Read the first part of the article HERE.
Day 13
09:29 +8GMT, July 29, 2012
I received a reply via email from Lazada Philippines denying the validation from DragonPay and continuously claim that they did not receive the payment. Find the scenario quite weird actually because they’re both denying responsibility and accused one another instead of working together to solve the problem as partners in a business that thrives in the trust and confidence of customers to succeed.
Day 15
10:03 +8GMT, July 31, 2012
Called up Lazada customer service again to follow up on the refund but unfortunately, no feedback was made by the accounting department so the rep couldn't give me any as well and instead informed me that the normal processing time of refunds takes about 5 - 10 days. Typhoon Gener also hit the Manila that time with floods everywhere so they had a valid excuse since banks and offices were closed. They promised a callback again if they have any developments.
Day 17
13:52 +8GMT, August 2, 2012
Called up Lazada customer hotline again to follow up. I thought they could finally give me the answers I expected but unfortunately they weren't able to send the refund yet because they're still on the process trying to figure things out as to what really happen to my payment. They promised a callback again within the day.
Day 22
12:27 +8GMT, August 8, 2012
Called up Lazada customer service rep again to follow up since I didn't receive any call from them for more than a week, well they never did even once anyway, but as usual, I heard the same reasons and excuses. I’m already sick and tired with their bullshit that’s why I decided to email DragonPay again to follow up. To be fair to DragonPay, they really made it a point to reply to my queries within the day unlike Lazada's empty promises. DragonPay assured me that they will follow up the refund with Lazada.
Before the end of the day, I receive a forwarded message from DragonPay with a conversation between them and a certain Lazada personnel, asking feedback on my case.
Day 23
15:48 +8GMT, August 9, 2012
Very much frustrated on the situation, I called up Lazada again to inquire but instead of giving solace to an erring customer, the female service rep gave me the most fascinating excuse/tale of all, accordingly, they already sent my refund last July 28! My God, of all the possible stupid excuses! How in the world would I care calling the customer hotline countless of times to follow up my refund if I already received it? I was so furious that time that she keeps putting me on hold several times to check and recheck my refund information. She then told me that my refund was still on process and that it would take them 15 days for the deposited money to be cleared in the bank, another wild hallucinating story that further ignite my anger. Who would ever believe that a bank deposit will take 15 days to clear, it’s shitty! I then inform the service rep that I had enough of their lies and I'm going to send my lawyer to pick up the refund on their office as well as file a formal complaint to the DTI afterwards for violation of Contract to Sale.
The rep was startled and went on the 15 business days excused/defense again for processing refund and promised to follow up the accounting department. I told her that an online shop receiving orders and payments 24 hours a day 7 days a week is equated as having the same official business day and she wasn't able to answer this argument. Also, since they've always use the "follow up with the accounting department" excuse, I vehemently asked for the number of the said department so I could follow it up myself but she refused.
She then went to the feeling sorry maneuver and that I don't need to send a lawyer to their office because they will process my refund. My last word in the conversation, "tell that excused to my lawyer!".
I then remember the email that DragonPay sent to me the yesterday, it was a forwarded message with a reply from what I suspect, a Lazada accounting department insider since DragonPay communicated with him to follow up. His email address was on the message so I gave it a try.
Day 27
11:30 +8GMT, August 13, 2012
To my surprise and on the day where I threatened to send a lawyer and have the case forwarded to the DTI, LJ, the person I emailed last August 9th, called me up. He was sorry that the incident happened and offered me right away a gift coupon worth 500 pesos to compensate for the delays and troubles they’ve cause. He also asked me if I want to push through with the refund or wanted the item reordered and delivered the soonest since I told him in the email that what happened was a forcible refund proceeding. I then choose to reorder since I already have doubts about their refund process, and that I also badly need the tablet as well.
Well, at least they started to care about the situation unlike the empty promises made by the service reps before him.
Day 31
17:04 +8GMT, August 17, 2012
Followed up LJ on the reorder and he told me that he already processed it but due to high demand of the item, it might take them a few more days to deliver it. He also assured to contact me by Wednesday for an update.
Day 36
11:41 +8GMT, August 22, 2012
Texted LJ again for an update since he promise to give me one since Wednesday but have not received anything. A reply came in saying that he will follow it up.
