Very bad and they do cheat n alot of lies. Please don't go to chaindra agency.
Maid Agency Reviews
- Thread starter tamarind
- Start date
im using Bright maids agency @ Bukit timah.. The manager Lilian seems reliable enough. Out of some many portfolio, she only picked the 2 most suitable one for me to choose. This agency is reliable. I paid $688 for the agency fee. I know that, some agency charges only $1 and put the maid on loan for 8 months. So unscrupulous!
hi, it took me quite a long time to get back this topic.
After i complain to them. Few days later, there was a guy call me and apologized abt that. They get back the terrible maid and said they would recommend me another maid(which they would choose for me oso). After 2 months, another maid arrived to my house. And up until today, the maid is doing good at my house. PEM did call me few times to ask how thing goes on as well.
After all, i think i should get back here and leave some good comment abt PEM instead. And hope all the mommy here can find a good maid too
That's really sounded frustrating!! Suggest talking to the maid and see how to work things out. They are here to earn money so if they don't do a good job and gets transferred to another employer, as I understand from my agent, they will be charged 1-2 months of fee... Then they will end up working extra 1-2 months without pay. In fact ideally is to get your agent to do a round of counseling, most of the time it works. My maid also got abit of problem at te beginning, after my agent do se
counseling.... The maid changed and has been with me for almost a year now.
Hi styleinn09, i can feel your frustration. Even more frustrating when the agent don't answer your call. I heard from couple of my friends who went to Katong and get maids from those zero agent fee agency, all got similar problem. I wonder if it is the agent who teach them to create problems to the employer so they can transfer and when they transfer agent make money again from employers. sick!
charmedpunk
New Member
Hi anyone has experience with these agencies? Job Connect Employment Agency LLP & BCS Employment Services? Both are at Far East Shopping Centre
Simple Mum21
Member
hubbylovesme
New Member
It's okay has a long rate as long is the service is good and u you feel comfortable with it.
humblelady
New Member
Just confirmed my maid with Eelit Placement Agency in Katong. The agent is truly friendly and very detailed. Initially I went to Katong level 1 MPL cos tempted by the $1 agent fee, but found out so many hidden cost -_-" and got a bad feeling of being ripped off. Then walked out and saw the advertising panel next to MPL shop and remember reading some threads recommending Eelit Placement.
forever1090
New Member
Hi pipilili, your right charges different, but its must be trained, they are taking care of life, so must be contented with it. :001_302:
I had a very very horrifying experience with MAIDS SPECIALIST PTE. LTD.
They have 2 branches :
1 is in Bt Timah Shopping Centre, the other is in katong shopping centre.
Long story cut short :
My wife was pregnant and due in 2 to 3 months and she found it difficult to cope. So we planned to get a helper.
We met this young lady karen at this maids specialist outlet in bukit timah who offered us a maid at a very low agency fee of $1. Blame us for being greedy and taken in by their sweet words where they told us they are a maid ‘wholesaler’. They provide maid to other agencies etc. blah blah. We thought it was a good deal and she promised us can find a fit for us as they have a lot of maids coming in every week.
That was when the nightmare started.
We started to engage them in August. We confirmed a maid through biodata and because we were new to hiring a maid, we dint know how to choose 1.
WE told Maids Specialist our basic requirements such as taking care of infant, speak some English etc. Every maid biodata they showed us was just too random, no filtering etc. In the end because time was running tight, we had to choose a maid which Karen who told us should be ok lah.
After 3 weeks plus of delay and not hearing anything from maids specialist. … I had to keep calling and emailing….FINALLY the BOMB dropped. Suddenly, one day after I called, Karen told us the maid was pregnant and unable to arrive. Why did we have to call in to get the status so many times and since she know we were urgent, why did they wait until now?
Seriously, it took a long time but we gave them the benefit of doubt and asked for a replacement maid….
NIGHTMARE PART II ENSUED
With this, our hunt for the 2nd maid continued. We are pressed for time. Many a times, we were promised that "tomorrow got new biodata" but when tomorrow came, nothing manifested. I had to keep calling in to ask for "new biodata" as we were pressed for time.
Worse still, I couldnt reach the staff in charge of our case for many days on her mobile phone (I only realised lately from her handphone "battery was flat for few days".
