When moving, you always worry about things getting broken. You especially worry about the “significant” items, either due to cost or emotional attachment. Normally things go just fine until they don’t. Our only dresser got broken by the mover. Sure, it’s not an expensive thing, it’s not even truly significant but it is ours and we expect a bit of responsibility. Sadly, such a thing does not exist for us “normal”people.
What it really comes down to is how much hassle are you willing to cause over something like this? This part you see is cosmetic, its the back part, which got chewed up some, and now the thing won’t sit level any more. It kinda rocks. Also, not only are closets kinda rare in small apartments, so are dressers. We spoke a few harsh words at the recruiter, who was responsible for hiring the mover, but best he could do was apologize and say that the mover had no insurance so we are basically screwed. We have learned more on what to demand should we be involved with this recruiter again.
Next on our list is the TV.
Luckily this isn’t ours so we don’t truly care, except that the contract states that a TV would be provided (among a few other things that weren’t here…you really need to be firm with these people!). We will be informing the co-teacher, and you know they just looooove extra work thrown at them.
Then there is the door that won’t close.
Not that we care at all about this. In fact, I’m a little stumped why there is even one here to begin with. The door only closes off the kitchen and main room. You have to go through the kitchen to leave the place. The heating (floor) does both sides of the door. So it really serves no purpose but it does show some pretty sad workmanship (either with the door, our more frighteningly with the building itself…).
Now, if this was the only door that had a problem, I wouldn’t care. Actually, I still don’t really care but when you see a second door, the one to the bathroom, that looks pretty shabby for work done, then you start being concerned about the overall quality of work in the whole place.
I don’t know why the door wasn’t wide enough, nor why there is still a 1/2″ gap when closed.
Should I even mention the poorly setup gas line and drawers?
Just so you understand, having a gas line in your kitchen is normal. It is a very practical and cheap way to set it up on buildings here (see definition of conservatism and go extreme with it in your building designs. Who needs to hide gas lines?) but normally they aren’t so screwed up in planning.
I guess I should be checking to make sure the AC works….
Eyagee's Blog 
I shouldn’t laugh but the gas pipe is a classic – don’t pull the draw out too fast! Our best has been the wallpaper on the ceiling and the chewing gum like yuk around the pipes. We were warned early the repairs will be done quickly but not necessarily lasting. Hang in there and welcome to Korea!
Oh I have seen such things. I have a community centre in Uijeongbu that i have mostly renovated (we hold language exchange closes there on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays off the month). It is quite the experience pulling of 15 years worth of wallpaper on the walls and ceilings!
This reminds me of that part in Under The Tuscon Sun where she’d describing buyer’s remorse. I hope you guys get settled in!
Luckily we don’t own the place, it would have gotten a much more thorough looking over! Still, the building is less than 3 years old, so despite the oddball issue, it is clean and for that, I am grateful :)