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You can now do wet-market shopping online at Tekka and Tiong Bahru markets via ride-hailing app, TADA

Wet-marketing online? That will be a whole new experience since people are used to seeing and touching the produce at wet markets. Also, the interaction with stallholders will be greatly missed. But considering the pandemic situation, this could actually be a fantastic initiative.

TADA, a ride-hailing app, is the brainchild behind this wet market delivery service idea. TADA, which means “let’s ride” in Korean, was launched by Singapore-based company Mass Vehicle Ledger (MVL) Foundation in July 2018.

TADA Fresh Market

TADA Fresh Market is currently an online wet market shopping platform delivering fresh vegetables, fruits, seafood, meat, and poultry from 36 stalls at Tekka and Tiong Bahru markets. Yes, it’s very similar to the online grocery shopping experience on RedMart or FairPrice.

Minimum order amount

To place an order, you will need to shop at least S$30 worth of groceries. Free deliveries are available for orders above S$50.

A lifeline for TADA’s private-hire drivers and wet market stallholders

In May 2020, then-Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan announced that taxi and private-hire drivers would be able to continue delivering food and groceries to homes until the end of September. This was part of efforts to supplement the income of these drivers. At the same time, to meet the high demand for home deliveries.

According to Mr Jonathan Chua, general manager of TADA, the company explored different ways to support its drivers during the pandemic.

“It’s not possible to bring them back to the days where they can do 20 jobs (a day), just by the nature of the pandemic,” he said. However, this new delivery platform can act as an additional source of income for TADA’s private-hire drivers, whose livelihoods have been greatly affected by COVID-19.

Such a delivery service also provides an additional revenue stream for stallholders during the ongoing pandemic, added Mr Chua.

TADA works directly with wet market stall owners

It’s good to hear that TADA does not charge merchants a commission for orders. But there is a small markup on the products which are clearly visible to customers on the website.

Orders gathered late at night each day are sent to the wet market merchants via WhatsApp messages so they can make necessary preparations. Thereafter, TADA drivers are dispatched to fulfil the deliveries.

Future expansion plans

As mentioned earlier, TADA Fresh Market is currently working only with stall owners from Tekka and Tiong Bahru markets. But there are plans to include several merchants from the wet market at Block 216 Bedok North Street 1 by early September.

They are also aiming to bring in more wet markets in the Bedok area by the end of the year. There will also be a focus on the lesser well-known markets outside of central Singapore.

“If we can present the benefits of the products of the market conveniently to the users, I believe that a proposition (of buying groceries from the wet market) will be a long-term one,” said Mr Chua.

Shop TADA Fresh Market here.

Two Ninja Van delivery drivers sentenced to jail for misappropriating items worth S$12,000, pocketing S$18,000 in cash, and mobile phones worth S$3,850

If you’re an avid fan of online shopping, chances are that you’ve come across using Ninja Van as a delivery provider. When that happens, you could either be grateful or full of complaints. Well, grateful when you receive your parcels on time and possibly full of grudges when things go wrong.

I’ve had my fair share of problems dealing with Ninja Van. I’m sure the public has lots to say about the company as well – with recent news about a woman being scammed out of S$40 by a cash-on-delivery she didn’t order and frustrations about continued delays in delivery by Ninja Van.

#1: Case 1

Image Credits: Vulcan Post

The first case was reported in the news on Aug 11, 2020.

Adrian Chong Yuan Kit, 38, was sentenced to seven months’ jail on Tuesday (Aug 11) for criminal breach of trust by dishonest misappropriation.

In short, over a span of three months, Chong would deliberately not scan parcels with items he wanted to keep for himself. In total, he has set aside 147 items including a massage machine, a gaming monitor, a TV set-top box, hand sanitiser, mobile phones, and soap worth up to S$12,104 for his personal gain.

The police raided Chong’s home and recovered all the items, though nothing was said regarding the customers who were affected by his crime.

How the act was discovered

End of April this year, Ninja Van conducted an internal audit to check on lost parcels in an attempt to better streamline the system. During the audit, they noticed a spike in the number of missing items under Chong’s charge since Feb 2020.