The question that might be on your mind is why dint we call the office? I did call the number on the name card many times - but no response. How would you feel if the staff handling your case mobile line was down for few days, office phone can't get? - Our immediate thought was kena conned! Wanted to call the police but I calmed myself and searched the internet for maids specialist number and found a number to call but was given 3 other numbers before I reached one of the staff. And it was only then did I realise...OKAY Karen was posted to Katong.
I asked her why she dint answer my call and why she dint tell me she was posted to Katong and the answer was "the bukit timah side never tell you meh?"
Also I asked why she dint update me with the biodata, she will say "ok will send you by xx time. There will be new bio data"
AGAIN, the "new biodata" never came. Had to call the staff again and again and only then she will forward some stuffs. Tried calling and wanted to enquire about some stuff etc. , but couldn’t get her again
In the end pissed off, had to go down katong to find her as calls and emails dont work at all. There was even one instance when I went down to katong and realized she was at bukit timah that day!
At this time already mid October. Finally we shortlisted 2 potential maids on the spot.
This time I was careful (seeing the last haphazard attitude) and asked her if to confirm the maid is willing to take care of new born. She says as per the job order you filll in what. Then I asked "what job order?" ONly then we realised NO job order was given to me to fill and I dint know I had to fill in one.
SHE DID NOT GAVE US THE JOB ORDER TO FILL IN! SO ALL ALONG, THEY JUST ANYHOW THROW MAID AT US! AND THE MAID DINT EVEN KNOW WHAT KIND OF WORK THEY WOULD BE DOING!!!
On the spot, she took down the Maids Biodata reference number (or whatever code) and says will check if the maid willing to do the job order.
2 days later as no reply again from your staff, I told her to reserve those 2 first as worry they might be taken by someone else and guess what?
I WAS ASKED "WHAT IS THEIR CODE ETC." I TOLD HER "I THOUGHT YOU HAVE IT? YOU NOTED DOWN ON THE SPOT WHEN I WENT DOWN"
"She says can't find!!!!". Frustrating!!!! Waited 2 days but actually she just sit on the case even though we impressed on her the URGENCY!
Isnt it clear now that she dint even check with the recruiter side if the maid is "willing" even to take care of new born as she dont even know what are their codes.
AGAIN, 1 - 2 days later, no updates. I have to keep requesting for updates and was told the candidate "can't".
So again the cat and mouse game began, I requested for bio update and no reply. sent an email on 24th October, Until the final straw came on 27th October - I emailed her says I will go down take back deposit but no reply.
So I went down with my wife to Katong to look for her. I was on the way down to Katong to talk to her and realised from Katong side, she is at Bukit timah again! ...so went down to bukit timah to look for her.
When I reached bukit timah, she was not at the usual booth, had to run around and found her at another Maids specialist outlet with her colleague. SAME THING "THE KATONG SIDE NEVER TELL YOU I AM HERE MEH?"
We told them we needed someone who could take care of infant or new born preferably or at least willing. We were shown a biodata of a helper (fresh mynmar) with at least a 4 in rating for taking care of baby/ children - was told infant/new born ok also. Was given the hard copy of the maid.
WE DECIDED to give another shot as we were almost desperate and too urgent to hunt for another agency and the potential helper seems a match.
The next day I asked KAREN to resend the bio and I REALISED THE RATINGS "HAVE WORSENED". NO REASON WAS GIVEN. But at this time as I dint have time to go down "play" with your staff anymore and was too tired constantly reminding and chasing her so I decided to proceed still.
BUT QUESTION TO YOU ALL OUT THERE : CAN THE BIODATA JUST CHANGED SO SUDDENLY WITHIN A DAY? I STILL HOLD THE HARD COPY OF THE BIODATA.
Day of collection of maid
- NIGHTMARE AS THE JOB SPECIFICATIONS DIN’T PUT MAID WAS WILLING TO TAKE CARE OF BABY WHICH WE HAVE EMPHASIZED. AND IS IN OUR JOB ORDER. ON THE SPOT, KAREN CROSSED OUT AND WRITE INFANT AND GOT EVERYONE TO SIGN, INCLUDING THE MAID!!! CAN JUST CHANGE ON SPOT?!?!!?!
