Discuss your views about Singapore business & economy, current policies & issues, starting a business in Singapore.
-
Na.
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by Na. » Fri, 09 Sep 2005 10:59 am
Did anyone try calling the Indonesia Embassy in Singapore before?
I had a very bad experience. When I called a few times to enquire about applying VISA to Indonesia for my boss.
I always have to wait for a long time before they answer the call.
I understand that they are very busy so I sounded very nice even though I'm not a patient person.
And the reason that I need to call a few times for just 3 simple questions is because this EXTREMELY RUDE lady simply don't understand the basics of Customer Service.
Everytime she answered my question, she just hung up the phone without saying bye and she don't even allow me to ask another question.
So, i called again... I waited a long time again... and the same lady answered.. I asked bout the operating hours, she answered me," 9 am to 12 pm " and the line went off..
I strongly believe that Singaporeans can provide good service but perhaps, to the expats only.
It is absolutely true that Singapore customer service level is dropping.
Na.
-
Strong Eagle
- Moderator
![Moderator Moderator]()
- Posts: 11755
- Joined: Sat, 10 Jul 2004 12:13 am
-
Answers: 11
- Location: Off The Red Dot
-
Contact:
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by Strong Eagle » Fri, 09 Sep 2005 11:38 am
Well, first of all, it isn't Singapore customer service, it is the Indonesian Embassy customer service. They choose, hire, and train (or maybe not) the staff that works in the embassy.
Second, they are rude to everyone, expats included. Getting a visa to go to Indonesia if you aren't a VOA country is a major pain in the butt. It's a great place to avoid.
-
me too...
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by me too... » Sun, 11 Sep 2005 9:19 pm
hi there...
u are not the only one that experience that...i think most of us who tried calling that embassy gets the same treatment...
i'm an indonesian n i got that same ugly experience when trying to renew my passport...
i have to call so many times and the customer service keeps hanging up on me after one questions....makes me so frustrated....
yes i believe they are busy....busy drinking their coffee and having gossip...
and we have no means to complain...i believe those people are just lazy...
this is the time where i thank Singapore for being efficient and properly managed...
-
Vaucluse
- Director
![Director Director]()
- Posts: 3292
- Joined: Sun, 10 Jul 2005 2:47 pm
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by Vaucluse » Mon, 12 Sep 2005 9:50 pm
Well, you could write a letter/e-mail to the Ambassador or the Head of the Consular section and voice your displeasure - it probably won't do much good . . .
......................................................
'nuff said

-
mydear20032001
- Newbie
![Newbie Newbie]()
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Mon, 06 Feb 2006 3:26 am
- Location: Singapore
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by mydear20032001 » Mon, 06 Feb 2006 3:53 am
me too... wrote:hi there...
u are not the only one that experience that...i think most of us who tried calling that embassy gets the same treatment...
i'm an indonesian n i got that same ugly experience when trying to renew my passport...
i have to call so many times and the customer service keeps hanging up on me after one questions....makes me so frustrated....
yes i believe they are busy....busy drinking their coffee and having gossip...
and we have no means to complain...i believe those people are just lazy...
this is the time where i thank Singapore for being efficient and properly managed...
too my experience, they even dare to ask for 'coffee money' to me when doing some documents over there.... this is more than rude...

-
earthfriendly
- Manager
![Manager Manager]()
- Posts: 1988
- Joined: Sat, 20 Aug 2005 5:01 pm
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by earthfriendly » Thu, 09 Feb 2006 4:41 pm
Hmmm..... don't know what to say about this thread. Other than SE who has a very serious/valid point, everyone else come across as comical and provided me with a good laugh (much needed). And for the original poster to use the Indonesian embassy customer service as a yardstick to measure Singapore's cs is amusing.
It must be real frustrating dealing with people who has no understanding of their job function. They are suppose to help serve the customers, not fight/antagonise them. Some people treat their customers like their enemies. Na (does it stand for "not applicable"?), I understand your pain.
-
babykasim
- Chatter
![Chatter Chatter]()
- Posts: 325
- Joined: Sat, 18 Jun 2005 9:00 pm
- Location: 1 22N, 103 48E
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by babykasim » Thu, 09 Feb 2006 5:09 pm
that's my country
I actually encountered the same more than once, but so far no one ever asked for coffee money (but then again probably because Im a 'local' there)
I remember calling the consulate number instead of the immigration number and when they said that I shouldn't call that number I complained back saying that this was the only way to get my call answered.
I'll check if i still have the number tonight...
-
mydear20032001
- Newbie
![Newbie Newbie]()
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Mon, 06 Feb 2006 3:26 am
- Location: Singapore
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by mydear20032001 » Thu, 09 Feb 2006 8:19 pm
Babykasim, me too. that is my ex-country i can say as actually i am married to singaporean and became sg citizen already.
Why they ask for coffe money because i need my marriage cert chop behind for some documents purpose.
I also experience to call their number. But, the reaction more or less same with you. After spent few hours to keep calling the number only to get a rude answer from them..
