Bedok durian stall refuses to refund S$5 for fruit that looks 'spoiled', man makes police report

A man called the police on a Bedok North durian stall on Dec. 27 after a stall assistant refused to refund S$5 for durian that had apparently gone bad.

The following day, a woman also called the police on the same stall after a stall assistant allegedly cursed at her for asking him to wrap her durian in plastic wrap, reported Shin Min Daily News.

In response, the stall manager confirmed that he was aware of both incidents.

However, he said the criticisms were unjustified, adding that customers should provide evidence if they have any.

Male customer's complaint

Speaking to Shin Min, the male customer, surnamed Xie (transliteration), shared that the stall was located at Block 205 Bedok North Street 1.

Upon purchasing a kampung durian at the stall for S$5 on Dec. 27, he cut it open immediately to savour it, only to find out that it had apparently gone bad.

To support his claim, Xie also supplied a photo of the durian, which showed its pulp having turned brown on the edges.

However, when he asked for a replacement, a stall assistant allegedly refused his request.

The reasons cited were that the durian had been cut open and that it belonged to a particular type of durian with pulp that looked a certain way.

When Xie asked for a refund, one of the stall assistants apparently handed Xie his mobile phone and asked Xie to call the police.

Xie also claimed that at the time, the stall assistant was "holding a knife" and was "clearly acting provocatively".

In response, Xie walked to the side and notified the police.

In his police report, Xie also wrote that the stall took up public space and its baskets, which were used to transport fruits, had blocked the pedestrian walkway partially.

Police officers subsequently arrived at the scene, reported Shin Min.

Stall's response

When contacted by Shin Min, the stall manager, surnamed Cai (transliteration), confirmed that he was aware of the dispute.

According to him, there are different types of durian pulps, including yellow, white, and red ones.

In Xie's case, he purchased a durian with white pulp, said Cai.

Cai expressed his surprise that Xie was not satisfied with the durian, adding that his stall has no issues replacing durians for customers if they turn out spoiled.

Police called on stall the next day by another customer

When Shin Min reporters visited the stall on Dec. 28 afternoon, they saw a passerby nearly tripped over by the stall's outdoor umbrella.

A stall assistant subsequently came by to put the fruit baskets back in their positions.

At the same time, the reporters also saw two police officers speaking to a woman.

Later on, when the police began speaking to a stall assistant, his colleagues suddenly appeared and vowed to fight the woman till the bitter end.

Female customer's complaint

Speaking to Shin Min, the woman, named May (transliteration), said she came to the stall to buy S$8 worth of durian and was charged an extra S$1 for takeaway.

She then left the stall but returned later to ask the stall assistant to wrap the durian in plastic wrap.

However, the stall assistant was apparently upset by the request and allegedly began cursing at May "incessantly".

"I am just patronising your durian stall. I do not know why I need to be humiliated like this," lamented May.

She added that she called the police because of the stall assistant's poor attitude.

Stall's response

In response, Cai told Shin Min that he was aware of the Dec. 28 dispute.

However, he said the incident was a misunderstanding, as the stall assistant in question was chatting with other colleagues at the time.

"If she had any evidence, she should produce it. Otherwise, this is just a 'he says, she says' situation. We will not accept any malicious criticisms," added Cai.

Top images via Shin Min Daily News