet the magic of removing dust mites from your bed does make people part with their money rather easily. Now I see little marketing for this product, so most of the extra profits should be used to pay the salesmen. Thats a very high profit margin. It explains their pushiness to sell.
Point 4. You have to understand how this company works. From what I've read, they could be abit like pyramid selling, Get-rich-quick selling, or MLM even. The salespeople themselves are lured with high income for little work adverts and the focus of their training is direct sales techniques. The salespeople apparently are not paid a salary and are paid on a tiered basis based on how many machines they sell. Apparently they can earn up to 1K per machine? Hence the pushy sales.
Point 5. Do more research online. Honestly, I only did it because I found it funny that I've never heard of these two brands prior and yet they dared to sell for such obscene prices. The online negativity and tsunami of bad experiences is one thing you might want to try not to get sucked into if you want an unbiased view. Just try to read the genuine experiences, some are really quite satisfied while others are downright terrible like getting cheated of even more money by their salesperson! Read and decide yourself.
Point 6. Aftersales support. The biggest complaint from owners of the machines, is after sales support. Most say they cannot locate who to be responsible when machines breakdown, when wanting to service under warranty or simple when trying to get in touch with the company. And most times the salespeople would just run you through an endless loop of people transferring you in circles. Next biggest complaint is high cost of servicing if not covered under warranty and sales of spare parts.
All in, do your check and balance before committing to buying the product even if you think it will be worth every cent of your thousands of dollars. It is not right to be aggressively pressured into buying after only one demo. If all else fails, there is always the Small Claims Tribunal. So far, several cases against Delphin have been won there.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Humour
Humour is a rubber sword - it allows you to make a point without drawing blood. - Mary Hirsch
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Modric
Now that Luka Modric has stated that he wants to quit Spurs, who's gonna get him?
If he does indeed want to stay in London, then Chelsea does have an edge.
I just hope we get someone in to boost the midfield.
Maybe we won't buy anyone and we give Ryan Tunnicliffe and Tom Cleverly a chance?
If he does indeed want to stay in London, then Chelsea does have an edge.
I just hope we get someone in to boost the midfield.
Maybe we won't buy anyone and we give Ryan Tunnicliffe and Tom Cleverly a chance?
Monday, June 20, 2011
Irons
Been on the hunt for a new set of irons recently.
Right now I'm still using my old PCF set which I bought for $199 at an Isetan sale in 2007 that came with a brand new full set of irons, drivers, putter and the bag. That was my starter kit where I didn't want to commit too much money into in case golf didn't rub off on me.
I've since added only a hybrid to complement my game, and I carry only my 5, 7 and 9 irons when I play.
My best score is 103 at Marina Bay last year and I average 110 these days.
Not bad for a $199 investment.
But the time has come to up my game.
Would like to break 100 soon.
Right now I'm still using my old PCF set which I bought for $199 at an Isetan sale in 2007 that came with a brand new full set of irons, drivers, putter and the bag. That was my starter kit where I didn't want to commit too much money into in case golf didn't rub off on me.
I've since added only a hybrid to complement my game, and I carry only my 5, 7 and 9 irons when I play.
My best score is 103 at Marina Bay last year and I average 110 these days.
Not bad for a $199 investment.
But the time has come to up my game.
Would like to break 100 soon.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
NEL
The North East Line is really getting more and more crowded.
More and more people are already moving into Sengkang and Punggol with so many new flats TOP-ing.
In fact from the forums, it seems like more and more ang mos and PRCs and choosing Sengkang for rental due to the ease to get straight to town by train (20min). Hence rentals in this area are going up.
Although I doubt the train situation here is anywhere as bad as in Jurong East and Tampines right now.
Want to complain?
Tuck Yew! Understand?!
More and more people are already moving into Sengkang and Punggol with so many new flats TOP-ing.
In fact from the forums, it seems like more and more ang mos and PRCs and choosing Sengkang for rental due to the ease to get straight to town by train (20min). Hence rentals in this area are going up.
Although I doubt the train situation here is anywhere as bad as in Jurong East and Tampines right now.
Want to complain?
Tuck Yew! Understand?!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
In Good Company
Sometimes, good salespeople thrive on each other to become even better.
And that is what is happening right now.
The energy, vibes and positivity flowing all around is really amazing.
It makes you aspire to scale even higher heights and charge on towards further uncharted territory.
I am fearless.
And that is what is happening right now.
The energy, vibes and positivity flowing all around is really amazing.
It makes you aspire to scale even higher heights and charge on towards further uncharted territory.
I am fearless.
Thursday, June 02, 2011
A Two Month Wait
Is a really long time.
Until the new season begins.
Nothing much to look forward to from the football front.
Sigh.
Until the new season begins.
Nothing much to look forward to from the football front.
Sigh.