In between start and end

It's my first paid app on Google Play! 

This thing is not cheap since apps are usually made free at least when you're first installing, but I figured this would be a good investment since I've always wanted something like this. Well, I hope I don't make it into a habit though. Online spending can be very fatal for my wallet.

I've been using the exact pencil case half-way throughout high school up until my 1st year of degree - almost everyday. If you're looking for a long-lasting pencil case, this too might suit you!

For the past few months I was having a love-hate relationship with my new Samsung phone. I bought it in May 2018 so technically, it hasn't even been that long. I upgraded from a mid-range Asus phone to a Note series Samsung phone - which supposedly be a more high-end range. The reason of me purchasing this expensive phone (to me, it is) is because I wanted it to be long lasting... damage-proof, if possible. I not only wanted a pretty camera or a big enough storage or the latest version of OS with the biggest RAM and powerful processor... I wanted them all PLUS a stress-free usage. My old phone was stressful enough cos 1) it had extremely little storage space and 2) the battery dies too fast.

So when I bought the Samsung Galaxy Note FE. I had pretty high expectations. For those of you who don't know, Note FE is the refurbished version of the explosive Note 7 which had been discontinued. They used the unused parts of the phone and sell it under a different name. Therefore, it is one of the best phones by Samsung spec-wise but they are reselling it under a different name - Fan Edition (FE) with a much lower price point. 

Being from a good and well-known phone series, I didn't expect to face any issue within just few months of usage. Until one day, I found myself struggling to even reply my WhatsApp messages. The screen suddenly couldn't detect my taps like it used to. It kept on missing my touches and lead to inaccurate overall detection. I can't even slide my edge screen from the side - which I find to be one of the phone's handy feature!

I didn't have time (or the ability) to go to a Samsung store so soon. So I did like what most IT people are good at - troubleshoot. I searched up the problem and ways to solve them. I couldn't deny that there were solutions online but they still didn't do me justice. I only could think of it being a software issue since I didn't even drop my phone or caused any physical damage to it. The phone looked pretty unharmed. In the end, nothing succeeds. So onto the last resort!

Most websites mentioned at the end, if it still can't be fix even after all those formatting and app checking procedure... just send it for repair. I thought since it was still under warranty, I could get Samsung to fix it for free. 

Initially, I went to the Samsung store but I was told to go to the Service Center instead. That was last week back at home. Then yesterday, I went to the only Authorised Service Center available in Melaka which is at Aeon Bandaraya Melaka. Nasib dekat la jugak and I am already familiar with that mall.

They told me they could fix and return it within 3 hours. Same day?!? I was expecting a week worth of wait though. I even had my friend prepare her backup phone in case they are keeping mine for repair. They didn't ask for any proofs or documents like warranty card or anything like that. They just needed my phone. 

So when I came back to collect it, they replaced my LCD screen with a new one. Still wrapped in plastic. It felt new. They told me they'd formatted my phone, but I'm not sure if they did since all my apps like the placement and all are exactly how I left it. The only thing I needed to redo was the biometrics and passwords. The phone repair didn't cost me any money (bless warranty). But the financial damage of being in a mall was inevitable.

I was interested on extending my warranty since I've seen someone getting out of trouble because he purchased the extended warranty. 

I am highly considering it, in case things like this happen again without warning. I'm only allowed to extend it while my current warranty is still valid so that makes the deadline be before May 2019. Just putting it out there for future Amelynn.

The lady behind the counter did mention that if you are sending in for repair, make sure the inside seal have not yet been broken by an unauthorised third party since doing that may void the whole warranty coverage. So, only go to Samsung's Authorised Service Center! The service was indeed very pleasant for me but I hope to never have this kind of problem with my device again huhu.

Dropping by,

Melynn.

Guess what I got?

A fake penny board!!!

The colour of deck is blue,

A little touch of purple slightly below my shoe,

The thought of naming it Sulley,

A little inspiration given by Disney.

Story Time!!

Back when it was Raya 2014, I placed an order for an inspired penny board on an Instashop. It seemed like a trustworthy shop with good reviews, frequent updates and response so I thought the account was legit. I've been contacting the owner on whatsapp and she told me the pre-order will roughly take 3 weeks. Since I was able to customise it according to my liking, I didn't mind waiting.

After muuuuch consideration from both my mum and I, I banked-in and so I thought I just needed to wait. BUT after 3 weeks had past, I started getting less and less response from the owner whenever I ask regarding my long-awaited order. 3 weeks turned into a month, a month turned into a couple of months and months turned into a year and yet still no news. Both regarding my penny and the owner.

Later, her Instashop was filled with spam from dissatisfied customers. I knew then, that I wasn't the only one. The inspired penny cost me RM175 which I thought was reasonable with shipping and customisation on a friggin glow-in-the-dark deck. GLOW-IN-THE-DARK I TELL YA!! I couldn't do anything to her other than filing a complain. Well I didn't, but I figured someone must've done it. She deleted all the pics on her shop and uploaded pics of her refunds later on. However, that didn't last long until she stayed quiet again.

It was my first experience on buying stuff on Instagram. Tbh, I was traumatised. I told myself, I ain't buying shit online anymore. Especially on a baseless platform like Instagram where no guarantees are given. My mum told me to find one with a legit physical shop next time. Bcos only then if this matter happens again, we know who to blame or to look for.

Therefore after a loong research and observation, I landed my eyes on an Instashop dedicated on selling penny boards - @penny_msia (which is a sub-account of @fass_sport). Back when I first discovered it, they are just like any of those online-based Instashop. I didn't have much faith in them but I decided to just follow up with their updates at that time. Somewhat late last year, they finally opened a shop in PJ. I was like THIS IS IT! THE ONE I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR!!

Recently (early August 2016), a new batch of improved boards are in. They said to have improved the gears on all their penny boards - local and imported. Better trucks and wheels with more choices of colour. So I finally hit up the contact number for more info about the new arrival, and shizz this is what they got:

The prices are vvv reasonable bcos they also include free items like T-tool or a penny bag and stickers. If you're looking for a Penny board - fake or ori, do check out Fass Sport! A Malaysian local skateshop selling cheap and affordable stuff. I highly recommend! You can easily find 'Fass Sport' on Waze and even google knows it.

THE ORIGINAL VS. KNOCK-OFF

Original Pastel Penny Australia

Pastel Fish Skateboards

Melynn.