A Good Lesson Learnt In A Hard Way

Now that things have almost come to an end, except that I haven't gotten my money back, I can openly share with you all without fearing that I might be stressed up. This post is super long, but this will help me to remember the foolish mistake I had made.

On 1st March, I met up with a primary school friend cos he said he got a friend doing business and looking for people to help him. He said the working time is rather flexible so I decided to go have a look, cos so many people asking me for job lobangs.

Met him, and he brought me to the company. The building looks impressive. I thought they just own a small office in the building. To my surprise, they own quite a few levels of offices in the building. The company is actually quite an established one, 4 year-old company. I was wondering to myself: I thought it should be a small company. It was supposed to be just a meet up so I was didn't see the point to be defensive. I totally let down my guard as I thought this friend could be trusted.

When we reached the building, one of the 'shareholders'(Name her A) of LFI (the company), came to talk to us and explain what they do there. Oh my goodness, it was MLM. She explained that they're actually not a totally MLM company as they have physical shops and have salespersons to help us with the sales of the products. As in, they have professionals to explain to customers the functions of the products. She continued to bombard me with information of the products, how they work as a team, how reliable LFI is with Fred Ho as a partner for their diamonds business, how reliable the products are as they have famous artiste like Tay Ping Hui and Vincent Ng advertising for them, etc... As I had totally let down my guard, I was gradually being coaxed by them into believing that this business was really worth giving a try.

Later, A left to attend to something else and another 'shareholder'(Name him B) continued to explain to me about the business. He said things like everyone who join the company are shareholders, tell me the details of their products, how good they are... His auntie didn't believe in such product but after she took some to try from his mum, realised how good the pills were and became a regular consumer. Blah blah blah... Then he shared with me how lucrative this business was. If you sell how many bottles, how many points you'll get... If you recruit some downlines how many point you'll be rewarded... At the end of the month, how much can you earn... He went on multiplying the numbers... $1000... $2000... $3000... $4000... Then if your sales is good become don't know what director, company will sponsor you car. No wonder there's so many sports car outside the company. Wow... Seeing such good earnings, how could I resist the temptation especially when I really need money this days. (If I get into SIM, I need to come out with around $27k for the school fees. I thought: "Hmmm... Sounds like easy money leh. Join their membership first then consider whether to join in their business."

I only wanted to pay the $10+ for the membership cos I thought I could help the friend in this way. But they started to persuade me to buy their package to qualify for their business so that I can sell the products and bring in friend to this business. I told them I really don't have that much money. $1k or $2k leh... They thought what, I open bank de arh. Later A came back to take over B. She asked me how much can I come up with at that moment, so I honestly replied her around $800. So she said she would find some solution for me. She and that friend went here and there to discuss about don't know what. And they offered me a special package, $866. It was somehow within my budget. But I wasn't prepared to spend that money at all so I kept numb. Then she started telling me that the package was only for a limited period of time only, it might not be available after a 2-3days. So, stupidly, I agreed to buy the package.

Let me pause for a moment to share my thoughts after this incident, cos there's more to be shared later on. Dear friends, have any friends approached you in the same way? Telling you that they have business to introduce to you? Make them tell you the company's name and make sure that they're able to explain to you clearly the nature of the business before allowing them to approach you further.

I'm not blaming this friend or the A and B 'shareholders' cos I feel that they are victims too. They have been so brainwashed by the company that they only see the good. C'mon, in business how can there only be pros and no cons. How honest are you all doing this business? What role is Fred Ho playing in the company? He's just a small partner or probably the supplier for your diamonds, yet you all kept mentioning about him like he's a big business partner of LFI. Did you all mention about your chairman? Why not?

They shared about how well their mother company in HK have fared. But that's in HK. I did some research after a few days and found out that LFI isn't that reliable afterall. Below is one of their product which had been recalled by HSA in 2008:

(http://www.hsa.gov.sg/publish/etc/medialib/hsa_library/corporate\/pr20072009.Par.1666.File.tmp/HSAMediaRelease__HSACautionsAgainstConsumingMenergyMEssenceCapsules_121208.pdf)

Either A or B had mentioned to me about the Slim10 incident, do they know their company was in such trouble before too? By the way, A and B are students from a reputable local university. Most people they target are around the age group. I believe it's because, at our age, we're very vulnerable to such temptation as we desire to be financially independent asap. So friends, please don't be as stupid as me, think carefully before investing in anything. The business may seem to have lucrative returns, but is it printed black and white how much you can earn, is it an honest business? If just taking pills regularly can cure illnesses, we won't need any hospitals or clinic, isn't it? If you're not a doctor, how can you give medical advice to people? 100% safe, can you guarantee? I rather not live with guilt. I'm not the only victim, more can be found here: http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/archive/index.php/t-2194835.html

