uEDGE Clearly Doesn’t Have The Edge

Let me share with you the unpleasant experience I had with uEDGE – a maker of calling cards.

Nine days ago I asked them to print my business card. It’s my first time to have my business card printed professionally. In the past, I design (and print) my own calling cards using Adobe PageMaker and Print Artist.

Look at the brochure of uEDGE – there’s no mention about an extra price for the printing of the QR Code at the back of the card!

The price of uEDGE’s basic calling cards is P345 for 100 pieces. I’ve read the brochure and been shown the sample and it clearly shown that there’s QR Code at the back of the sample. So I picked up a design from their sample portfolio and asked the store attendant to design a similar one.

The sample was printed and I forgot to look at the back of it for the QR Code thinking that it would be there like the sample. After about 6 hours, I got the cards – without the QR Code at the back! I asked the store attendant about it and it was only then that I was advised that there’s an additional P100 for printing the QR Code at the back. The sample that was presented to me (for the P345 package) clearly has a QR Code at the back of it.

Instead of arguing with the SM Megamall store attendant, I emailed the uEDGE customer service the same day telling them what happened. They assured me that they’ll investigate on the matter. Up to now they are still investigating the matter!

I’ve demanded some compensation for the missing information on the brochure (a note saying that printing of the QR Code on the back would have additional fee), the wrong sample, and the inability of their store personnel to inform me about the “hidden charges”.

Clearly, uEDGE doesn’t live up to their policy of providing prompt action from management. As of this time, they still haven’t sent me a copy of the investigation that they did.

After a series of communications via email, they offered to reprint only 50 pieces of my calling cards on the condition that I will return 50 pieces of the printed ones and that the QR Code will be printed on front. I settled for this offer so that I could put this bad experience with uEDGE behind. However, I will never have my next batch of calling cards printed by uEDGE again.

uEDGE doesn’t live up to their promise of fast resolution to complaints and their brochure and samples are misleading. In fact, when I asked the store personnel to print the same design as what was on the sample portfolio, she can’t reproduce it. She opened Google and asked me to select a similar picture.

The girl in blue inefficiently printed my calling card while the lady with the “V” sign is the store supervisor, Wendy. It took her 3 prints before she could get the correct size of the QR Code that is readable by her Nokia smartphone. It’s like a trial-and-error when it comes to printing the QR Code.

When the SM Megamall branch supervisor Wendy re-printed my card with QR Code on it, it took her 3 prints of the sample before the QR Code worked on her Nokia phone. I just pointed to one of their samples and told her that the QR Code’s size would be similar to their sample. They don’t have standards on the design that’s readily available on their computer for faster reproduction. They would start again from scratch as if someone else did the designs on their display and portfolio.

uEDGE really doesn’t have the edge when it comes to customer service and after-sales support. We’re not even talking about the quality of the print that easily washes away by moisture as if printed by an entry level, home printer.

Pictures taken from their website.

Technorati Tags: uEDGE,SM Megamall,Calling Cards

Pet Owners’ Day at Nagpayong, Pasig City

The City Government of Pasig, under the leadership of Mayor Maribel Eusebio, conducted a medical mission today at the Nagpayong Covered Court. This medical mission is unique from the previous medical missions that they’ve conducted since this included vaccination of pets. It’s truly pet owners’ day here at Nagpayong, Pasig City and the Pasig City Health Office did a great job.

Today’s medical mission included the usual consultation, dental, blood pressure reading, and providing medicines especially for the senior citizens. Whenever the City Government of Pasig visits our barangay, it’s always jam-packed with people.

Check out the following pictures of today’s Pet Owners’ Day here at Nagpayong, Pasig City.

Technorati Tags: Pet Owners' Day,Nagpayong,Pasig City,Health Office

My New Portrait Lens

Yesterday, I bought a new lens for my Canon ESO 1100D camera – the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II. This is a lens used primarily for taking glamor and portrait shots because it gives the best Bokeh effect on photos. For P4,500 I was able to purchase this lens at Camera Haus SM Megamall. I know, I should have bought it from Hidalgo instead but considering the convenience, I purchased it instead at this store. I also purchased my Canon EOS 1100D camera from the same branch of Camera Haus in Megamall almost 2 years ago.

