A funny thing happened last week. Well, it wasn’t quite so funny at the time it happened, but in retrospect it was indeed funny, or at least quite coincidental.
Last Thursday, I woke up and I decided I wanted to buy a new Netbook. For those readers who are not really techies, a netbook is a usually smaller laptop that has less power user type specs than a “normal” laptop would have. Generally, a Netbook is a notebook computer that is designed mostly for just surfing the Internet, thus a NetBook. Get the drift?
Well, I’ve had netbooks in the past, and they were great. Currently, I didn’t have such a machine, though. In fact, at the time I had no laptop at all, and I have a little trip planned for later this month. I wanted to be able to get on the Internet while traveling, so I decided that I needed a new laptop. I, however, didn’t feel the need for a full sized notebook, and also didn’t want to haul around a big machine like that anyway, so a netbook was a perfect solution for my needs. About a week or two prior to my decision to get a netbook, I had the opportunity to play with an Acer AOD255 Netbook for an hour or two, and I liked it. So, I decided to get that model. Nice thing too is that it was really cheap, actually the cheapest Netbook that I had run across in the Philippines. Perfect combo.. I liked it, and it was cheap! How often does that happen? Not often for me.
So, as I said, I decided that I wanted to buy a netbook when I woke up, which was early. Of course the stores were not open, so when the time came, I gave my niece the money and told her to go buy me an Acer AOD255 netbook at the computer store. An hour or so later, she returned with my new netbook. I was excited to get my hands on it and play with my new toy. I turned it on, and it said it was configuring the operating system. I waited and waited, but nothing happened. After an hour of waiting, I decided that it had crashed, so I powered it down and rebooted. An error message came up on the screen. No matter how I tried, I only got an error message. After about another hour of playing with it and not getting it working, I had Feyma call the computer store and see what they would do. They were surprised that it was not working, and asked us to bring it in so they could have a look.
I gave my niece the netbook and sent her back to the store. About 10 minutes later, I got a call from the computer store saying that the netbook was working fine, it booted right up for them. Hmm… strange. My niece got on the phone and said that she was going to leave it on and bring it home, so I could see that it was working fine. When she got home with the netbook, it looked like everything was good to go! I sat down to use it, and found that it was not fine at all, but rather it had frozen and was not usable. By this time I was getting upset. We called back to the computer store, and they said that we should bring it back and the technician would work on it. No, this solution was not acceptable to me. I bought a new netbook, and this machine obviously had something wrong. I didn’t want it fixed (which may go bad again later), I wanted a different machine.
Computer Store: Oh, sir, I’m sorry, we don’t have any more new ones in stock.
Me: OK, I want a refund then.
Computer store: Sorry, we don’t give refunds. You can exchange it, but we cannot give you a refund.
Me: But, you don’t have any more to exchange it for.
Computer store: You can get a different model, if you wish, but no refund.
Me: OK, what models do you have available?
Computer store: We have x, y and z. The next model up is P4,000 more than the one you bought. (that’s about $100)
Well, I’m stuck
I wanted a different PC, not just having the defective one fixed. They would not give a refund, only an exchange, but to make an exchange I had to spend another $100. I really wanted a cheap model, because it’s just for traveling anyway, not for everyday use. What choice did I have, though? So, I sprang for the next model up, and extra $100.
To be honest, I really like my new netbook, though, and I am happy I bought it.
The next day, Friday, I logged on to the LiP Forum to see what the discussions were there. There was a new post from Art, and this was what he posted:
Well, I had my first experience with trying to exchange an item I purchased at the department store in the NCCC mall in Tagum a few weeks ago. their return policy states a customer has 7 days to return or exchange an item purchased there. I bought a toaster oven in their department store on July 2 at 4 pm. We never thought to try the oven for cooking. We only toasted bread in it. I decided to cook green beans out of a can a few days later and to my surprise after 40 minutes in the oven, they still were not cooking. So, I looked at receipt and told my fiancee that we were still in the return period of their policy since it was only July 9. That we would take it back and exchange it for the microwave. The toaster cost $50 and the microwave was $200. When we got there the clerk immediately told us the item was not in the # of days for bringing it back. after arguing with her for 10 minutes she finally told me they count the first day of purchase and #1. that we had the item for 8 days and not 7 days. I said how can you count the first day as one since i bought it at 4 pm? I said why wouldn’t you count 2-3 as 1 days and so on. she said that’s not how they do it. I requested management. Store manager finally comes over after about 45 minutes. Then she started telling me the same thing. I interrupted her and said you are willing to make a customer mad over this small item when I am not asking for my money back? I am willing to purchase a $200 microwave. It was like talking to a brick wall. I got upset and told them to boxed the toaster back up and that I would never buy another thing in there again. We had already bought $700 worth of furniture and curtains for the apartment that week in the store. I finally told her this was the dumbest thing i have ever heard of to make a customer mad when I really believe I was in the return days of their policy. I walked out and we noticed they all were looking dumb-founded that I was upset. Needless to say, I will never buy in their again. The rest of my time there we bought at the Gaisano grand mall. If I was 1 day late stores here would not treat a person like that especially when the customer was not asking for their money back.