Day 38
09:55 +8GMT, August 24, 2012
Sent another follow up text but this time, I signifying to change my ordered unit to any available one. LJ texted back informing me that the unit is already available and is ready for shipment.
Day 43
15:00 +8GMT, August 29, 2012
Item was delivered by LBC.
Day 50
15:39 +8GMT, August 29, 2012
Received a text from LJ with my voucher code.
All in all, it took Lazada Philippines, 43 days to complete the transaction. 43 days of fear, anguished and regrets on my part.
So, the moral lesson of the story?
- Buying the old way is still preferable since you can get your item right away after paying for it. Online shopping is easy and convenient but you also risk everything. It might be that I’m just a victim of circumstances with the "technical glitch" on Lazada’s system but the stress and trauma I experience was immeasurable. With the coupon with me at the moment, I surely need to order an item from them again but beyond this, it will take me some time to shop online again most specially with Lazada. Trust and confidence is difficult to rebuild.
- On the part of Lazada, I hope they can fix their problem on the payment system to prevent further complications and negative feedback's from customers. Its just that I happen to be a blogger who believe that sharing my story is a social responsibility specially on sensitive issues such as this one. Lazada needs to reconfigure their payment mechanism and show to the world that they can be fully trusted. They must as well reorganize and train there service reps on how to properly handle customers and refrain them from making fascinating stories/excuses and empty promises. They could as well change the delivery time from 5-10 days to 40-45 days.
- When dealing with service representatives, you must imposed fear on them so they won’t take you for granted. I supposed they would have not acted on the problem if I didn’t threatened them to file a formal complaint to the DTI.
- Service reps were usually third party groups hired by a company to handle concerns, they only rely on the feedback from company insiders. If you have the same problem like mine, better asks for contacts from the company itself so your concern will be address fairly.
- Be assertive and fight for your rights as a customer in good faith.
I’m not saying that you should avoid buying from Lazada Philippines, this article only serves as a reference on what to expect and not to expect from them. And by the way, I did not file a formal complaint to the DTI because I'm giving them a chance to redeem themselves and grow as one of the premier online shops in the country. Everyone deserves a second chance.
Day 13
09:29 +8GMT, July 29, 2012
I received a reply via email from Lazada Philippines denying the validation from DragonPay and continuously claim that they did not receive the payment. Find the scenario quite weird actually because they’re both denying responsibility and accused one another instead of working together to solve the problem as partners in a business that thrives in the trust and confidence of customers to succeed.
Day 15
10:03 +8GMT, July 31, 2012
Called up Lazada customer service again to follow up on the refund but unfortunately, no feedback was made by the accounting department so the rep couldn't give me any as well and instead informed me that the normal processing time of refunds takes about 5 - 10 days. Typhoon Gener also hit the Manila that time with floods everywhere so they had a valid excuse since banks and offices were closed. They promised a callback again if they have any developments.
Day 17
13:52 +8GMT, August 2, 2012
Called up Lazada customer hotline again to follow up. I thought they could finally give me the answers I expected but unfortunately they weren't able to send the refund yet because they're still on the process trying to figure things out as to what really happen to my payment. They promised a callback again within the day.
Day 22
12:27 +8GMT, August 8, 2012
Called up Lazada customer service rep again to follow up since I didn't receive any call from them for more than a week, well they never did even once anyway, but as usual, I heard the same reasons and excuses. I’m already sick and tired with their bullshit that’s why I decided to email DragonPay again to follow up. To be fair to DragonPay, they really made it a point to reply to my queries within the day unlike Lazada's empty promises. DragonPay assured me that they will follow up the refund with Lazada.
Before the end of the day, I receive a forwarded message from DragonPay with a conversation between them and a certain Lazada personnel, asking feedback on my case.
Day 23
15:48 +8GMT, August 9, 2012
Very much frustrated on the situation, I called up Lazada again to inquire but instead of giving solace to an erring customer, the female service rep gave me the most fascinating excuse/tale of all, accordingly, they already sent my refund last July 28! My God, of all the possible stupid excuses! How in the world would I care calling the customer hotline countless of times to follow up my refund if I already received it? I was so furious that time that she keeps putting me on hold several times to check and recheck my refund information. She then told me that my refund was still on process and that it would take them 15 days for the deposited money to be cleared in the bank, another wild hallucinating story that further ignite my anger. Who would ever believe that a bank deposit will take 15 days to clear, it’s shitty! I then inform the service rep that I had enough of their lies and I'm going to send my lawyer to pick up the refund on their office as well as file a formal complaint to the DTI afterwards for violation of Contract to Sale.
