It is sad when we get subjected to shocking/terrible treatment from establishments/companies we thought we can trust because of their apparent good reputation. I’m thinking, we opted to patronize these establishments/companies because we want good service; but we got something no better.

1. Vehicle-Brand Casa – Yeah, isuzu sucks.  But I was surprised recently when my friend complained to me that Toyotadid more damage after her car’s tune-up (to prepare so for her trip up north).

2. Yellow Cab – back in lawschool, Abel, Pixie, and I had dinner at Yellow Cab Makati Ave.  It took us a long time to get there due to traffic.  We were so famished that we gobbled up our big big pizza.  However, with only around three slices left, I noticed, that one had a dead fly masquerading as a piece of dark olives.  We immediately complained so to the store manager.  It’s ok that she did not replace our pizza (busog na rin kami and we were quite done); but heck, she did not even apologize!

3. ABN-AMRO – My aunt told me this bank had high interest rates and good customer service.  To try it out, I parked some money for a term.  When my placing matured, I decided to transfer my money because I was not happy with the bank.  After copying the serial numbers of the bills I withdrew, I went to another bank (my old bank actually, but in a different branch due to our house transfer that time) to deposit the very same bills.  Much to my surprise and outrage, the bank personnel at the latter found one counterfeit bill amongst those I’m depositing! Wow, to think that bill came from ABN-AMRO — nalulusutan ang banks ng fake dollar bills?!  It was quite embarrassing for me as well because the branch where I’m gonna deposit might think I’m an estafa-dor!  After checking the list of serial numbers, ABN-AMRO acknowledged the bill came from them and will replace so.  If I was older and wiser then, dapat I made a demand for damages! Haha. The lesson: make sure talaga that you take note of the serial number of the foreign bills you’d be receiving and make the personnel who noted so sign your copy of the list.

4. Aside but related to consumerism: When buying packs of instant noodles in the grocery, be sure to check them for any holes created by mice or cockroaches.  I’ve seen some packs destroyed by the said pests in Rustan’s and Cash and Carry. Eeeew, yuck and the sickness one can catch from eating that contaminated pack! And so, whenever I grab some instant noodles, I examine the packaging for any holes and kinda flatten them one by one between my hands to make sure the packs are still airtight-sealed (the packs do not get flattened in my hands…but do be careful not to pop open the packs while doing this).