Friends
may remember the nasty accident I had last year, when a reckless cab driver
came straight for me even though I was crossing a road on “green”. I ended up
spending 48 days and undergoing10 surgeries/procedures in a hospital. Even
though the wound inflicted on my left heel pad has largely healed, I still need
a cane to balance myself when standing or walking, lest I may fall over and being
accused of outraging some sweet-young-thing’s modesty!
I
am a sucker for good taste stuff. But the walking sticks or canes sold in
stores here are quite plain. I saw my sister-in-law carried a very well-made
one. My niece had bought it for her in Japan. I decided to google and was
directed to MonotaRo’s website. This e-commerce company sounds Japanese enough.
I quite liked the Royal Brown model (0401-558815), It said that “the product
was made in Japanese standard”. I promptly effected my purchase through my
credit card: SGD68.41, including shipping.
 |
| The one shown in the website |
 |
| What was delivered |
It
took weeks before the product was delivered to me. But it was NOT what I
expected to see!
It
looked every inch China-made, and a very low-end joint for that! True enough, a
little sticker confirmed it “Made in China”.
And
the canes which I am presently using are made in Taiwan. They are at least few
shades better in quality than this China-made one. None cost more than SGD20!
Is
it wise to buy stuff like this on-line?
I
wrote to MonotaRo to complain; it has yet to give me an answer.