I’m gearing towards street photography and portraiture. My street photographer friend Gilbert Obal is using the same lens and I admire his works. He also mentioned that the 50mm lens is a must-have for street photographers.

The widest aperture that the EF 50mm lens could give is f/1.8 and it also has the usual f/5.6 setting. It also has a Manual Focus (MF) and Auto-Focus (AF) feature. The downside to this lens is the absence of the zoom function. I have to adjust my distance by moving towards (or away) from my subject.

I was able to test the quality of this lens yesterday as well at the Napindan Bridge. That place has a flea market and is also popular site for kite flyers, joggers, bikers, vendors and motorcycle enthusiasts as well. It’s the perfect place for street photography portraits. Check out the pictures I’ve took yesterday using my new Canon EF 50mm lens.

The cat is Persian and the dog is… askal?

He is actually a girl.

Baron Super Antenna!

The fish is a Maya-Maya.

Technorati Tags: Bokeh,Portraiture,Napindan Bridge,50mm

The Honesty of a Zagu Cashier

Yesterday afternoon, I bought the Hazelnut Cappuccino Grande from Zagu SM Megamall (near the Supermarket). I added extra pearls for a total of P56. I gave the cashier a P1,000 bill, got the change and without counting it, shoved it inside my wallet.

While inside the FX on my way home to Pasig, I realized that I’m missing P500. It occurred to me that the Zagu cashier probably thought I gave a P500 bill so she only gave me P444 as change. I’m running late for an appointment with my photography friend and If I go back to SM Megamall, it would take me an hour.

There is also no guarantee that the cashier would acknowledge her mistake. It’s my responsibility to count my change before leaving the counter. She can simply insist that she gave me the correct amount and I have no evidence to prove otherwise.

So I went to the website of Zagu, got their mobile phone numbers, sent them text messages and also sent a message via their Facebook page. Their Contact-Us-Via-Email form on their website is not working by the way. I told them what happened and gave the OR#232768. I was expecting for the best but I already expected the worst.

This morning, I received a call from one of their managers and confirmed that the cashier made a mistake and was expecting me to return for the change. I went back to SM Megamall this morning, got my P500 bill, thank Mary Jane, and bought their latest Mango-flavor Zagu.

I’ve been a Zagu customer for years and I appreciate the honesty of their employees. Indeed, Zagu would be around for so long because of their quality shakes and honest employees like Mary Jane, the cashier.

Thanks again Zagu!

Technorati Tags: Zagu,Cashier,Honesty

Bawal Mag-Swardspeak Dito (BMSD)

Yesterday, at our photography club’s monthly meeting, we had conversation about the people who rally on the streets and how they “can’t be satisfied” with all the presidents of the land. They literally protest all the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of all the recent presidents. We came to a conclusion that they are funded by the Leftist, the Communists and the Anarchist.

My fellow club member also mentioned that one of the members of BMSD is trying to “tie” my opinion about them, with that of the FPPF, since I’m a member of a club that’s affiliated with the FPPF. My fellow club member advised that BMSD member that individual member’s opinion does not reflect the opinion of the FPPF. We are entitled (and responsible) for our own opinion.

I told him that I’ve been against BMSD before I became a member of FPPF. In fact, I was a former member of BMSD that got kicked out because they don’t want to accept my criticism of the group, and “bawal mag-swardspeak” in their group (no gay lingo allowed). I actually learned that there are some Leftist and Communist members of their group and that they prey on newbie hobbyists photographers.

One of the proof of that statement about brain-washing these newbies is that their group founder and their Facebook moderators protests A LOT about the government – from House Bills to MRT/LRT fare hike. They’re like the online version of those who rally during SONA.

The other thing that I noticed about their group, it’s founder and some of the members, is that they have conflict of interest. While they “champion” for the photographer’s right to shoot anywhere in the Philippines, they also engage in businesses and directly advertise it on their Facebook group. It’s full of ads that have nothing to do with their so-called advocacy.

Not to mention that their group still doesn’t know how to accept constructive criticism. They still expel members who give comments that question the group’s achievements as far as their advocacy is concern. They still attack the character of the person, not address the questions being raised.

