Still missing my Kindle

It's been exactly 56 days since I lost my Kindle to some dishonest Cebu Pacific crew. I'm 101% sure that one of them saw it in the seat pocket of the plane; thought that it was some iPad-ish device; tried to figure out how to play with the thing; attempted to "touch the screen"; looked for games in it; found the device of no use to his/her "intellect"; and probably, eventually sold my valuable Kindle to some shop in Greenhills. (Wow, that emotional release really felt good!)

Anyway... Ed knows how bitter I still am over this loss and so eventually, he gave me the go-signal to get myself another Kindle.

On the 21st of September, I got on to Amazon and ordered a white Kindle (my first one was black) with 3G + WiFi plus the same burgundy leather case with light that I used to have.

The original price for this model of the Kindle is $189 but surprisingly there was an offer that was at $139. The leather case's original price is $59.99 but this time it was given at $49.99. Now I have a total savings of $60! I took the liberty of also getting my mom the complete power pack for her Olympus u790sw, which consists of a replacement battery, a USB data cable, and the battery charger. All these three for approximately $16. Not bad for all these huh!

I've just received confirmation emails from all three suppliers that my orders are being sent to my Borderlinx address (I'll blog separately about that.) I'm so excited!

Who doesn't love L'Occitane?

My first actual encounter with L'Occitance products happened at Boracay, thanks to Shangri-la. :-) Though, of course, the name is a popular brand, I never really paid attention to it, first of all because I thought

http://online-home-jobs.com/ is a SCAM

In desperation of looking for extra income to sustain my financial needs, I went on searching in google for home-based jobs and chanced upon a link that was posted as an ad by google. Stupidly, I clicked on this link http://online-home-jobs.com/ and it brought me to this website which I found to be enticing, and so as I read on... I seemed to be "hypnotized" and I purchased the online data entry job for USD 112. It said that the job is USD 3 per entry; minimum # of submissions is 750 per month; maximum is 2500. It also said that you can only submit a maximum of 50 jobs per day - which was completely inconsistent with maximum 2500 jobs per month. (Why didn't I even doubt this the very first time???) I guess I was blinded by the 4-digit USD figure, I just kept on reading, and even convinced Ed he should register for the same. So all in all, we paid for three jobs: 75 USD for the offline data entry, 112 USD for the online job, and another 112 USD for the Copy-Paste job. (This is the stupid-EST job I have ever done in my entire life.) Both Ed and I were enthusiastic working on these stuff, we were running the "business" for several weeks. Until, for some reason, I searched for blogs and reviews on the site. ALL of the sites I looked into said that this website is a scam. I felt disheartened but the stupid self in me still said that maybe these negative stuff are just black propaganda against the site. So Ed and I still went on with the "business." This craziness somehow stopped when, Ed, after sending an email to them, letting them know about the completed job, did not get any response at all from the website. It was also confirmed when someone responded to me saying it is scam.

My Globe is back.

So eventhough I'm totally pissed at Globe Telecom for breaking their promise of a 24-hour turnaround time of reconnecting my line, I still have a kind heart to say THANK YOU for FINALLY putting me back online, after 50 hours or so. I just don't understand why I paid on the 4th of August but they processed the reconnection only on the 6th. Anyway - I don't think anybody will ever "listen" to me and answer my question so I close this case for now. Here's hoping to no more inconveniences from Globe!

39.5 Hours and Counting, still no phone and internet with Globe!

This is getting so annoying - what a bad way to start your day. I have called, emailed, and tweeted Globe more than five (5) times now but I still don't have my landline and internet services back. While I do appreciate the positive interaction between the customer service specialists and myself, the actual service delivered to me is a different story. Does 24 hours seem close to 39.5 hours?

Customer Service from Globe and Sun

I am not sure if I have already mentioned how I have managed to "gather" all the bad luck in the world that I unfortunately have to deal with these customer service "specialists" (as they call themselves) from both Globe and Sun. My Globelines landline and internet have been disconnected due to non-payment (now that's another story) while my Sun mobile has been suspended because I have apparently "exceeded" my meager credit limit of PhP 1,500.

