turtletrader

Tiong Bahru, 4-rm point block, 100sq.m., NS facing, mid-floor. 32k below COV. OTP July 2009. Granite/parquet flooring, lots of built-ins which we tore down, but otherwise very livable.

Thought I’d just share something I did – currently on a search for a refrigerator so just to build an initial shortlist I pulled out some data from the NEA website, specifically focusing on 3 or 4 tick models. I went further to omit the continental brands (Miele, Electrolux, F&P, etc.), limiting my shortlist to the Asian brands (Mitsubishi, Toshiba, etc.). Subsequent to that, I went one step further to find the ratio of the volume of the fridge to the estimated energy cost per year - ideally we’d want a large fridge with a small operating cost so a large number for this ratio is desirable - in the last column. (The larger the better, or more efficient). This list is just a very simplistic approach - to a first degree, using energy efficiency to arrive at a preliminary shortlist. So here’s my list – I’m gunning for either the Toshiba or Panasonic. Would appreciate comments that any would have on the shortlisted models. Price-wise, Toshiba seems the most attractive. Aesthetically, pretty decent too. http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac154/t...ader/fridge.jpg Cheers.

I did the same last weekend - bedframe plus cofee table and TV console. Met with Charles from Hommage at their showroom near Potong Pasir MRT. Same thing was said to me - 50% deposit, remainder due after delivery (some relief there). 4 - 6 weeks lead time, delivery before CNY.

Well, then someone's playing me out, making life difficult for me somewhere along the chain. It's been nearly 4 weeks now.

Here's my take on Mattress Atrium (MA), and Joe, the supposed owner (or as he claims, co-owner with a Mr. Lee). We initially purchased a mattress and bedframe from Joe, again based on the whole container story shenanigan. Subsequently (just 2 days later) we had our purchase voided as we weren't comfortable with the pitches that Joe made for the Omazz mattresses. Anyway Joe was the one who made the offer to rescind the transaction if we weren't fully satisfied with the whole package. So we went along. He made no mention of any additional charges or issues material to the transaction. However, despite the many calls we've made to Joe and the credit card issuer, till now, 3 weeks later, the credit card issuer has said that no such action to reverse the initial transaction was made. They claim that the merchant (MA in this case) has not made any effort on his/her part to reverse the transaction. Joe keeps on asking us to check again with the issuer the "next week" claiming that interbank transactions (between a merchant/intermediary banks and the credit card issuer) takes time. Then why did he ask us to use Card A instead of Card B or C for which he has a direct relationship? How long typically does voiding a transaction take? I'm quite certain it is almost immediate.

GainCity quoted me about 1169 for the Mitsubishi (MEC) (non-inverter) MUAD18VA/MSA18VA (18k BTU) single split. AllBest quoted me about 50 bucks less. Bracket (+150) and isolator (+280) are separate charges. Toshiba is about 1299. Didn't ask about the insulation/copper piping and whether it's a two-times installation though.

If I'm not mistaken, shouldn't take more than 3 days for a simple permit. At least that's what the contractor conveyed to us.

It's going well - thanks for the well-wishes. Hope your's just as well! We just purchased the sanitaryware from Summer Hardware Trading, and lightings from Pan-Tech. We did look around prior to making the purchases - in and around Jalan Besar, Balestier, etc - the usual suspects. Found that the prices are about 'there', so since they are Roy's contacts, we decided to go along.

HDB 4-rm @ Boon Tiong Road (Tiong Bahru), N-S facing point block, 100sq.m. Received keys at the end of October '09 and currently undergoing renovation. ID is Roy Tan of Inzen. Handover tentatively set at the beginning of January '10. Before renovation pics: Floor Plan http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac154/t...r/FloorPlan.jpg Living/Dining http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac154/t...er/IMG_3945.jpg http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac154/t...er/IMG_3927.jpg Kitchen http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac154/t...er/IMG_3947.jpg Bedroom(s) entrace http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac154/t...er/IMG_3944.jpg

Hi noobhouse, No, I don't have a list to search for different mattress names/models in different stores - there's no straightforward comparison as each would have different beddings/quilting, finishing etc. What *might* be comparable is the feel. There's no easy way out except to try ALOT of mattresses, narrow down to a few brands/makes and then find a common quality or characteristic that you like about the makes that you've shortlisted. Only then will you realize that there are a select few from different stores that *might* have the same underlying make-up (purely based on feel/comfort). We went for a few brands as we just felt a little more assured of the quality - yes, the mattress might feel comfortable for the 5-10mins that you lie on it, but there's no way you'd be able to guess how it'd hold up over the next 10 years. Some mattresses had a full guarantee while others had a limited warranty, so again, you'd probably have to cough up abit more to get that extra peace of mind in the durability department. We went to the different boutiques and stores over 6 weeks, starting off with no expectations in mind - only our budget. For example, I find that to get an equivalent feel for Simmons mattresses, I might have to fork out more that I would have to for say, a Sealy (this is just a personal opinion). And to make matters complex, the price difference between mattresses from the same maker can be very small, and you'd feel compelled to pay a hundred bucks or so more thinking that that marginal bit might be worth it. To each his own, so what might suit me (because of my physical make-up and comfort expectations) might be different from someone else. No simple way around it (I wish I had a list to find comparable models between different makers and shops!) but to try, try, try. Hope that helps.

