Bugis Street Shopowner Online Shames Neighbour for “Copying” What She Sells

If you’ve been on TikTok, you’d know about a fierce rivalry in Bugis Street, whereby two female shop owners accuse each other of installing surveillance cameras to spy on each other. One claims that her clothing designs are being copied, while the other is unhappy about her privacy being invaded, leading to a clash between the two.

The dispute took place between two clothing stores on the second floor of Bugis Street, with the female shop owners identified as Ms Xu (video taker) and Ms Xu Qizhu . Since both have the same surnames (pretty sure it’s not because of someone copying each other), we’d call them B1 and B2.

So far, based on the videos, we only know the story from one point of view. But now, we finally hear what the other party is saying.

Shopowner Claims Neighbour Copying What She Sells By Using a CCTV

Lest you’re one of the six human beings in Earth who’s still not on TikTok, here’s the video that started it all:

@nomoreboringclothess Anyone encounter such a shameless neighbor before?She already caught placing a spy cam on us and still stubbornly saying she die die will NOT remove it cos she paid so much rental she like to place it anywhere she likes it. Can’t she get fashion inspiration from others? Anyone know what is her problem? #fyp #disgusting #makeitvirаl ♬ original sound – nmbc

It’s understood that the two have had a long-standing grudge, which came to a head on 19 June. On the day of the incident, B1 couldn’t stand B2’s surveillance camera constantly pointing at her shop, so she called the police, brought in the management, and filmed the whole process to post online.

According to the video, B1 accused B2 of using the surveillance camera to spy on her and copy her clothing designs. The two also hurled insults at each other, calling each other “disgusting”.

What B2 Said

When Shin Min Daily News visited on Monday (July 3), B2 told them that B1 (the one making the videos) has been causing trouble and even slandered her.

“I installed five cameras because a customer didn’t pay, but only two are working, the rest are just for show. But the shop next door insists I’m targeting her. I also check online to see what styles are popular and then stock up, so I didn’t copy anything.”

Additionally, B2 claimed that B1 filmed her dancing to music in the shop and posted it online to “demonise” her, violating her personal privacy.

This is the video she was referring to (whereby B1 labelled her as a “Living Witch”):

@nomoreboringclothess TODAY added one more cam. on us! Act of a bird. I’m preparing to install two more cam right on TOP of our shutters door. How BIRDIE? Our customer suggested this to us to install double as her #fyp #cctv #makeitviral ♬ original sound – nmbc

When reporters contacted B1, she insisted that B2’s camera was monitoring her every move.

“Her camera is pointed at me, she can see what I’m selling, whether my business is good or not. She used to sell clothes for office workers, but recently she changed her style and started selling Korean-style clothes like me. As for posting her video online, it’s mainly to show people her usual behavior.”

In this latest video, she also showed a clothing she sold…which B2 was wearing:

@nomoreboringclothess SHOW THIS POST TO US. You’ll are eligible to buy this argyle knitted cropped top from us at less than SGD20. Still have 10pcs INSTOCK. HURRY. Ours are American style in good quality. First 3 follower likes and comments anything relatable to this video will get it at SGD10.00😊😊😊 Thank you for your support💖💕#fyp #makeitviral #notshyitzy ♬ original sound – nmbc

B2 also revealed that the two had a good relationship, but they fell out after B1 complained about her camera last year.

The police confirmed that a report was made.

Whose Fault is It?

Other shop owners hope for peaceful coexistence, saying said they didn’t want the dispute to escalate.

But it seems like B1 is getting the hate.

A nearby shop owner said that B1 likes to complain about others.

Another shop owner told reporters that she had also been scolded by B1. She said, “Once, I turned around and saw her, she asked me why I was looking at her, which I found baffling.”

B2 then added that B1 doesn’t get along with her neighbours and often argues, making it difficult to live with.

B1, on the other hand, said that B2 is sweet-talking and likable, which is why the surrounding shop owners tend to side with her.

Management Mediates the Dispute

B2 said that after B1 posted the video online, the management has arranged for a meeting yesterday (4 July 2023). She said, “I hope this matter ends soon, otherwise it will affect my mood.”

B1 continues to be aggressive, claiming that she has many more videos to post. She added, “I don’t have a loud voice like her, so I can only tell my story through social media.”

Moral of the story?

Whoever fired the first shot on social media might not always win after all.