Art
Ha ha… sounded a bit familiar after my previous day’s computer purchase experience. So, I fired off a reply to Art:
That is how stuff works here, nothing uncommon in your experience.
Welcome to the Philippines.
Well, it’s true. That is how it works here. Remember, we are not in the USA anymore. We are not in Australia or Europe. Things work differently here. Thankfully, most things here are to my liking. If they were not, I would not live here. Some things, like returns to stores and customer service in general, are not to my liking, but I live with them. I can say that in the 11 years that I have lived here, things have improved a lot, and I’m happy for that.
The real point about this article is not about computers, or computer stores, or even specifically about return policies. The point of the article is that if you decide to live in the Philippines, you must accept change. I’ve said it many times, no matter what you think, you will not change 90 Million Filipinos. It is you who must change. As Paul Thompson always says, if you need a ride to the airport, we can find you one. Yes, you can complain, moan or whatever, but you will not change the way things are done here. Best thing is to just accept the way it is and enjoy life. There was a day when I would have stomped down to that computer store and given them a piece of my mind. However, last week, I did not get angry, I just did what I needed to do to resolve the problem within the local norms. If you want to live here and have a happy life, you must work within the norms of how things work here. If you can’t do it, you’re best to not even come to live here.
Anyway, as I said, I am quite happy with my new computer now, and enjoying it a lot. I am looking forward to my coming trip, which will be an interesting one (sorry, not letting the cat out of the bag for now), and having a nice little netbook to keep me in touch along the way. And, for Art, I hope that he was able to resolve his problems too.
Bob, I noticed when I purchased a water cooler at SM in San Fernando, they removed it from the box, added water to it and showed me that it heated up properly and dispensed the water fine. I thought this was kind of annoying, put allowed the clerks to conduct the “dog & pony”.
I understand that this is common practice in the Philippines, so I always carry a loaf of bread and a can of beans with me, juuuuust in case I need to test an oven!
See Bob, ya should of fired that baby up right at the store, and saw for yourself.
Does woot.com ship to the PI?
Hi Mike – As I said in the article, I did not go to the shop to buy the PC. My niece did it for me. She told me that they did turn on the PC to show that it would turn on, but they did not let the OS configure, which is where it ran into problems.
As I said, though, the article is not really about computers, or even about returns, it is about adjusting to the way things are done here.
I have never heard of “woot.com” before. If you have something like a computer shipped in here the taxes are so high that it’s crazy.
Yeah those taxes will kill ya. I bought my wife a magicjack while working in the US the past 2 years and it cost $40 then another $45 to ship it here. Which FedEx gave me a full refund on because they said garanteed 3 days and it arrived in 9 days. Simple call and a check was mailed. hahaha. but anyway once it arrived she had to pay another P1,800 just to recieve it which is like another $40. In the end it was really worth it though saved a lot of money on calls and being able to contact me on my cellphone and not have wait for me to be online.
I’ve experienced similar situations as well.
Bob..the net books by Acer are fun..I bought one at Wallmart…the 1st of the year with some Chrisman money that was gave to me..I got mine at Wallmart..some do not like Wallmart but they have a pretty good try it and bring it back if you not happy with it policy…of course I know that is not how it is there where you live……but maybe its time for Wallmart to come to the Philippines?, or maybe not…do not know..Mine had Windows XP on it….maybe the last of them with that on it, but was fine with me…..worked great and still does when use it….and noticed the other day they had the Acer’s net books at a little over $200.00 with windows 7 on them and a lot less money per say than at Cosco’s ware house stores…I notice a while back that one of your on line sites sells computors?, maybe I looked wrong so was surprized you had to go buy one……unless that is a drop ship type of operation thru a 3rd party….any way have fun with the new little toy…..and lets hope it works for a while…sounds like warranty and such is per say…dones not exist there…..on things…..
