Help the Victims of Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) in the Philippines!

Help the Victims of Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) in the Philippines! Please send your online donations to the Philippine National Red Cross. Here's the online donation link:

http://www.redcross.org.ph/Site/PNRC/Default.aspx?S=48&SS=972

Thank you!

Manila Forwarder Now Offers Philippine-Based Shopper Service

Manilaboy posted this comment, and I just wanna share the good news to everyone:

Imagine sitting in front of your computer in the comfort of your own home, shopping for the most high tech gadgets, the most popular, best-selling books, the hippest clothes and accessories, and the latest video games and toys, and then having them show up at your doorstep with the click of a button. The hassle of traffic and long lines are thrown out the window. Easy and convenient, right? The phenomenon of online shopping was first launched in the United States in the 1990’s, with the dawn of websites like Amazon and Ebay. Even popular shops and stores upgraded to online shopping, from Target to Forever 21 to Best Buy. However, exorbitant costs and other shipping issues have limited its benefits to certain regions even in today’s technologically advanced society. This has left everyone in the Philippines out of the loop for so long since the only way to shop from US-based stores was to shell out large amounts of money and interrupt the busy lives of family and friends in the United States to ask for help in purchasing and shipping the products.

Now, imagine sitting in the comfort of your own home and shopping for the most high tech gadgets, the most popular books, the hippest clothes and accessories, and the latest video games and toys from your favorite American stores, and having them show up at your doorstep in the Philippines with the click of a button. Easy and convenient, right? This is because Manila Forwarder has finally made many Filipinos’ dreams come true and made the advantages and ease of online shopping across the seas and accessible to everyone back home with their Philippine-Based Shopper service. Now, you can buy that bag, cellphone, perfume, action figure, or barbeque grill that you wanted. You can even start making bids on Ebay! All of this can be done without the hassle that previously burdened would-be online shoppers in the Philippines.

All you have to do is visit their website www.manilaforwarder.com and click on the “I’m from RP, I want to shop online” link on the right side of the home page and sign up. Two options will appear: Pay Per Ship and VIP Membership. With Pay Per Ship, your order will be sent to their main office in Los Angeles for the Manila Forwarder team to safely ship the package as is to the specified address in the Philippines using the Odd Shape Calculator rates without any extra fees. This option is good for customers who only buy a few items sporadically. The VIP Membership, on the other hand, is for customers who regularly make several online purchases, preferably at monthly intervals. All packages will be sent to their Los Angeles office, and keeping them as is with their original packaging, they will be consolidated into one balikbayan box. When the box is full and securely packed and sealed, it will then be shipped to the Philippines at regular or jumbo balikbayan box rates, plus a repacking and monthly fee. This option saves customers a lot of money with a one-time shipping payment. Plus, your account will be assigned to a reliable Manila Forwarder team member for them to personally assure the secure delivery of your packages and your satisfaction. Your packages can either be sent by air or ocean freight for both Philippine-Based Shopper options.

Tell your family and friends back home that their favorite products are no longer out of reach with Manila Forwarder’s Philippine-Based Shopper service. Just visit their website to set up an account and a multitude of online shopping possibilities will be at your feet.
www.manilaforwarder.com

Balikbayan Box Scam?

I have been getting some comments from our balikbayans who are complaining about Al Safwa Cargo in Dubai. All of them complain that the cargo forwarder has not delivered their boxes to the recipients in the Philippines despite the very long wait.

Below are some of their posts:

At 2:54 PM, Anonymous said...

I had a very bad experience over this cargo company, AL SAFWA CARGO DUBAI. Hope this email may serve as a warning to my kababayan from being a victim by such unreliable forwarding company in Dubai.

I contacted Al Safwa for the first time since I have had heard the first forwarder who delivered my cargo 2 years back had problems with their clients. So far, I didn't had any with them but to ensure I won't suffer such agony, I telephoned Al Safwa. They picked-up my cargo last December 2008 and to be delivered to my province in the south which will take NOT MORE THAN 45 days as per schedule, unfortunately it is already APRIL 22, 2009 and still my cargo hasn't arrived yet.

Naturally, anyone who had shed sweat and tears of working long hours for the reason of buying important stuff to our loved ones will for sure call right away.

There had been tons of phone calls made and all were promises that it will be in 2 weeks, in 10 days...blah blah blah....that there had been a problem in Manila about surcharges. Why shall we suffer on these problems of yours??? They continued to make all sorts of excuses and empty promises. I had enough reasons to freak out!!!

This week, I had been calling the office 04 273 1613 and I think I suffered from athritis for the countless dialing I made. What a waste of TIME....a WASTE OF MONEY!!!!

I have almost reached the end of my patience and I am now considering the possibility of reporting this to Dubai police so they can take legal measures and CLOSE this CARGO COMPANY. Not to get back the small amount I paid and not even the amount of items which costed a lot but it is to spare all my kababayans who might trust this company.

TO MY KABABAYAN, PLEASE SAVE YOURSELF FROM THIS HEADACHE.

At 2:36 AM, Jake said...

I'm one of the victims of this Al Safwa Cargo in Dubai. They have collected our package late December (2008) until now they still haven't delivered it. I'm planning to lodge a legal complaint against them. Those who are interested to join in my complaints, you can contact me on my mobile 050 4584 137...Joey

At 5:28 AM, Andy said...

Al Safwa Cargo is still running apparently. My sister sent us a box last March and it still hasn't arrived here in Manila then we decided to call the company that was servicing here in Manila sadly no answer. Can we file complaints here? And can my sister file one in Dubai as well?

At 5:57 AM, Anonymous said...

Leyz said, Yes Joey, this is really unfair. Hope Al Safwa Cargo will do something about this. And attend to our needs and agony. We have waited for them for a long time to act on this but till now is in vain. Hopefully other Kabayans will join us to make a complaint about this Company. It is not easy to prepare for something to put in the box to send in Phils. So please Al Safwa hear our complaints and act as fast as possible because our cargo box was taken from me on Jan. 10, 2009 and it is almost 5 months already but still in vain ----- please help us overcome this agony ---0508576331

Should you have the same experience with Al Safwa Cargo, please feel free to leave a comment here to warn our kababayans in Dubai.

The management of Al Safwa Cargo is also encourage to respond.

Update! One anonymous reader posted this info:

Anonymous said...

PLS DESSIMINATE THIS INFO: CLEARING AGENT OF AL SAFWA CARGO IS:

PIONEER CARGO SYSTEMS & BROKERAGE SERVICES PRESIDENT IS NINDORGE TARIMAN
Office -Suite 2000 Remar Tower, 49th Avenue, Better Living Subdivision, Parañaque City, Philippines
(632) 824-5470 TEL
(632) 823-7177 FAX

The President is Mr. Nindorge Tariman
Operation Manager is Mr.Teodoro Mendoza

mailto:ntariman@pioneercargo.net
mailto:tmendoza@pioneercargo.net
mailto:alaguilar@pioneercargo.net