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Customers come first? Not for Singapore Flyer
Mon, Feb 18, 2008 The Straits Times
I REFER to the report, 'FI ticketing fiasco' (ST, Feb15). I wish to relate another fiasco that happened on Feb14 here - the Singapore Flyer fiasco. That day, together with many other people, we were waiting in line to get on the Flyer. Wanting to do something different, my husband and I had booked ourselves two tickets costing $399 to experience the Flyer. We were told to be there by 6.30pm for a 7pm slot.

Finally we registered and I was presented with a bouquet of flowers - 'how nice', I thought!

We then found our way to the top and waited in line to board.

After a wait of 20 minutes, we noticed that the staff were boarding VIP guests, including the media. Another 10 minutes went by and more VIPs were allowed in. It was already 7.15pm by this time.

People around us started to complain as well but the ushers' response was they were just following the agenda.

This is such a typical Singaporean response - just do what you are told. I was disappointed that the organisers did not understand that they should let paying customers in first.

The Singapore Flyer operators need to realise that unhappy paying customers will describe the experience negatively. And this will counter the good publicity they get from the press.

Rita Aspen (Mrs)