Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by joeblow

Cheapest method to transfer AUD to Australia

joeblow — Sat, 22 Jul 2023 14:47:42 +0800

Hi gurus,

Can I check from you guys what's the cheapest way to transfer around rm300k worth of ringgit to AUD to a bank in Australia? The transfer is from Party A to party C which will be supported by a letter to BNM/Australia Tax Authority to legitimize the transfer.

My plan currently is to transfer the money either from HSBC or CIMB (whoever can give me lowest exchange rate plus TT charges) to the counterpart bank in Australia. Amount is rm300k.

May I know if you have done it before and know of a cheaper method to do the transfer safely?

Thank you.

Dryer Door hinge broken

joeblow — Sat, 03 Dec 2022 12:51:58 +0800

Hi all,

Appreciate if you can point me to the right place. My Hafele dryer door hinge is broken. (see picture). Anyone knows where to buy this hinge and roughly how much? Email Hafele but no reply. Thinking of buying a new dryer but because I modified the pin head to the round type, buying a new dryer I have to get a electrician to covert the head again. Dryer power head tends to melt easily....

Malaysia NRIC touch and go card expiry

joeblow — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 11:34:34 +0800

Hi guys,

I just renewed my nric and use it for touch and go. However strangely the expiry date is 2025. Anyone knows if the card confirm cannot use after expiry date for nric t&go?

Sabah Development Bank Bond

joeblow — Sun, 18 Jul 2021 15:46:46 +0800

Hi guys,

Sabah Development Bank is offering a 3 and 5 years bond via selected banks, fee charge 1% coupon rate is 4.4% and 4.6% per annum respectively.

Supposed to be AA bond. Is this good and worth subscribing? I am thinking of going in for 3 years.

Melamine vs HPL for wardrobe, TV cabinets

joeblow — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 20:49:21 +0800

Hi guys,

Tried to search for this but hard to find one that's updated lately. Tried to search online also give different answers.

Basically I am thinking of going for either HPL or Melamine for my wardrobe, TV cabinets and cabinet in general.

Some suppliers will say HPL better, more expensive than Melamine. Water resistant, termite proof and some even moisture resistant etc.

Some suppliers will say Melamine better, export quality blah blah. The functionalities almost same as HPL and even online says not much difference between the two if of good quality material.

Surprisingly even though Melamine should be cheaper, some suppliers who do both will quote same price. Saying their melamine much better quality one etc. Personally I think I will never know if quality is good since it will take time to know. Besides it very much dependent on the workmanship plus luck.

So which one is better? HPL or Melamine? And is it true that Melamine will always be cheaper?

I am looking for lasting and durable. I tend to favour HPL, but it seems the latest Melamine technology is better? At least won't have peel over corners etc. Also is Melamine really cheaper or same price with HPL?

And for the wood inside, plywood good enough? Or need to go MDF. Thanks much for your help.

Mka cert dog, incest

joeblow — Sat, 03 Jul 2021 19:38:16 +0800

Hi there,

Can I check if I can buy a dog, say golden retriever, with a mka cert. Does it also mean the dog is not from incestuous parents / history?

To me that's the only good thing since I wouldn't know their parents quality etc. Whether real champion breed etc. I am more concern of buying a dog from incest breeding.

Paint bought from online stores

joeblow — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 13:49:26 +0800

Hi folks,

Need to check with the experts here. I am thinking of using the nippon virus guard for my new home interior wall. How is this brand? Good enough?

The price given by my contractor is around 10 to 15% higher than those prices I found in online stores, excluding labour.

So I am tempted to buy the paint myself and hand it over for the contractor to paint.

But my question is can those bought online or via random shops be trusted? Engine oil incidents happen where the oil being diluted etc. Not sure if a premium paint like Nippon virus guard, will they dilute or mix the paint?

Or is it better to just let the contractor do all and let them earn. FYI the contractor in theory is somewhat honest, so I don't think he will mix the paint or give me something to say is nippon virus guard.

Current developer given paint is Dulex Maxilite Trade, not sure if this one good enough or if mixing with Nippon is no no. Have to apply on top another Dulex?

Many thanks for your comments/help.

WIFI Enabled Digital Lock

joeblow — Sun, 06 Jun 2021 15:36:26 +0800

Hi guys,

Anyone has bought the latest Samsung 609 WIFI digital lock or the Philips 702e?

I am inclined to go with Samsung 609 due to better remote capability plus doorbell feature. However Philips offer 3 years warranty vs Samsung's 2 years.

