User Review: HalloHallo Mall

I'm primarily a Multiply and Ebay user. I've had accounts in both for years that I've used for my online shopping sprees. Several months ago, I got a post on my Multiply site asking me to join and sell my used books (also posted in my account) at HalloHallo Mall. I immediately checked the site, read the terms but decided against opening a store but I did open an account. For the next few weeks I scouted the site and saw something I've always been wanting to buy -- a printer.

All those vouchers I've been buying online needs to get printed and it doesn't help that I always had to go out and find a computer shop and pay anywhere from 3-5pesos per page. Gosh!

So I saw this Canon Pixma IP2770 on their Time Sale page and bought a unit. I got to use the daily points I've accumulated for visiting daily, I got to get additional discounts for using my BDO credit card and of course, the darn item is on sale already!


Problem started however when I couldn't get any information on when my item would be shipped. I received an email from HalloHallo mall immediately after purchase and I was informed I can send a message directly to the seller through the order page. Wow. Guess how many times I messaged the seller? FOUR. Guess when I received a reply? NE-VAH. So from the time I PAID for the order (11/23/12) until my last message (12/05/12) I've sent 4 messages to the seller directly through their order page, I emailed them on their "contact us" page once and I called them in. Finally got my answer when I called and was informed there were some delays on the orders and that it will definitely be shipped to me in a week.

My order finally arrived on the second week of December. Whew! Nice customer service.

I should've gotten my cue then but I figured, well, it's the Christmas season and we all know how 'delays' would normally happen during this time of the year.




So I did it again. I bought a book on their Countdown Discount Sale. Again, what a bargain! I spent 14 pesos for a book when I was able to deduct all my points earned. That was before Christmas (12/18/12) and it's almost New Year and I still haven't heard anything from them. I sent a message to the seller (same thing I did before), I sent a message through their "contact us" page (same thing I did before) and I called them (same thing I did before) but something's wrong with their line. If my hunch is correct, they have call block on for all numbers - no rings, no busy signal, just a beep and nothing. Tried calling them several times at 9.30am, then again this afternoon around 5pm.

Now I'm getting awfully frustrated, granted that the book doesn't cost much due to all their 'promos' but heck, that's their promos and that's the reason why we buyers are there right?

So here's my verdict - I'm going back to mutliply and ebay *bow* (unless I'm in no hurry to get my items).

Note (added 1/2/2013): I received a reply on my query I sent through their Contact Us page and was informed that 'as per the seller, the item will be shipped within the month'.

(added 1/17/2013): The item finally arrived yesterday. From the time I paid for it (12/18/2012) until delivery (1/16/2013) it took approximately a month.


Price/affordability of items- 3 out of 5
Promos - 5 out of 5
Website navigation - 2 out of 5 (seriously too much going on in a page)
Customer service - 0 out of 5
Timeliness of delivery - 1 out of 5


Disclaimer: Please note I am not in any way connected with this brand, the online store or the delivery partner of the store and I have not received any form of payment for this review. I am a regular consumer and bought these products and services for my own personal use.

Review: Vikings - The Best Buffet in Town (?)

I've been out of circulation for almost 2 years. Being pregnant and having a newborn have reduced my mobility to a 3 mile radius. So when a friend turned the big 3-0 last July and asked me to join them for dinner, I grabbed the opportunity.

I wasn't expecting much since I haven't really heard of Vikings (not within the radar of my 3 mile radius life) so you can say I was extremely surprised to find out it has more variety than your usual Shabu-Shabu and Yakimix deal. I was expecting close to 30 or so dishes, a few maki/sushi/sashimi on a side, a soup and a salad and a couple of desserts enough to say you've eaten at a buffet.

Well, to start of, there were 30 dessers, not dishes. Plus a few more you won't find at your regular buffet restos like lambchops, all sorts of steaks, lobsters, pinoy cakes and kakanins. It's the first time I've been at one place with that much food variety.

I had steak, lobsters (on the smallish side really), maki/sushi, all sorts of seafoods and of course TONS of desserts. Just being able to eat puto bumbong and bibingka on a July evening was soooooo well worth (my fave kase). And there were so much more I haven't even had the chance to try - the dimsum, the hotpot, the crepes....AHHHHHH~

So, was the P1088/head + 5% service fee worth it? Yes.

