Search the Community

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/audi-to-sell-cars-directly-to-buyers-in-its-showroom-near-chinatown-by-end-2024 Interesting... Good bye to salesmen and commisions?

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parenting-education/devastated-after-being-rejected-by-three-schools-for-dsa-how-to-help-your-child-cope Devastated after being rejected by three schools for DSA: How to help your child cope SINGAPORE – Ms K. Chong’s son was devastated when he was rejected by all three schools he had applied to in the 2023 Direct School Admission (DSA) exercise, especially after he had spent six years learning the erhu twice a week. The boy, who was selected to join the school’s Chinese Orchestra co-curricular activity in Primary 1, initially cried about having to go for lessons, but eventually committed to them and took yearly exams. Ms Chong, 45, a housewife, says she did not consider DSA seriously initially, but started doing so when her son was encouraged by his teachers to apply for it in upper primary. The DSA exercise allows students to apply to a secondary school of their choice based on an area of talent, which could include sports, performing arts or a specific academic area, before taking the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). “I thought he was gifted in this area, so I put in effort for him. After spending money and time on lessons, I thought it was a sure thing to get into a school via DSA,” Ms Chong says. To maximise his chances, she chose schools with different cut-off points: an affiliated school, a co-ed school and a neighbourhood school. “We went for a wide range of schools so that one of them would accept him, no matter his results,” she says. When the final rejection came in mid-September, Ms Chong kept it from her son so that his preparation for PSLE later in the month would not be affected, “but he more or less knew”. “He was upset and did not want to talk about it, but I’m glad he eventually took it in his stride,” says Ms Chong, who adds that he has stopped playing the erhu. She hopes schools can shed more light on the selection criteria. “It’s not transparent enough. There is not enough information on the criteria. I would like to know how the selection was done,” she adds. With a record number of applications from the 2024 Primary 6 cohort who were born in the Year of the Dragon, there may be a bumper crop of rejections this year. Experts say that parents should first process their own disappointment before helping their child get over the rejection, because children are sensitive to their parents’ emotions. National Institute of Education senior lecturer Kit Phey Ling, who is also a practising counselling psychologist, suggests that parents reflect on how they view the DSA exercise. “If a parent views the DSA as a way for his or her child to get into the ideal school and that it is unacceptable for the child to get into other schools, then the child would tend to frame success in obtaining DSA entry as extremely important,” she says. One way to deal with the situation is for parents to broaden the definition of success. They can, for instance, consider a range of schools and reframe the DSA as one of many pathways to help their child achieve his or her life goals. Bukit Panjang Government High School (BPGH) principal Seet Tiat Hee says it is important that parents first consider schools that best meet their child’s talent area as well as academic abilities. This is especially so as some children find it hard to cope after getting into a school. One parent, whose daughter got into her preferred secondary school via DSA for violin, now regrets the move as the girl is struggling academically. Madam L.H. Huang, a communications manager in her early 50s, says her 15-year-old daughter is stressed out by the pace of school and amount of homework. “She is overwhelmed with trying to catch up with her studies, leaving her with little time to pursue what she’s really good at – music. Also, she does not quite enjoy her string ensemble CCA, as the pieces are not challenging enough,” she says. Helping children cope with DSA rejections Experts say parents should first acknowledge the child’s feelings. Ms Vivyan Chee, Singapore Children’s Society’s deputy director and head of flourishing minds, a mental health service for children and youth, suggests that parents allow their child to express his or her disappointment without immediately trying to fix the situation. “Parents can say things like, ‘I can see that you’re really disappointed and it’s okay to feel that way.’ This helps the child to feel understood and supported,” she says. Parents can then gently guide their child to see the bigger picture, emphasising that this one setback does not define a person’s worth or future success, she adds. It helps to have open conversations about the possibility of rejection, says Ms Chee. “This helps children understand that rejection is a normal part of life and that it does not diminish their abilities or potential,” she says. Preparing children for different outcomes can help them approach the process with a growth mindset, where the focus is on learning and development rather than just the result. Ms June Yong, a family life specialist at Focus on the Family Singapore, says adopting a growth mindset is especially helpful in situations where the outcome is not guaranteed. For instance, parents could remind their child that he or she can always try another path if this does not work out. “This carries a sense of optimism and hope, while holding onto a healthy dose of reality, where rejection is always a possible outcome,” Ms Yong says. Parents can also share their own stories of setbacks and how the experiences helped them become more resilient, she adds. “If practised consistently, the child will come to view PSLE as an important exam that has some bearing on one’s opportunities for future learning, but does not impede on one’s identity and worth,” she says. Regardless of the DSA outcome, parents should praise their child for the effort put in to develop his or her talent area, says Mr Chia Guo Hao, principal of Chung Cheng High School (Yishun). “This helps them to understand that the hard work they put in is valuable,” he adds. Strategies to help children bounce back to revise for PSLE After getting a DSA rejection, let your child take a break. Allow him or her a few days to work through his or her emotions and disappointment, suggests Mr Zhou Shicai, founder of NickleBee Tutors which offers advanced maths programmes for upper primary pupils. For his students who do not manage to secure a confirmed offer, he advises them to see the DSA rejection as an opportunity to improve. He often shares the saying by Canadian-American inventor Alexander Graham Bell with his students: “When one door closes, another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” BPGH’s Mr Seet adds that parents can remind their children that they will still have another chance to enter the school of their choice by doing well for PSLE. Dr Kit says parents can discuss with their children what they have learnt from the DSA preparation and assessment process, and identify how these lessons can be used to help improve PSLE preparation. Ms Chee says a useful way to help children regain focus on their revision is to remind them of their strengths and consider how far they have come in their academic journey. She says parents should engage their children in non-academic activities to show them that “they matter outside of their studies”. Creating a supportive home environment where the child feels encouraged and motivated can significantly boost their resilience and readiness for the PSLE, she adds. What can parents say to their child? Mr Zhou suggests telling your child this: “You may not be a right fit for this school at this point, but we have other options available to us.” Another suggestion is: “Let’s focus on improving ourselves so that when the next opportunity comes along, we will be more than ready.” He says this would help a child understand that there will always be situations beyond his control and it is more important to learn to respond to setbacks. Dr Kit says parents can also use another phrase that can instil hope in the child: “You can still get into a good school if you prepare well and do well in the PSLE.” Parents can also use the rejection as an opportunity to strengthen their relationship with their child, by showing their child that he or she is loved unconditionally. Says Dr Kit: “The comfort that children derive from their parents at this time will allow them to recover from their disappointment and refocus on PSLE preparation more quickly.” https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parenting-education/devastated-after-being-rejected-by-three-schools-for-dsa-how-to-help-your-child-cope