As a follow-up, a manager at Ninja Van planted a parcel containing a bottle of Dettol soap and a Huawei mobile phone meant for delivery outside Chong’s assigned route on Chong’s assigned pallet on May 21.

Based on Ninja Van’s system, Chong was supposed to receive an error message and return it to his supervisor since the parcel was not meant for him to deliver. However, even after Chong finished loading all the parcels from his assigned pallet into his van, he did not receive any error messages.

He was immediately confronted by the manager in which he then admitted to taking it dishonestly. A police report was filed the same day.

#2: Case 2

Image Credits: The Business Times

The second case was reported in the news on Aug 19, 2020, a week after the first case.

Derrick Tan Jian Sheng, 35, was sentenced on Wednesday (Aug 19) to eight months’ jail for pocketing more than S$18,000 in cash as well as mobile phones worth S$3,850 from Ninja Van customers.

According to the court, Tan started committing the offences within a month of joining the company in April 2018. To be exact, between May 22 and Jun 11, Tan made 72 deliveries involving cash-on-delivery items and trade-in mobile phones.

The cash of S$18,555 he collected from customers and 16 mobile phones worth a total of S$3,850 was partly used to pay off his personal debts to the Land Transport Authority and loan sharks. Tan sold the phones on Carousell.

How the act was discovered

On Jun 8, 2018, Ninja Van’s finance department told Tan’s manager that there had been multiple inconsistencies from deliveries Tan made. Although the relevant deliveries had been completed, the money and mobile phones that Tan collected were not returned to the company.

Tan’s manager arranged to meet him but he did not show up. A police report was then filed. Tan was traced to M Hotel using the GPS in the company van assigned to him, where he admitted that he had taken the items and cash.

Food for thought

In response to the matter, a Ninja Van spokesperson said that there was “no impact to end customers as the restitution was between us and our clients in question”.

But we can’t help but wonder, how were the customers with lost parcels compensated? Based on the company’s FAQ section, it is stated that “Ninja Van will be subject to a certain amount of liability per parcel in cases of loss or damage.”

If it’s only a “certain amount of liability”, then how is this “no impact to end customers”? What are your thoughts?

M.A.C X Kakao Friends Love Lips Collection has launched at a discounted price on Lazada

We’re dreaming of a day where mask-wearing is no longer needed. When that comes, we can don our favourite lipsticks without worries of smudging.

As we await that day to arrive, let’s turn our eyes to the new product in town. M.A.C has collaborated with Kakao Friends to launch a Love Lips Collection, which is available in five colours. If you’re familiar with the brand, you will be glad to know that Lucky in Love and To Luck shades have also been relaunched in this lipstick collection. The other three shades are Ruby Woo, Lady Danger, and See Sheer.

Let’s take a closer look.

#1: Lucky in Love X Frodo

First up on the list we have Lucky in Love X Frodo. It’s a mauve-toned pink shade with a matte finishing. You will be accompanied by Frodo, a rich-born dog from the city who is also Neo’s partner in Kakao Friends.

#2: To Luck! X Muzi

Joining Lucky in Love X Frodo as a relaunched product is To Luck! X Muzi. The lipstick comes in a soft dusky rose colour that also has a matte finishing. The featured character is Muzi, a piece of danmuji (단무지) (pickled radish) in a rabbit costume.

#3: Ruby Woo X Ryan

Now, onto M.A.C’s best-selling shades. We have Ruby Woo X Ryan to start us off. Rock this shade of intense blue-red with a retro matte finishing. You will be escorted by Ryan, a bear-looking strong and independent lion from Kakao Friends.

#4: Lady Danger X Neo

As you walk down the streets of Seoul, you’ve probably noticed many ladies with bright orange-red lips. M.A.C X Kakao Friends’ Lady Danger X Neo is actually a close representation of that shade – a vivid bright coral-red undertone. Neo, the representative fashionista of the Kakao Friends characters who love shopping, will show you how to get it done.