For the variety of food and dessert you can try in a day it sure is worth it. The taste and quality of ingredients are comparable to a mid-range resto. I wouldn't say it's gastronomically palatable but it's good enough to say it's been cooked nicely. Again, between a regular mid-range resto where a meal would cost around 300-700/head and Vikings, I'd definitely choose Vikings! Just bit more and I can gobble up twice as much and taste more than enough kinds of dishes, side dishes, desserts and whatnot.

The interiors are still quite new, no smelly seat cover or discolorations on the wall. The utensils being used are of good quality. Cleanliness is also A-ok. The set-up may be a bit cramped on some parts where people just tend to gravitate towards like the steak area and the dessert area -- always hard to pass by there. Everyone seems to stop for a second or two (then again, can't blame them). The seats and tables are well kept, no wiggly hinges here.

Oh, and one thing our group really liked about Vikings is the ability of their staff of just pass by and carry off your dirty plates without you even noticing -- its that or we're just totally engrossed with our kwentuhans.

My personal verdict - it's not the best buffet in town BUT its the perfect place to go on a food trip if you can't afford the 5-star hotels :))

Quality/Taste of Food - 3 out of 5
Ambiance - 4 out of 5
Cleanliness and Appearance - 4 out of 5
Staff - 4 out of 5
Price - 5 out of 5

Review: Human Heart Nature Moisturizing Shampoo

I've discovered Human Heart Nature a couple of months ago when I was researching about products that I could use for my then newborn baby. I figured I survived not having all these made for baby products when I was little but it wouldn't hurt to be bit more cautious now since we have the option to be.

When my daughter was 3 or 4 months old she started to thumb suck and we would incessantly fuss about keeping her hands clean. By the time she was 6 months she was already reaching out for various objects - clean and otherwise, so I had to revisit our 'clean hands' strategy. That's when I decided its time to try Human Nature's hand sanitizer, which I will discuss some other time.

From there I moved on to Human Heart Nature lotions, creams and washes. Someone asked me if I've tried their shampoo and I said I've always been hesitant about shampoos since I've never been successful in finding anything that could manage my awfully thick strands. Most commercial shampoos leave my hair either dry and stringy or moisturized and sticky. Throughout the years, I've learned that Pantene is the only shampoo that can keep my hair somewhat manageable so I stuck with it.

Most 'natural' and clarifying shampoos I've tried have left me with fizzy hair. So I decided to just buy a 50ml bottle of Human Heart Nature Moisturising Shampoo in Mandarin Fresh, it is also available in Vanilla scent and in bigger bottles of 200ml and 500ml (never been a fan of anything Vanilla scent though). If it doesn't work I'd give it to my mom I said.

When I first used the shampoo I struggled with the amount of foam it creates. Understanding that the foam from most commercial brands are from chemicals, I also felt that's what cleans the hair. So I applied more. And MORE. The scent however is wonderful. Fresh, light and breezy! I felt rejuvenated.

I know I wouldn't see much effect the first few times I've used it and I was also prepared to feel the 'itchy scalp' experience shared by some users on the shampoo's review corner. By the 3rd time I was also experiencing the itchy scalp but I stood firm and continued to use it because for one, my hair has become quite soft and light. It doesn't feel weighed in by 'moisturizers' which is what I felt when using my old brand. But it wasn't fizzy or dry as well. I was piqued -- not weighed down by moisturizers but not dry and fizzy as well. Must be something good and new.

I've been using the shampoo for a good 3-4 weeks now and I still occasionally get the itchy scalp but no dandruff there, my hair a much more smoother and lighter. Overall, I think I'm sticking with Human Heart Nature Moisturizing shampoo, as a matter of fact, when I saw their products at Robinson's Metroeast Supermarket I grabbed the biggest bottle and even bought the conditioner to boot!

Note (added 1/2/2013): It's been months since I first used the product but I'm still suffering from dandruff and itchy scalp that I finally relented and started using a dandruff shampoo MORE and I just use my "large" bottle of moisturizing shampoo once or twice a week to clean my tresses of the chemical build up. *sigh* I super liked it pa naman but I can't stand the dandruff thingy!

Price - 5 out of 5
Product Effects - 4 out of 5
Side Effects - 2 out of 5 (for the still sometimes itchy scalp)
Smell - 5 out of 5
Packaging - 5 out of 5 (no complaints here)

Photo taken from Human Nature site.