For my case with Globe (Innove), I am partly to blame because I did not even double- or triple- check with HSBC Online Bills Payment whether my e-payment pushed through or not. I was over-confident and trusting with HSBC's efficient service in that I didn't even worry that something might go wrong with their online processes that would eventually lead to cancellation of that online transaction. So anyway... I found out that I had to pay PhP 4,200+ in order to get my services back. I went to Globe @ Greenbelt 4 to pay my dues, and also because I trust that whatever commitment they give me in terms of turn-around time will be granted. (I have never had a bad experience with Globe@GB4 thus the assumption.) The lady cashier, upon processing my payment, told me that my line will be reconnected WITHIN 24 HOURS. I double- triple- confirmed this, in fact, sounding annoying, and in all instances she said - "YES MA'AM, because I am processing your service reconnection now." I gave a sigh of relief that our house will be back to WI-FI mode today. I consistently monitored today by calling my landline number. I knew that should that phone ring, then internet would be back. After so many attempts today though, I have had no success at all. So I called Globe Customer Service. Their IVR options are indeed much better now, and the wait time to get a customer service rep was OK. The only problem I really have with this is them breaking their promise of a 24-hour turnaround time for reconnection.

As for Sun - my gosh - this is really really annoying. It took me around five times to call them, but never did I get any concrete answer as to why my account was suspended even if my running balance is still within the credit limit of PhP 1,500. In around 4 out of 5 times, my call was "apparently" being transferred to a different queue, but while waiting patiently, the call just gets disconnected. The worst part about this is that there is no hold music. So in that dead air, you are left clueless as to whether you are still expecting to be connected to a human person or not. In 1 out of 5 - your call reaches a point where, as you are travelling, you reach a dead spot and your phone says NO NETWORK COVERAGE. Anyway... with regards to that credit limit thing, the lady I last spoke to said that I have to pay PhP 600+ to get my service back. I asked her why, when I'm still within credit limit, and she said that:

• my running balance is around 1,100+
• I have an extension account of 150
• VAT of 12% added to all the above amounts equate to 1,445. 

1,445 >> this is the reason why I have to pay. In a very irritated voice, I asked her >> Isn't 1,445 still within my credit limit? And she said that yes still within, but she has to transfer me to the support group so that my case can be investigated further. WTF WTF. So there goes that 1/5 opportunity, where, in my stupidity, I trusted her and let her transfer the call. 

With all these misfortunes I am getting, I am sometimes think that this is nature's revenge because my own Help Desk team, the one that I manage, cannot also deliver quality customer service. I'm just wondering though... does that fall under karma?

My Amazon Kindle is now officially gone... :-(

The saga of my missing Amazon Kindle is finally over. IT.IS.GONE. I called Cebu Pacific hotline yesterday and they told me that the item is considered LOST as no one has found it. I am so disappointed in myself and CebuPac. I wrote them this letter, which I hope they will respond to:


From:

Sent: Thursday, 4 August 2011 6:42 PM
To: 'customerservice@cebupacificair.com'
Subject: Conf # FF27YE

Hi,

Just want to share with you feedback regarding my recent trip with you.

First of all, thank you for the wonderful customer experience at the initial stage of my travel, which was when you informed me that my original flight schedule has been cancelled. Though disappointed, I really like the fact that you were able to ease my anxiety by helping me push through with my flight. Your reservations officers did a very good job. I was happy then.

On my going-home flight from Caticlan to Manila: Unfortunately, a recent incident whereby I accidentally (or better yet, stupidly) left my Amazon Kindle at the seat pocket of the plane, totally changed my impression of your employees. I repeat, I was stupid to have left the gadget at the plane. However, I was riding on hopes that the airline crew conduct inspections or checks on the plane. Given this assumption – I would have expected that someone found the Kindle and handed it over to the Lost and Found department. There are two things here:

• -        Honesty (if someone took it home)
• -        Adherence to SOP (the gadget should have been found if the crew is diligent in doing checks)

There is no other excuse for the gadget to have not been found. It is impossible that a passenger took it, because I was the last to get off of the plane.

I also don’t like the fact that it had to be me calling your hotline everyday, even if you guys have promised me that you will contact me for updates.

It is unfortunate that this happened, and I am partly to blame. However, I hope that this reaches the management and that HONESTY and ADHERENCE TO SOPs be strictly instilled and enforced as part of your core values.

