Two months ago, around end of Dec 2007, got a call from eFusion, an authorized Credit Card sales representative of the Standard Chartered Bank to offer me the Standard Chartered Bank Business Platinum Credit Card.

I was not interested to getting any new credit card at first, because already owned a few credit cards from three local banks and Citibank.

However, the poor credit card sales rep was so desperate for some commission, he mentioned that apart of the useless free spa voucher and 3 years annual fee waived, StanChart will credited $50 to my account after 45 days of card approval. So, to help this poor sales rep, I agreed to get this card.

When I received the second month of the credit card statement today, I notice that $50 still not credit to my account yet.

Immediate, I call StanChart at 1800-7477000 to check on this matter.

Upon hearing my feedback, the customer service consultant, David, told me that the $50 Credit Bonus promotion was ended in October 2007.

Later, when I read at Standard Chartered Bank website, the $50 Credit Bonus Promotion is valid for all new-sign-ups till 31 January 2008. This mean that I’m eligible for the S$50 credit bonus, but the phone banking customer consultant, said promotion was ended in October 2007.

What was going on?

I only agreed to apply the Business Platinum Credit Card, but last week, I received another 2 cards, Platinum Access Card and Platinum Card.

Why sent so many credit cards to me?

Some more, my name on one of the credit card and statement was WRONG. Should be NENG, instead of MENG.

After settling the current bill, I’m going to send them credit card termination letter.

I’m NOT a happy Standard Chartered customer!

Standard Chartered Bank must do something to improve their services.

Popularity: 85% [?]

Just got a letter from AVIVA about the notice of early redemption of BIG e.

Last year, I invested my SRS retirement fund to AVIVA Big e, to earns bigger return of 3.5% per annum.

To be fair, 3.5% interest rate with no lock-in period, is quite attractive compared to any fixed deposit rates offered by any bank here at the point of time.

This is one of the good option for low risk investments.

Due to interest rates is dropping everywhere, Aviva adjusted the BIG e interest rate to 2.75% at Jan 2008.

Now, the market is getting uncertainty, AVIVA is unable to sustain the attractive interest rate for BIG e. Therefore, AVIVA will return all the BIG e funds to it’s investor on 26th February 2008.

I’m now start searching for alternative to park my SRS retirement fund.

Any recommendation for long term and low risk investment products?

Popularity: 24% [?]

As a health conscious consumers, we should always check the label on every food product before buying.

It is possible to buy fat free, sugar free, lactose free or cholesterol free products in the supermarket. In fact, those products are taste good to make good substitutes for the stuff most people grew up with.

On top of that, we must also spend some free time do exercise regularly, for example swimming, walking, jogging, running every day. It is an effective way to improve quality of life.

When we maintain a healthy lifestyle, we will be free from any serious sickness.

Have a great and happy weekend everyone.

Popularity: 24% [?]

As you already know, Advertlets now launched its exclusive program; This is The Advertlets Network or TITAN for short.

At first glance, this exclusive program looks promising.

Once you’re in TITAN, you’ll be offer ads placements and sponsored posts, and guaranteed minimum ads income based on your traffic and blog marketability.

Based on the latest post from Josh, Advertlets has secured a few online advertising campaigns for the next 3 months from the Asia Pacific region, such as China, Hong Kong, Australia, Japan, India, etc.

That’s mean once you join TITAN, you immediately can start earning from online ads.

With Advertlets, they’ve promised better earning opportunities and to pay minimum amount to you, so you won’t have to worry about no ads coming from NuffNang or Blog2U.

As long as your blog has traffic, you shouldn’t be any problem making some dollars from Advertlets.

Advertlets will collect data from the visitors of many blogs and shows that attractive and large number to attract advertisers to get more deals.

From my understanding, Advertlets also will start a blog aggregator or social bookmarking service, which will help bloggers to generate more traffic.

Quite lots of Adverlets members are asking for referral program actually. Now, you’ve the opportunity to earn more from your friends.

However, details of the exclusive program are not announced yet, it’s should be out in March 2008.

Will you switch to Advertlets exclusively?

This is post for OPAD Day 14

Popularity: 28% [?]

Some people collect stamps, some collect coin & currency notes.

I used to collect magnetic Transit Link card and public phone card. I have hundred of Transit Link and public phone cards in my collections. If you’re interested to own them, welcome to visit my eBay store.

One special group of collectors is looking forward the Ang Pow (red packet) in this Chinese New Year festival. Not the money inside, but the Ang Pow of special and unique designs that they are looking for.

Read the news in CNA: Avid Ang Pow collectors source for special ones from abroad.

Usually, days or weeks before Chinese New Year, we can easily ask for free Ang Pow from restaurants, hotels, banks, restaurants, supermarkets and shops that you patronized. Many merchat also giving out Ang Pow as token of appreciation or a gift for your shopping.

Most of the time, we can get the free Ang Pow from restaurants, hotels, banks, restaurants, supermarkets, telecoms, manufacturers, shops and etc.

Few days ago, I started a small test on eBay by selling unused Ang Pow. Just wanted to see how well it sell on eBay.

There are few eBay sellers are focusing on that festival niche already and more than 200 items listed when I searched the term Ang Pow on eBay Singapore.

But very surprising that within a day, 10 of 23 of my Ang Pow listing has been sold.

The strategy is simple, using low price to attract customers to buy something which I got it for FREE.

My objective is clear unwanted stuff from my store room and earn a few good feedbacks along the way.

Don’t be afraid to try things out. Sometimes the only way to make progress is JUST DO IT.

This is post of OPAD Day 10.

Popularity: 21% [?]