I’m starting to get abit fed up of companies who charge people more money simply because they’ve updated their product/service.
I know investing in new technology costs a bloody fortune, but unless there’s a fundamental benefit to the customer, I can’t see why they expect us to pay for what is the cost of them remaining relevant.
Take Qantas and SIA …
Both have taken delivery of the new A380 plane and both are charging more to fly on it.
They justify this by saying you get better inflight facilities … however whilst having a few more channels on the telly may be nice, it still doesn’t make up for the fact that …
1/ It takes just as long to reach the destination as it ever did.
2/ The leg room in economy is as tight as ever [they say there is more leg room – however due to the way the new seats operate, you actually end up feeling even more closed in, especially when you put your seat back]
3/ These new planes are the most economical in history – so in essence they’re making more profit from each flight than they’ve ever done before.
OK so the plane industry is having a hard time – and to be fair, it is one of the few industries that has progressively got less expensive as time has passed – but I still can’t work out why I am expected to pay a significant premium for very little in return.
The reality is they’re banking on the ‘curiosity’ factor and as we’re all mugs, we fall for it – however as Virgin Atlantic will probably do the same when they get their A380’s [though obviously they will offer REAL extra benefits – won’t you Lee / Steve / Paul?] I think I’ll leave it at that and focus on an issue much closer to home.
Singaporean Taxis.
Yes Taxis.
OK … OK … so the cost of a cab fair out here is ridiculously cheap, especially compared to London, Sydney or the most scary – Tokyo – however the cheeky bastards have decided that punters have to pay an increased fee more simply because they’ve updated their Model-T Fords.
However it gets better …
You see whilst SIA and Qantas can at least claim the A380 plane represents the latest and greatest in aeronautical technology, Singapore’s PREMIER taxi’s expect us to pay more FOR RIDING IN A KIA!
A fucking KIA!
OK … so it’s only 20 cents more than getting into one of the normal Toyota’s or Nissan’s … however they also have the nerve to then charge an additional 20 cents for every 45 seconds of waiting time AND 330 meters traveled.
Seriously, I’m surprised they don’t try and add a premium if the cab driver has washed his/her hair …
Of course they don’t actually publicise this pisstaking cost structure – well, not in a way that the masses would find out easily – they just try and secretly get away with it, like those restaurants who automatically add a ‘10% service charge’ to your bill.
I tell you, if there’s one thing guaranteed to get my goat, it’s that ‘service charge’.
Apart from the fact it’s often the restaurant who benefits from this additional income rather than the waiting staff … I just hate how they they automatically add it to your bill.
Putting aside the fact you’ve already paid a fair wedge for the food they’ve just dished out, I can’t see why they think they have the right to decide WHAT I should give them.
It’s like writing a $1000 cheque from your parents bank account, then asking them to sign it because you’ve decided you deserve a ‘bonus’ for doing the dishes without them asking.
Actually it’s not that.
It’s like spending a $1000 on your parents credit card, then asking them to pay the bill because you decided you’ve deserved a ‘bonus’ for doing the dishes, even though that’s what you always have to do to earn your pocket money.
Look I often tip … it’s a byproduct of too much America in my blood … however this automatic ‘surcharge’ means that unless I’ve experienced service that went beyond the minimum standard I should expect, then I ask for it to be taken off.
Is it uncomfortable?
Sure … that’s why they do it that way … however the way I look at it is if I’m going to give anybody some money for doing nothing, then it’s going to be a charity or a homeless person.
The irony is I now tip less than I did when it was left to my own personal discretion – and that’s a direct byproduct of companies having the arrogance to assume they deserve more for offering the same – or, as is often the case – less.
This sense of entitlement is undermining brands, industries and even countries [are you listening Singapore???] and whilst money makes the World go round, we need to get back to remembering it should be a byproduct of a job well done rather than the blinkered focus of all our actions.