So, the plot thickens..

I rang SQ to try and pay for the preferred seats (same seat on both legs, 80E on A380). They denied that those are paid preferred seats at all! Even though the website (attempts) to charge me when I select them.

Can anyone confirm if 80E is or is not a paid preferred seat through personal experience? Web site says yes; help desk says no. Who to believe... I would be interested to see if anyone else has actually had to pay for that seat before.