Woman calls police after she paid S$1,097 for 3 pieces of clothing at Far East Plaza

A woman called the police after she was charged S$1,097 for three pieces of clothing at an apparel shop at Far East Plaza.

The incident occurred on May 29 at about 12pm at the third floor store.

What happened

The woman, 42, surnamed Zheng (transliteration), complained to Shin Min Daily News that it was not her first time visiting the shop.

Zheng said the shop assistant was very welcoming and kept giving her clothes to try on.

The customer then selected two tops and a pair of shorts.

Zhang claimed she asked the assistant twice about the prices, but the subject was changed each time and the duo engaged in small talk instead.

The customer said: "The assistant asked the other staff to pack the clothes I liked, and then asked me how I wanted to pay. I was a little confused at the time, and she kept chatting with me, so I forgot to ask the price for the third time."

Swiped and paid

Zheng said that after swiping her card, she found out that she had paid S$1,097.

She immediately asked about the price of the clothes.

The shop assistant showed her the price tag hanging on the clothes hanger and told her that the clothes were imported from South Korea.

One top and a pair of pants cost S$299 each, and the other top was S$499.

The total price was S$1,097.

Did not see price tags

Zheng claimed that she did not see the price tags on the clothes, which was why she had asked more than once.

When she sought a refund, she was initially offered a 20 per cent discount, and then a 30 per cent discount.

The assistant allegedly said she could not refund the money as she was not the owner of the shop.

Zheng retorted: "I thought since she could give a discount, why couldn't I get a refund?"

Called the police

Zheng did not take the clothes in the end and called the police and complained to the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case).

When the Shin Min reporter visited the store, the staff said the shop has been operating for more than 20 years and there are currently five stores.

Moreover, the clothes have their price tags displayed.

The staff added: "I tried to explain the price to customers before, but one of them thought I looked down on her and scolded me for it."

The staff also explained that she was willing to offer a discount because she did not want to make things awkward.

The staff said: "She paid with a card, and I had to confirm the sum was transacted first, so I couldn't just refund it. If she gave cash that day, I might have refunded her."

Not the first time dispute occurred

It was apparently not the first time a disagreement occurred at the shop.

A shop assistant of another business claimed that a female customer was once scolded in the clothing store before.

The customer was allegedly questioned why she tried many pieces of clothing before buying one.

The shop assistant in that store allegedly even followed the female customer to other stores.

According to surveillance footage seen by Shin Min's reporter, a shop assistant was seen chasing a customer outside and also seen using foul language on the customer.

However, it was explained that the customer had allegedly tried the clothing and threw them on the ground.

The whole altercation lasted about four minutes.

The shop assistant of the clothing store responded that she would not yell at customers just because they did not buy anything.

Another customer asked for a refund before

Another customer told Shin Min she once bought a dress for S$300 at the clothing store thinking it was limited edition, but went to another store next door and found the same dress sold for S$180.

She asked for a refund, but was refused.

She subsequently found the same dress sold at different prices in three stores owned by the same person.

When she asked the boss of the shops, she was told that the materials used were different.

The customer alleged to Shin Min: "But they looked exactly the same, and the fabric is not worth the price. I also heard that if the customer is wearing better clothes, the boss will quote a higher price."

Top photos via Shin Min Daily News