Hi members, I got the cheapest quote from Budget Direct and likely will be buying from them. $700+ vs $1,000+ from NTUC!! Anyone got Buddy Id to share ? extra 5% and voucher for referral. Thanks Note: Did a search for Budget Direct and nothing found. Please help redirect if there's an existing thread.

We provide transactional services for direct buyer & seller deals. All paperwork done by us so you don't have to! Visit connect.sgcarmart.com or call us 6744 3540 today! This service is part of the privileges for sgCarMart advertisers. To advertise your car for sale, Post an ad now!

Hi car owners with direct injection engine (GDI/Gasoline Direct Injection), would like to understand more about cleaning of carbon deposits on the intake valves. Anyone has experience to share about such cleaning service - chemical or mechanical - is available locally? Or has anyone tried to diy? More info on the need for cleaning can be found here: http://www.aa1car.com/library/intake_valve_deposits_gdi_engines.htm

I am looking at cars put up by direct sellers at sgcarmart. I am willingly to offer 10k above the dereg value for a2 to 3 years old car Is this consider fair value? If not, what is the typical value for such cars?

Hi guys, i wish to sell away my existing 06 Nissan Sunny and buy direct from a friend of mine, a Vios Sports 2011 Nov. May i know what's the procedure like? And is it even advisable to do it now ? Thanks.

Hi I've found a direct buyer who wants to purchase my car. He's a friend's friend. However I told him to give me abit of time to settle the purchase of my car by end March. Once I shortlist the car I'm buying from a dealer, what would be the fastest way to complete both end of the transactions? Should i settle the loan with my bank first?

Hi all, i just want to get attention from people that i realise a lot of direct buyer is actually same person who selling a lot of cars and same contact as other dealer. The reason is to manipulate the market to make people think that the used car price high sky is to blame direct seller who want to sell their car at high price infact the truth is dealer jack up the price, worse is the used car peice depreciation is higher than the current new car price even at $60-65k coe price tag. They realise that people who dun afford downpayment for new car will narrow down to used car search n hence dealer unethically appreciate all their assets that they bought in at low price previously by manipulating market cause they know ppl who does not have a choice will go for used car It is up to the buyer now to think twice n make clear calculation cause if u make purchase used car will always cause the used car market at high price due to dealer think no matter how high the depreciation u dun afford new car downpayment u come to used car n u pay something that is not worth moreover will need to pay for repair cost if the used car went wrong. Overall in actual the used car depreciation will be a lot higher than the new car. example new altis 10-11k depreciation 2006 altis 9-12k depreciation haven count the repair cost n the risk that the car might involve several accident i want to urge the dealer stop manipulate the market price, also sgcarmart do not allow not genuine direct owner to post their car sales under direct owner advertisement.

Hi, Can anyone advise what is the procedure like if I were to sell my car directly to owner? I understand that the buyer and I need to go to LTA to transfer the vehicle to his name. But do I need to deregister the vehicle before transferring to the buyer's name? I can't find any info about this on LTA site. It seems like from LTA site, we only need to fill up the transfer form only. On top of this, how do I actually settle my outstanding loan? I mean, if the buyer pass me the cheque, does it need to be under my name or the bank's name? Anyone here experienced selling their ride to direct owner? Please advise. Cheers Orac

Understand Direct fuel injection (DFI) engine requests higher petrol grade, can advis what grade is suitable? Heard most Jap automakers output models w/o (DFI) due to most countries fuel grade is not suitable for DFI engine, include Singapore?

hey guys!!! ho liao!!!! http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/eat-drin...ao-4390356.html

/against the rules here? any car owner letting off their car (2 years or less)?

DBS Car Marketplace, in partnership with sgCarMart and Carro - Singapore's largest direct seller-to-buyer car marketplace is officially launched in Singapore. http://www.sgcarmart.com/news/article.php?AID=17433 What's more, from now till 4th October, you can post an ad on sgCarMart thru DBS for FREE! Link can be found below. https://www.dbs.com.sg/personal/landing/carloans/marketplace/list-my-car

Just got quote from DA for my renewal ($140 cheaper). They cover LTA compliant mods! Well done DA!

So I was offered this proposition today by a PI since what I am looking for is "quite unusual", so they suggested I do a "direct import". I like Skoda's value and classy (yet not so plain as VW) look as well as the fact that all their sedans are hatchbacks, so I am curious - how feasible, really, is it to bring in a car like that? Wouldn't it be expensive? Wouldn't getting servicing for it be tricky (well, parts can be sourced from VW though)? ... What are your thoughts? ...And while I'm on this line of thought, what about a SEAT (also VW group!)?