Hi Dan – Nice to hear from you! Yep, one of my companies sells computers… but I still have to buy them somewhere! 😉 The Acer I got has Windows 7, which I like, it is what I use on my main PC, so I am used to it. It’s a nice little machine, and I am enjoying it.
As far as Walmart goes… I like Walmart too, I like them a lot. The odds that they would ever come here is rather small, though. The Philippine law does not allow foreign ownership of retail establishments. Now, they could come in by partnering with a local company, but I think it’s doubtful to happen. Maybe someday the Philippines will change their laws, we’ll see!
Ok..Bob…thanks…then that is why for sure there is no Wallmarts there then…..because sure they do not want a partner and so that as you said is why…….to bad…..they would do a big business there for sure…and make some of those other places that are out of stock..or on stand by….or we just will have the next one in next week and the boss is out of town today, come back next month, because then I will not longer work here and you can talk to some one else… kind of places a run for their money.
Hi Dan – I believe that the Philippines and Filipinos could really benefit from having some foreign competition come in and shake the market up a bit. Unfortunately, I doubt it will really happen within my lifetime.
Bob: I believe that the retail restriction is below a minimum of paid in capital of US$2.5 MM… The average Wal Mart would have no trouble meeting that standard. However, I think the reason has to do more with the market than anything else (or corporate taxation, which is high here). As I wrote about a year ago, Wal Mart is thriving in China, and that market dwarfs anything even remotely possible here. Most likely, if they ever come, they would partner with one of the big chains like Ayala.
Your point about returns and things being different is really one that seems to get glossed over by so many foreigners. I remember the forum thread, and there were several responses about getting money’s worth, etc. Foreigners need to seriously remember that in most cases, it is either futile to complain, or you get your answer (as you did with the Acer), deal with it, and move on. As a side note, here in Manila, I’ve noticed that the return policies on electronics, especially at the smaller shops in the malls, are quite pitiful. In many cases, what you buy are re-manufactured warranty returns from other countries, boxed and sold as new… Even with major brands.
Hi John – Thanks for the additional info about the retail rules for foreigners, I didn’t know about the monetary part of it, so I appreciate that.
Yes, getting red in the face and getting your blood pressure up really doesn’t solve any problems, and it doesn’t even make you feel better, it makes you feel worse. So, it’s best if you can move beyond getting angry, and just learn to deal with such situations within the cultural norms.
About 15 years ago Walmart bought the UK supermarket chain ” ASDA ” in the UK. They broke the colusion the UK Supermarket chains seemed to have had for many years. Pr ices in all the supermarket chains came down due to the competition from the now Walmart owned ASDA. In the UK it became known as ” The ASDA Effect ” . Maybe someday in the distant future thiw could happen in Philippines.
Hi Bob – I hope it happens… the Philippines badly needs such a thing to happen.
Hi Bob
The Philippines needs something to happen, but it isn’t Walmart. I personally feel Walmart and their ilk have been one of the most destructive things that has ever happened to the US and Canada. Yes they are cheap. But they are cheap based on sweat shop labor in countries like China and Vietnam. They are part of the destruction of US and Canadian manufacturing and decent paying jobs. And after they get towns in China and Vietnam hooked on their purchasing, they go in, drop their purchasing price to the floor and screw them. NOT NICE PEOPLE. Pay a little more and support local business. We all win that way in the long run.
Hi Allan – Our opinions are polar opposites. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I wonder if they reboxed the ‘bad’ one and put it back up for sale !!!
Truth is, Brian.. I was wondering the same thing myself! 😉 However, I will say, I do not think that they knew the unit was defective… they were nice and everything. I suppose it is not the employees fault what the return policy is like, that’s just the way it is here, and they know nothing different.
It would have been my luck after I returned it the person would call me back and say they just received an Acer AOD255 netbook. And tried to resell me the computer I brought back. hahahaha
Hi Darin – ha ha. you just never know, my friend!
Bob, Chances are the unit worked just fine… up until they shut it down after “proving” it would boot up. What probably happened is it was configuring itself and that configuration was interrupt, thereby corrupting the system in some way. Computers do not have a sense of humor…
Good follow up report on the previous story reinforcing the “You-ain’t-in-Kansas-any-more” theory.