Doubt they can do much about the price. Besides, they'd probably say that the two models are different (that's why different shops have different names/nomenclature for similar mattresses, in addition to minute variations in beddings, fabric etc.). Did get an extra mattress protector and 2 extra pillows in addition to the 1 MP and 2 pillows originally given.

Quite true - we went to HN as well to have a look. Robinsons had 7% off specifically for Dec 9th, and if you have the Robinsons OCBC card (which you had to have for entry), there is another 5% rebate.

Anyone bought anything from Robinsons bedshop yesterday (Dec 9th) at The Centrepoint? Robinsons had their closed-door sales yesterday, with 7% off selected mattresses (in addition to a few ongoing promotions/rebates). Picked up a Sealy Luxembourg - it boiled down to a few models, but in the end it was essentially a toss-up between the Luxembourg and Sealy's end-of-year model, Summit. Too close to call, with the Luxembourg having a plushier top versus the Summit (wasn't on display yesterday). The Summit in turn had a marginally better deal if one needed a bed frame. We went through most of the works over the last 6 weeks - Simmons, Slumberland, Sealy, Serta, Omazz, Englander. Budget was around 2-3k. Needless to say, we also had to endure the manufacturers' ruse of juxtaposing of mattress models/names from one shop to the next, which as we all now know is meant to obfuscate us. If you cannot convince, confuse. At each stage of the process, we realized that while we didn't have any set criteria on what to look out for (bar the budget) at the onset, the (long and drawn-out) process somewhat evolved and crystallized our expectations of a mattress. There were numerous occasions where we felt tempted to bust the budget, and almost did, but thankfully sanity prevailed. Looking forward to taking delivery of the Luxembourg after Christmas.

Saw and tried a few Omazz mattresses last week - zoomed in specifically on the Ferdinard (not Ferdinand!) at Mattress Atrium, which went for about 3.6k - mattress alone + some freebies thrown in. It's a 2-layer full Talatech latex mattress - very comfortable and supportive. Sales pitch, like most other mattresses makes me seem like I was born to be with the said mattress. I'm aiming for a full latex having noticed a distinct difference in the level of comfort between a coil-based and a full latex (full, not half-spring/half-coil) mattress. Other brands in the market I've seen are Napure (said to be German, but actually Malaysian) and Getha (readily said to be Malaysian) and Naturatex (Malaysian). All the latex mattresses sold by these 3 companies are made with natural latex (different manufacturing process from the Talatech, so (as claimed) the price difference/markup in Omazz prices). Makes sense to be Malaysian since Malaysia is abundant with rubber trees, so no qualms there. Anyway, decided to pursue some due diligence - here's what I've gathered over the last few hours. From my understanding, Omazz mattresses are claimed to be from USA/Belgium (no rubber trees there last I checked), but made with Talalay rubber (under the patented Talatech system), which in turn is produced exclusively by Latex International in the US (hence the Made in the USA tag) - but assembled in Bangkok, Thailand. I think, strongly suspicious, but cannot confirm that Omazz is essentially a Thailand brand? Spoke with Joe, the supposed owner of MA whom from previous topic posts I've come across, is quite a salesman. Admittedly had some issues with Princebed/Severus mattresses in a previous generation. Anyway most mattresses that I've surveyed over the last one month seems to have a history that mimics that of the United Nations assembly. Dubious, some might say. They come from all parts of the world, so tracking their point of origination, if any, is rather difficult. Does having parts made in Switzerland qualify the bed to be made in Switzerland, even though it's assembled in KL/Jakarta/Bangkok? They're quite selective on their country of choice when it comes to the "Made in" tag. I'll be heading over the Omazz showroom at Park Mall and Robinsons just to get a fuller idea of what Omazz is all about. Names of the models will probably differ from boutique to boutique, but their specs should reveal if they are the same. No doubt they're (Omazz mattresses) very comfortable but having a more transparent history might be somewhat more palatable. I'm ok with getting a Thai mattress, if it's marketed as such - after all I'm paying for the comfort. But I'd be concerned if what I'm paying for is the belief (and the higher markup) that it's made in the USA/Belgium when it's otherwise. Any comments on Omazz mattresses? Nothing bad about the product, just perhaps the marketing angle.

Thanks! Great post. Was also toying with the idea of using a non-inverter for the single split living/dining are as the area is already quite airy/windy, more so with a ceiling fan installed. But it's always good to have the option of turning on the A/C especially for family events or gathering of friends.