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A mother in Singapore was left reeling after sales representatives from an insurance and financial services company here gave a gift to her daughter as a conversation starter only to rescind it moments later.

The woman, Nazreen Ogisi, took to Facebook to share about the "absolutely disgusting" incident, which she said happened on June 10.

She wrote that an AIA agent gave her two-year-old daughter a balloon, only to take it back when they realised that the mother did not fit the profile for a potential customer.

To make matters worse, the episode almost repeated itself with another agent shortly after the first incident.

Occurred at Tampines

Ogisi recounted that she was around Century Square with her daughter when a woman approached her daughter with a penguin balloon asking if she wanted one.

She wrote:

"Of course this would delight a two-year-old. The lady then asked me if she could ask me a few questions and I knew from the booth she came from she was from AIA. While standing she asked me a few questions and I apparently do not fit the profile for a potential customer so she said sorry I need to take back the balloon and she took it from my daughter's hand. Imagine my horror??!!"

Same offer again

Shortly after this happened, Ogisi and her daughter were approached by another agent and the question was repeated to the toddler. Ogisi told the other party "not (to) tempt her only to take it back because (she doesn't) fit her profile".

After checking with her manager, the agent confirmed that she could not give the child the balloon.

"Absolutely disgusting"

Calling it a "low and cheap move" to target children in order to "lure their parents in" and taking back the balloons if the adults do not fit the customer profile that they are looking for, Ogisi said it is not right that "a child who doesn't understand why something was offered to her and given to her only to have it snatched away".

She called the "absolutely disgusting" episode something that has put her off buying any of AIA's products as a result of the "poor" customer service, which has left a "distasteful aftermath" in her mind.

AIA apologises

In response to Mothership's queries, an AIA Singapore spokesperson said:

AIA expects the highest standards of professionalism from our representatives.

Marketing activities from our representatives are conducted independently by them. We are concerned by the issues raised and are connecting with individuals affected on this.

Members of the public may contact AIA directly via https://www.aia.com.sg/en/help-support.html should they have any queries or would like to share their feedback.

At 7:52pm on Jun. 15, they shared a second statement:

We are sorry for the unpleasant experience. We have counselled the representatives involved in this incident.

We have reiterated our roadshow guidelines to all our representatives and are working closely with them to ensure they adhere to the highest standards of professionalism.

The team has also connected with individuals involved to address their concerns.

Top photos from AIA Singapore and Shopee.