Can someone advise which are the popular website for buying/selling a 2nd hand car. I also scouting ard now to buy a 2nd hand car. Can someone advise how not to fall pry to pitfalls, like we read so much abt buyer got con and already paid out huge deposit sum of money only to find out car is still under finance instead of already transfer ownership, etc. and still can’t own the car after paying all the money. Are there such pitfalls for direct dealing with seller? Tks

Or vice-versa. Been seening plenty of "direct owner" ads on sgcarmart wif such descriptions: "Confirm Loan Approval For Bad Credit/Ex Bankruptcy" "Can Arrange For Balloon Screen, Monthly Installment From $398" "Bank Interest Rate At 1.88%, Full In House Loan Available" Hmmm.....wonder if some of those scumbag dealers are selling as "direct owner" to avoid the Lemon Law?

like that also can! sgcarmart should also consider making such ads for their customer

Hi, there, I am going to buy a car from the direct seller from sgcarmart. any brother here can advise me the detail steps on what to do. should I buy the insurance before transfer? What other issues I need to take care?

Anyone?

Anyone know how do I buy a car from direct owner? My car is scrapping in 2 months time means that I have to scrap my car before buying car from another owner? If I scrap my car, I will get back a paper instead of cold hard cash right? Any kind soul can advise? How do I get a loan in this case?

Hi fellow MCF-ers, Im going to commit to purchase of a 2nd hand car for my mum so i would like to know the procedures to it. First time buying a car without a loan so i would like to know the procedures for this. 1. Sign S&P with buyer after AAS Checks if car is ok 2. I will settle insurance myself with my own agent 3. He has outstanding loan with Maybank, so whats the procedure like? My agent told me, i will need to go down with him to Maybank to fully settle the loan on the spot? Whats the guarantee to me? What if i help him settle and he suddenly change face? say no deal etc? 4. After loan settlement, we have to go down to LTA to do transfer? what documents are needed? Certainly LTA will need bank documents to say that loan has been fully settled. Thanks alot! Rgds, Ray

Recently have a bad experience with a direct seller, most likely will left me carless as my car is sold and my seller car still pending. 2 weeks ago met up with a direct seller, price agreed and everything and i told him ill apply for loan. I then approached a friend who use to work in car trade for help. Loan was approved, i then told seller that i need him to sign buyer/seller agreement and front and back of IC as the finance company says they requires them to verify. Seller told me his aunty was owner so need his aunty to settle. Spoke to the aunty and even got my friend to explain and the aunty say she is afraid to pass her ic front and back or sign any agreement because she scare ill use her ic to borrow ah long =.= she also claims to be very familiar with the procedure for buying and selling used car. Buyer inform me that his aunty going oversea in 2 days time , need to settle the car a.s.a.p. Buyer aunty agrees to provide IC front back and sign the document after i sent her my own IC front back as "insurances" My agent then inform seller side that they can pass him her IC and he will apply the pin for them etc, they refuses as they dun trust us, so my agent told them to go get the pin from LTA themself and also sign on the LTA transfer form before she leave for oversea. The aunty then told me again that she is very familiar with car selling procedure and that she will NOT sign on anything. After explaining, she sign and pass to her nephew to safekeep. Aunty then flew off oversea and Im left to deal with the nephew. Mean while, my own car was sold and new owner collected my car all settle within a few days. I then contacted the seller and ask him if he can let me sign on the transfer form, and also ask him to apply for pin a.s.a.p. My loan and insurance is already ready pending for him. Seller told me he busy, no time apply pin and he dont trust me with the transfer form ( wth? ). He ask me to faster clear his loan and pass him a cheque with the balance, after which he will apply for pin and let me sign on the transfer form, and then we will go to LTA. I told him that if he wish to settle asap, he must work together and follow the procedure, my agent is willing to run a trips down to LTA etc to settle paperwork for us as he is my friend. Seller say he take instruction from his aunty. Now im struck with no car and my job requires me to have 1, and I definitely dont want to apply the pin after giving him the cheque because most likely he will say he is too busy to apply the pin or transfer.

Hi guys. Seeing BMW vigorously promoting her Performance Direct leasing programme on FB recently. Any ideas the kind of pricing we are looking at? I tried the website but there were no details on the monthly payment required for the different models. What's the advantage (and disadvantages) of such a scheme? Will we end up paying more? Any hidden costs or clause? thanks.