Hi Rich – You know, I was thinking the same thing… their “half way boot” corrupted the OS configuration, and doomed the machine! I bet that is it too. Great minds think alike!
You are so right… we ain’t in Kansas anymore… heck, we’re not even in Idaho! 😆
Bob,
Looking forward to hearing about your trip. Would have been nice if they gave you your Netbook at the same price as the first one. But its not worth the agravation to argue with someone. The best thing is just to go with the flow and enjoy life there. Take care my friend.
Hi Papa Duck – It’s a trip to someplace I have already been many times… but… in a somewhat different way. You’ll be hearing about it… you cna be sure.
Hey Bob,
I do hope you enjoy your new computer. Also, have a nice trip. Oh yeah, I solved my toaster problem. I brought it back home and I stopped worrying about it. Life is to short and like you said, “can’t change 90 million filipinos.” But, one thing I have learned from all of this is to test it out for MYSELF in the store before I purchase the item.
Enjoy
art
Hi art – As I said in the article, there was a day when I would have done down there, yelled at them (or at least complained) and demanded what was right. But, I kept doing that.. nothing changed, and I started running out of places to shop, because none of them wanted to deal with me anymore. After that, I decided it was best to just go with the flow… I lived here after all, and that is the way it is done here. I can always go back to the States if I wish. 😆
Go back to the states? Yeah, I’m sure you’re going to do that! 🙂
😉 You caught me, Tom!
Bob, I have an Acer as well but the Aspire model, great units. Yes once again an exercise in patience and understanding of the Phil culture. Yeah there are things to adjust too but what a beautiful country and people. I usually find when in Davao customer service excellent compared to the USA where i am at the present. Hope to meet you in Davao one of these days. Just wanted to tell you of the many American men i have told about your site who some of which now visit and have plans to at least come and visit the Phil. Keep up the great site and sites you have. Godbless always to you and your family.
Hi Anthony – My laptop is also an Acer Aspire One, the model number is just different, under the umbrella name of Aspire One. I do like it a lot!
Thank you so much for recommending my site to others, I really appreciate that very much! I’m always happy to have new readers at the site! 😀
Anyone who has built a house or two knows how things work here or should I say how they don’t.
Did I ever have my share of frustrations here… !!! I was almost compelled to write a book about it.
Electrical utility boxes, faucets, bulbs, toilet bawls, floor tiles, door knobs, sink drains, power and hand tools,… etc. nothing seem to work the way we expect it to work. Usually things break after a few days or weeks of use.
It is not so much that things don’t work as it is shocking to see how Philippinos accept at it as a way of life rather then correcting the problem. I thought that when you are poor you would like to have things that will work for you for long time, well I was wrong, they do not complain.
Hi Robert – Complaining (at least complaining too much) is culturally unacceptable here. The culture here comes under the principal of “SIR” or “Smooth Interpersonal Relationships” and complaining is foreign to the concept in many ways.
Hi Bob,
I’ve constantly been told about, and even exposed to the concept of SIR in the PHL. In my opinion this is just a “nice” way of saying that confrontations must be avoided at all cost in the Filipino culture. For if in fact SIR was truly what a business was looking to achieve, they would not leave a customer unhappy. How can you have a smooth interpersonal relationship if you are selling someone faulty merchandise or not providing what you agreed? With that being said, as you’ve stated over and over, that is simply the way it is and you have to expect it, and accept this behavior when living in the PHL. Don’t like it? You can always go back to where you’ve come from!
Hi Brent – SIR has many facets and goes way beyond not confronting people.
I do not believe that the business I was dealing with felt that they left me unhappy. They offered me every option that they saw available to them. In their eyes, they did everything they could to please me, so if I was not pleased, that was no fault of theirs. They would look at it that they did not sell me faulty merchandise. When the laptop I bought was faulty, they offered me a different one, and I took them up on their offer, so they pleased me, in their eyes.
It’s a different way of looking it at from what you and I would see.. but that is how they see it, and it fits right in with SIR.
They offered you a different one . . . one that was more expensive! Seems almost like an up-sale in some regard. We’ll see how my similar situation goes. I recently sent money to my wife’s parents to purchase a new iPhone 4. When they got it home and out of the box and began trying to set it up, it was obvious that someone had already used it at some point for it was already registered to another username. They are now returning it to the store for an “actual” new iPhone. It should be interesting to see what transpires!
Let us know how it goes, Brent!
