Epic fail in sales and negotiation

Last Saturday, I was invited by Club Ultima for a 90-minute sales presentation. Since I already had attended one of these before, I had an inkling on the product that they were going to offer.

Yet, I still did. I am not the one to brush off any presentation as long as it can benefit me. I always open my mind on these and besides, there’s a free hotel accommodation as an incentive.

The agent, Kristine did the usual make-the-client-feel-good approach, letting me talk about my life, my work, etc. She was doing okay (note: just okay), but she did one cardinal mistake: she did not offer me any food on the buffet table! Believe me when I say my stomach was grumbling all throughout the two-hour was stuck in that office. Epic fail # 1. (more…)

How to avoid being fined for traffic violation

I was driving leisurely home one night when all of a sudden, I was flagged down by a Mandaluyong traffic enforcer. First thing that went through my mind was, “Crap, what did I do wrong this time (I frequently get flag down)?”

The traffic enforcer then notified me that my left headlight was not working properly. I went down to take a look. Dang, he was right! As he began to write down (or pretend to write down) my violation, I thought of charming him just like what I usually do when I get apprehended. (more…)

Citibank “Your reward, your choice” promo

Have so many Citibank charge slips with not many movies to choose from? Good news! Citibank has unveiled its latest promotion, “Your Reward, Your Choice”.

Terms

1.)    For every P1,500 minimum single receipt purchase, cardholders can exchange the charge slip for a P100 discount on the following establishments:

• Mercury Drug stores
• Rustan’s Department store, Supermarket or Shopwise
• Store Specialists, Inc.
• Shell gas stations
• Discounted movie tickets (saw the prices of the movies lately? Terrible!)

2.)    Card holders can redeem the discounts within sixty-calendar days from the end of promo period. It is unclear, however, whether the one-month validity of the charge slip is still enforced.

3.)    Card holders can only redeem a maximum of two charge slips (worth P200) for one transaction. And although it states that “splitting of one transaction into several approvals will not be allowed”, it does not say that card holders are not allowed to enter multiple transactions at one time (i.e. split your groceries into two baskets worth P1,500 each or pay your insurance premiums a day at a time with each payment worth only P1,500).

4.)    Re-selling of the premium item is not allowed. The buyer needs the card. But if you’re willing to redeem it personally and “sell” it to someone else (I know of somebody who did that), then I guess there’s no problem at all.

5.)    Manual approval sales slips are not allowed (anymore).

6.)    The rest of the mechanics are immaterial but if you still would like to read them, click here.

Benefiting from the expanded senior citizen act RA9994

Benefiting from the expanded senior citizen act or RA9994

After our weekly jogging at Rizal Park, my family and I went to the nearby fast food chain and ordered something to eat. Knowing that the law had been implemented last Tuesday, I was delighted to discover that the fast food chain did comply with the Expanded Senior Citizen Act or Republic Act (RA) 9994 (some businesses can really be unscrupulous).

Under this law, senior citizens are exempted from the 12 percent Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT). Before, the 20 percent discount was applied on the retail price of the commodity being sold which in this case was a breakfast value meal. (more…)

The dying middle class

The dying middle class

by: Kendrick Chua, CIS, RFP, The Wealth Warrior

In the comic strip, Prof by Rene Aranda of The Philippine Star, Prof sees a dead man out on the fields and upon closer inspection, he was shock to discover that the man is a “middle-class” and he died because “high cost of living”. The strip may be humorous but it is also satirical and the two panels are reflection of the reality happening in our society today—the middle-class are declining in numbers.

To begin with, just who are the middle-class of the Philippines? Are they the ones that work as corporate employees or professionals that can provide five meals a day for their family? Are they the ones that can send their kids to college albeit sleepless nights? Or are they the ones that can afford to travel just once a year on budget airlines and stay in budget hotels? Yes, those descriptions fit them more or less.

Continue reading the rest of the of the article here.