So appreciate feedback on these 2 locks, in general how reliable is the Samsung push pull digital lock? Not sure if this WIFI module can last.

https://www.digitaldoorlocks.com.au/product...rlock-shp-dp609

https://www.securitysystem.asia/product/pre...i-digital-lock/

TNB Main Switchboard beside Terrace house

joeblow — Thu, 25 Feb 2021 04:01:31 +0800

Hi there,

There's a corner terrace house I am looking at the moment. It has these I believe TNB Main Distribution Board (several) right beside the house, maybe only 1m to 2m apart. Can I check exactly what is this and any potential damage to the resale value or even health? Quite surprise got several of it...

Behind the boxes is the side wall of the house itself. I am more concern with potential leakage of EMF and privacy concern if TNB people need to frequently go mess with it.

Thanks.

Sunway Digital Fiber

joeblow — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 16:33:31 +0800

Hi there,

Next year my new house in Sunway Iskandar will be ready and I plan to move there. But to my surprise there's no unifi, maxis or even time. From the agents at Sunway, it seems the fiber is laid by their own IT company Sunway Digital Wave and their package is RM99 for 100mb, contract 2 years. Not sure if price will change back to RM128 after that.

Anyone currently using their fiber residential internet service? Any comments? Personally I don't like this kind of arrangement. I think will have lots of traffic control especially p2p and gaming. But it seems we do not have a choice...

LG 27GL850 Monitor resolution issue

joeblow — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 17:07:05 +0800

Hi guys,

This is a bit embarrassing. I just bought a LG 27GL850 Monitor and the monitor gave me a warning saying the resolution better off using 2048x1440 (something like that). My laptop I think can only display 1920x1080, I tried resolution option and I cannot go higher.

My current laptop very old and using GEForce GT 435m, 4GB ram. My question is, if windows 7 doesn't allow me to go higher resolution, then that means I cannot go higher?

Or is there a way to go higher? I am waiting for the new releases before changing PC, maybe 2021 1st Q then change. Hence the question. Now the screen looks funny and yellowish... somehow refresh rate only 75Hz but I find it lower since my eyes quite uncomfortable from using it despite adjusting less brightness.

Thanks.

Recommendation for a new monitor

joeblow — Sun, 20 Sep 2020 13:26:13 +0800

Hi there, my old dell monitor starting to have lines. Currently using 1080p monitor with 60hz or fps, can't remember.

Can the gurus here recommend me a good affordable monitor? Criteria :

1. I plan do use for at least 5 years. So warranty and durability very important. Even though my monitors always end up 5 years or above without problem. All dell.

2. Planning to get 1440p at 144hz or 120hz if there is. This one I am rather clueless. Not sure what is the optimum size too? 32 or 27 inch? I plan to watch more video rather than gaming. Though I don't discount gaming in future. My future pc build most likely 3060 or 3070 or 2060 (if price drops below 1k). If 1440p looks better on 32inch then I will go for it.

3. No need build in speakers and need 2 hdmi or dvi ports at least. Ideal to have the old vga cable but not necessary. Use for PC and laptop connection.

I plan to buy over the 10 10 or 11 11 promotion online. Any trusted vendor who packs properly and use good courier to recommend?

Many thanks.

China apps in iPhone

joeblow — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 13:04:59 +0800

Hi guys,

Can I check if your iPhone profile is based in Malaysia, are you still able to download China apps like 联通 (China unicom), bank related apps like bank of China (China one), etc?

Currently I am an android user, I can install these apps from their respective websites or China app store. Not sure if iPhone allows as they are quite strict with geographical based apps. Many years ago I know I can't, unless I switch to profile in China. But then when I switch back to Malaysia, some apps cannot be used or updated.

So possible for iPhone to install from website? Or my previous method still work?

Thanks.

ps: I need those China apps because I used to work there and some money still in China banks.

Police summon 300 ringgit if not wearing mask?

joeblow — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 17:36:40 +0800

Hi folks,

This morning I got a rude warning from the breakfast shop I was visiting to buy take away breakfast. He claimed earlier a few of his customers got fined by the police in JB for not wearing face mask. They were just waiting for their food outside and the policemen fined them without warning.

He then claimed now wearing a mask is compulsory, so said the policeman!!! Then immediately I found this news from our Senior Minister published yesterday 17th April 2020 on wearing a mask.

Not wearing face mask in public not an offence, says Ismail Sabri
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020...-sabri#cxrecs_s

Seriously I don't know what's the situation. The two policemen were fake policemen? Or were they just ignorant of the MCO guideline and rules?

Nowadays with the MCO I notice more and more reckless drivers on the road (most likely because they are not happy) and now this? Where's the warning?

Seems like they are either fake policeman or just corrupted policemen. If wearing a mask is compulsory, at least a warning right? To just fine on the spot (I thought no more fine?) or take away to lock up seem draconian at best for just not wearing a mask.

Malaysia Govt has to understand, buying a proper mask these days not easy and not cheap. Also masks should change daily or after a period of 4 hours.

