Luxray

Hi, Many thks to all who replied. Was doing a search on t5 installation charge and then realized that we have been taken to the cleaners by my ID's electrician. Anyway, here are the specific threads which talk about t5 lights installation charge. I will share my electrical cost on this thread so that more people can be alerted of such profiteering practice. http://www.renotalk.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=20953 Thks, Luxray

Hi kim76 et al, Can you share how your electrician charge you for cove light installation? If a row of cove light involves 2 units of 4 ft each joined together, does he charge 2 light points cost? Mine charges $38 + $10 installation cost per light point. For the 2 units of 4 ft, installation cos (excluding the t5 light itself) already set me back by $96. Very expensive way to install... Rgds, Luxray

Hi OntheRoad, Enjoy reading your t blog. . Congrats on your move-in! Would like to ask if your carpenter's workmanship is good? Would you recommend using them? Can share contact? Thks, Luxray

Hi, Have not tried buying mixers from amazon us before. Did check out the hansgrohe mixers on amazon previously but noticed that the last 3digits always differed from the part no. used in Singapore....plus know about kim76's difficulty in connecting his filter/faucet, so in the end dared not buy from amazon and bought from insani24.de instead ( germany online reseller). Let us know if it can fit without use of additional adaptor. Fingers crossed.... Cheers,

Hi innerlight, I also thought the rounded corner workmanship can be better for the 2 sinks I ordered....but did not see the black dots (maybe I need to see closer). Didn't think of returning, think I can live with the striations. The construction of the sink is otherwise good enough for me (for the price paid). Do they take returns like this? Don't you have to pay for freight cost back? Cheers,

For the Mirage speakers I am considering buying, they indicate " Vanns.com will only allow shipping within the United States. We can not accommodate any order via any freight forwarding company. All orders to be shipped to a freight forwarding company will be voided automatically and accounts credited if required. Vanns.com is not liable for any problems associated with additional shipping to destinations outside of the shipping address on the original order.." So I guess cannot consider buying online?

Am upset with insani24.de. Sent many email to ask regarding the missing part for the bathroom mixer, they finally replied and said "thanks for your eMail. We buy our products directly from the manufacturer, so missing parts are basically not possible. Please inform us how we can help you."!!!!! The two parts are non functional parts used to cover the 2 bathroom mixer holes on the wall...how, so ugly without it... Will still perservere and write to them again.

Wow, you got the parts all the way from tuas!! Great determination to get the filter installed. Hope you will install successfully this weekend

From amazon link http://www.amazon.com/Black-Friday-After-Thanksgiving-Sale/b?ie=UTF8&node=384082011 Black Friday at Amazon.com Black Friday is an exciting day for shopping, both online and in stores. At Amazon, we strive to bring you low prices every day, but we also hate to miss a good party. And we really hate it when the party is over too soon. That’s why Black Friday isn’t just a day to us--it’s a whole week. We’ll kick off the 2012 Black Friday Deals Week on Monday, November 19, and have Black Friday deals and sales all day, every day that week, including Black Friday itself of course, the day after Thanksgiving. Trust us, if you love a good deal, you won’t want to miss it. Whether you enjoy online shopping, shopping in stores, or both, we are invite you to come back and discover the online Black Friday deals we have to offer. There is nothing quite as fun as getting great discounts and bargains on those must have items of the season without having to fight traffic, by shopping online. What sorts of deals will you find during our Black Friday deals events? Just like you'd expect for Black Friday, you'll find limited-time sales and specials from across Amazon, including sales on electronics, low prices on DVDs, magazine subscription specials, toy bargains, and fashionable deals on clothing, shoes, jewelry, and more. You'll find the best deals we've got right here, and Deal of the Day bargains you'll snap up for holiday gifts.

Hi ongsc, Many thks for advise..you and kim76 are really indisputable online buying guru. Funny reading about the mutual 'poisoning' betwn both of you on your t-blog....need deep pockets. :yamseng. :

Hi Kim76, Yes, did go for audition of the system. You're right, price is about s$2k. Hope to buy without need for transformer. Worried about what will happen if transformer spoilt suddenly, then possibility of system damage. Btw, heartiest congrats to your new beautiful house completion. I love the clean look of your house. Really learnt and benefited a lot from you and many others on this renotalk. Wanted originally wanted to start my own Reno t-blog (my Reno started this mth), but really couldn't find the time to do so. Cheers,

Hi, sharing my experience of buying hansgrohe faucets from insani24.de. Finally received my faucets on 30/8 after placing order on 10/8....20 whole days. Lesson learnt:- 1) overall saving about 20-30%, comprehending spore customs gst, shipping, handling cost (compared with local retailer's 25% discounted price). 2) need to buy in advance, making sure at least that you have 3 weeks' lead time before you need the parts. Buy parts with "on stock" indicated, instead of those with another 2-3 weeks to replenish stock. A warning though... though insani indicated "on stock" on all items I ordered (i ordered only item indicated with on stock as I needed parts ASAP), they reverted and informed me that one of the items was out of stock and not available for immediate shipment. 3) more time needed to monitor shipment delivery. Speed post (the local courier) received my 1st shipment and didn't deliver it for more than 10 days. Claimed to be Hari Raya Puasa period and couldn't clear backlog. Then took 2 more days to locate my shipment after I enquired about the shipment delivery! "Speed" post indeed. 4) I had an item delivered with missing parts (I ordered 2 of the same item, so could compare). Wrote to insani24.de....still waiting for their reply. Hopefully they will send the parts over ASAP. To those who wants to order from insani or iceprice, make sure enough lead time is catered for in case of surprises like no stock or delivery delay or missing part...

