Birthday cake for Mum
It’s my mum’s birthday. Woohoo! Happy Birthday!
I’m hosting OCBC’s event at Causeway Point from 12-6pm on Saturday and Sunday, so I’ve decided to order a cake online for the family dinner, instead of dashing around to look for a ready baked one at the 11th hour.
A round of applause to Emicakes- Singapore’s No 1 Durian Cake Maker for making their supposedly fantastic durian cakes available for online orders.
A second round of wild applause for their creativity in pricing. Inflation hits almost every sector in Singapore. At Emicakes- Singapore’s No 1 Durian Cake Maker however, the prices remain the same.
Woohoo!
Not quite…
On adding an item to the shopping cart, I was informed that free delivery would only be available for orders above $50. Fair enough, I opted for a larger cake. However, fuel prices have increased, and they can’t possibly absorb the extra costs. Hence, a $2 fuel surcharge is added to the free delivery service.
According to their website, there is a shortage in the durian supply. Instead of revising prices like the average bakery, they maintain the same price tag and add a 15% surcharge. They are being very transparent here, you know. Well done.
Having ordered assorted hampers and flowers previously, I had this perception that I could request businesses for a more definite delivery time frame. I was all ready to have them decline this request, in view of possible logistical difficulties and so on.
The reply from Emicakes, Singapore’s No 1 Durian Cake Maker came a day later after my email,
Hi,
Sorry that we don’t have specific timing in our delivery unless you gonna request for special delivery with an extra charge of $15.
Therefore, anytime between 1-6pm they will send you the cake and maybe you arrange somebody to received the cake.
Thank you and your kind understanding on this matter is very much appreciated.
Having taken the Written Communication module while doing Business Studies at Ngee Ann, I’m very distressed when I see this sort of business replies.
Just in case cruzteng.com readers need to draft similar emails, please remember that you should
1. always have a proper salutation- eg. Dear Mr/Mrs/Miss …
2. insert your sob story right in front- eg. Due to a surge in orders/ lack of manpower/ etc
3. reject people politely- eg. we apologise that we are unable to ….. The word “Sorry” should never ever be in the first sentence of a business reply.
4. suggest an alternative (if any) and list the terms and conditions clearly- eg. You might wish to consider our special delivery service for an extra $15.
5. give the other party a chance to accept or reject your proposal- eg. Please let me know if you would…. or …..
6. avoid overused words such as “kind understanding” and “appreciated”.
And oh, let’s not go into the grammar, in case you think I’m picking on Emicakes- Singapore’s No 1 Durian Cake Maker.
The cake had better be good, or I’m going to take a leaf out of 5xmom’s book.
June 28th, 2008 at 4:33 am
respect!!!
i totally second whatever you’ve said about poor business replies. i cant stand it either. nobody needs a diploma/degree to know how to reply clients properly.
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June 28th, 2008 at 8:40 am
wah… So expensive… I thought there should not be any fuel surcharge with free delivery… and… for their letter, you forgot No 7. They should not use “gonna” in their reply…
Happy Birthday to your mum!
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June 28th, 2008 at 9:06 am
“Having taken the Written Communication module while doing Business Studies at Ngee Ann, I’m very distressed when I see this sort of business replies. ”
not the same course but the same school,and i bet it should be the same amount of torture.
LOL.
you should list out how much was the cake in total, to be more bombastic.LOL!!!
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June 28th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Hahaha, I thought you want to take a recipe from my site and bake your own cake. Really, it is very easy to bake one, if you have the oven. Anyway, happy birthday to your mom!
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June 28th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Happy Birthday to your Mom.
Never mind the cake, so long as she is happy, and you are a good filial son and you love her. The $2 fuel surcharge is ridiculous, I have to say.
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June 28th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
heh was having bcomm (aka as ur Written Comm) and learning how to write business msg. Yeah & what u listed out is what we were taught to!
same course as u!
the cake should be yummmmy!~
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June 28th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
I saw you at causeway & you are so much more gdlooking. I was like looking until I walk past then realized it you.
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June 28th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
the 1st thing i noticed was the grammar.
i love to proofread haha
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June 29th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
hey cruz,
i share the same birthday as ur mum!
but definitely different year! XD
hahahahha~ :p
and i’m living at woodlands.
too bad i wasn’t aware tt u are hosting an event at causeway point.
if not, i definitely will go support u!
hehehehehe~!
take care!
(*.<)y
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June 29th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
OMG….
think they need to be send for trainning…
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June 29th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
hahahahahaha
its just too funny!
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June 29th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
another thing to add on…
28 June was also the date Ishi, a member of superband “Soul” passed away.
and… 1 year has just passed…
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evelyn's reply:
July 26th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Haiz..Alrdy 1 yr ler..alot of fan miss ishi so much
I Wish u all happiness dun be so upest
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June 29th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
[...] Birthday cake for Mum [...]
June 30th, 2008 at 3:06 am
aiyo..as long as you understand can le ma…
haha
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July 1st, 2008 at 3:19 pm
i think you should try the durian cake from GoodWood Park hotel next year. its worth dying for!
seriously i think emi is annoying.. its tarnishing its own image by being so money-faced.. money is not the only thing that makes the world go round.
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July 1st, 2008 at 8:06 pm
honestly, the grammar sucked. 0_o
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July 4th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Goodday….Woohoo!
I’m not sure what should i say here.
But, i’m sure that i enjoy listening to your morning talk!
“Add Oil !!!!! ” Ha Ha !!!
Cheers!!!
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July 6th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
I think emi cake r over priced. Maybe u can try the durian cake from Chocolate Cake House @ amk 625.
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