Tan Weizhen talks to Sim Lim's "good guys" about the "bad guys".

THE reaction of many retailers at Sim Lim Square to the increasing number of complaints being made against them is a shrug, followed by a resigned “what to do?” Read Sim Lim retailers back to old habits.

The owner of one shop on the 5th floor, which sells games, was typical: “We can't stop them. As soon as one vacates, another similar type of tenant will move in.”

Referring to the mall’s Star Retailers' Programme, a bid by Sim Lim’s management to clean up its act by giving retailers who abide by fair trade practices a, well, star, he added: “It’s not much use. It’s not a rule, just a principle that shops are encouraged to uphold. Shops like these will just refuse to join the programme, that's all.

“Can't force them.”

Sim Lim's management tried to clean up the tarnished image
of the Rochor Roat IT mall after a series of raids by
launching a programme that highlights honest merchants.
ST PHOTO: Joyce Fan

Others are worried about what the mall’s dodgy reputation will mean for their bottom line.

The owner of one shop on the second floor said tussles over price and such are fairly regular.

“I’m definitely worried that it’ll tarnish my shop’s image since we're so near each other.”

That was followed, of course, by the “what to do” shrug.

“This kind of thing happens every day. But what can we do? I leave it to the management committee.”

Another retailer said it was time folks got with the programme and began serving customers well.

His rationale: The IRs and F1 race will mean more tourist arrivals than ever, and it’s time to think about cashing in on the business they will bring.

They can count out the business of at least one tourist, and the dozens of sympathisers he has online since he created a blog posting about how he was cheated and abused at Sim Lim.

The Filipino customer at the centre of the latest tussle, known only by his online moniker, “gerard mauro”, had this to say: “I can't imagine how much scamming happens in the place..I know there are still good shops there.

“But, in my case, at the risk of running into those guys again, I’ll never go back to that place again.”

His online supporters also gave some helpful hints on how to avoid trouble at Sim Lim:

1. Threaten to sue.

2. Do your research on prices before purchasing.

3. Try that other mall known for selling tech stuff. Hint: It’s not too far from Sim Lim.