I USED to make online orders because they are practical, cheap, and convenient too, either from Shopee or Lazada. After all, online selling/buying became a trend following the COVID pandemic that stymied face to face business transactions.
Nowadays, ordering food, and having it delivered, is just a fingertip away, thanks to online selling of goods and services.
But two transactions turned me into a bitter, and frustrated, online buyer.
One time, I ordered some mechanical tools, paid more than 2K but when the package was opened, I was surprised to see an obviously fake golden necklace. I wrapped it around the image of Sto Niño and uttered some “prayers” for those responsible for the scam.
Another time, I was surprised to open a shimmering gown, white on top and purple down below and obviously intended for a double-sized she.
Hahay paita.
So my friends told me to read first the “review” of the item before making orders but no Sir, I have had enough and since then, I stopped all online transactions.
* * *
I thought that sad experience was isolated. But no, there are others.
One time, I was consulted about a “conned” transaction in “Marketplace” on Facebook.
She was looking for a cheap transport for her young student, after securing a fast loan from a relative.
She saw an advertisement for a black wagon-type Honda CR-V, 2007 model and sold for “only” 200,000. She checked the details and true enough, it was advertised as pre-owned, in tip-top running condition and no mechanical issues whatsoever.
Thinking that she struck a good bargain, she contacted the number of the owner and they agreed to see each other for an ocular.
A friend suggested that she tag along a mekaniko so the latter could advise her as to the physical, electrical and mechanical condition of the car.
The mekaniko, who later turned out to be just an ordinary driver, told her in no uncertain terms that it was a “good buy.”
She paid the “owner” who turned out to be just an agent with the advertised 200,000 price. After securing the OR/CR, including the “open” Deed of Sale, she went home with her newly bought Honda CR-V.
But when she negotiated the hilly part of Barangay Pardo in Cebu City, she had difficulty doing so because of lack of power. Worse, the light opposite the D (drive) in her automatic powershift pedal was blinking.
Eventually, she referred the vehicle to a mechanic and true enough, there was one big problem.
And a serious one at that, something that would require a huge amount in repair cost.
The issue – transmission problem.
When asked how she got the vehicle, she explained everything and she was right away given options – either to return the car or have it repaired at cost.
Anyway, to cut the story short, i succeeded in convincing the conned buyer to resort to some legal process and she is now on the brink of receiving the “return” of her purchase price.
Sad to say that from 200K, she got only a return of 140K because the owner insisted that that was the actual amount she got from the 2 agents (at 25K each), plus 10K for the “mekaniko.”
Amid the avalanche of tears, and pagmahay nga hilabihan kay tiaw bay nangutang lang siya para makapalit og sakyanan unta pero nailad man hinuon sa atubangan, she is now a new member of the Nagmahay Club.
So the lesson to learn is – caveat emptor (buyer beware), especially when doing it online.
* * *
A congressional-wannabe is facing one serious problem.
One, he is not sure if he can get the CONA as the official candidate because there are others who also joined the same political party.
Two, he is facing a formidable opponent who is the incumbent congressman, who has been “lording over” the district for a very long time now, as in gyod kadugay. The enigma facing him on the face is how to break the political hold of the long-time sitting congressman in order to have a strong a reliable political base.
And three, the other candidate-wannabe, not him, is publicly endorsed by majority of the mayors of the district.
So, the question that he has to answer is – asa pa man siya magkuha og mga botante?
A sipsip, who is receiving regular “ayuda” from the congressional-wannabe told him, not to worry Cong, you have 200M nga andam bitaw, magpila ra lagi na sila nimo pohon.
Yes, even before the filing, the sipsip is already calling him as “cong.” Mao nga og magka-pildi-pildi man gani, at least dihay panahon nga gitawag ka og “congressman,” so the story goes.
Buoyed by the “bola” from the sipsip, the congressional-wannabe is super active in rounding the towns of the district.
When I got wind of this yarn from the sipsip, I told the adviser of the congressional-wannabe to analyze this.
Kon dunay daghang kwarta imong kandidato, pangutana, unsaon man niya pagpadagan ana nga wala man siyay machinery, wala man siyay mga kasaligan nga leader nga maoy mo-deliver ana ngadto sa mga botante? Kinsa man iyang gamiton nga maoy mohatod sa iyang kwarta ngadto sa mga botante kunohay?
And he was speechless.
After our meeting, the adviser said he would relay my “issues” to the congressional-wannabe.
Unsa kaha ang mahitabo sunod noh?