Customer Churn

Churn. I learned that word from my 9+ years in the BPO industry. Customer churn refers to the unhappy customers who is canceling their services or are returning their bought items versus the happy customers. And you know what they say about unhappy customers? 

People who had a bad experience about a certain company or product tells 11 other people in their network about it. While someone who had a good and pleasant experience tells 2 other person in their network.

So I’m telling —

I hate Citibank Philippines for so many things. I had one credit card from Citibank years ago - actually, it was my first ever credit card. It was a cash back card with 0.25% rebate. At that time (around 2004), I was also discovering the wonders of online and cashless banking that most of my bills are paid through Bancnet or Megalink ATMs. 

Guess the only company who wouldn’t allow me to do this? Yes, Citibank.

At that time, I was told that since my card is a Cashback card, it’s not entitled for online payment. Everything has to be OTC. I asked if there are other options. I was informed that I can opt for another card and use that. I agreed. In a few weeks I received my new Citibank Shell card. And guess what? I ended up with 2 credit cards but I still needed to pay OTC for the Cashback card because ‘I can not transfer my balance’ despite what I was made to believe. So one agent probably got her quota for ‘selling’ me another card I don’t need.

I ended up canceling both cards when I received my annual charges and nobody wanted to reverse them. Fine.

After that I signed up with HSBD and BDO. Every year, I get my annual fees reversed. All my bills are paid for online that I don’t even know how to pay bills OTC anymore. My questions are answered through emails that I don’t need to queue up on the phone line listening to “the great surprises” that awaits me for being a customer.

I’ve been getting regular messages and calls from Citibank agents offering me credit cards and pre-approved loans which I’ve always declined. This year however, I figured it might help me if I get their Citibank Mercury card with up to 10% rebates on Mercury Drug purchases. After all, I buy my daughter’s milk there and a 1.4k box of milk every 5 days ain’t a joke. So the next agent who called probably got his quota for the day because after 6 years I signed up and availed of another Citibank credit card.

Then last July I saw a P500 late payment fee on my bill. I was shocked. I reviewed my online banking account and saw that I made a payment 2 days after the previous month’s due date. I called and asked why my payment for the current bill got credited to the month before that even when the due date already passed.

Instead of the agent offering to explain AND actually explaining the situation and case I just got a “it’s included in that month’s bill, ma’am” and when asked why so I got a monotone, “that’s how it is”.

Feeling that the agent (1) doesn’t want to help me, (2) is sleepy (it was 3am) and (3) she doesn’t understand the bill either and can’t explain it to me I asked for the card to be canceled.

Several days after that a very nice lady called and asked if I can “please pay” my bill and they would remove the late payment fee charge. I complied and paid 20% of the total bill just so I’d get the late payment fee from last month removed and I won’t get penalized that current month.

After that I emailed Citibank asking if they can move my due date from August 6 to August 16 since I won’t be able to make the total payment in the middle of a pay period.

Guess what? I was told that they can’t and I will incur charges. So there, my next bills (despite having my account canceled already and informing them ahead of time I’d need an extra 10days to make the FULL payment) I’d have the monthly add-on of 3.5% PLUS the late payment fee charge ONCE AGAIN.

Citibank can’t even make one last consideration for a customer who’s willing to pay the bill in FULL and who will NEVER again occur any charge whatsoever.

And to share, my uncle who’s been a Citibank card holder since the 90s and who has 3 supplementary cards and whose credit limit could buy an brand new sedan in one swipe was NEVER granted a reversal for ANY of the annual fees. He’s been paying Citibank over 8,000+ in annual charges despite the ‘business’ he’s been giving them.

I’ve told him to cancel his card and just move to a different bank, he says he’s old and he doesn’t want to familiarized himself with another bank and another set of rules. Too bad. If I were a bank, I’d be happy to have him as a customer.

(Originally posted on 08/10/12)

Review: Pick N Mix Group Buy

I was busy preparing for my daughter's first birthday the past few months. Yes, it took me months to prepare everything, partly because I'm working full-time and have very little extra time on my hands and partly because I wanted so many things to incorporate with the party.

For one, I wanted a candy buffet set-up so when I saw a voucher for Pick 'n Mix candies from Ensogo I immediately grabbed it. I bought the voucher for 400grams worth of candies, I figured these will just be for 'filler' candies since I am also after the variety rather than just the quantity.