1stly the maid dint understand English and couldnt read english (tested) and I believe it is not right to just change the job order when she has arrived and worse still without a translator.
IT IS A LONG STORY FROM HERE, WE RETURNED THE MAID AND ARE NOT GETTING REFUND.
Refund delayed for 5 months! The owner of Maids Specialist took 3 mths to reply! And basically was more to deduct our monies for refund.
I did a check and realise the company is a $1 company.
So just beware!
BTW coincidentally I met some people who have engagements with Maids Specialist and they highlighted the usual same issues.
- unresponsive (very consistently unresponsive)
- poor helpers matching
- delays and delays and more delays
- many issues with maids hired
- delays in getting replacement
Many more others.
I am still in the midst of all these mess with them so just want to warn all people here not to EVEN use maids specialist!
IT is a night mare and caused much distress to my family!
They have 2 branches :
1 is in Bt Timah Shopping Centre, the other is in katong shopping centre.
Long story cut short :
My wife was pregnant and due in 2 to 3 months and she found it difficult to cope. So we planned to get a helper.
We met this young lady karen at this maids specialist outlet in bukit timah who offered us a maid at a very low agency fee of $1. Blame us for being greedy and taken in by their sweet words where they told us they are a maid ‘wholesaler’. They provide maid to other agencies etc. blah blah. We thought it was a good deal and she promised us can find a fit for us as they have a lot of maids coming in every week.
That was when the nightmare started.
We started to engage them in August. We confirmed a maid through biodata and because we were new to hiring a maid, we dint know how to choose 1.
WE told Maids Specialist our basic requirements such as taking care of infant, speak some English etc. Every maid biodata they showed us was just too random, no filtering etc. In the end because time was running tight, we had to choose a maid which Karen who told us should be ok lah.
After 3 weeks plus of delay and not hearing anything from maids specialist. … I had to keep calling and emailing….FINALLY the BOMB dropped. Suddenly, one day after I called, Karen told us the maid was pregnant and unable to arrive. Why did we have to call in to get the status so many times and since she know we were urgent, why did they wait until now?
Seriously, it took a long time but we gave them the benefit of doubt and asked for a replacement maid….
NIGHTMARE PART II ENSUED
With this, our hunt for the 2nd maid continued. We are pressed for time. Many a times, we were promised that "tomorrow got new biodata" but when tomorrow came, nothing manifested. I had to keep calling in to ask for "new biodata" as we were pressed for time.
Worse still, I couldnt reach the staff in charge of our case for many days on her mobile phone (I only realised lately from her handphone "battery was flat for few days".
The question that might be on your mind is why dint we call the office? I did call the number on the name card many times - but no response. How would you feel if the staff handling your case mobile line was down for few days, office phone can't get? - Our immediate thought was kena conned! Wanted to call the police but I calmed myself and searched the internet for maids specialist number and found a number to call but was given 3 other numbers before I reached one of the staff. And it was only then did I realise...OKAY Karen was posted to Katong.
I asked her why she dint answer my call and why she dint tell me she was posted to Katong and the answer was "the bukit timah side never tell you meh?"
Also I asked why she dint update me with the biodata, she will say "ok will send you by xx time. There will be new bio data"
AGAIN, the "new biodata" never came. Had to call the staff again and again and only then she will forward some stuffs. Tried calling and wanted to enquire about some stuff etc. , but couldn’t get her again
In the end pissed off, had to go down katong to find her as calls and emails dont work at all. There was even one instance when I went down to katong and realized she was at bukit timah that day!
At this time already mid October. Finally we shortlisted 2 potential maids on the spot.
This time I was careful (seeing the last haphazard attitude) and asked her if to confirm the maid is willing to take care of new born. She says as per the job order you filll in what. Then I asked "what job order?" ONly then we realised NO job order was given to me to fill and I dint know I had to fill in one.
SHE DID NOT GAVE US THE JOB ORDER TO FILL IN! SO ALL ALONG, THEY JUST ANYHOW THROW MAID AT US! AND THE MAID DINT EVEN KNOW WHAT KIND OF WORK THEY WOULD BE DOING!!!
On the spot, she took down the Maids Biodata reference number (or whatever code) and says will check if the maid willing to do the job order.
