S'porean woman charged S$3.66 for JB car wash & vacuuming, but vacuum cleaner not working, allegedly told off by manager

After paying for a car wash and vacuuming service in Johor Bahru (JB), a Singaporean woman subsequently found that the vacuuming part was not done as the vacuum cleaner was out of order.

However, the woman claimed she was still charged the same price, and that when she spoke to the manager about it, he allegedly told her "this is how things are done in Johor" and instructed his staff to "remember her face and car".

Charged same price even though no vacuuming done

The 48-year-old woman told The New Straits Times that she visited a car wash operator in Larkin, JB and asked the staff for the price of a car wash and vacuuming.

She was quoted RM12 (S$3.66) and agreed to it.

The woman went to a nearby stall to get a burger.

However, when she returned about an hour later, the car had not been vacuumed, she said.

She questioned the staff about this and was apparently told that the vacuum cleaner was not working.

"I asked why I was still charged RM12 when the vacuuming wasn't done, but the worker said the price remained the same," the woman said.

"This is how things are done in Johor": Manager

The woman then spoke to a manager about this, but claimed that he dismissed her concerns.

He also allegedly told her, as reported by NST: "This is how things are done in Johor. If you're not happy, get your car washed in Singapore instead."

The woman retorted that she should have been told in advance about the faulty vacuum cleaner.

She claimed the manager then loudly told his staff: "Remember her face and car. Next time she comes, make sure to tell her everything in advance so she won't be disappointed."

The woman said she felt "intimidated" by this.

She also said the operator made it seem like it was her fault for expecting proper service.

Car wash operator declined to comment

Noting that many customers at the car wash appeared to be Singaporeans, the woman called for stricter enforcement on such operators to ensure fairness and transparency, especially for non-locals.

NST reported that it was informed by the car wash operator that the manager was unavailable and no further statements would be provided.

Top image from Lianhe Zaobao