#5: See Sheer X Apeach

I’m saving the best for the last! Just kidding. I’m a huge fan of Apeach, that’s why. Alongside Apeach is See Sheer X Apeach in pale deep red. It is the only lippie in the collection with a lustre finish.

Where to buy?

From now till 9 September, the limited edition M.A.C X Kakao Friends Love Lips Collection is retailing at a discounted price of S$33 (usual price: S$36) on Lazada.

If you prefer to shop in stores, you can head to the M.A.C Flagship Store at ION Orchard or TANGS on 1 September. It will be available on Sephora Online on 22 September.

Make a Chocolate Lava French Toast with this recipe by FairPrice

Make your fave dessert into French Toasts

Treat yourself to a french toast filled with molten chocolate lava. FairPrice has shared a video tutorial on how to make a Chocolate Lava French Toast with 6 simple ingredients.

Ingredients:

2 Bread Slices
40g Chocolate
1 tbsp Oil
20ml Milk
1 Egg
2 tsp Sugar

Share this recipe with your friends and loved ones!

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Get your free waterproof Jabra Elite Active 75T Wireless Earbuds worth $318

Tips for job seekers by recruitment experts from LinkedIn, Robert Walters, and Michael Page

Looking for a job is never easy. If you’re still on the journey to seeking one, don’t be dismayed. Keep trying even if you get no replies or unfavourable outcomes. The right time will come for you!

To help you in your job search, here are some valuable tips from recruitment experts from LinkedIn, Robert Walters, and Michael Page.

#1: Reskilling and upskilling

Image Credits: HR Daily Advisor

Feon Ang, LinkedIn’s Asia-Pacific vice-president of talent and learning solutions said, “We will be seeing a workforce that values professionals who have diverse skills, both in the area of digital skills and soft skills.”

She urges the public to start reskilling and upskilling in those mentioned areas, which applies to you whether you’re looking for a job or adapting to your current position.

#2: Network on LinkedIn

Image Credits: FaxBurner

“If you see something that interests you, like the panel or the experts that might be speaking at these (virtual) events, it is quite easy to reach out and say, ‘hey, I attended this, and what you said was interesting’,” noted Wendy Heng, Robert Walters’ associate director of sales and marketing in the healthcare and supply chain sectors in Singapore.

According to Ms Heng, networking is important when it comes to getting direct job referrals. Compared to assessing a stranger through their resume directly, employers usually trust what the referee says about the candidate.

#3: Try and ride it out

Image Credits: Ongig

If your financial situation allows, offer to take a pay cut and try for positions of a lower rank. However, do it with much care and consideration. This is because it might be a long way before you can climb back up again.

Ms Heng stated that some employers are wary of candidates that lowball the asking salary, as they think the applicant will leave the job once a better opportunity presents itself.

#4: Consider contract positions

Image Credits: BGC Group

As claimed by recruiters, organizations are careful about new recruitments and hiring managers are going through lengthier approval processes these days. As such, contract jobs are getting mainstream.

Michael Page’s Singapore managing director Nilay Khandelwal advises job seekers to not see the contract job as a stop-gap measure but a chance to turn it into a permanent position.

“Even in a contract job, we’re asking… what is the project going to be about, what are chances of conversion, what do I need to prove myself as well,” he said, adding that employers are thinking about their long-term needs too.

#5: Treat it seriously

Image Credits: JS Recruitment

As you may be sending out multiple job applications, record each one in a list with a hyperlink to the job description, Mr Khandelwal said. That way, if a recruiter calls you for the initial round, you are able to address what they want in your answers, rather than scramble to recollect which job you had applied for and subsequently give a general response, he added.

If you’ve landed yourself a video interview, congratulations! Mr Khandelwal expressed the importance of setting up the device properly before the interview. Check the sound and video quality at the spot you are going to do the interview at, and know how to work around the screen if disruptions occur.

On the day itself, dress professionally, he added. While there’s no need for a suit, put on a shirt at least. Put on your best smile so you don’t appear robotic.

Now, go slay it!