Customer Disappointed at Subway's Buy One Take One Promo

Images courtesy of Fashion PULIS reader

Hi FP!

I asked my friend to buy me Subway sandwiches earlier. She is one of the hundreds who fell in line because of the buy 1 take 1 promo. She went straight to our office afterwards and handed me my Steak and Cheese sandwiches (she asked not to include veggies because I dont eat them). 

When I got home, I was really disappointed. The sandwiches looked far from what they have on their website. Yes, the veggies were removed but still far from what I was expecting.

Take note that the cheese is still on top of the meat meaning I have not done anything with the sandwich. 

The sandwiches were purchased at the California Garden Square branch around lunch time.

Regards,

Subway Fan No More

Letter from a Reader: Fierce and Fashionable?

Image courtesy of www.diytrade.com

Dear Fashion PULIS,

I am a regular reader of your blog. I find your blog a "complete package" as it is not just about showbiz stuff, but you also write about inspiring stories of ordinary people. And there's social responsibility, too, as you also address consumers' rights by providing them space in your blog. If only for that, I thank you, Fashion Pulis.

Anyway, I would like to relay to you a story about an American clothing retailer in the Philippines (AR) with several branches worldwide. I came to realize that its Philippine branch seems to be duping its local clientelle.

My teenage kids and I are regular shoppers at AR. Aside from the shop's cool interior, we also like the trendy and hip designs of its varied collections. Although prices may not really be cheap, but the thought that we're buying quality is enough to justify the cost. As they say - quality has a price.

But lately, we are often disappointed to find out that quality ceases to be AR's major turn-on anymore. Slowly we are getting suspicious of their products. To be honest about it, we did our own investigation to satisfy our curiosity and disgust. And lo and behold, what did we find out?

Some of AR's merchandise are not originally made in USA. For one, we found out that some of its fashion accessories are just copied/outsourced from a major local retailer, stamped with AR's name and then sold at double, and more often, triple the price. What a big let-down!

The (mal)practice is real. But if not addressed properly, the damage will even be greater. With competition in the industry getting intense, this is the last thing that AR needs. As they say in business - it takes years to build a good reputation, but only minutes to ruin it.

Yours truly,
A. Salvador

Letter from a Reader: The Nosy and Noisy Fan

Image courtesy of www.readyornot-newyear.blogspot.com

Dear FP,

I am one of those quiet readers of your blog and often I wonder where you get your sources. However, more than the stories, what I like are the views of your readers. Anyways, I would like to narrate an incident I personally witnessed while in the MRT last week. It was around 8pm and I was on my way to Makati.

These two girls boarded the train at Quezon Ave. My attention was caught because one of them was speaking very loudly. Apparently, both of them came from a network taping. Girl 1 was talking about how she went to several tapings; her “Ate T” was taping for her fantaserye; how a certain PA left this celebrity so this celeb and her sis had to carry their bags; how another personality had to change her “panty” during a taping (Girl 2 was quiet all the time until she corrected Girl 1 to say “underwear”); how some fans of Ate T got held-up and lost their BBs while on their way somewhere, among others. Girl 1 even said she attended the taping of a talk show of the sis of her Ate T. That was when I finally figured out who she was talking about.

I wanted to shut her up but the crowd got thicker and I did not want to leave my seat. Despite the distance and the crowd between us, I could still hear that fan yapping. My thoughts were full of pity for the celebrity who was being talked about one of her fans in such a public place with so many people hearing even if they do not want to. I only wanted to share this experience to let your readers from the different networks know how certain fans behave publicly (and then they question the credibility of your BIs).

Thank you.
MRT rider

Letter from a Reader: Repeatedly Ignored

Image courtesy of www.badideatshirts.com 

Dear FP,

I've been using my prepaid number since 1999. I've kept this number because it's easy to memorize. Even if my family and friends have changed their mobile numbers many times, they still know my number by heart. But with the disappointing turn of events lately, I'm starting to have a change of mind.

My dilemma started last week of February. I was in the NAIA Airport last February 25 for my flight to New York. I registered for international roaming and got a confirmation. When I arrived in the US, my phone could not pick up any signal. I've been trying to do manual signal connection for days but to no avail. So I tweeted the customer service to raise my concern and they were able to address my issue and connected me to international roaming.