Anyway appreciate if folks can confirm if indeed we will get fine if we don't wear mask?

CIMB Group Share

joeblow — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 21:33:14 +0800

Hi guys,

Need your expert advice on this counter. I am actually very vested in cimb and quite frustrated with its performance lately. Now my portfolio is negative, not sure if I should continue to invest in this counter or start buying other bank counters like HL, Maybank and Public Bank.

Cimb is one of the big 3 banks in Malaysia that cannot fail, decent overseas exposure and a gem in touch and go. May even get digital bank license too. But seems management not up to par and political situation isn't helping. Not sure if the new government is good news to cimb? What do you guys think?

GrabPay credit

joeblow — Wed, 29 Jan 2020 17:31:38 +0800

Hi there,

Recently I got the 30 ringgit ewallet credit. I did not see any threads on GrabPay discussion so I open this up to ask a couple of noob questions.

1. Is the Grab Customer Service email: support.my@grab.com?

2. From the FAQ I understand you have to always top up the credits to use GrabPay? ie payment is either via your credits, credit/debit card or Cash and cannot be a combination. That is my bill is 35 and I have 5 in my credit. I have to top up manually another 30 ringgit to use and cannot combine payment with cash or card. Am I right? This way I will always have credits in my GrabPay which expires in a year if no activity like that Touch and Go, which already scammed me a lot of money since I don't use toll always and their refund process is tedious and costs money too.

3. For the GrabPay credits, top up via credit card, any charges from Bank or Grab? Looks like a credit card cash withdrawal to me. I cannot find this information in their FAQ so I am assuming no charges.

Many thanks.

Buy car without loan

joeblow — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 21:16:00 +0800

Hi all,

I understand from the salesmen that if you buy a car without loan, ie with cash only, income tax people will 90% look for you to explain and might even audit your income tax.

Do bros here have similar situation or got bros here who bought new car with cash and no issue with income tax? As I just came back from overseas (income not declared in Malaysia) I prefer to not have encounter with income tax folks.

Also if income tax people ask, does it help if I show them my overseas earning and tax. Or maybe say it is paid for by my father (with no income tax worries). Appreciate any advice. Thanks.

Buying new desktop after many years

joeblow — Sun, 17 Nov 2019 04:56:58 +0800

Hi guys, not sure if this is the right thread to ask. Basically my laptop is over 8 years old and lately Windows 7 giving me the hdd soon to be dying message. I am thinking of getting a desktop and thinking of just buying dell or get a trusted vendor to build one for me. I plan to get new ssd and one 2 or more tb hdd, also move my previous 2 desktop hdd over. Meaning 3 sata and 1 m2. My old desktop more than 10 years ago though still can run, sometimes pc just hangs for no reason. Not sure if ram or motherboard issue.

I do not know the prices of desktop nowadays, based on dell xps pricing my budget maybe around 5 to 6k. Also plan to change the monitor since I bought it around 2013 I think. Maybe getting dell 2k monitor around 24 to 27 inch. I use laptop nowadays mainly for surfing Internet, downloading movies, storage for important documents, and seldom gaming though in future who knows. So far only install starcraft 2 legacy of void, don't think I will use it to play games.

I am from jb, if I want to custom build, I only know thunder match. Not sure if you would advise me to buy from them or from dell directly. I am looking to use this new desktop for a long while, so hope the parts I use can last for a while especially the ssd and hdd. When the hdd fails, reinstalling the softwares and moving data can be a real pain. Appreciate your inputs and maybe what sort of hardware configuration I should be getting. Many thanks for your help.

Advice needed for Segment C car

joeblow — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 20:00:30 +0800

Hi there,

I am thinking of changing my 10 years Vios to a bigger car. Thinking of Honda Civic vs Mazda 3 (CBU new one) vs Mazda CX5 (CKD)

I am leaning towards Civic because cheaper and seems to have the features too. Can I check with the gurus if Civic is still worth buying in 2019? Will there be a new model of Civic coming soon?

Mazda seems to be getting more expensive, though the new 2019 Mazda 3 and CX5 look nice and features rock solid.

Lastly CBU resales value is worse than CKD is because of the spare parts? A bit surprise to learn from my friend that CKD resale value better than CBU because I thought Japan Made should be better than Malaysia Made in terms of quality.

Thanks.

Hypptv for Unifi Lite RM129

joeblow — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 15:48:58 +0800

Sorry if this question has been answered before.

I just subscribed to Unifi Lite RM129 100Mbps plan, I got Hypptv for Ruby.

The installer said this can only be used for the Hypptv Everywhere app, cannot be configured for the STB box I have in my previously Unifi account.

Is this true? Or if I can manually configure somewhere to use the STB? I have the username and password. Currently the LAN cable plugged into Port 4.

Thanks.