Alternate Route from Cavite to North

For the past two weeks or so, we have been suffering the horrid traffic at Aguinaldo Highway in Cavite. Aside from the flood, Maynilad works are everywhere and there are not-so-smart traffic enforcers in the area. Because of my frustration, thanks to FB status updates, people learned about the ordeal I was going through. My cousin, Kuya Dennis sent me instructions and a map on how to get to Coastal Road, without passing through Aguinaldo Highway, and avoiding the one and a half hour journey through traffic. This route will make use of the newly built Cavite Expressway.

We tried this route today. With the help of the MAP on the iPhone, and Ed's knowledge on the "road-culture" in Cavite... we ventured the unknown route! Left the house at 7:55 AM and arrived at Coastal Toll Gate at around 8:25 AM. This is truly one record-breaker!!! You gotta try this path. Better prepare 80 pesos though! (58 for passing through Cavitex and 22 for Coastal Road)

The red line on the map is the exact path we followed.  Note that we started from Buhay na Tubig Road.

McDelivery in Imus is so disappointing

So here goes again the never-ending saga about McDelivery in Imus. I find it really annoying that their service isn't good. Their flyer shows: mcdelivery.com.ph * 24 hours / 7 days * Cavite * 878 6236. So what does this mean? If I am smart enough, I would say that you could either call them at their phone hotline, or log in to their website to order your food, anytime (because they are running 24x7), and at the Imus Cavite branch. (In the first place, they were the ones who deposited the flyers in our mailbox.) So being the internet savvy person that I am, I logged in to the website, placed my order, and confirmed all the delivery details, including my contact number. 30 minutes have passed, (I guess Ed is really hungry now) not a single call or follow up came through from McDonalds. Ed was actually asking me if our order is confirmed. Funny that I suddenly felt hungry after he asked this. As expected, my BP is now probably 10 notches higher. I called their 878 6236 hotline and the girl at the other line told me that the store is already closed. WTF?! I b1tched about how their flyer is misleading and though she apologized, I wasn't happy at all. To be worse than a b1tch, I called the McDo Cavite number 471 4444 and b1tched about the same thing. (Really sorry for the language, I'm just so annoyed at this time. People close to me know how I transform when hungry). I was passed on from one person to the other, each of them yelling (intentionally I think) something like "Hoy, bakit daw kayo namimigay ng flyers na 24/7 delivery tapos hindi naman pala!!!." I eventually was able to talk to the manager who (again) apologised in behalf of McDonald's and who somehow shared my sentiment on the inefficiency of their hotline. While I think she wasn't that sincere, I thank her for keeping up with my ill-mannered attitude. Apologies accepted, but there are not enough though. They have to improve or revamp their delivery service in Cavite. Even us province-dwellers deserve quality service that we get from NCR.

(Literally) Missing my Amazon Kindle

I had a fun fun fun looooong weekend at Boracay and it ended on Sunday, the 31st of July when Ed and I boarded flight 5J 902 of Cebu Pacific. I was all hyped until, while having my nail spa at Mint, Mall of Asia - I discovered that I accidentally left my Amazon Kindle at the seat pocket of the plane! What an idiot! I just hope that whoever did the last checks on the plane has a good heart and conscience to declare the item as a lost gadget. I'm not really even after the gadget, it is more on the fact that this is a gift from my Uncle Jun and it took them (he and my cousin Nicole) much effort to get this for me. I also am a person who treasures gifts dearly so I really feel bad about the possibility of losing this forever. I hope the Cebu Pacific crew are honest and that they will give me back my Kindle. After all, it is a very personal(-ised) gadget and I am pretty sure not many people use it. Please please please Cebu Pacific. Please be KIND enough to return my KINDle.

Jollibee Chicken Nuggets

(Photo courtesy of www.jollibeedelivery.com)

While on my way up to the 22nd floor of PBCom Tower, I saw an ad on the TV about this new Jollibee Chicken Nuggets. I got so excited right away, thinking there's a new item to be added to my Jollibee breakfast menu.

I had Leo buy it for me right away as soon  as I reached the office. So the meal consisted of: chicken nuggets, rice, and large Sprite. I wasn't really sure if this was a combo meal but all in all it cost me PhP 126. The meal was good, very Filipino. It isn't as good as McDonald's but it more tasty and more appealing to the Filipino taste buds. The barbecue sauce was good too, though much sweeter than McDonald's. 

You definitely have to taste this. Sa Jollibee... bida ang sarap!