https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...#entry106179413

Referring to the above thread...

Even a company with SSM and CIBD license turned out to be a scam company...

They even go to the extent of buying an award from the Golden Bull Award...


So the question is...

1. How do we identify if an ID is genuine??

2. How to know if an ID is not overcharging or treating you like a waterfish??


So many headaches and risks thinking about hiring ID cause I heard even if some ID is genuine... they will take advantage and charge a very high margin on each and every item....


Is there a list of trust worthy ID that we could rely on???

1. Dont pay more money than what is necessary. Collecting advance money on a pretext of buying material is likely a scam.

In short, he is relying on customer 'capital' to do business.

2. Is difficult to comment as individual 'idea' is priceless. However, doing price comparison of almost similar 'idea' can reduce overcharging.

Highlight to any contractors you are doing price comparisons b4 he submit his quote. Doesnt matter he knows is a common practise. If he wants the business and not a conman, he will know how to quote.

3. Lastly, those who got scammed are likely 'lazy' customers who dont do proper homework on the pretext of 'no time'. He always 'trust' the first person he met and or the cheapest quote.

This post has been edited by mini orchard: Dec 20 2022, 06:55 AM

Some really big jobs... even at 30% DP could cost up to RM100k... still a lot of money to lose...

How much margin do you reckon an ID normally earns on a piece of furniture they procure??? makes no sense for them to earn an exorbitant amount just to buy some loose items online and deliver it to you.... yes I know they got to earn something... but I've seen real conman ID actually quoting 50-300% market price for an item.... that is no longer on the realm of wanting to earn... that is just being a conman... hoping customers fully trust them...

TS, you aware that ID is not a professional field , they are not regulated by any professional body. Anyone who completed the ID course & can straight away become an ID designers. The main catch is their work is not regulated.

If you want to avoid being cheated, look for the ID firm that is attached to the architecture firm. Architect practice is regulated by LAM. Don't hire the standalone ID firm without any attachment to the Architecture firm.

any tips on how to search for a firm that is attached to an architecture firm??

You ask the ID firm for the company profile, from the profile, you call up to the architect firm they claimed they are attached to / associated with.

you can always check the list of registered architects & interior design firms in the Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM) website under 'Directory'...

if it doesn't list in there... obviously it is not a legit company

as for contractors, u can check in CIDB website..

Murasaki is registered with CIDB and yet they turn out to be a scam company...

30% may be the norm but parties can nego if the sum is huge. I can say it is almost their profit margin and he can walk away without doing a single thing.

A nominal deposit is a commitment and is not too late to pay progressive when materials arrived on site.

Earning a profit over a sourced product is normal and it depends on the difficulty to get it and the warranty provided. Some of them provide warranty where suppliers dont. Eg are lightings, tiles etc