Recently, my post on Pinoy Photography about the recent BGC misinformation has earned a lot of comments on their FB group that I can’t answer since they banned me from joining. They keep on grilling me on their Facebook group but don’t give me the opportunity to reply. So let me use my blog to reply to some of their criticisms about me:

1. I just want traffic to my blog that is why I keep on attacking their group. I was actually intrigued at the number of their members on their Facebook group – more than 10,000. At one point, I wanted to know if these members are genuine or were just created to increase the figures of their membership (exaggerate). So if at least ¼ of those members would at least visit my blog once, I’ll get around 2,500 hits.

Checking my blog stats, the article about My Bad Experience With BMSD is NOT one of the top viewed articles on my blog. In fact, articles related to Ragnarok (which is also my passion) is the most viewed article on my blog.

If I want traffic to my blog, I should blog more about Ragnarok, Entertainment and Resorts since these topics really generate traffic.

So why invest time on creating another article about the BMSD if it’s not generating desired traffic? It’s because it’s my social responsibility to educate the public about groups that prey on newbie photographers like me and spread false advertisements.

In fact, I’ve been advising the public to go out and shoot. My blog is full of pictures of places in Metro Manila that I was able to take pictures without arguing with the guards. You just have to know whether the place is a public place or a private place and you just have to abide by the rules of these areas – ask for the necessary permits. There are no fees if you’re a hobbyist photographer like me.

2. I have vendetta or “bitterness” against BMSD – False. I just want to educate newbie photographers that there is actually no fee if you’re going to shoot for personal use only. The arguments I had with BMSD over a year ago is history. I’ve already told the world about it. This is the 2^nd time that I’ve blog about this group since they’ve been talking about me in their Facebook group and they’re not letting me answer their questions. They’re not letting me join their group for a discussion or exchange of ideas.
3. That I’m an attention seeker – False. I wouldn’t be hiding in a pen name if I want attention to myself. In fact, I want people to visit my blog because of the things that I write or because of the pictures that I post.
4. That I’m a security guard – False. I’m a call center agent but I understand the security guards and there is no point arguing with the guards because they are just following orders. This is one of the things that I’ve been telling the members of the BMSD – stop arguing with the guards but instead report them to the management if you feel that your right as a photographer was violated.

Now, look at these posts from their Facebook page and tell me if they’re not using their members for their marketing business and personal agendas:

 

 

To the founder of Bawal Mag-Swardspeak Dito (BMSD), please accept my membership to your group so that I could reply to your criticism about me on your Facebook group. I hate using my blog to reply to your comments.

Technorati Tags: Bawal Mag-Swardspeak Dito,BMSD

Bike for Life, August 11, 2013

In spite of the politics behind the Bike for Life, I still attended it yesterday together with my biker’s club. It’s the 2^nd time that I attended the Bike for Life and the first time to attend it with my biker’s club. Biking is indeed more fun, if done with other biking enthusiasts.

The August 11 Bike for Life started at Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center. The route went to places like C5 Taguig, Katipunan Avenue (Quezon City), Marikina, East Bank Road, all the way to the finish line near the Santa Clara de Montefalco Parish Church, Caniogan, Pasig City. Yesterday’s Bike for Life is almost 40 kilometers.

There was a change in the rules of the Bike for Life. Instead of the Raffle Stub being given at the finish line, it is now being given halfway along the route to avoid bikers who are making shortcuts to the finish line. They also gave water (from a jug) at the half way mark yesterday, which is good.

At the finish line, we were given pansit, bread, banana and bottled water (that is still stamped with the name of Mayor Maribel A. Eusebio). There was a raffle to end the August 11 Bike for Life and one of my fellow biker from my biker’s club won a biking gear. The grand prize for yesterday’s Bike for Life was an Android Tablet, courtesy of the councilors of the Pasig City Government.

The Bike for Life Organizers are emphasizing that this event is a personal project of former mayor, Bobby Eusebio, who is now fondly called Kuya Bobby. The next schedule of Bike for Life would be on August 25, 2013 and the Start Line would still be at the Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center.

Technorati Tags: Bike for Life,August 11,2013,Kuya Bobby Eusebio