Ho Ching Fires Back at FairPrice’s New “$3.99” Service Fee
NTUC FairPrice just slapped a fresh $3.99 twist on their online grocery orders, and suddenly the headline’s buzzing with disgruntled customers. But the boss of Temasek, Ho Ching (wedded to PM Lee Hsien Loong), dipped into Facebook to drop a quick reality check.
What Happened
From 8 pm on Thursday (April 16) FairPrice will add a $3.99 charge to every order, on top of a tiered delivery scheme:
- $5 if your cart is under $59
- $3 if you hit the sweet spot between $59 and $79
- Free shipping once you’re inside the $79+ club
That’s an upgrade from the previous policy where orders under $59 cost a hefty $7 and the rest were free.
Social Media Gone Wild
Some folks were ready to pack it up and ditch the store altogether just to dodge the extra fee. There were plenty of witty comments: “Would rather walk to the nearest hawker stall than pay a service fee for a bag of rice,” posted in a flurry of emoji‑laden replies.
Ho Ching’s Out‑of‑The‑Box Reply
Instead of staying quiet, Ho dropped a 200‑word Facebook post that looked real—without sounding like a corporate PR handout.
“Stop yelping like a spoilt kid,” she said, half‑teasing, “and remember we’re all taxpayers. If you want your groceries delivered free, why not step up and volunteer to do the delivery for the rest of us?”
Her comment wasn’t just a jab; it was a nudge back to the community for a bit of shared responsibility.
Bottom Line
FairPrice’s new fee has sparked a heated debate. While the store is tightening its belt, Ho Ching reminds us that we can keep the pace slower, if we’re willing to help each other out. Whether customers back her call or stay on their side, one thing’s clear: the grocery game in Singapore is getting more interesting—and less expensive—is a pretty tall order at the moment.
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People Show Surprise Support for NTUC FairPrice’s Move
While some chided the shift, other folks expressed understanding. On the flip side, a lot of people said they got it.
Why the Change Resonated
- Fair pricing and transparency.
- Clear communication of goals.
- Solid track record of community effort.
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Ho Ching’s Take on FairPrice’s Extra Charge
In her latest post, Ho Ching defended the additional fee charged by NTUC FairPrice. She explained that the fee is reasonable because the grocery giant is boosting its capacity to handle the surge in online orders that the coronavirus outbreak has triggered.
The “Stop Yelping” Rant
She called out the critics, saying, “stop yelping like a spoiled kid who wants more and more without putting in any effort to help others.” She added that the grousing was “an insult to everyone else who are working their butts out” in the fight against Covid‑19.
Calling Keyboard Warriors to Action
Ho concluded with a direct challenge to the keyboard warriors:
- “Go, keyboard warriors. Do your part to make this circuit breaker work.”
- “Upgrade yourself, or volunteer for any number of tasks, from cleaning toilets and transporting biohazard waste to caring for non‑infectious patients, to helping fill bottles of hand sanitiser for our dorm residents.”
With humor and a touch of emotional flair, she urged everyone to step up and support the community during these challenging times.