So desperate..
babykasim wrote:that's my country
I actually encountered the same more than once, but so far no one ever asked for coffee money (but then again probably because Im a 'local' there)
I remember calling the consulate number instead of the immigration number and when they said that I shouldn't call that number I complained back saying that this was the only way to get my call answered.
I'll check if i still have the number tonight...
-
estrina
- Newbie
![Newbie Newbie]()
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Fri, 24 Mar 2006 12:39 pm
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by estrina » Mon, 27 Mar 2006 2:22 pm
that's really sad indeed. my suggestion is to get the direct contact number of the cousellor or whoever person in charge. (ask for their name and their contact number, usually they would give!) dont ever call the hotline coz most of the time /that/ operator guy knows no shit.
-
elizabeth
- Chatter
![Chatter Chatter]()
- Posts: 239
- Joined: Fri, 29 Apr 2005 2:44 pm
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by elizabeth » Mon, 27 Mar 2006 3:01 pm
"Coffee money" is a very common thing over there. You dont even need to "q" to chop your passport when you go into indoensia.
As for embassy, i think they employ their own people to do the job and if you have got 10 questions you got to call them the whole day to get all the answer.. They have got to many coffee break.
Malaysia embassy also the same, i ever call them to make enquiry and the speak me in malay.
-
sundaymorningstaple
- Moderator
![Moderator Moderator]()
- Posts: 40545
- Joined: Thu, 11 Nov 2004 1:26 pm
-
Answers: 21
- Location: Retired on the Little Red Dot
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by sundaymorningstaple » Wed, 29 Mar 2006 1:14 pm
I worked all over Indonesia for over 10 years. The petty bribes are standard operating procedure for the entire country. Why would you think the embassy, staffed with indonesians, would be any different. Baksheesh is the only thing that will get them off their @$$3$!
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers
-
dot dot dot
- Manager
![Manager Manager]()
- Posts: 2212
- Joined: Thu, 21 Oct 2004 11:42 am
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by dot dot dot » Fri, 31 Mar 2006 4:22 pm
Too bad us Dutchies nowadays again need to have a Visa for Indonesia.
Even a weekend Bintan will set me back quite a few dollars and the hassle of the incredibly rude staff at the embassy.
I decided to do it different and every time I go there now, I simply call newshan travel here at Maxwell road in Singapore and they do the Visa for me in 1 day for 75 Sing$. They have good contacts within the embassy, so I get it done in a day.
www.newshan.com
Eric
-
JayV
- Member
![Member Member]()
- Posts: 44
- Joined: Tue, 19 Jul 2005 10:57 am
- Location: Singapore
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by JayV » Fri, 31 Mar 2006 9:05 pm
Get a visa on arrival. 10 USD, no hassle.
-
Strong Eagle
- Moderator
![Moderator Moderator]()
- Posts: 11755
- Joined: Sat, 10 Jul 2004 12:13 am
-
Answers: 11
- Location: Off The Red Dot
-
Contact:
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by Strong Eagle » Fri, 31 Mar 2006 10:11 pm
JayV wrote:Get a visa on arrival. 10 USD, no hassle.
Limited number of countries can take advantage of this.
-
-
Completing stage 3 Singapore citizenship from overseas SG embassy
Replies: 12
First post
Hi Guys,
I finished my e-journey and received the letter asking me to prepare all documentation for renunciation of my foriegn citizenship and be...
Last post
Hi, appreciate an evaluation of my chances. Thanks!
Primary Applicant
Age : just turned 21
Race : Chinese Malaysian
Gender : Female
Marital Status :...
- 12 Replies
- 8449 Views
-
Last post by subconwretch
Sun, 31 May 2020 1:14 pm
-
-
Embassy
Replies: 1
First post
Do I have to make an appointment to the Indonesian embassy? Or is it walk in?
Last post
You can make online appointment at
- 1 Replies
- 2470 Views
-
Last post by bxagw
Thu, 10 Jun 2021 2:33 pm
-
-
Forest fires in Indonesia
Replies: 2
First post
Were the trees burnt on purpose this time again? We know the fact over the years they had been burning them and the smells travelled all the way to...
Last post
The fires come from two sources, local farmers burning stubble which is a an age old practice and companies (some from Sg) which are burning rain...
- 2 Replies
- 2051 Views
-
Last post by bgd
Tue, 14 Jul 2020 11:38 pm
-
-
HELP: How to find out marriage status (Indonesia)
Replies: 1
First post
Hi all,
I am a singaporean citizen and staying in singapore. I receivied news that my wife (indonesian citizen) has remarried in indonesia without...
Last post
You will have to hire an investigator in Indonesia who has access to the marriage registry, I don't think you can enquire yourself. It may be worth a...
- 1 Replies
- 2426 Views
-
Last post by PNGMK
Tue, 02 Feb 2021 9:25 am
-
-
India v/s Indonesia education system
Replies: 5
First post
PNGMK few years back asked this question why there are not enough Indonesia engineers.
This post explains it a bit:
Last post
The very few clever Indonesian engineers I know have all left Indonesia
It still doesn't explain why you don't see many Indonesians on global...
- 5 Replies
- 3628 Views
-
Last post by smoulder
Tue, 30 Aug 2022 10:56 am
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests