My Experience with Lazada (Part 1)

I tried Lazada for the first time, this year 2016.  I was under the impression it will be effortless shopping as they advertise.  And boy, was I wrong. 

The purchase online was a bit smooth.  The problem lies on the delivery of the purchased item and the customer service there after.  I am not making this up, nor I have the intent of bad mouthing Lazada.  This is just an honest, story I have with my experience on ordering and receiving my package from Lazada.

Overall experience was bad.  First of all, the product should have been allowed to be inspected by the customer, and have it return right away if it's not the right one.  Not let the customer go to the nearest LBC branch just to send it back to Lazada.  Right there and then the wrong product should not be paid and returned by the customer to Lazada.  It was a hassle on my part as a customer to have to go to an LBC branch, just to send the wrong product back.

Okay, here is my story with regards to my Lazada order experience. 

I wanted to try Lazada since, the prices are cheap for an item I never seem to see in physical stores.  In this case a power bank 20000 mAh with solar power bank of 20000mAh for just around 800 Philippine Pesos.  So, I ordered online, use a 100 discount voucher to lessen the delivery charge of 50... So I only get to pay 700+. I got a confirmation email, yada yada yada.. delivery expected date.. so on..

So to keep it short, on delivery day I got a SMS msg stating I will expect delivery soon.  On that day, the delivery guy was there, he wanted to get the money/payment first before I could even see the package.  I gave the money / payment, he gave me the package which was awkward from the size it seems to only contain one power bank.  The guy seems to know there is something wrong with the package and instructed me that for returns I have to go to LBC and send the package back.

What the F**k? So the delivery guy left, me with seemingly a wrong package.  I opened it, lo and behold one Power bank with a usb lamp light and a monopad.. pink color and I'm a guy...

I tried contacting Lazada, thru email... no luck there, online chat was like talking to a robot.  So I have no choice but to send the package back, or just use the pink power bank... and call it a bad experience.

All this could just been avoided if their delivery guy was able to check the package before delivery and specified it was the wrong item based on their waybill.  Or at least let the customer check and have it returned there and then without paying for the wrong product.

Part 2 on what happened next...

Sun Cellular Better coverage in Metro Manila

I noticed, that the coverage area of Sun Cellular is much better than Smart and Globe.  At least in Caniogan & Brgy. San Miguel in Pasig, Rockwell Center, and Araneta Center.

Also, the data speed of Sun Cellular is faster and stronger than Smart.  I certainly regret getting a data plan from Smart now.  Sun Cellular must have used their money from Smart (Smart bought Sun Cellular) and improved their infrastructure and coverage.

The only problem I have with Sun Cellular is their customer service, that is where they failed.  You call their customer service, good luck getting thru.  You will be on hold for more than 5 minutes and in fact, I have not talked to any service representative since availing of their service.

Another problem with Sun Cellular is their stores, there are few agents and the line to the cashier is so long, that you better have that bill auto debited to your credit card to avoid this inconvenience.

This is just my personal opinion.  And I am planning to change my data provider from Smart to Sun Cellular, once my lock-in period expires.  I'm currently paying for a data plan that I am not happy with, there are many instances there is no mobile data connection from Smart, but the Sun Cellular data is flowing in lightning speed.  So I don't believe in Smart saying they offer LTE, when 4G coverage is none existent in areas that they should have, like the malls and public spaces.

Globe has the worst coverage of the 3 top brands.  Globe was the first in the Philippines, but their infrastructure is now the worst.  In fact my first mobile service provider was Globe, since most people use Globe at that time, then I switched to Smart.  Smart coverage is said to be good, but mobile data is bad.  Hope their data improves before my lock-in period expires, so I may consider staying with them.

Smart Communications Philippines have a new promo for Prepaid users

This is a bit off the Gadget criteria, but is needed if you have a cellphone gadget.

Good news, for those who text a lot in the Philippines.  Especially if you are already have a smart buddy sim card.  All you have to do is text MEGA250 to the number 2477.  This promo will give you the following:

• Unlimited SMS to all networks
• 3 hours tri-net calls (using the *2477 + 11-digit Smart/TNT/Sun number)
• 100MB free mobile surfing 

All this is valid for 30 days. Cheaper than the TRINET100 promo, if you are after just texting to all network.

This news was read from their FB fan page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/SmartCommunications

I have to admit, they could have been fixing their back-end a couple of days ago, that my previous TRINET100 promo subscription was ruined, they ate up my original free 300+ txt, remaining 600+ promo text and my remaining 60 minute call was forfeited.

What's worst is when I called to have it fixed, the Customer Service Representative (CSR) keep insisting I already used up all my free calls & SMS.  She wasn't able to help me at all.  She just does not care, she keeps saying according to our records, you have used it all.  We ended the conversation, with me unsatisfied with the result.  When they texted me the next day on a survey if I was satisfied with their service, I replied "No".

But lately, after checking my load, I saw my free text back and the TRINET promo was given back.  I hope they don't screw me again, since I have been a loyal Smart subscriber.