I came back March 12, 11 PM. Upon arriving in Manila, I deactivated my international roaming. I got a confirmation from that it was deactivated. Then, I immediately registered to avail of the one week free calls and text. The response says they cannot accomodate my request and I have to check this certain plan that is for postpaid account.

March 13. I tried connecting the whole day but still the same response. I called the hotline for support but told me just to try it again and again because the current promo might have high volume of users. I also tweeted the customer service and sent them a DM but got no response.

March 14. I got a reply from the customer after 25 hours. I gave my mobile number and they told me that I will be given feedback within 24 hours. I called the hotline again and they told me that a report was submitted for my concern.

March 15. I tweeted the customer service. My tweets were ignored. I called the hotline and told me that their maximum time for resolution is 2 days.

March 16. I tweeted the customer service but still ignored. I called the hotline and told me that they will escalate my issue to their supervisor to prioritize my issue.

March 17. I tweeted and sent a DM to the customer service but my tweets and DMs were ignored. Called the hotline and still no feedback on my issue from their support team. Promised to escalate the issue.

March 18. Tweet and DM ignored by the customer service. Agent from hotline still promised to prioritize my issue.

It's so frustrating that they have been ignoring my tweets and DM. I just hate that they say they will resolve the issue within 2 days but never even gave me a feedback. The least they could do is to acknowledge or give a few words about the issue. I may be a prepaid user but I have been using this for 13 years already.

Thanks FP.

Yours,
J. Rivera

Cristy Ramos vs 2 Azkals

Image Courtesy of www.mssparky.com

ATTN: AFC DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE (Mr LIM KIA TONG, Chairman)

RE: SEXUAL HARASSMENT COMPLAINT AGAINST PHILIPPINE MEN'S TEAM PLAYERS LEXTON MOY AND ANGEL GUIRADO (PHILIPPINES VS MALAYSIA, 29 FEB 2012, MANILA, PHILIPPINES)

Dear Mr Lim:

This to file a formal complaint against Messrs LEXTON MOY (no. 25) and ANGEL GUIRADO (no. 12) of the Philippine men's national football team, for SEXUAL HARASSMENT during the team check for the friendly match between the Philippines and Malaysia (both "A" teams) on 29 February 2012, 1900H, at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, Manila, Philippines.

During the Team Managers' Meeting on 28 February 2012 at the Discovery Suites in Pasig City, Philippines, I mentioned to the representatives of both the Philippine team and the Malaysian team that I would be serving as the Match Commissioner for their match. As stated in the AFC's regulations and Official Countdown, the Match Commissioner together with the Fourth Official check the teams before the match to verify their identification (accreditation) cards and ensure that their kits are in proper order. However, being a woman Match Commissioner doing a men's match, I had to explain that I would give the teams sufficient warning and preparation time before I would come inside their changing rooms to do the team check together with the Fourth Official, Mr Wilfredo Bermejo.

Whenever I serve as the Match Commissioner, I always follow a standard procedure for the team check regardless of the type of match. At the time of the check I initially knock loudly at the door of the changing room as a sign of courtesy and warning to the team, and then let the Fourth Official first enter the changing room to check if the players are ready before I finally enter the room. Before doing the check itself, I properly introduce myself as the Match Commissioner and also introduce the Fourth Official. I also explain the procedure of how the check will be done. I always tell the players that I will be checking their accreditation cards first then their jerseys, and that the Fourth Official will thereafter check the rest of their kits and other items, e.g., jewellery, hair accessories, fingernails etc. I also tell them the sequence of the check, i.e., I check the starting 11 players first then proceed with the substitutes.