When finally I was ready to redeem the voucher, I went to the Pick 'n Mix Kiosk at Robinsons Supermarket at Marquinton, Marikina. I was informed that they can't accept my voucher because they're just a franchise and I need to claim it at a store that is owned wholly by Pick 'n Mix. I was disappointed since it didn't say on the details (either on Ensogo where it was posted nor on the voucher itself) that there are only certain branches that can award the voucher. After all, it clearly states that it can be redeemed at all branches.

So I went home and did a quick search for the Pick 'n Mix branches. I found a list on their website and on the last part I saw Metroeast! Yey! I went to Robinson's Metroeast and headed for the Pick 'n Mix kiosk beside Toy Kingdom as it says on the website. Guess what? I was told I can't redeem it there either and I can go to SM North EDSA or SM Megamall.

Doubly frustrated now, I went to SM North EDSA to redeem my voucher. I went round and round and no one can tell me where the Pick 'n Mix store is. Finally, a guard informed me that the store us under renovation and is currently closed.

Wow!

I ended up giving away my voucher. The amount I paid for gas and fare as well as the time I consumed looking around was so not worth it. By the way, I also used the Contact Us form on the Pick 'n Mix website to ask. NO ONE REPLIED.

I had a really bad experience with Pick 'n Mix and Ensogo. I wish the details were clear and complete. In part, I know Ensogo is not to blame. I've been a steady customer of group-buying sites and the merchants should've been clear on the terms they want Ensogo to post regarding their products and services. So here goes my rating for the Pick 'n Mix voucher I bought from Ensogo:

Price: 1 out of 5 (gas ain't free when you've tried redeeming at 3 different branches)
Product: N/A (can't rate something I didn't get to try)
Customer Service: 0 out of 5 for Pick 'n Mix since I never received a reply from my email and N/A for Ensogo since I never tried to reach out to them regarding this matter
Overall experience: 0 out of 5 - bad experience, lost time and money, didn't get the item/product

Pictures from Pick N Mix website.

Review: Babyland Reusable Cloth Diapers

When my daughter Ava was barely 2 months old I started ordering cloth diapers (Babyland) from ebay.com. There were tons of brands available there but with careful inspection I realized that they're more or less all the same. Of course there are the 'western' brands which are more pricey like Best Bottom and Charlie Banana.

I bought about 18 pieces of Babyland reusable cloth diaper with 20+ 3-layer microfiber inserts (bought separately). Overall, the price of a set (1 cloth diaper + 1 insert) is somewhere around 300php exclusive of shipping fee. Not bad from my perspective. Comparing it with disposable diapers, using cloth diapers are way economical for long term use. To give you an idea, my daughter uses about 5-7 disposable diapers in a 24 hour period, at an average a disposable diaper costs about 7php/each (approximate only, actual price depends on brand and bulk price).

My daughter kept on using the disposable diapers until now, at an average we save 2-3 pcs of disposables a day. We still use disposables at night and in the afternoon when she takes her nap. It helps keep her dry longer while asleep but that's just our preference. Some moms use the cloth diapers 24/7.

I also observed that the older my daughter becomes, the more frequent we had to change her cloth diaper. If at 2 months we can keep it on her for several hours, now only after one weewee we had to change already. Absorbency also lessened after several months which unfortunately coincided with the increase in the amount of weewee :))  If you feel that absorbency has changed over time, you may try to strip your inserts. Just do a search on google and you'd find really useful tips on increasing and bringing the maximum absorbency of your inserts in no time.

My daughter is turning 1yo next week, all her cloth diapers are still in tiptop shape. When I first got hold of it, I was concerned that the snaps would get pulled out in a few weeks but I guess as long as you handle it carefully, it would last you good year or two. You'd also find a gamut of designs and colors nowadays.

Overall here's my rating for the Babyland reusable cloth diaper with 3 layer inserts --
Price - 4 out of 5
Designs and Colors - 5 out of 5
Ease of Use - 5 out of 5
Durability - 5 out of 5
Long Term Savings - 4 out of 5

Curious Ava Reviews

I've been wanting to write some reviews about the items I've recently started to use for my baby Ava. Hopefully, this will be the start of a good collection of useful reviews to all kinds of moms out there - first time mom, single mom, working moms.