Some of AIA’s customers received a letter in the mail last month, informing them that due to their recent purchase of an eligible plan under the “AIA Protection and Health Consumer Campaign”, they now have a reward in the form of a Robinsons gift voucher. My friend is supposed to receive a S$50 Robinsons voucher when he brings the letter to any of the 3 Robinsons locations stated within the letter.
He passed me the letter, and authorized me to collect the voucher on his behalf, as I frequent the town area more often than he does. But I’ve been traveling much of last month, so I only had the time to pop by Robinsons at The Heeren today.
Alas! I was given yet another letter from the staff at the Concierge:
AIA claims that the letters were sent out erroneously and therefore one cannot claim any vouchers at all. Are they serious?! Is this an April Fool’s joke come early? If so, it’s a REALLY bad one!
You mean that first letter signed off by Ho Lee Yen (Chief Marketing Officer) was an error?! Then fire this person!
You cannot simply send out letters, make your customers feel happy, and make their way down to Robinsons, only to tell them that sorry, some fella made a mistake and they don’t get anything. “We apologise for any inconvenience caused”? Yah right. Is your apology worth S$50? ;)
What would AIA’s defence be?
In the original letter, in clause 4 of the Terms and Conditions, it is stated that the company may “at its sole and absolute discretion and without prior notice, withdraw or cease this promotion or vary the terms and conditions of this promotion at any time”.
#youwinliaolor
What should AIA actually do?
Honor those promises in the original letters. Otherwise it is really distasteful, especially when this is what “new” policyholders have to encounter. Thankfully, I have not bought anything from AIA. And I never will too, after this.
When SIA’s Business Class tickets were sold at Economy Class prices, SIA admitted the error and decided to honor those tickets sold. I urge AIA to read this article: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/sia-to-honour-business/1517...
And please don’t ever let Ho Lee Yen sign off any letter that the company does not wish to honor. It is truly not pleasant to have your customers (or their friends) head to town in the busy period leading up to Chinese New Year to collect a voucher that would not be given to them, and leave disappointed.
Working With Grace
*The author blogs at www.workingwithgrace.wordpress.com