A business owner has lodged a police report after a customer allegedly failed to pay more than $1,600 for lighting and decorations for his 12-year-old daughter’s birthday party.
In an Instagram video posted on Monday (Sept 7), Norvin Ong shared screenshots of his WhatsApp exchanges with the customer, Will, including one reply that read: "Please relax, I had a really hard day yesterday. Excruciating to say the least."
Business owner Ong, 36, told Shin Min Daily News that Will contacted him the day before to arrange the decorations for the party to be held at a condominium near Orchard Road.
According to Ong, he completed the setup at around 5.30pm, but Will was allegedly not present.
His wife said he was at Tanglin Mall and would return at around 6.30pm.
Ong claimed they waited until 9.30pm before condominium security guards asked them to leave.
He added that Will’s wife told him she did not have the money to pay, after which Ong sought payment from Will via WhatsApp and send him a receipt.
After repeated attempts to collect the payment went unanswered, Ong lodged a police report.
Will allegedly owes Ong $700 for the decorations and another business owner $970 for the lighting setup, Shin Min quoted Ong as saying.
The police confirmed to AsiaOne that a report had been lodged.
According to screenshots provided by Ong to Shin Min, Will said he had intended to make payment, but claimed that Ong had chosen to take legal action.
He said the money might therefore have to be used to cover legal fees and questioned whether Ong had provided all the services promised.
Ong said that when he and the lighting provider continued asking Will for payment in their WhatsApp group chat, Will did not respond but allegedly removed both of them from the group, Shin Min reported.
Ong said he normally collects a deposit upfront but failed to do so because the arrangements were made at short notice.
AsiaOne has reached out to Ong for more information.
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