December 17, 2019, 10:53 PM
A local durian merchant Durian Kaki recently organised a pay-as-you-like promotion for charity -- but its eventual earnings fell way short of expectations because of cheap customers.
The charity drive on Dec. 14 only managed to raise S$7,850 from the sale of 800kg of Grade A Mao Shan Wang durians.
All proceeds will go to Lee Ah Mooi Old Age Home.
Customers could give any amount for the durians.
Lianhe Wanbao reported that there were generous customers who paid as much as S$600 for two durians, but there were others who were less charitable.
Some people were said to have paid S$4 for six durians.
Not even half of expected amount raised
The owner of Durian Kaki, whose surname is Wong, told 8world he hoped to raise between S$8,000 and S$15,000 for charity.
He had spent about S$10,000 to bring in the durians.
Not first time
Low-ballers at such events are not new.
Wong said he raised S$1,400 during a similar pay-as-you-like event in July, when it had cost S$3,500 for the durians.
He said each Grade A Mao Shan Wang durians sold at the charity event on Saturday should be worth about S$36 each -- at S$24 per kg.
He estimated that about one-third of customers paid less than S$10 per kg.
8world found that most customers said that they were willing to pay between S$10 and S$15 per durian, following a poll.
Durian Kaki, nevertheless, took to Facebook on Sunday to thank those who showed up.
It is clear it should just donate the cost of buying the durians to the charity recipient next time.
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