Dirty Tactics

Last night, I was shopping around with my gf for some household items and we stopped by this shop at City Mall to check out some kitchen stuff. The name of the shop is Frico and they have a pretty interesting touch screen induction cooker.

After a few minutes of explaining their product, the salesgirl asked us to collect our free mug. So we obliged (free thing mar...don wan meh). After filling out our details in the form, she told us to check the mug for defects. We opened the box and saw the mug was ok...no problems at all. Then she took a look at the box and said 'Oh this box have been opened by another customer already...sorry, I'll get you a new one.'

We didn't see anything wrong with the box in the first place, but we let her change a new one for us. When she gave us a 'newer' box, we opened it up and discovered there was a voucher inside.

Salesgirl : Wah...you got voucher? See see see....
Me : Passing the voucher to her...
Salesgirl : Wahhh!!! Congratulations! You got a RM1000 voucher! There's only 5 of this in Borneo you know...i can't believe how lucky you are.
Me : Err...yea kah
Salesgirl : Yea, instead of RM2999 for this package, you can buy it now for RM1999 only! Wait I call my boss first to make sure if its still valid.
(Busy calling boss...)
Salesgirl : Yes boss! We have a winner! ...ah....yessss boss..(nods)..yes boss...(nods)..yes.

By this time all the other staff were getting in on the act too. They were telling my gf how this is the first time someone has hit RM1000 voucher and even showed her the other vouchers were only RM300.

Do you believe this? Hahah, frankly I don't. My neighboring shop used to be taken by Aowa and I see them pull this same stunt over and over for every single customer. You know what's the surprising thing? Aowa's 'package' costs nearly RM5k and there are many people who are willing to pay! Their daily sales is even more than my weekly sales.

Is it wrong? Maybe... Is it illegal? Definitely not. After all the transaction is that of a 'willing seller, willing buyer.' They made you feel like a winner...everyone likes to feel like one. So what should you do in situations like this? Just do what we did...take your free gift and thank them for their time. You know I may drop by this Sunday for another mug. Heheh...

SLAP like Louis

Last Saturday I took some time out to attend the 'Shoot Like a Pro' (SLAP) workshop conducted by Louis Pang in Kota Kinabalu. Met lots of great people, learnt a lot of new things and was inspired.

Louis explaining the details of a shot he had taken earlier

Behind the scenes

The model of the day, Hong Yi (sp?)

Sorry for the unflattering angle Melvin...

I didn't manage to get many shots during the outings that we went on (fighting for space with 24 other people is not easy, lol) but I did manage to take some pointers from Louis. Specifically
1) I will shoot in JPEG and get the shot right on camera (already have too many raw files on my HDD)
2) You don't need to have 5 star locations to get good pictures.
3) If a shot is not working, don't be afraid to move on.

Though its only a one day workshop, I highly recommend this workshop for people who want to take their photography to another level. It has certainly helped me lots.

New House

Just got the keys to my new house recently. Heheh... Here are some pics.

Front View

Side View (It is a corner lot...though not much space)

Living Room

Kitchen

Upstairs

Master Bedroom

One of the bedrooms

My future neighbors

I wish I had a wider lens to capture some of the shots but then again got to save money...seems like there will be many more sleepless nights ahead. Any advice to give to a new homeowner?

Back from the dead (Part 2)

You would've thought that Liverpool would have learned by now not to concede goals too early. In a previous post I mentioned how Liverpool's inconsistent playing style leaves them with lots of work to catch up on later. Well, they did it again in their next match with Wigan.

Watching the Liverpool v Wigan match on Saturday was like pure deja vu.

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE MAN CITY AND WIGAN MATCH
1) Both games ended with Liverpool winning 3-2.
2) Liverpool conceded two goals in the first half for both matches.
3) Both of Liverpool's opponents had 1 man sent off in the second half (Heheh...rasuah?)
4) Dirk Kuyt scored the winning third goal in both matches.

Dirk Kuyt with a scissor kick that got the winning goal

'IMPROVEMENTS' IN THIS MATCH
1) Liverpool were only down 2-1 at half time, instead of 2-0 >.<
2) Liverpool scored the winning third goal in the 85th minute instead of injury time...

Makes no difference, they really need to get rid of this 'Comeback Kings' mentality and play well form the opening whistle. Hai...

Your Doctor wants you to smoke...

Given what we know now about the ill effects of smoking, its funny to look back at these old ads where smoking was endorsed by the medical profession. Heheh... (Please click on the photos for a larger view)


Even Santa was getting in on the act!

Vitamins

*Evil grin*
Today IS a Lovely day.
(Click on the pics for a larger picture)

ISO 100, Focal Length: 200mm, F/4, 1/100seconds

ISO 200, Focal Length: 200mm, F/4, 1/100seconds

ISO 100, Focal Length: 200mm, F/4, 1/25seconds

Back from the dead

It has been a long while since I've watched Liverpool play any EPL matches. Normally whenever I watch their matches, it always seem that they will do badly. Anyway I decided to stop by a mamak last night and watch their game.

When I sat down, Liverpool conceded a goal to Manchester City. When my roti telur (dua keping) arrived, they let in another goal. At half time Liverpool were trailing Manchester City by 2 goals. So far it seems my theory of causing bad luck to my own team is holding true.

I thought of going home...but decided against it. In the second half, Liverpool fought back with all they've got and stole a win with Torres netting 2 goals and Kuyt scoring in injury time, thanks in part to a red card given to a Man City player.

Kuyt after scoring the winning goal in stoppage time.

For those of you with a weak heart, it is strongly advised that you do not become a Liverpool fan. Go for a 'safe' team...like Chelsea or Man Utd. However if you choose to be one, then never watch their matches. Liverpool always have the tendency to take their fans for an emotional rollercoaster. For example the Champions League final in Istanbul where they conceded 3 goals in the first half and then in a space of 6 minutes during the second half, equalised and then went on to win through penalties.

The season after that, in the FA Cup final against West Ham (I remember watching this at the Section 17 mamak in Petaling Jaya) where they went down by 2 goals intially. At the end of 90 mins they were still trailing 3-2 when they equalised through Steven Gerrard and then went on to win the FA Cup.

So will they be able to finally win the league this season? The answer is sadly no. Liverpool for all their courage and determination sometimes play football like they're in premenstrual mode. They were crap against Man City in the first half but brilliant in the second. Unless they can play consistently week in week out...don't even dream about it. I hope they prove me wrong though.