Traffic jam in China

One of the scariest traffic jam lasted for 9 days on Beijing-Tibet highway. The whole stretch is only 100km. Look at how many lanes are there, but still jam terribly.

Meguiar Full Auto Detailing Work from Auto Vogue, Groupon 'Deal'

I sent my car for auto detailing last week. Bought the groupon for RM75, 63% off from Rm205. Sounds like a good deal right? At first I try to hide the full name from the title, but it got me real pissed when I read the details again that makes me purchase the groupon, it is really misleading! So I decided to whack this shop on my blog!

Details:

Like a union between a man and his woman, a marriage between a man and his car is one of infinite love and annually depreciating commitment. Renew automotive vows with today’s Groupon: for RM75, you get a full auto detailing package inclusive of claying (RM50 value), waxing (RM90 value), interior grooming (RM15 value) and wash, vacuum and tar spots removal (RM50 value from Auto Vogue Automotive Detailer in Petaling Jaya (RM205 total value).

Horseless carriages are first inspected to ensure working condition, then washed to rid dirt, muck and fleas. Using Meguiar’s products from the US, car dermatologists proceed by claying patients to remove dirt stains, spots and blemishes. A giant sucker makes suckers of icky insects as it swallows them whole along with debris, dirt and quarter-month-old hamburgers while interior grooming and cleaning leave no lettuce, tomato or cheese wandering behind. Waxing protects the car’s paint and fragile renewed confidence, with shine lasting up to two months. After the 2 to 2.5-hour procedure, cars are rejuvenated and are raring to go.

This Groupon is valid for small to medium-sized vehicles, while SUVs and MPVs will be charged extra RM50. Customers receive a 20% discount on their next full auto detailing service.

Ok, here the story goes. I arrived at the shop at Mutiara Damansara around 12:04pm whereas I scheduled my car for auto detail at noon time 12pm...

I told the Indonesian supervisor there I sent in my car for groupon auto detail. First thing he told me is right now got a lot of cars, asked me come back at 4pm. I told him that I confirm twice that I come at noon time, if that is the case, what is the point of 'making appointment'? Then he said alright, asked me to go grab a lunch or something. I told him I am not hungry yet, I will stay there and wait.

While I was waiting, another car came by, he asked me if is okay if they just wash another car first, just a basic wash. I said OK since it won't be too long. So they washed the other customer's car first then only attend to my car. Which is totally fine to me. While they are doing the so-called "full auto detailing" on a Smart for Four, I noticed there are some spots that on the door. I asked them if they have clayed it properly? The supervisor said the thing already 'eat-in' to the paint. OK, I buy that, since you guys are 'expert' right?

Then finally is my car. Without paying much attention, the car is done washing and claying. May be with some simple claying I guess. Then I have drive to another spot for dry out purpose, one worker started to do vacuuming while the other guy try to spray some Meguiar product on my car and wipe it off with a already-dirty cloth. I look at how they work on my car, seriously, I don't bother to comment anything, just let them the job and once done I will drive off. Just like my colleague had complained before, not worth his Rm75 at all. And if they charge you Rm205 for such a lousy service, I can assure you that you will be making a scene at the shop!

In one hour's time, the "FULL AUTO DETAILING WORK" is DONE! Just like a "union between a man and his woman" crap that usually won't last more than an hour(check back the details above). Seriously, for such service quality, I can do it AT HOME la! If this is called "Full Auto Detailing", I think the boss who open such shop need to attend a course on "Auto Detail", it is not detail at all! Of course, I am clearly aware that I am paying for RM75 only, but isn't it suppose to be a Rm209 work? Please don't simply mark up the price and slash a "big discount" over the price. This is more like a con job to me. Just open the shop, sell lots of groupons and simply wash the car and spray some Meguiar polisher on chassis and you called it a "full auto detailing work". I won't be so angry if you post Rm99 value but you are selling at Rm75. And PLEASE, the 2-2.5 hrs procedure is Bull Shit! Do you mean 1 hr work and 1-1.5 hrs waiting time or what? If you mean that, please put it down, don't mislead the consumers!

In short, it is basically a shop opened by someone, throw a 'attractive deal' at groupon and trick you to come, put a few foreign cheap labors there to run it in "auto pilot" mode to generate revenues, this is how I perceived if you ask me. One key element that you need to have when you are working on a auto detail is you have to treat every single car like your dream car, you need a little passion on such a work. I won't say the workers did a very lousy work, but if you ask me, I don't think Rm75 is a good deal at all, won't pay anything more than RM50. And even the offer is Rm50, I will have to think about it too. No point send in my car when I can do the same thing at home right?

20% discount on next auto detail? NO Thank you!

Person of the Year

Isn't it cool? The people has voiced out, after all the bullies.

Toastmaster Maiden Speech - 1st Dec 2011

Yes! Finally I have delivered my Toastmaster maiden Ice breaking speech, special thanks to my mentor - Calvin Lim, my Evaluator, Mr. Gan and the kind feedback and encouragement from other members. Look forward to participate in more speeches. :)