Honesty in short supply

[Benmart]

I went to the Apple Authorized Store on the ground floor of Tukom, Pattaya today in the company of two, first time visitors. My western, novice friend was confused as to needing an "voltage adapter" for her iPhone, which was in reality is not necessary to use in Thailand. The creature working solo in this shop, irritated that he was taken away from playing on a computer, tried to sell her a 30 baht, generic plug adapter for 600 baht! It wasn't even in a package, but was being used in as plug in for a demo phone. So much for the concepts from the Great Teacher. I laughed, thanked the creature and whisked my friends away. Beware.

[bluesofa]

Hmm, I had a similar experience a couple of years ago at an 'alleged' official Apple shop in Udon Thani.

 

My wife's iPad had stopped working, it was showing updating for hours, but did nothing. The staff in the shop said it was 'too old' and couldn't be repaired - she needed to buy a new iPad.

For some reason I just didn't trust their attitude,

 

I know nothing about Apple. We came home without doing anything and I went on to an Apple forum. I described the problem and was told the issue was known, and I needed to reset the iPad and get it to update again.

The fix worked and completed updating successfully.

[bkk6060]

Wow, so one shop that you think tried to rip you off means an all encompassing thread: Honesty in short supply?  More like: One shop, isn't it?

 

 

[kingofthemountain]

10 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Wow, so one shop that you think tried to rip you off means an all encompassing thread: Honesty in short supply?  More like: One shop, isn't it?

 

 

At least 2 with the post of Bluesofa.

And for Tukom i have had a bad experience too

with one of the computer repair shop at the 2nd level

the electric plug of my old laptop was defective

they have obviously done nothing but charged me 1200 bahts for it.

It was clearly abusive but i have been forced to pay to have my computer back.

Never again.

Edited December 1, 2019 by kingofthemountain

[jacko45k]

5 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Wow, so one shop that you think tried to rip you off means an all encompassing thread: Honesty in short supply?  More like: One shop, isn't it?

 

 

More the reality, one person working in  the shop.... but the attitude is commonplace sadly. 

[Lamkyong]

9 hours ago, bluesofa said:

Hmm, I had a similar experience a couple of years ago at an 'alleged' official Apple shop in Udon Thani.

 

My wife's iPad had stopped working, it was showing updating for hours, but did nothing. The staff in the shop said it was 'too old' and couldn't be repaired - she needed to buy a new iPad.

For some reason I just didn't trust their attitude,

 

I know nothing about Apple. We came home without doing anything and I went on to an Apple forum. I described the problem and was told the issue was known, and I needed to reset the iPad and get it to update again.

The fix worked and completed updating successfully.

thats not just down to honesty   its down to people putting them self's up as pros and not having a clue   in other words chancers   plenty of those around all over

[Leaver]

Tukcom used to be a place to go to for your electronics.  Now, it's just a tourist trap.

[samsensam]

 

this sort of thing happens the world over, the visitor is outside their comfort zone and in an unfamiliar culture, therefore they need to plug in their common sense; if something appears expensive/unreliable/dodgy simply say 'thank you very much', and move on.

[BritManToo]

If you look stupid or gullible people will try to steal from you.

Not everyone, about 50:50 all over the world.

[Tayaout]

8 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

If you look stupid or gullible people will try to steal from you.

Not everyone, about 50:50 all over the world.

If you buy Apple product then people will try to sell you dongle at 20X the value anywhere in the world ????

[kingofthemountain]

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

If you look stupid or gullible people will try to steal from you.

Not everyone, about 50:50 all over the world.

How you can determine someone look stupid or gullible?

(I mean except the obvious Mr Bean style look and\or attitude)

 

And for a farang living in Pattaya, what are your advices to avoid

to be ripped off in places like repair shops where you go for the first time 

when you are not a specialist? (Hardware, motorbike or whatever)

TYIA

[NanLaew]

18 minutes ago, kingofthemountain said:

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

If you look stupid or gullible people will try to steal from you.

Not everyone, about 50:50 all over the world.

How you can determine someone look stupid or gullible?

(I mean except the obvious Mr Bean style look and\or attitude)

 

And for a farang living in Pattaya, what are your advices to avoid

to be ripped off in places like repair shops where you go for the first time 

when you are not a specialist? (Hardware, motorbike or whatever)

TYIA

The problem is that most stupid and gullible don't realize they look stupid and gullible.

 

However, in addition to looking or being stupid and gullible, I place a lot of credence in the customers attitude. If you harrumph in there with a face like a mile of bad road and projecting this 'don't you dare rip me off' aura, and disregard the ritual, societal niceties in speech and mannerisms, then one is fare game IMHO. I watched an elderly farang make an ass of himself at a Mr. D.I.Y. checkout over the pennies being charged actually being required. Maybe not all Americans realize that the 'take a penny, leave a penny' plate at US convenience store checkouts are a pretty unique thing. Nothing quite like petulantly tossing a couple of coins across the counter and storming out with your couple of AA batteries to show 'em who's boss, eh?

 

I imagine there's nothing more galling and thus more tempting to be messed about by indolent shop workers than the long-faced, loud, all-knowing farang who is insisting they know what's wrong and start telling people how to do their job. If they're that cluey, they would have sorted it at home and wouldn't have traipsed off to Tukcom in the first place, no? Maybe they just want attention?