At the appointed time (1745H) on match day, I came to the changing room of the Philippine team for the team check. I was accompanied by Fourth Official Wilfredo Bermejo and my liaison officer, Mr Joseph Gensaya. I initially knocked loudly at the door to signal my arrival. A team official opened the door and said that the team would be ready in five (5) minutes. We then waited for five minutes presuming that the team was getting ready for the team check. When we entered the changing room of the Philippine team, I properly introduced ourselves and explained the procedure for the check. In spite of the introduction the players remained rowdy and noisy, apparently not taking the team check seriously and almost ignoring our presence. As I called the players individually so that we could check their accreditation cards and kits, Philippine player LEXTON MOY (no. 25) stood by my right side and said in a loud voice "Must be a B cup," to which the players laughed loudly. As I was the only female in the room, he was apparently referring to my bra size. He could not have been talking about men's athletic cups, as their sizes are specified as extra-small, small, medium, large, and extra-large vis-a-vis cup sizes of women's brassieres, which are specified in letters. Additionally when I checked Philippine player ANGEL GUIRADO (no. 12) he stood in front of me purposely just wearing his briefs and made no attempts to wear shorts or cover his underwear. Again, the players loudly laughed while I was checking this player.

While all this was happening, none of the Philippine team officials present nor the team captain, JAMES JOSEPH YOUNGHUSBAND (no. 7), made any attempts to discipline the players and tell them to behave properly. In fact they were also laughing and seemed to be enjoying the revelry at my expense. Philippine Team Manager DAN STEPHEN PALAMI and Philippine Head Coach HANS MICHAEL WEISS were both not present in the changing room at the time of the team check.

Having been a Match Commissioner for girls', women's, boys' and men's matches since 2003 at both AFC and FIFA levels, I have not experienced this crude and totally shameful behaviour from a national team anywhere before this incident. I truly regret and feel very ashamed that this disrespect comes from the national team of my country, the Philippines. This kind of sexist and demeaning behaviour has no place in football, and should therefore be sanctioned.

Sincerely,
Cristina RAMOS
Past Member, Organising Committee for the FIFA U-20 and U-17 Women's World Cups (2004-2011)
Past Member, AFC Women's Committee (2003-2010)
Past President, Philippine Olympic Committee (1996-1999)

Official Statement of National Team Manager Dan Palami on the Incident Report Filed by Match Commissioner Cristy Ramos
2012-03-02 23:33:52

March 2, 2012 - I would like to reassure Commissioner Cristy Ramos that the PFF and I take these allegations seriously. We will promptly investigate this incident. In fact, we already met with Commissioner Ramos today to discuss the incident report she filed. For this reason, I postponed my scheduled trip to Nepal.

It is unfortunate that we learned about this first from media sources. In my brief conversation with Commissioner Ramos after the match, we exchanged pleasantries and there was no mention of the incident that transpired. As I told her in our meeting today, I would have addressed the issue right then. Since the players have already left the country for the AFC tournament, a dialogue between them and Commissioner Ramos is not possible at the moment.

Nonetheless, we will not put off the investigation even as we prepare for a major tournament. I will sit down with my players and staff and get to the bottom of this.

In my personal experience of the usual goings-on in the men’s locker room, the tension, excitement and nervous energy before a match often result in a lot of boisterous bantering. For someone who walks into this situation, this might appear as bordering on disrespect. But again, I am speaking only from my personal experience. I was not witness to the particular incident which is the subject of the incident report. Until I hear from all sides, I cannot comment substantially on the matter.

Like Commissioner Ramos, I also believe that sexual harassment should not be tolerated in any situation. I will look into the circumstances of this alleged incident and cooperate with any investigation. If it is proven that there was in fact malicious intent, I will make sure that proper sanctions are meted out.

On behalf of the team, I sincerely apologize to Commissioner Ramos for the distress this situation has caused her.

Letter from a Reader: Unfulfilled Promises

Image courtesy of www.wpp.com

Dear Fashion PULIS,

I’m an avid reader of your blog and I know that you not only post blind items, but also some of your readers’ experiences with bad service, scams, etc., as caution to your other readers. I hope you will post this, not only as caution to your readers, but to call attention also to the organizer of a particular sports event held last October.

This event was sponsored by a popular shoe/sports apparel brand. The number of participants was overwhelming. In all fairness, the event was organized at first with just some minor hiccups (which was understandable because it was a big event). They gave us a runner’s kit before the race (as advertised) and “promised” us a finisher’s kit as well after the race. After the race, we were surprised when we only received a poster and a letter saying that our finisher’s kit will just be sent to the address provided in our registration form.

