Getting a Maid - Key Issues to Consider

I have posted this reply on Singapore Motherhood forum and I thought I should share it here as well. The post below reflects some key issues I am considering if I want to employ maids again. 

Scenario #1: I want to go home all the time

I used to have a maid and I can empathise with any maid employer. 

On the contrary, I think all maids are smart - that's why they can see the loop holes in our government policies and use them to their benefit. They are highly competent - all humans are - but they will choose not to because being competent doesn't help themselves. Frankly, to them, there's very little incentive to be competent cos it means more work (for the same pay).

Regarding their attitude, I don't think I can blame them for lousy attitude. Being a maid isn't something that anyone is really proud of - even if you are paid to do it. From their point of view, it's just a lowly job that pays well enough to attract them to leave their home. So I can't really blame them for showing lousy attitude (but that doesn't mean her attitude doesn't affect me). No one, in the right frame of mind, will take pride in being a maid. 

Washing Machine - After purchase thoughts...

If you intend to get any big ticket appliance from the usual big retailers - Courts, Harvey Norman, Best Denki, etc - remember to go around and ask about the price of that item in all shops.

Big retailers will match the price from their competitors. 

Washing Machine - Specifications Comparison Chart

I have short-listed a few 6-7-8 KG washers within my comfortable price range. In my list, I have the following brands: Samsung, LG, Míele, BOSCH, Electrolux and Fisher & Paykel.

My short-listed brands of washers:
Just noticed that the colours used for the logos are mainly red and blue :D

Míele, though out of my price range, is included, as it has been touted to be a very long-lasting washer. I just want to find out if it's technical specifications contributed to its durability.

Using the technical specifications that I have mentioned in my previous post, I created an Excel sheet to compare the specifications* across my short-listed brands and models.

A print screen of my Excel Sheet:
Red text indicates best ratings and Purple text indicates worst ratings

*Do note that all prices was taken from COURTS website in August 2013. I chose COURTS because its site shows pricing for all the washers that were short-listed. 

Getting a washing machine

I suspect a conspiracy going on:

All washing machine promoters for the big retailers in Singapore are affiliated to LG

Whether it's Best Denki, Harvey Norman or Courts, I'm always directed to a LG set.

Baffled, I decided to conduct a very thorough investigation on what criteria is need for my washer.

After reading countless products' specifications and manuals, I noticed the few recurring terms that seem important:

1. Energy efficiency index (EEI)
2. Washing performance index
3. Spin-drying efficiency class

A further search reveals this Wikipedia article on a European Union directive to standardize the measurement of energy efficiency levels for major home appliances. 

Identify Authentic Coach Bags

Stitching
An authentic COACH bag has great stitching: All stitches are uniform - be it double stitches or single stitches. Inconsistent thin stitching indicates a fake COACH handbag.

single stitches on the Kristin Op Art Sateen Tote

double stitches on the Alex Coated Op Art Baby Bag