 

Anyway, for the true, pleasant-minded DIY, home appliance or car repair neophyte, this forum is a veritable gold mine of self help. Pretty much anything you want to buy, use or repair already has a YouTube on how to buy, use and repair it posted on the internet. It's not that much of a minefield, especially in a cosmopolitan place like Pattaya.

[kingofthemountain]

6 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

The problem is that most stupid and gullible don't realize they look stupid and gullible.

 

However, in addition to looking or being stupid and gullible, I place a lot of credence in the customers attitude. If you harrumph in there with a face like a mile of bad road and projecting this 'don't you dare rip me off' aura, and disregard the ritual, societal niceties in speech and mannerisms, then one is fare game IMHO. I watched an elderly farang make an ass of himself at a Mr. D.I.Y. checkout over the pennies being charged actually being required. Maybe not all Americans realize that the 'take a penny, leave a penny' plate at US convenience store checkouts are a pretty unique thing. Nothing quite like petulantly tossing a couple of coins across the counter and storming out with your couple of AA batteries to show 'em who's boss, eh?

 

I imagine there's nothing more galling and thus more tempting to be messed about by indolent shop workers than the long-faced, loud, all-knowing farang who is insisting they know what's wrong and start telling people how to do their job. If they're that cluey, they would have sorted it at home and wouldn't have traipsed off to Tukcom in the first place, no? Maybe they just want attention?

 

Anyway, for the true, pleasant-minded DIY, home appliance or car repair neophyte, this forum is a veritable gold mine of self help. Pretty much anything you want to buy, use or repair already has a YouTube on how to buy, use and repair it posted on the internet. It's not that much of a minefield, especially in a cosmopolitan place like Pattaya.

I get what you post

however i have been myself a shop owner in differents activities during 15 years

so i never act like an as..h..le with someone in a shop, i know already

first hand what you can feel with someone like that.

And it's why i am still desperate when someone rip off me.

By chance it's pretty rare. But you are right, I need to do

more research on internet before to buy or repair something.

 

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, kingofthemountain said:

How you can determine someone look stupid or gullible?

(I mean except the obvious Mr Bean style look and\or attitude)

 

And for a farang living in Pattaya, what are your advices to avoid

to be ripped off in places like repair shops where you go for the first time 

when you are not a specialist? (Hardware, motorbike or whatever)

TYIA

Wai-ing everyone, talking slowly in broken English, dressing all in white (when you aren't Buddhist, or it isn't Buddha day) and/or saying 'farang', 'same same' or 'mak mak' are indicators that often tip me off.

Edited December 2, 2019 by BritManToo

[fhickson]

you know more then any shop assistant ever will.

 

dont forget the motto. you dont have to engage, browsing is legal.

[torturedsole]

8 hours ago, Leaver said:

Tukcom used to be a place to go to for your electronics.  Now, it's just a tourist trap.

Add MBK to the list.  I'd rather pay full price at DTAC or suchlike.

[DrTuner]

Don't bother with tukcom unless you really, really need something in a hurry, the sellers there have been scamming hapless tourist for over a decade. Google & Lazada.

[DrTuner]

On 12/2/2019 at 1:31 PM, kingofthemountain said:

And for a farang living in Pattaya, what are your advices to avoid

to be ripped off in places like repair shops where you go for the first time 

when you are not a specialist? (Hardware, motorbike or whatever)

TYIA

DIY. Never let a somchai within 50km of your goods. If you don't know how, search youtube and learn. You'll be far more qualified after one video than any somchai ever will be.

[petermik]

7 hours ago, DrTuner said:

DIY. Never let a somchai within 50km of your goods. If you don't know how, search youtube and learn. You'll be far more qualified after one video than any somchai ever will be.

There,s a "somchai" on 3rd road here who repairs TV,c etc who is both highly competent and honest....I use him often and cannot speak too highly of him so there

[DrTuner]

21 minutes ago, petermik said:

There,s a "somchai" on 3rd road here who repairs TV,c etc who is both highly competent and honest....I use him often and cannot speak too highly of him so there

Every time I've followed a suggestion for a "honest somchai" there's been some issues, like scratched plastic, or after opening up and inspecting finding flat cable connectors replaced by soldering the ribbon cable straight to the pcb, etc. I probably have higher standards than most.

[Leaver]

On 12/2/2019 at 11:34 PM, torturedsole said:

Add MBK to the list.  I'd rather pay full price at DTAC or suchlike.

I only shop where the prices are marked on the item now. 

[Curt1591]

On 12/1/2019 at 10:39 PM, Benmart said:

I went to the Apple Authorized Store on the ground floor of Tukom, Pattaya today in the company of two, first time visitors. My western, novice friend was confused as to needing an "voltage adapter" for her iPhone, which was in reality is not necessary to use in Thailand.

" ... which was in reality is not necessary to use in Thailand."

Between the 3 of you, you couldn't come up with this conclusion all by yourselves? If you read the writing on the supplied adaptor, itself, it will state the required voltage. And, eyeballing the plug, one might see that it will fit Thai outlets.

As soon as you asked for a " ... 'voltage adapter' for her iPhone", they took the bait!

Edited December 5, 2019 by Curt1591