Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by red.merc49

Counter offer

red.merc49 — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 17:54:00 +0800

Background story:
- Boss gets desktop for all employee, he dislikes people working from home
- I did get to work from home for 1 month before, while waiting for the wife to deliver the baby, so the boss is reasonable, at least to a degree
- After 8 months working there, the long commute to work every day (1.5 hours one way) is driving me insane, my mental health went down the drain
- I got another offer from another company (45 mins one way), so should be better. I have signed the offer letter
- Boss knows and really would love me to stay. He will allow me to work from home 4/5 days weekly, he said I got a a valid reason to actually be working from home

Question:
1. Is the offer letter legally binding?

2. Is there any reason to believe this will be different than all the horror stories I've heard about counter offer?

For the record:

- The offer from the other company is 20% higher, but I don't think money is an issue.
- The other company does allow working from home on a need basis, but not on a daily basis.

Promoted, but increment far too low

red.merc49 — Sat, 05 Jan 2019 20:41:58 +0800

Been promoted recently, but the increment given is 5%.

The story: the boss promised (no black and white though) to increase my salary by 3% after probation, if I perform up to expectation. I worked my ass off, was better than everyone else, and was promoted to be the team lead.

Should I leave? I have only been here 6 months though lol

Technically, I think I can learn more by jumping to new company. The current company uses old stuffs, stuffs that I am already familiar with.

Right now, the only thing I feel that I can learn is the skill to handle people. If I jump to new company, most likely I would be a senior engineer, but not a team lead position.

Should I jump, or no?

Colleague all chinese, keep speaking chinese

red.merc49 — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 11:35:49 +0800

Software dev job. Medium sized MNC with angmoh boss. I'm one of the few that dont speak chinese, and I'm the only one at technical level. Other non-chinese speaker are at management level.

Problem is: teammates speak chinese 99.5% of the time. As non chinese speaker, I cant know whether they are discussing work or just talking craps. Other people can join the conversation if they got curious or dont understand, while I can only join halfway when it's clear that they are talking works.

Now, if i ask them to speak english, they will. But they will also just tell me the things halfway, no one will want to repeat every single things that they have said. And I feel like I lost a lot of learning every day since I will know the things halfway but not the whole thought process.

Asking them to speak chinese - dont work.
I have not asked the management to do smtg with it, but from previous places that I've been to, the chinese actually change to speak english....for few days, and then back to old habit.

Now, I'm really lost. All the places I've been, I see same problems. I need to learn from them, but if they keep speaking chinese, I lost a bit every day - and over long term I am losing a lot.

Opinion?

Tldr: Teammates all speak chinese. Talking to them dont help. Even management cant break their habit. How?

Choosing SA: unknown vs reputable

red.merc49 — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 13:52:41 +0800

Hi,

As per topic. What should I know before I choose which SA should I book my car from?

Unknown SA from small showroom:
- High discount

Reputable SA (based from forum/FB group. eg: lucifal, vincent, jim.tan, etc etc):
- Low discount compared to the unknown SA

I know they get their commission after a successful car delivery, so I expect any salesman will try to deliver my car in timely manner to get their commission. But beyond that, is there any difference if I get a bad SA vs a good SA?

Should I buy a car now?

red.merc49 — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 06:57:32 +0800

I'm driving a very old Corolla, already 16 years old car.

Starting a year ago I've been forced to spend quite a substantial amount on parts:
- absorber+mounting
- brake pad
- disc rotor
- parts around radiator, costs me 1k+
- exhaust mounting
- throttle body...and still doesnt rly solve my problem

My salary is 5.7k nett so I actually can afford a new car, I just prefer not to so that I can save on buying/build a house first. I don't have second car too.

Now I'm having trust issue with the car since the throttle body buat hal, even after I changed it, I still can't start the car sometimes - now have to go workshop every few days solving the problem. Engine mounting starting to show wear and tear, power window has been broken for 2 years, something is wrong down the car making me has to add the power steering fluid once every 2.5 months (still cheaper than repairing it for now). I'm not sure what will goes wrong next...

Opinion: Should I still tolerate repairing my old car? Or should I just buy new? What is your experience before?

Mazda3 BL 2nd generation (09-12) maintenance

red.merc49 — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 19:54:38 +0800

Hi sifu,

I'm looking for this car used, most probably the CBU build.

Any potential problem I should look out for? What is the maintenance cost would be, and how is the spare parts availability?

I went through Mazda3 thread (from V1 to V4), but not many people says anything about Mazda3 problems there. Mostly just on ICE, mod, FC and NVH... And how horrible experience buying the car was lol.

nego used car

red.merc49 — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 12:47:43 +0800

Hi k

Ayam planning buy used car. Usually if state price 45k, brp byk ayam can minta diskaun? Ayam tak prnh beli kereta. If buy new ayam know can ask for 1-3k discount more from SA.

Provided that the car is okay - no need any major repair...berapa blh minta kurang?

used mazda3 2007-09

red.merc49 — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 12:49:24 +0800

hi /k,

anyone here using this car now? wanna ask how is the maintenance/spare parts in KL/selangor currently. ok or not? as in, is it slightly more expensive or super expensive? senang dapat parts or i have to wait weeks to get a new parts?

i'm thinking to buy a used one. i open tered in FnF no one layan me

Need user review for used car

red.merc49 — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 12:10:46 +0800

I'm currently driving an old Corolla AE101, has been driving it for 5 years now. Thinking of changing it because bored of it + I'm passing this car to my brother once he graduates next year.

My budget is RM50k, must be a sedan. My priority is: Maintenance and spare parts (I'm in PJ btw) > driving sensation > comfort > FC. Thus far I have identified:

1. 2007 Civic
2. 2008 Mazda3 (is 1.6 rly that underpowered?is it heavy?)
3. 2008 Altis (is it that much of an upgrade compared to AE101 in terms of driving pleasure?)
4. 2008 Sylphy
5. 2010 Inspira (I prefer not this due to high cost of spare parts...)

Just to give you an idea of myself, I prefer the driving feel of my AE101 than a '03 Sentra. I feel Sentra's power delivery is far smoother, but somehow the driving experience is rather bland. (or is it just me?)

Anyone with experience driving that 4 cars above, please give your opinion why should I, or why should I not buy that car. Thanks.

Big data analytics company

red.merc49 — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 00:50:52 +0800

Hi, i'm new here. I'm trying to break into the big data industry, now learning mostly on my own. I do have experience as software developer though.

Anyhow, can someone list out for me company in Malaysia that is looking to hire data scientist/big data developer in Malaysia? Preferably MNC + looking to hire junior OR don't mind retraining.

I've researched some, would like to know if there is any other company other than:
Fusionex, Teradata, IBM, Experian, Petronas, MDEC, Nettium.

Many thanks.