Back to my story. After realising how unreliable LFI was, I decided to ask for a refund after finding out from a forum that the products could be refunded within 7 days. I didn't notice that it was printed at the back of the invoices, I just blindly signed them. At the very last minute before their company closes, I rushed down by cab and reached there by 10.15pm. Demanded a refund. Guess what response I got from them? They told me that the refund could only be made before 9pm as the department in charge closes at 9pm. I was extremely pissed off. (And I realised that when I'm pissed off, I could express myself in English perfectly! Lol!) I tried to create a scene there, speaking with a pissed off tone and a slightly louder than normal voice. Giving that super buey song face. Then they say they'll contact someone to talk things out with me, ask me wait by the side. I had a very good reason to behave that way cos I did call them at 9pm plus to ask if I could get a refund through them. The person say yes, I ask them if they close at 10.30pm, then she answered yes. When I confronted her, she said I didn't say I was going to make the refund. Diao~ Isn't it common sense? I asked about the refund of course I was going to make the refund.

Stood at one corner with my black face for around 10mins. The up-up-upline came down to discuss things out with me. Thought he was rather nice cos he kept cool and tried to calm me down. I told him I wanted the full refund, but was told that it was the 8th day, so I was only entitled 50%. I told him it was bullshit and that I should get back 100%. The 7th day was a Sunday so they expect me to stupidly go down to their company to make the refund on that day knowing it was closed. Then he said I should contact my upline, the friend. I told him I don't see the point telling him cos he wouldn't be the one who would refund me the money. I want the money back from the company, not him, of course I come down to the company. He asked B to come down cos he was the one who did most of the explanation to me. So we arranged an appointment with B the next day to see what they could offer me. The up-up-upline said he would try his best to fight for me 100%, and I believed him. Before I left, I stated my stand clearly to them again: I want nothing less than 100%.

The appointment was at 3pm, but I couldn't make it in time, so I postpone it to 7pm. Guess how they 'entertained' me this time round? They said I was late for the appointment, so the person in charge of the department for the refund left the company already. What? I told them. On black and white, it's stated that I could get my refund within 7days, I did came within 7days excluding Sunday and you all delayed me. So why couldn't I postpone my appointment. And it was totally bullshit that the person left at 7pm when you told me the department closes at 9pm. Of course, I raised my voice and voiced out my displeasure. At that time, that friend and his upline was there and B was there too. I insisted that I want 100% if not, I would get it through CASE. Guess what next. The upline tried to tell me the disadvantage I would be in if I go to CASE. Saying what, they have several cases like that and most cases end up getting less that 50% or nothing. This really made my blood boiled like hell, and I was 90% sure that I was going to CASE. 10% of me was reluctant cos I knew it would drag for quite some time and it was only $770.40. Unhappy with the upline's attitude I told him that he wasn't sincere at all, and I asked to see the up-up-upline. Sadly, this guy was just a sweet-talker, he was in the insurance line before so he know how to coax. Seeing that none of them were sincere, I decided to leave. Of course, I wouldn't leave them with peace. I requested the up-up-upline to write a letter acknowledging that I had been there on the 8th and 9th. Then, I was 100% sure that I would go to CASE.

Next day, I went down to CASE which was situated at ulu pandan cc. (The place is as ulu as what the name suggested) When I reached there, did the registration at the recep desk. The recep lady asked what I wanted to complain about and I wasn't pleased with her response at all. Instead of encouraging me, she said things like "why you go to that place, it's at geylang somemore leh, you don't know what they'll do to you, later they sell you away" I kept my cool cos she's just an auntie and my purpose was to complain LFI.

I waited for 2hours for my turn? Nearly fell asleep. Told could lodge a complain there but I was redirected to Small Claim Tribunal instead. Wa liao. Totally sian diao. Sigh. I told myself that it was alright, at least I know how to make my claim. Next day or the day after next, I went down to SCT subordinate court to lodge my claim against LFI. Believe I'm one of the youngest claimant they had came across. The counter person look at me with doubts in her eyes and told me to bring a guardian for the mediation.

Ok, let me explain the procedures I had to go through to finally go to the Hearing.
1. Lodge claim against the company and fix an appointment for the mediation.
2. Mediation or consultation: The Registrar will try to help the claimant(me) and the respondent(LFI) to reach a common agreement on the claim.
3. Consent Order or further mediation: The Registrar will again try to help us reach a common agreement.
4. Hearing or trial: The Registrar or Judge will pass the order as to how much the claim will be after hearing our stand.