At that point it was fine with us but as weeks past, we still did not receive our finisher’s kit. The last update they gave us through their Facebook page was last November and that they said they will be delivering this finisher’s item first week of December. It’s now February and we still have not received this item.

If ever they will organize another Run this year I really hope that they will stick to their promise, but I do not think I will be joining this event this year anymore.

Thank you, FP and more power to you!

Yours truly,

RL

Letter from a Reader: Is It Really More Fun in the Philippines?

Image courtesy of www.pinoymanila.com

Dear Fashion PULIS,

I am an avid reader of your blogs and it makes life fun especially to those people like me who are not really into following the showbiz world.

I would like to share the experience I recently had in our Terminal Airport because I really wonder why we promote the tag line: “It’s More Fun in the Philippines.” Is it really fun? I guess the government/DOT should fix our tourism first before using this tag line.

When I got back to the Philippines, I experienced the following that made me think of how much the government needs to work to provide truth to the tagline.

1. We waited for about 15 minutes inside the plane because the ground crew was still looking for an available ladder.
2. Terminal 1 really needs renovation. Its age, smell, and small size add stress to being in the airport.
3. When I got my 2 pieces of luggage of about 50 lbs each, nobody helped me to get it from the conveyor (unlike in the US, someone helped me immediately).
4. The custom officer rudely asked if I had things to declare. When I said I had nothing to declare, he asked where I came from. I replied I came from the US. Then, he retorted with, "Ano mga binili mo sa US? Ano laman ng bagahe mo? Ang laki ng bagahe mo wala kang ideclare?"
5. While I was in the toilet, I overheard a conversation between a worker and a passenger. After her sad story, the passenger gave her five Canadian dollars, to which she replied with, “puwede na po ito sir.” The toilet is so small that I could not bring my cart inside and there was no air conditioning.
6. While I pushed my heavy cart towards the exit door, five male porters were waiting. One of them said, "patulong ka na, konting pera lang naman yan. Di makakabawas yan sa dollars mo!" By this time, I was very frustrated already. I did not say anything because I was so tired and sweating too much.
7. When I was waiting for my ride, I felt sad how the waiting area looks like. It is such a shame for foreigners and balikbayans. I remember there was a couple on the same plane I rode saying they were excited to go to the Philippines for their much-awaited vacation and it was their first time. I wonder how they felt when they reached the airport.

Is it really fun in the Philippines? Perhaps, the government should consider that fun in the Philippines begins with its airport and I wish this were positive fun.

Yours truly,
Frustrated Balikbayan

Letter from a Reader: Mixed-up My SIM

Image courtesy of www.englishbaby.com

Dear FP,

As an avid reader of your blog, I have found your site as a considerable way to get our voices heard as consumers. I am going to forward this as well to the attention of NTC, but I believe that flagging this to your site first will substantially draw the attention my case deserves.

My horrible experience started when I signed up for a new line under my existing account last Jan 2nd in one of the malls in Pasig. The expectation was set for 24 to 48 hours to have it activated. Last Jan. 4, when 48 hours elapsed, I decided to have my brother follow this matter on my behalf by calling the telecom's hotline. He was advised that a ticket was logged to record this delayed concern and feedback will be given soon.

Two days later, there was still no return call. My brother followed up again. Soon after, he sought my help to call back if needed after the committed callback deadline of 3pm, as the line is under my name. We waited until 3:45pm, and by then I took over.

To make the long story short, I was denied several times of speaking to a supervisor or manager in their call center (outsourced to a local BPO firm) up until I was adamant in having my request expedited. The agent and the supervisor advised me to contact the branch where I filed my request as my need was beyond the call center's capabilities. However, the supervisor assured me that my request was already being addressed.

After a few minutes, the mobile number that was already existing and the one I was personally using to call them went out of service all of a sudden. Having worked for a Singaporean telco myself in the past, I suspected that an error in SIM mapping might have been the cause. So I tried and checked the inactive SIM that was meant for the activation of the new line, and I was right. My mobile number was transferred to this other SIM.