2 days later as no reply again from your staff, I told her to reserve those 2 first as worry they might be taken by someone else and guess what?
I WAS ASKED "WHAT IS THEIR CODE ETC." I TOLD HER "I THOUGHT YOU HAVE IT? YOU NOTED DOWN ON THE SPOT WHEN I WENT DOWN"
"She says can't find!!!!". Frustrating!!!! Waited 2 days but actually she just sit on the case even though we impressed on her the URGENCY!
Isnt it clear now that she dint even check with the recruiter side if the maid is "willing" even to take care of new born as she dont even know what are their codes.
AGAIN, 1 - 2 days later, no updates. I have to keep requesting for updates and was told the candidate "can't".
So again the cat and mouse game began, I requested for bio update and no reply. sent an email on 24th October, Until the final straw came on 27th October - I emailed her says I will go down take back deposit but no reply.
So I went down with my wife to Katong to look for her. I was on the way down to Katong to talk to her and realised from Katong side, she is at Bukit timah again! ...so went down to bukit timah to look for her.
When I reached bukit timah, she was not at the usual booth, had to run around and found her at another Maids specialist outlet with her colleague. SAME THING "THE KATONG SIDE NEVER TELL YOU I AM HERE MEH?"
We told them we needed someone who could take care of infant or new born preferably or at least willing. We were shown a biodata of a helper (fresh mynmar) with at least a 4 in rating for taking care of baby/ children - was told infant/new born ok also. Was given the hard copy of the maid.
WE DECIDED to give another shot as we were almost desperate and too urgent to hunt for another agency and the potential helper seems a match.
The next day I asked KAREN to resend the bio and I REALISED THE RATINGS "HAVE WORSENED". NO REASON WAS GIVEN. But at this time as I dint have time to go down "play" with your staff anymore and was too tired constantly reminding and chasing her so I decided to proceed still.
BUT QUESTION TO YOU ALL OUT THERE : CAN THE BIODATA JUST CHANGED SO SUDDENLY WITHIN A DAY? I STILL HOLD THE HARD COPY OF THE BIODATA.
Day of collection of maid
- NIGHTMARE AS THE JOB SPECIFICATIONS DIN’T PUT MAID WAS WILLING TO TAKE CARE OF BABY WHICH WE HAVE EMPHASIZED. AND IS IN OUR JOB ORDER. ON THE SPOT, KAREN CROSSED OUT AND WRITE INFANT AND GOT EVERYONE TO SIGN, INCLUDING THE MAID!!! CAN JUST CHANGE ON SPOT?!?!!?!
1stly the maid dint understand English and couldnt read english (tested) and I believe it is not right to just change the job order when she has arrived and worse still without a translator.
IT IS A LONG STORY FROM HERE, WE RETURNED THE MAID AND ARE NOT GETTING REFUND.
Refund delayed for 5 months! The owner of Maids Specialist took 3 mths to reply! And basically was more to deduct our monies for refund.
I did a check and realise the company is a $1 company.
So just beware!
BTW coincidentally I met some people who have engagements with Maids Specialist and they highlighted the usual same issues.
- unresponsive (very consistently unresponsive)
- poor helpers matching
- delays and delays and more delays
- many issues with maids hired
- delays in getting replacement
Many more others.
I am still in the midst of all these mess with them so just want to warn all people here not to EVEN use maids specialist!
IT is a night mare and caused much distress to my family!
When u want to look for maids agency,check if agency is CASE credited..Any misled or cheating can sue them through CASE,REMEMDER..........Read carefully all documents before u sign ,not agent say sign u sign,for job work ,let the maid know infront of the agent,dont wait till u go home then say too late liao......
Hi mummy Ivy, can you please pass me the name of this lady you mentioned? And what's the name of agency? Thanks heaps.
)Hi, everyone! Don't go to B_ d_ _t Maid Agency in Bukit Timah Shopping Centre, Bukit Timah Plaza, Jurong West and Thomson. They claimed to be cheap but you will end up paying more than if you go to other agencies who don't claim to be budget in price. Same problems as what has been highlighted by igoh23:
- unresponsive (very consistently unresponsive) - called the staff by the name of Nad_ _ and she consistently said 'Hold on' when she heard my voice and never got back to the phone again. She just made me wait. Yesterday, she did better. She got back to the phone and promised to call me back but never did till now. I called to ask for a refund of $200. I will explain this $200 below.