For the mediation, I didn't bring a guardian cos I didn't see the point to. Before that, the up-up-upline called to offered me a 60% refund. Of course I said NO! And told him I didn't want to repeat myself all over again. I want nothing but 100%. Then he tell me that by lodging the claim, I may end up with nothing at all. Again, this totally pissed me off and I told him: "You're not sincere at all in offering me the 60%. By telling me that, just shows that you all are afraid hat his case will spoil your reputation. But it's none of my business cos I rightfully deserves the 100%. That's all. See you at the mediation." But he wasn't the one attending the mediation. It was another guy(C) whom I had never seen before. He said he wrote the Terms and Conditions for the membership. Hmm.. I wonder does he really know what he had written? If so, he should have learn about Consumer Protection Act and that the 7days, also known as the cooling down period, should not include saturday, sunday and public holidays. This case was a sure-win one for me, but I wasn't 100% confident cos it was the first time I'm in such a situation.

During the mediation, I stated my reason for the claim and C tried to defend. Guess how he defended for his company? He said, I should have made the decision 3 or 4 days after buying the package instead of asking for the refund at the very last minute. The Registrar responded that it was stated in the refund policy that refund can be made within 7days, so I'm liable to make the refund on the 7th day. I admit, I was secretly laughing. Lol! The Registrar didn't criticise me too saying why was I controlled by them. But anyway, I felt that I had half won the case that day. The registrar asked if LFI was willing to offer 75%, he agreed, but I said I believe I deserve the full refund and declined the offer. So both of us agreed to go through the trial and let the judge decide the amount.

Next, it was the further mediation after a few weeks. I thought it was the final hearing but was wrong. This time, the percentage was raised. The Registrar asked if I would be satisfied with 90% but I kept numb while he did the calculation, but C said no. Then the Registrar calculated a middle amount 82.5%. C agreed, but I said no and asked to go through the trial instead. The Registrar doing his job, told me that settling the claim then would be a win-win situation as I may not get the percentage I want if the judge wasn't satisfied with my stand. I told him that I understand that fact, but would accept any decision by the judge. The trial was arranged a few days later, which was yesterday, 19th April.

Yesterday was the trial and I was almost late. Luckily, the time for the number machine is 10minutes slower. I didn't have a good rest the previous night as I was rather stressed over this trial. First time ma. Thought the wait will be as long as the previous mediation which was around 2hrs so I mentally prepared myself to stone there for quite long. Lol! Then keep going through what I should say in my mind when I face the judge. Surprisingly, the wait wasn't too long. As the normal chambers were taken up, we were asked to go to a slightly bigger chamber. I was quite nervous, hoping that I won't have to make an appeal and that would be my last trip there. 4th time traveling there, really make me feel exhausted mentally. Entered the chamber, greeted the judge. I appear to not be that nervous, face it like a job interview. We were asked to take an oath. The person asked me if I'm a Christian, I said not really, so I took the non-Christian oath. Promising that whatever that I say will be truth, nothing but the truth only. Not this short la, it was longer, couldn't remember the actual one.

After that, we were told to sit and the judge asked me to what was the claim about. Then it was C's turn to defend. The judge told him something like this claim is quite a clear cut, that I should deserve the full refund cos the 7 days cooling period shouldn't include weekends and public holiday, just give it to me, anyway it's not a big sum of money. Phew! Within 10mins, it was over, I won. They were ordered to issue me my $770.40 cheque within 14 days. (Not $866 cos I opened one bottle)

One month plus of stress, four trips down to the court, don't know how many hours spent, in just 10mins, everything got resolved. Finally, I got what rightfully belongs to me. Was really happy yesterday that I've won. Guy C brought along B and up-up-upline as witnesses, but they don't even have the chance to show face to the judge. I'm glad, though I know this is evil, that I've wasted another 2 people's time. :p I thought they would be driving their sports car, but I saw them waiting at the taxi stand. So I wondered to myself again: "Are the sports car outside the company just for show?"

I would say that I have learnt a very valuable lesson. Shouldn't be lured by easy money, shouldn't be greedy. Only hard earned money is worth earning, cos you won't want to live with guilt. I woke up in time and got my money back. This court experience really made me realised how much I'm responsible for myself now that I'm an adult. And I guess it's time to expand my vocab cos I realise I kept using the same words. Lol! =D