Sun Life It’s Time! Contest: Tell a Friend-Win a Trip to Boracay!

If you still haven’t had the chance to go to Boracay this summer, join this raffle! Who knows? You just might be the lucky advocate to win a trip for two (3D2N) to Boracay with accommodations in Boracay Regency Lagoon!

How to join:
(This raffle is open to Philippine residents only.)

1. ) Register through the It’s Time! website: http://www.itstime.com.ph/tell/, by providing a valid email address and your full name (as appearing in your birth certificate).

2. ) Wait for the confirmation email in your inbox. As soon as your registration is complete, you may start referring the email addresses of your friends. At least five (5) valid email addresses must be referred to qualify for the promo.

Sun Life Financial agency force, members of the Marketing Team, and all SLFP employees with the position Department Head and up, and their relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity are disqualified from this promo. These persons and their email addresses are also considered as invalid referrals for purposes of this promo.

3.) Aside from referring at least 5 email addresses of your friends, you must also post your story on the advocate page, http://www.itstime.com.ph/be-an-advocate/ to qualify for the promo. This means that you must post a pledge of personal financial commitment (e.g. It’s Time for me to start saving more of my salary).

4. ) One (1) grand prize winner will receive a travel certificate for 3 days and 2 nights accommodation at Boracay Regency Lagoon and round-trip airfare for two, including round-trip terminal fees, land and boat transfers from the hotel to the airport. This promo is valid from May 13, 2010 to June 20, 2010 only. Travel period is from May 2010 to October 15, 2010 only.

5.)  Only one (1) grand prize winner will be drawn via electronic raffle, with thirty- eight (38) minor winners of Sun Life items, (i.e., three (3) winners of Rudy Project analog watches, ten (10) winners of SLF Desktop Calendars, five (5) winners of SLF messenger bags and twenty (20) winners of SLF diaries). An entry can only win once in the promo. An entry who has already won is deemed ineligible to win other prizes thereafter. For example, if a previous winner’s entry has been picked again, his/her entry will be deemed invalid and another winner will be drawn. Sun Life Financial has the exclusive right to determine the validity and eligibility of any entry. Taxes on the prizes, if any, shall be for the sole account of the winners.

6. )Raffle draw will be on June 25, 2010 at 5/F, Tower 2, The Enterprise Center, 6766 Ayala Avenue, Makati City. The prizes are not convertible to cash.

7. ) Winners will be notified via a phone call and email coming from a representative of Sun Life Financial, with information on how to claim their prizes. Winners are required to present at least 2 valid photo-bearing IDs. Prizes must be claimed at 5/F, Tower 2, The Enterprise Center, 6766 Ayala Avenue, Makati City.

8. ) If a winner cannot claim his/her prize personally, his/her representative must bring his/her 2 valid photo-bearing IDs, notarized special power of attorney authorizing the representative to claim the prize, and the winner’s 2 valid photo-bearing IDs. Minors below 18 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who must likewise present at least 2 valid photo-bearing IDs. Prizes that remain unclaimed within thirty (30) days from raffle draw are deemed forfeited in favor of Sun Life Financial Philippines.

9. )The winners must agree to authorize Sun Life Financial Philippines to use his/her name and image in any publicity release or advertising material that may be made in relation to this promo in any medium (TV, Radio, Print) without limit as to the time and number of exposures.

Pursuing Your Financial Dreams

Pursuing Your Financial Dreams

by: Kendrick Chua, CIS, the Wealth Warrior

I have always wanted to own my own Island; one that would top Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island. I dream of escaping to the lush forest and pristine waters that would provide the tranquility from the stress of the metropolis. Then celebrities all over the world would come and get married on the island.

But I’m a realist and the dream of owning a private island is still just that—a dream. The next best thing I thought is to buy a beach-front property. I’d get to enjoy the lush forest and pristine waters at a fraction of the price.

(more…)