Dirty Little Secret.

For one, I think customer care in this country still has a long waaay to go. Really.


I don't know if I should pity the uninformed, albeit harassed, customer service representatives for not knowing how to handle well customer concerns or be insanely furious at the backwards system this country has. Whichever way I go, the customer still ends up not getting any solution hence diminishing that customer satisfaction every company out there wants.


So I was talking to a CSR one morning. I'm actually reporting an item which is probably lost in the mail, based on previous feedback, it's been to different addresses, and after daysss of updating me when I should expect it, it still didn't land on my lap. Ergo the conversation. Honestly, I wouldn't know about the house-hopping thing if I didn't call them. (What is wrong with these people? Why didn't they just call me in the first place to confirm the address?)


Anyway, I was almost in tears (I think one actually dropped) when I heard the CSR tell me "Ma'am I apologize for your inconvenience but according to the courier, wala daw po silang nareceive na instruction na i-redirect sa ibang address yung item. Binalik na daw po sa back office yung item." OMG. It's been with them for almost two weeks and nobody told me not to expect it anytime soon? I was really furious. What happened to system? Did people forget about communication? For real, I am one dissatisfied customer. And hearing "Is there anything else I could help you with?" doesn't make it any better because if you have been paying attention, the only thing you could do to help me is give me that item right now. As in literally now.


*Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale.*


I've moved on to tonight.


You see, Globe Telecom has slipped into this habit of sending my bill a couple of days before the due date. (How sweet noh?) But checking your bill online can, well, let you view your bill even if it hasn't arrived at your place. So I checked and mine was already over the credit limit and it's due on the 23rd. (Not getting anything in the mail seems to be a fad for me these days.) I printed out the online version and went to Globe tonight. They told me to call them next Friday to see if the reversal happened. And then this was our conversation:


Me - Paano yan, due date tomorrow. If i don't pay this, you'll cut my line.
Globe Agent - Most likely ma'am. Pero next month naman po magrereflect ung reversal and ibabawas ung sobrang payment sa bill nyo e.
Me - I have no choice. Sige bayaran ko na lang lahat.


I think I just got bullied into paying more than I consumed (again). Haaay Pilipinas.


Anyway, that cash out was a bit hurting on my wallet. To make myself feel better, I passed by my soon-to-be new favorite store at Festival Mall. And oh yes did it make me feel sooooo much better tonight.


If the other night they had only half of the steel doors opened, tonight it's way way open. Open enough for everyone to see all the shelves of the store, which by the way, they're stocking with oh-so-pretty merchandise shoes. Definitely made me smile.


Just to confirm the news I read a few days ago, I approached the (now-eating) crew when they'll open. This nice guy confirmed the date. I asked if the price will be higher or lower than the published dollar tags. His answer gave me a huge smile (which he said like we're sharing a secret), and I think I hyperventilated a little upon hearing the news. Music to my ears! 


"Yes. Even better! And the styles, it's just the same as those in the US." =D


Now the Beda jacket has a competitor in my wallet.