- poor and unethical helpers matching - got a Myanmar maid to work for me but this maid obviously only came to me because her time was running out. B_d_ _t Employment Agency obviously threatened to send her back to Myanmar if she did not get an employer soon and she picked me, prepared all along to quit after working only one day so that she got another month to get another employer after me. B_d_ _ t knew this but said she was afraid to tell them and B_d_ _t encouraged this kind of practice. Very very unethical!!!
- delays and delays and more delays - got me a replacement that might not have existed in the first place. Told me after a week of delay that they did not have the maid's number in Philippines
- many issues with maids hired - 2 more replacements - one aged 50+ and another aged 43
- delays in getting replacement
Many more others.
Now for the $200. B_d _ _ t staff Nad_ _ at the Bukit Timah Shopping Centre branch promised to refund me every cent I paid except 21 days' levy. To date, I've paid 31 days' levy but she kept avoiding my calls to chase her for the 10 days' maid's levy that I've paid in excess of the 21 days. 10 x 9 = $90. Plus my $50 cash deposit before the FDW's Work Permit Application and she deducted another $60 (from the cheque amount of $1188 I've paid before collecting the maid so I was only given a cheque of $1128 last Saturday) claiming that it is the charge for Work Permit Application. So in total, B_d_ _t still owes me $90 maid's levy + $50 cash depost not refunded + $60 Work Permit Application deducted = $110. Could someone tell me how I should go about retrieving this? I've been made use of by this agency and their Myanmar maid who came to my house for one day and I have to pay 21 x 9 days' maid's levy + 30% of maid insurance (around $90) = 189+90 = $279. And they made very lame lame efforts at giving me a replacement. Anyway, I've lost confidence in getting a replacement from them. And their staff Nad_ _ promised to refund me everything I paid except 21 days' levy and failed to do so and tried to avoid doing so by not speaking to me on the phone or in person. When I visited last Saturday, the staff claimed she had left for home. Could some one please advise me how to claime back my $200 from B_ d_ _t Employment Agency in Bukit Timah Shopping Centre?
Thanks!
RainbowPony
New Member
Hi Mummies (Daddies),
I am new to this forum and give birth to a lovely child on Feb 2014. Currently she is 5 months old and I got a hard time taking care of her. I need to work (running outdoor sales) and my mum is helping me to look after her. I know my mum is super tired after these few months and I got no rest too. After work I have to rush home every day to take over my mum's job and doing house chorus as well. Thus I have decided to look for a maid/helper to help us. I need someone who, first - Take care of my baby (who is 5 months old now), Sec - House cleaning & Third - Able to Cook.
Hence, would like to seek mummies and daddies advise/suggestion in regard of finding a good maid agencies. Thanks alot alot!!
- Which nationality does you guys prefer and why? Indonesian or Fillipino.
- What will be the suitable age which fits my requirement above?
- What are the things I have to look out for when engaging a maid agency?
It will be good if you guys can provide others informations which are not stated here. I am more grateful to listen
I will be going down to Prime Choice Maid at Raffles Place later, will share with you guys after that.
Thanks you Mummies & Daddies...
I am new to this forum and give birth to a lovely child on Feb 2014. Currently she is 5 months old and I got a hard time taking care of her. I need to work (running outdoor sales) and my mum is helping me to look after her. I know my mum is super tired after these few months and I got no rest too. After work I have to rush home every day to take over my mum's job and doing house chorus as well. Thus I have decided to look for a maid/helper to help us. I need someone who, first - Take care of my baby (who is 5 months old now), Sec - House cleaning & Third - Able to Cook.
Hence, would like to seek mummies and daddies advise/suggestion in regard of finding a good maid agencies. Thanks alot alot!!
- Which nationality does you guys prefer and why? Indonesian or Fillipino.
- What will be the suitable age which fits my requirement above?
- What are the things I have to look out for when engaging a maid agency?
It will be good if you guys can provide others informations which are not stated here. I am more grateful to listen
I will be going down to Prime Choice Maid at Raffles Place later, will share with you guys after that.
Thanks you Mummies & Daddies...