A Singaporean driver, Mr. Lee, was left with a hefty repair bill of S$900 after a car wash in Johor Bahru (JB) damaged his vehicle. The incident occurred on September 29 at a car wash in Taman Maju Jaya, a short drive from Woodlands.
According to Shin Min Daily News, Mr. Lee visited the car wash and asked an attendant about the cost of a wash. However, the attendant was evasive and instead tried to convince him to opt for a polishing service. Despite Mr. Lee’s repeated requests for only a wash, the attendant proceeded to demonstrate the polishing machine on the hood of the car, leaving behind numerous large swirl-like scratches.
The attendant quickly disappeared after seeing the damage, passing the machine to his boss. When Mr. Lee demanded compensation, the boss initially offered to fix the scratches for RM450 (S$137), but later reduced the price to RM100 (S$30) after failing to remove the marks. Eventually, the boss offered the service for free, but Mr. Lee had lost confidence in them and insisted on compensation.
The boss refused to pay compensation, claiming he had “no money” and that the damage was not his fault. He even suggested that Mr. Lee seek compensation from the attendant who damaged his car instead. Mr. Lee was also advised to get his car spray-painted at a workshop in Gelang Patah, but he decided to return to Singapore to get the repairs done, fearing that the color might not match.
The car wash establishment has received negative reviews on Google, with a rating of 1.8 stars out of 5. Many customers have complained about the attendants pushing for the polishing service without permission and not doing a good job of washing the car if the service is rejected.
This incident serves as a cautionary tale for drivers who frequent car washes in JB, highlighting the importance of being vigilant and ensuring that any services are agreed upon beforehand.
Image Source: Shin Min Daily News