Things would have been more manageable on my part if only I wasn't using an iPhone 4S that requires a micro sim instead of the regular sized one. Due to their error, I had no way of using this newly activated SIM on my unit.

With this development, I was already blowing off my fuse and on the way to the nearest center to file a complaint, the supervisor suddenly called. She had a cheery tone and perhaps was horrified to learn of how things got seriously messed up. I asked for the number of the branch to get in touch with the same manager that I spoke with when I signed up for this new line.

While driving to the branch, I was able to reach the manager. In the midst of our heavy discussion, she informed me she was in the hospital. I made it clear that I have no intention of stressing her out further, so I requested to speak to her branch assistant. A few more minutes later, I got a call from a woman who got me more irritated because it seemed she had no sense of the gravity of my concern. I was losing business because my mobile cannot be contacted due to their error.

I hope this brings attention to how poorly this telecom service is treating its customers. No wonder people are switching to the other telecom.

Yours truly,

P.G. 

Letter from a Reader: Not an Amiable Place

Image courtesy of www.inquisitr.com

Dear Fashion PULIS,

Let me share our unfortunate incident in paradise with you and your readers. I hope this serves as a warning to all your readers.

Upon arrival, our group saw a placard having the name of the guests held by the driver of this resort. The group was informed that the transfer was part of our package and that we should ride with him. The group cancelled its pre-arranged booking with a certain transport company and opted for a more comfortable ride with the resort driver. The European owner even went to pick up the group at the jetty port.

While asking the front desk about additional charges for transfers to Kalibo en route to Manila, the European owner told the group to pay for the earlier transfers. To cut the long story short, the resort staff made a mistake and even apologized over the phone and sent the organizer of the group an apology letter stating that they will waive all transport fees due to the miscommunication.

At the end of the trip, after settling the bill consisting of accomodation, food, massages, bar expenses, etc.- which amounted to more than 300,000 pesos, the owner demanded the group to pay the one way transfers amounting to less than 10,000 pesos. After a long, heated argument, explaining to him that it was his transport staffs fault, he let the group leave his resort right away. Pointing to the door, he said, "Thank you for cheating me a few thousands" the European owner said in front of his staff, other guests, and the kids.

The group gave them good business and he opted to be rude and unprofessional to his customers. By the way, he also reprimanded the kids for running around the beach with the resort's beach towels. We also noticed that he seemed friendlier to his American and European guests. Call it discrimination?

Lastly, 5 people in our group were food poisoned after eating in this resort's restaurant. How bad can it get?

Yours truly,

Ann C.

Letter from a Reader: Choose Your Online Sellers

Image courtesy of P.I. Shop and Sell

Dear Fashion Pulis.

I am Camille Chan, an online seller on Facebook. I just wanna share to your readers and spread the word as well that I recently found out a scammer who is posing to be me. The account is very private and you can only add it as a friend on Facebook. The stolen pictures are all in private settings and the scammer is very sneaky.

The first time I heard about this was in September 2011, when a certain shopper (has never bought from me) sent me a private message and asked if I am associated with this certain account. I asked her for a link but she could not provide it to me because the scammer blocked her already.

I tried searching for Regina Laput, the name that the shopper gave me, in google but nothing showed up. Last night, I tried to search for the gcash number that this lady was using and I found out that Regina Laput is included in the list of scammers for research and cross reference purposes.

I search for this poser's account everyday and I only found out about her when she mistakenly added a shopper who has bought from me before. This certain shopper was kind enough to send me the link. For the past few days I have been messaging shoppers who have been inquiring from the scammer's account.  Whenever the shopper who sent me the link sees someone inquiring, she immediately sends me his/her link so I can inform him/her that the account is a fake.

Lastly, I found out yesterday that the scammer does not go by the name of Regina Laput anymore. Her new account name is Pia Salamat.

Thanks you very much Fashion Pulis. This are all the pieces of information that I have gathered for the past 72 hours. I already spread the word thru Facebook regarding the seller's pages but unfortunately it is not enough since someone told me that some shoppers are still buying from that account.

