Introduction

In a shocking turn of events, a Vietnamese restaurant owner mocked a dissatisfied customer online instead of addressing her grievances over a hefty meal charge. This incident has sparked a serious debate on customer service ethics in the food industry.

The Incident

On October 27, Facebook user Hoàng Mỵ Tiên Lena shared her frustrating experience at Vietsea restaurant on the COMPLAINT SINGAPORE Facebook page, expressing her disbelief at being billed S$246.36 for her meal. Ms. Hoàng argued that the prices at the restaurant were exorbitant, describing several menu items as 'unreasonably expensive when compared to usual dining expectations.'

GST Registration Dispute

The situation escalated when Ms. Hoàng pointed out a potential violation regarding the absence of a GST registration number on her receipt, despite the inclusion of a 9% Goods and Services Tax. According to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), all business receipts must contain their GST registration number and state that the price includes GST.

Public Outcry

Supporters of Ms. Hoàng quickly flooded her post with comments agreeing that the meal was overpriced and raised alarms regarding the restaurant's failure to comply with GST regulations. Many encouraged her to report the incident to the authorities for further investigation.

Owner's Response

However, the tale took an unexpected turn when Ms. Hoàng provided an update that revealed the restaurant owner’s unprofessional response. She claimed that rather than addressing her concerns thoughtfully, the owner publicly insulted her on her personal Facebook account and issued a bizarre threat to print her photo and ban her from the establishment.

Shocking Statement

In a shocking post that Ms. Hoàng claimed to have translated, the owner allegedly wrote, 'Go ahead and report, kid… I’m going to print their face and hang it in the shops, banning entry.'

Customer Lament

Ms. Hoàng lamented, 'Instead of taking responsibility or clarifying the issues, she chose to mock me online. This post speaks for itself about the kind of 'customer service' this restaurant offers.'

Media Attention

This incident has since drawn significant media attention, igniting discussions on social media about the expectations of customer treatment and the importance of adherence to business regulations. The Independent Singapore has reached out to both Ms. Hoàng and Vietsea restaurant for further comments on this ongoing situation.

Conclusion

As customers increasingly turn to social media platforms to voice their opinions on service quality, this incident may serve as a warning to restaurant owners on the repercussions of neglecting customer feedback. What will be the outcome for Vietsea restaurant? Stay tuned as this story continues to unfold.