A distressing incident unfolded at a popular popiah stall in Tampines, where a woman, identified only as Tan, faced a shocking turn of events after placing a pre-order for $33 worth of popiah for her auntie’s birthday celebration.

The 69-year-old resident expressed her discontent to Shin Min Daily News, revealing that when she arrived to collect her order last Sunday at around 10:40 AM, the stall owner directed her to join a line of over 10 customers, making her wait for a daunting 40 minutes.

In a state of urgency, Tan asked for a refund as she felt the long queue was unnecessary, especially since she had already paid in advance. However, rather than receiving assistance, she was told repeatedly to wait. When it finally became her turn, the stall owner allegedly stated she didn't want Tan's business and issued a refund instead.

"I had already queued for 40 minutes," Tan exclaimed, emphasizing her displeasure. "If she didn't want to accept my order, she should have refunded me right away. The lack of explanation only added to my frustration."

Tan further elaborated that her previous experiences with the stall had always been positive, making this encounter feel particularly disrespectful. She left without the popiah, ultimately resorting to purchasing takeaway from a different vendor.

On the other end, the stall owner, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared her side of the story. She revealed that her assistant had initially taken Tan's order and had informed her that queuing would be necessary for pickup. Despite having prepared the ingredients, the owner noted that the long wait and subsequent refund were not planned.

"I thought she might be unhappy with the popiah even if I completed her order, so I chose to issue a refund instead," she explained. The stall owner admitted to her distress over the situation, highlighting that her busy schedule often becomes overwhelming while managing the stall by herself.

She mentioned that she was forced to discard the prepped ingredients for Tan's order, which added to her frustrations. A few days later, Tan called to discuss the incident further, but the conversation failed to soothe her disappointment.

"I truly hope customers can understand that running a stall is challenging and requires patience on both sides," the owner said, addressing the importance of communication during such instances.

This incident serves as a reminder of the value of transparency and customer service in the food industry, especially when it comes to managing expectations during busy hours. In a world where convenience is key, ensuring a positive customer experience is more important than ever.