Before any of you say that online shopping is not safe, I just wanna emphasize that you just have to be wise. If a seller does not have any feedback from at least 10 buyers, or if he/she does not update from time to time, chances are, he or she is a scammer.


Camille Chan
Owner of Cruella & Co

Letter From a Reader: Insects in My Cereals

Dear Fashion PULIS,

When I opened this box of cereals that I bought from this supermarket located somewhere in Quezon City, I was surprised to see insects inside it. This was not actually the first time it happened to me. In both cases, it involved the same brand of cereals.

The first time this happened to me, I immediately returned the box of cereals to the supermarket and was issued a credit receipt.  I wanted to speak to the manager but the customer service representative told me that he was busy at that moment. To prove my point, I opened the box of cereals in front of her and when she saw the insects coming out of the box, she was not surprised at all. I even informed her that I went to check the shelves and saw that there were other boxes with the same problem but she did not seem to mind at all.

A few months later, the same incident happened to me. This time around, I insisted to speak to the manager. In an attempt to prove that my case was perhaps an isolated one, the manager instructed one of his staff to get a new box of cereals from the shelves. When he opened it in front of me, he was horrified when he saw the insects crawling out of the box. To save his face, he immediately ordered his staff to pull out this brand of cereals from the shelves. 

The manager apologized to me and gave me a credit receipt. He said that was the best he could do. I understood what he meant so I just requested him to give me the email addresses of the supermarket management and the company that produced the said cereal. I sent them emails months ago and until now,  I have not heard a word from any one of them.

Thank you FP for posting my letter. I just want to warn your readers to be more careful with the things that put in their shopping cart.

Thank you,
Brownie

Letter From a Reader: Don't Go There In Case of Emergency

Image courtesy of www.emergencysigns.com

Dear Fashion PULIS,

I would like to share my frustration with this certain hospital. My 6 month old daughter has been vomiting for 2 days and upon the advice of her pediatrician, we brought her to the emergency room of certain hospital for blood test.

Our problem started the moment we stepped in emergency room. We waited for more than an hour for a blood test procedure that could have been over in a few minutes. I approached the staff from time to time to follow up if someone was already available to do the procedure but everyone was just too busy.  

When I asked the nurses as to why it is taking them so long, they repeatedly told me that there was only one medical technician on duty. I understand that it was a Sunday, but there were more than 50 patients in the pedia section alone.  How could they afford to have only one person taking blood from all these patients? 

After waiting for more than an hour, we eventually got fed up and demanded to be released from this hospital. When we arrived in this newly built hospital in the neighboring city, the staff immediately attended to my daughter and gave her all the necessary tests. 

Fashion PULIS, I am writing to you so that you readers will know better not to go to the first hospital that we went to in case of emergency. If they do so, they will have to wait in line before they get the proper medical attention. 

Thank you very much. More power to FP!

Yours truly,

Rachel

I Hate Globe!

Image courtesy of www.pcworld.com.ph

FP: I am confused. I remember I registered for BB Max (for 30 days) a few days ago, how come I am receiving a message informing me that my BB Max subscription has expired.

PLATINUM HOTLINE CSR: Sir, upon retrieving your records, your BB Max (for 5 days) has expired.

FP: Ha, but I registered for BB Max (for 30 days)?

CSR: Sir, according to your records, you did request for BB Max (for 30 days) but the CSR activated BB Max (for 5 days).

FP: What do we do now?

CSR: We have to register your BB Max (for 30 days) again.

FP: Does this mean that I have to wait for another 24 hours before I get my BB service back?

CSR: More or less sir.

FP: Does this also mean that I have to pay for the BB Max (for 5 days) even if I requested for BB Max (for 30 days)?

CSR: Yes sir.

FP: Why should I pay for the mistake of your CSR?

CSR: There is nothing we can do as of now. My suggestion is for you to wait for your bill and call us back and complain if you already see the BB Max (for 5 days) posted in your bill.

FP: Can't you just help me monitor it please since I am already speaking with you?

CSR: I will TRY.

NOTE: I just posted the gist of our conversation, not the exact words of FP and CSR.

Please share your I Hate Globe experience. I would love to hear from you.