I'm probably gonna sound like a nagging mom. But like most mums out there, I probably have a valid reason for nagging (here).

So, let me begin by telling you experience related to Grab, specifically the e-hailing service, and GrabPay, the company's e-wallet.

I'm not a frequent Grab user, but recently I read about this person's terrible experience with Grab's services. So this person, a Platinum member, was sharing about how she was overcharged by her Grab driver. This led to her requesting for a refund from Grab but it was a difficult process: she had called and sent emails but there was not a word back from Grab. Long story short, she did not get back what was rightly hers, and warned others to be careful and always check their receipts.

So this happened to me just a few days after I read about her ordeal on social media.

I was travelling from my office to the MRT station using GrabCar and once I got off the car - I immediately checked my receipt and my first reaction... well, I was quite annoyed that it really happened.



What is the "Others" there for? Now, I know it's only RM1... but I'm a firm believer of sedikit-sedikit lama-lama jadi bukit.

The journey was short as it was just about 2km in distance or 5 to 10-minute ride, max. There was no toll, nothing - so what's that RM1 for?

There's no proof whether this was an unintentional mistake or not by the driver, though to be honest I'm inclined to believe it is not cause I think drivers would need to take extra steps to key in the additional figure.

Anyway, I immediately filed a case via the app because "I paid more than quoted". Submitted a screenshot of the transaction and this was my exact description of the case: "I've been charged extra. What is "others"? There was no toll or anything like that in my route. I want a refund."

Lol, in hindsight I think it sounded super crude but I think I went straight to the point...?

At least there was a proper avenue for this kind of case. About one or two weeks before this incident, I was having issues with their rewards system and there was no way for me to lodge a complaint via the app so I had resorted to social media by contacting Grab via Twitter. But that's another story for another day, I digress.




I filed my case almost immediately after my ride, and got an email back from Grab that I would be receiving my refund in GrabPay Credits about three hours after that. Gotta say that they are definitely efficient in this case. However, they did not offer any explanation on why I was charged wrongly in the first place and they did not mention if they would take further action to ensure things like this won't happen again. So, I just hope this doesn't happen often because the existing system definitely has its flaws.

Case closed. I got my credits back. I'm wary of the driver involved but I didn't rate him at all in the end. I probably should have. Hm.

Anyway, as I was relaying this story to my family and friends and nagging them to check their receipts - especially if they're using GrabPay to pay for their rides - I realised that this is a good practice for pretty much everything else when you're dealing with money.

I mean it's almost always second nature to me to check my receipts previously but because of this cashless thing going on, sometimes I neglect it because its so convenient right? So there's no harm to double, triple check whenever you're:

1. Making an online transaction, even if it's to a favourite account
2. Paying for using cash whether at the grocery stores or after a meal
3. Making any transaction using any e-wallet

Alternatively, I know, in the case of using GrabCar, you can avoid this situation of going through a dispute or asking a refund etc by going through the old school way of paying by cash - but still, make sure you're being charged the right amount and only pay the correct amount (and receive the right amount of change if any).

TL;DR: Just check your receipt, guys. You might won't be losing any money unnecessarily that way.

I'd just like to add this since this somewhat related. Did you know: If you head to any store and if you take an item to the cashier and is told the price on the tag or label is a mistake, you have every right to buy the item at the lower price - even if the price displayed at the checkout counter is higher. Source: KPDNHEP

Be a smart consumer, you guys. :)