I could be wrong, but my guess is that since duty, or taxes are paid on everything brought into the Philippines, cheaper items are imported to keep the costs down. If quality Items were imported, along with the import tax, the cost would be prohibitive.
There’s an old saying…”Quality never goes out of style” Now finding it is a different story.
I think there may be some truth to what you say, Hudson.
Hi Bob – Where are you going to travel? He he.
Anyway, good thing you didn’t get upset. Most would’ve been blah blah blah if they bought a new netbook that isn’t working and cannot be refunded. I’m sure stores would not sell items that isn’t working. One would understand if it’s refurbished. Getting angry would really do no good. Best thing to do is to just talk and explain what you would like and come up with solution. Good Job! He he.
Hi Sugar – not saying… 😉
Thanks for your thoughts! I appreciate what you said.
If something is purchased like the item you mention in this article Bob, is there any Manufacturers Warrantee with any address that you can return the item to the manufacturers importer / distributor in Ph for warrantee or replacement ? If stores will not exchange or refund for the return of new defective equipment, will the manufacturer honor any kind of warrantee ? I remember an article you wrote a year or two about this and ” eventually ” you got an issue resolved, If I remember correctly I think it was with a flat screen LCD Monitor you bought. To me, the ” You bought it you’re stuck with it ” policy is a bit more than an irritation. fortunately things that I have purchased there worked as they should have.
Hi Bob – In most larger cities, the major manufacturers have service centers. For example, in Davao people like Nokia, Samsung and such have service centers where service can be done. They do warranty and non-warranty service at these places. Last year, when I had trouble with my Samsung monitor, I took it to the service center and they could not fix it. That’s when I had trouble, and had to make a sort of public campaign until I got a replacement unit.
hi bob new york. not at all times you’ll get the chance to have your money back even if you deal directly with the manufacturer. they can offer to repair the product under warranty thru a service center, more likely that the most thing that they can do for you. as we know there is always a middleman between the manufacturer and a retail store and with that it would be impossible or almost impossible to get a refund directly from the manufacturer…
have a nice day!
Yep no what you mean bob i bought a kettle to use in my unit got it home pluged in boiling puff sparks ,hmmmm wnt back no refund ,bought another better quality worked fine ,hte biggest thing that annoyed me was i was in dire need of a cup of coffee when the damb thing blew up!
chris
Oh my goodness, Chris… you had to go without coffee for a while? 😯 ha ha
Bob,
In my experience… Beware of the Chinese building materials store owner… No prejudice intended; just my experience. When you buy rough sawn lumber it is sold by the board foot.
No problem, I’m used to that. But from these places it is always rounded up to the next board foot. In other words a piece of lumber measuring 12″ + 1/8″ x 12″ + 1/8″ x 1″ +1/8″ is measured as 8 board feet, of course this is an exaggerated example. But that is how it works in the lumber stores in Calamba, Laguna. I now always measure my lumber myself and purchase that which measures less than 1 board foot in any dimension.
Only in the Philippines.
Peace,
Jade
=
=
Uh… OK, I’ll keep an eye out for that kind of thing. Thanks for the warning.
I bought something like 20 door knobs so far and 5 have failed, average price P400.
For that price you can buy a door knob in Canada that will never break.
How do you explain that?
I bought floor tiles that are APPROXIMATELY 400 x 400. Result: bigger grout to compensate for the difference in sizes.
Toilet bowl made in Italy that is un-fixable, it leaks permanently.
Utility (quality) outlets break when you insert a plug.
Bulbs burn (one out of 10) after a few months.
Expensive stainless steel kitchen accessories get rusty after a few months of use.
Expensive SS knife with spots of rust breaks during regular usage. Six months of usage.
Head phones with hair thin wires breaks after a month of use.
Chrome plated shower rod is rusted after one year of use.
Plastic chair cracks/breaks after a few months of use. Price P750.
Is it because I live on Palawan island?
Or is it the proverbial: Only in the Philippines!
It’s the same everywhere in the Philippines, Robert. Welcome to the Philippines!
Robert, You had only 5 doorknobs fail? That’s pretty good. The usual failure ratio is 50% in the first month, and 100% in a year.
Wow! That’s a high fail ratio. Did you get those house materials on the same store?
Ah yes, “the customer is always right” concept has not arrived in the island paradise yet. And managers are not paid/allowed to think for themselves, only to follow store policy….but they usually smile while telling you NO.
Customer is always right? What a novel idea!
Yes, they always smile even if you come back with your broken faucet.
