Groupon Malaysia 10.10 Mystery Deal With Untallied Bought Count

Groupon Malaysia create the hype for October 10 with mystery deal for a purchase price of RM10.10. It allow you to pick for him, or for her's mystery gift. The main purpose of this post not to promote this deal, but I found something it shouldn't happen, Groupon Malaysia manipulate the number of purchased deal.

I tried to use two different browsers (Internet Explorer and Google Chrome) to open the deal page, where the Internet Explorer without logging in. From print screen below, both show the exact same deal's valid duration, but the bought counts are big different. The signed in deal page only show 702 bought, but the non-signed in deal page show 1301 bought.

To proof that this is not manipulate of picture, I refreshed on both browser and it show 766 vs 1421. I guess this might be kind of bug in the Groupon system.

This is a full print screen of my desktop, without crop, with the full URL show in browser as proof. Click on the image for full size. Deal page URL: http://www.groupon.my/deals/national-deal/Groupon-Malaysia-Mystery-Products/717556459

Update:  I spent more time to test it, found the login page actually show the for him / for her bought count only, thus it show the big different of bought count for before and after login. Look like the bought count for him/her pretty balance.

Weird House Number and Street Number in Taman Merbau Indah

The new phase 2B of Taman Merbau Indah going to complete and deliver to buyers soon. Found the street naming pretty odd.

Example this street, Lorong Merbau Indah 13. I thought 13 is banned number, as most house will use 12A instead of 13. Any how, do it allow to appear as street number?

Next is the house number for one of the row at Lorong Merbau Indah 12. The number start with 1900. Below the photo I snapped for house number 1925 and 1926.

Other than the two odd observation, the rest look acceptable. The house number 4 is using 2A, which is usual practice.

Jalan Merbau Indah 16. I don't know how could they name it as Jalan, and the number 16 not related to other.

Lorong Merbau Indah 11.

Called up agent to check current market value these 3 storeys terrace. Fully renovated 3 storeys terrace (Phase 2A), the calling price is RM600,000 and above as of Sep 2013. Bit of regret not to grab a unit while it only sell for RM270,000 when it launch back in 2009.  

Ooi Leng Sun Orchids Nursery and Laboratory

Sungai Dua Butterworth Penang famous for Mee Udang (prawn noodle) and Char Koay Teow (fried noodle), except for food, it also well known with a lot rice field in surrounding area. What everyone don't know is it a home for orchids nursery too. Ooi Leng Sun Orchids Nursery and Laboratory, with history of over 30 years in orchids, and export orchids to worldwide. I not had a chance to visit this nursery yet, will share the photos if I did.

The web address for this nursery: http://www.aaorchids.com

Location map of Ooi Leng Sun Orchids Nursery. Out from Exit 165 of PLUS highway, it just opposite of PBA (Pulau Pinang Bekalan Air) treatment plant station. And it a walking distant from Taman Merbau Indah Phase 1 housing area.

Youtube video about Ooi Leng Sun Orchids Nursery at San Francisco Orchids Show 2011.

House price for 2 storey terrace - Taman Merbau Indah Phase 2

Taman Merbau Indah consist of multiple development phase, from Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 2A and Phase 2B. Development started from 2003 / 2004 timeline, until today (almost 10 years), mostly sold out and left few corner units (2 storey corner unit, 3 storey corner unit) that currently empty, or rented out by developer.

Taman Merbau Indah Phase 2, which consist of semi-detach and terrace houses. The terrace houses consider a value for money back in 2005/06 time frame. Today, the price had increase 100%, or 2X of original price. I snapped a few related properties for sale in Lelong.com.my for reference.

In 2012, the partially renovated 2 storey terrace/link house called for RM380k. Today, the non-renovated had price increase to RM390k. I guess this is agent suggested price. If you direct go for owner, they may offer RM350k to RM370k.

Butterworth to Gurney Drive Undersea Tunnel Project

The highly debate Butterworth (or Bagan Ajam) to Gurney Drive undersea tunnel, third link from Perai to Penang Island, may be a go project. It got support from Penang state opposition leader (BN - Teluk Air Tawar) Datuk Jahara Hamid. Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas did showed his support on the project in opening speech of Penang state assembly.

The proposed third link will be located near to Bagan Ajam. As expected, this will create big impact to the surround properties, example Sungai Puyu, Teluk Air Tawar, Raja Uda, Bagan Lallang, Sungai Dua, and may be to Kepala Batas and Bertam. The length of the connection estimated 6.5km. For comparison purpose, driving from Sungai Dua NSE exit to Tesco Seberang Jaya around 6km. Thus, driving from Taman Merbau Indah to Gurney Drive Penang will be estimated 12KM, nearer than drive to Juru Autocity (distant of 16km).

If you work in Penang FTZ, it might be a driving distant, from Gurney to Bayan Lepas. Anyway, the additional alternative road will give you option, and you got to try your luck to pick which path you want to take everyday. 

This map show the exact location of the tunnel entrance and exit, it right beside the Taman Molek. As of now, rumors that the shoplots along Jalan Bagan Ajam had price increase and not much owners willing to let go, all would like to wait and see.

After all the good news on the Butterworth Penang tunnel, here come the bad news. If everything execute per plan, it will only start construction at 2019 / 2020 timeframe. And it need ~ 4 to 5 years to complete the construction. If you managed to show a house in this area, please keep it for another 10 years to see the boom. :)