
Thailand and it's use of QR Codes is really starting to P me off.
We ordered something online 2 days ago from a company we have used many times previously. Everything was paid for, and the item was dispatched. Tracking details were provided.
The tracking stated the package would arrive yesterday, so we made sure there was somebody at home all day. Nothing arrived.
I checked the tracking today - a failed delivery. We would have to collect from the office today. Not happy, but TIT. We've had similar untruths from the post office - it is an inconvenience. Incidentally, the plethora of delivery firms all insist on a phone number these days. No card in the mail box, and no phone call either.
I'm just mildly upset at this point. Lets find the office. I'm presented with this: FFS, all I want is an address. So I grab my phone, scan the code, and it wants me to download an app.
Now, I've written on here before what I think about downloading unsolicited apps, and this one is worse because of the origins of need - they are telling untruths, and if I want my item that I have already paid for, I can only do it if I download their app.
So where does that leave me? I've lost my money because I won't play their games. I've written to my supplier advising them they've lost a regular custom because they are probably saving a few Baht using a delivery company that doesn't do deliveries. Hopefully they will resolve it, but in the meantime, I've ordered from elsewhere.
So why in Digital Realm? Thai IT is an arse. The smart programmers learn a new trick, and then create applications to show how clever they are. Why a QR Code when a simple address will do? Since living here, I've noticed this time and time again with Thai applications. IT should make things easier.
In this case, I had to find my scanner (phone), scan the bar code, download and install an app, etc. Once I''d jumped through the hoops (which I would never do), I'd probably have to do an enquiry to receive the address that I'd requested 30 minutes ago.
I used to test software, and I always knew when it was from a newbie programmer because of exactly this type of shite. They'd learnt a clever trick at college, and tried to write it into everything they wrote to show how clever they were - I wasn't very popular when I rejected it with a reason of 'Tail Wagging the Dog'.
Some Thai QR Code applications are very clever, such as the 50/50 thingy. But trying to make me jump through a dozen hoops to get an address to resolve their incompetence is a definite no.