Sometimes I have the feeling they laugh at me, the stupid Cano, meaning, you have no choice but to buy another one. Fortunately I am not easily loosing my cool…
One thing that always happens in manufacturing is defects, out of tolerance production, etc. Now , if a factory has a run of defects, this material does not get shipped to Home Depot in the US, it goes to small or isolated markets where it wont effect the international reputation, or the relationship with a large US or European customer. So guess where one of the markets is?
The same is done with trial material, products in development, etc. Sometimes rather than shut down a production line, it is more economical to run it with substandard materials and ” dump ” it on an isolated market.
I expect that even if a product is made in Manila, the low quality material is shipped elsewhere,
So, next time you wonder why the handle fell of your coffee pot, or you lock yourself in the house, this is one of the main reasons.
Bill
Well unfortunately I’ve seen a few foreigners who have bullied their way into a refund or exchange and it just leaves a bitter taste in the the mouths of the Filipinos towards foreigners. I like to make friends with the managers let them know I’m a loyal custmer. I’ve become such good friend with the SM Supermaket manager here in Naga that if i need an item that is hard to find here and say they carry it in Manila. I only need to ask and he’ll order it for me then text me when it arrives.
@Alan. Thats the formula for success in the Phil bud. Well said!
Hi Robert – That’s built in self preservation… the customer will always come back and give us more money! 😆
I remember buying a brand new cellphone from a store in the mall that only lasted a few hours and stopped working that night when we got home. And it was a Nokia not a cheap chinese knock off. I went back the next day and the clerk told me they don’t do returns or refunds. I was never rude but tried to explain that I had only bought the phone yesterday, of course they knew because I was dealing with the same clerks, and that I still had my reciept. They didn’t try to help me out at all. Just tried to push another sale on another phone. So as I was about to take the loss going back down stairs I notice a stairway going up that said OFFICE. So I went up there and asked to speak with the mall manager. I explained to him the entire situation and he told me that it was Philippine law that if an item is defective a store can not refuse a return especially within a certain amount of days. I think he said 30. but if there is nothing wrong with the item and its working a store can indeed refuse a return or refund. So you cant return something thats working just because you decided you dont want it after all or accidentaly bought the wrong item So in the end he sorted it out we got another phone same model and it worked for years until my son threw it in a bucket of water hahaha.
That is true, I am aware of that law. I just don’t know how well it is enforced! 😆
Think I’ve said this before Bob, but we need to be running retail operations there…there wouldn’t be any competition.
🙂
Hi Jim – It would certainly shake things up here, no doubt on that!
Hi Bob…
I fried my first laptop because I was not using my UPS unit….
Now this UPS unit cost me $500. and would cost me the same amount today
to replace.
I live in an area which is just as prone to power shut downs and browns outs
We have several power problems every week…. Brown out or total collapse..
My suggestion is to invest in an UPS … It will save your hardware…
Rudi
No need for me to invest in a UPS, Rudi. Because I already have one! 😆 Thanks for the suggestion, though.
May not be your cup of tea, but if you just want proper web access, minimal memory & applications, I suggest going for a tablet.
That’s what I bring when I travel (and you know I do a lot). Takes seconds to boot, light, durable & fits on a bag sleeve. It’s like bringing a thin book & you read it as fast as you open a real book.
Pretty much the same thing as you want from a netbook. No need to flip it open too.
I know you’re a PC guy & iPads are off the table, but the other tablets like the Samsung Galaxy are great too.
Anyway, just a thought.
Hi Macky – Actually, you are right on… I’ve been wanting to get a tablet. I’m just watching for the right one for my needs!
You make a valid point Bob. A person must accept they are in a foreign country and things don’t work the same as they did back home. My wife found that out when she moved here to Oklahoma. Things are just not the same. The only difference is she would gladly accept someone taking her to the airport for a trip back home but no one has so far. HAHAHA!
Go file a complaint with DTI. If you have a defective product it is the law that you can demand a refund or exchange (your choice not theirs).
We just went through this with a defective USB memory stick. We had to file a complaint and drive to the mediation in a nearby town. The device cost 1,000 pesos we settled for 1,500 pesos since it was so much trouble. It wasn’t enough to cover our fuel costs but at least the store owner knows the law now.
http://dtincr.ph/faq_noreturn.php
Congrats, John. I am glad it worked out for you. To be honest, my time is worth too much to go to meetings and such in order to get a refund. While it’s not perfect, I can live with the way things worked out.