Hi kim76, Am considering getting a set of Mirage speakers for my new place from amazon. If I buy from Amazon US, item will not be fitted for use with 240v supply and I need a transformer. Any idea if getting from other country's amazon can help to avoid this voltage diff? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004MEWZL2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=A133CKJ7CPNI6R This item is also sold and shipped by 3rd party, any problem you see with it? Sorry to ask this qn.. Ps. Btw, have you successfully fitted your 3m filter yet? Thks, Luxray

Nice interesting handle indeed. Didn't see this in the hansgrohe brochure. Where did you get it from? Cheers

http://www.insani24.de/Hansgrohe-Talis-S-2-Spueltischmischer-Variarc-chrom-mit-Festauslauf-chrom-14870000 http://www.insani24.de/Hansgrohe-Spueltischmischer-Talis-S-Variarc-chrom-mit-Ausziehbrause-chrom-14877000 Bought all my bathroom faucets and kitchen mixers from insani24.de. See Iink to check prices. Generally comprehending shipping, gst, think it is still ~20+ to 30+ percent cheaper compared to local hansgrohe prices (assuming you get 25% discount from local retail price, which is usu the discount you can get). Still awaiting delivery. Will share experience of buying online thr' insani after I receive my goods. Cheers, luxray

Hi erwin123, Thks for your sound advise! Can you pls share the link for the led downlights from eBay ? Any reliability problems for your eBay purchase? Delivery lead time? Thks, Luxray

Got all my WC & wash basins from GR Marketing. Prices are really competitive at shops along Jln Besar road. Make sure you do your due diligence to check and compare before you buy them. I settled on GR cos' of the good and friendly advise Uncle Benny and Jasmine (his wife) gave. They could match and even provide better overall price than what others could offer (eg. throwing in free waste trap,offset etc).. Also helped me sent dimension details to my ID. Saved me time during my busy renov period

Hi, am sharing the cost and shipping/handling cost breakdown of my purchase of 2 sinks (shipped together). If someone else can share their corresponding single shipment cost for same sink, then can compare to see if any savings for multiple sink purchase. My orders (cost in US$):- KHU101-23 (23" square): $329.95 KHU100-32 (32" single bowl square) : $369.95 Add Shipping/handling cost : $216.18 GST : $64.13 --------- Ttl $980.21 Both orders under global expedited shipping. Bought the following mixers for my kitchen. Asked my ID before i bought them, to vet dimensions to ensure it will fit the sinks I wanted to buy. Both have swivel function so that i can swivel the mixer sprout incase i need to fit in big items into sink. Will post pix after I fix them up about 2 months later. Renov just started Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Yes, have been using 2-bowl sinks since my first home. First time trying out single bowl sink, hope to fit my 17" wok in, for easier washing. Waiting now for my Hansgrohe faucets to be in..crossing fingers on delivery. Ordered from insani24.de since 10 Aug, shipment supposedly out but still stuck somewhere. Amazon is definitely more efficient in its order fulfilment, but too bad pipe fittings may be a problem if order from us.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us This is the part where bottom paint is flaked off.

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I am impressed. Ordered both sinks on Monday, and both were delivered on thurs noon. Email notification indicated 21 aug delivery, but half expecting much earlier delivery based on all your feedback. Will post some pix to share with all. Generally good condition, though a little of the bottom grey paint did come off at two of the corners. Is that normal? Polishing decent at the bottom edges, though I was expecting even smoother finishing given all the praises on this site...but to be fair, haven't really done with comparison with other similarly priced brands, so I guess should still be fine. Hard to please, huh? Cheers,

Thks to recommendation by kim76 et al, have just launched order for 2 Kraus sinks, 23" and 32" for my dry and wet kitchen respectively. Total damage of us$980.21. Chose global expedited delivery mode, amazon indicates estimated delivery between 23/8 to 5/9. Strange thing was I found out from my ID that I am supposed to deliver my hood/hob/sinks and built-in ovens to her carpentary shop to get the built in carpentary made!! Fancy that. Anyone with similar request from your ID? Kim76, lyefam and all, Did you choose priority or expedited shipping? I am surprised that you can receive your sinks in 3-4 days' time! Cheers, Luxray

Hi kim76, Is it that difficult to buy a correct sized adaptor to fit local pipe fittings? Have your contractor tried? Cheers,