The rep was startled and went on the 15 business days excused/defense again for processing refund and promised to follow up the accounting department. I told her that an online shop receiving orders and payments 24 hours a day 7 days a week is equated as having the same official business day and she wasn't able to answer this argument. Also, since they've always use the "follow up with the accounting department" excuse, I vehemently asked for the number of the said department so I could follow it up myself but she refused.
She then went to the feeling sorry maneuver and that I don't need to send a lawyer to their office because they will process my refund. My last word in the conversation, "tell that excused to my lawyer!".
I then remember the email that DragonPay sent to me the yesterday, it was a forwarded message with a reply from what I suspect, a Lazada accounting department insider since DragonPay communicated with him to follow up. His email address was on the message so I gave it a try.
Day 27
11:30 +8GMT, August 13, 2012
To my surprise and on the day where I threatened to send a lawyer and have the case forwarded to the DTI, LJ, the person I emailed last August 9th, called me up. He was sorry that the incident happened and offered me right away a gift coupon worth 500 pesos to compensate for the delays and troubles they’ve cause. He also asked me if I want to push through with the refund or wanted the item reordered and delivered the soonest since I told him in the email that what happened was a forcible refund proceeding. I then choose to reorder since I already have doubts about their refund process, and that I also badly need the tablet as well.
Well, at least they started to care about the situation unlike the empty promises made by the service reps before him.
Day 31
17:04 +8GMT, August 17, 2012
Followed up LJ on the reorder and he told me that he already processed it but due to high demand of the item, it might take them a few more days to deliver it. He also assured to contact me by Wednesday for an update.
Day 36
11:41 +8GMT, August 22, 2012
Texted LJ again for an update since he promise to give me one since Wednesday but have not received anything. A reply came in saying that he will follow it up.
Day 38
09:55 +8GMT, August 24, 2012
Sent another follow up text but this time, I signifying to change my ordered unit to any available one. LJ texted back informing me that the unit is already available and is ready for shipment.
Day 43
15:00 +8GMT, August 29, 2012
Item was delivered by LBC.
Day 50
15:39 +8GMT, August 29, 2012
Received a text from LJ with my voucher code.
All in all, it took Lazada Philippines, 43 days to complete the transaction. 43 days of fear, anguished and regrets on my part.
So, the moral lesson of the story?
- Buying the old way is still preferable since you can get your item right away after paying for it. Online shopping is easy and convenient but you also risk everything. It might be that I’m just a victim of circumstances with the "technical glitch" on Lazada’s system but the stress and trauma I experience was immeasurable. With the coupon with me at the moment, I surely need to order an item from them again but beyond this, it will take me some time to shop online again most specially with Lazada. Trust and confidence is difficult to rebuild.
- On the part of Lazada, I hope they can fix their problem on the payment system to prevent further complications and negative feedback's from customers. Its just that I happen to be a blogger who believe that sharing my story is a social responsibility specially on sensitive issues such as this one. Lazada needs to reconfigure their payment mechanism and show to the world that they can be fully trusted. They must as well reorganize and train there service reps on how to properly handle customers and refrain them from making fascinating stories/excuses and empty promises. They could as well change the delivery time from 5-10 days to 40-45 days.
- When dealing with service representatives, you must imposed fear on them so they won’t take you for granted. I supposed they would have not acted on the problem if I didn’t threatened them to file a formal complaint to the DTI.
- Service reps were usually third party groups hired by a company to handle concerns, they only rely on the feedback from company insiders. If you have the same problem like mine, better asks for contacts from the company itself so your concern will be address fairly.
- Be assertive and fight for your rights as a customer in good faith.
I’m not saying that you should avoid buying from Lazada Philippines, this article only serves as a reference on what to expect and not to expect from them. And by the way, I did not file a formal complaint to the DTI because I'm giving them a chance to redeem themselves and grow as one of the premier online shops in the country. Everyone deserves a second chance.
5 comments:
Not only does Lazada Philippines has a problem with their sourcing and fulfillment department, their customer service is non existent.
The company is obviously poorly managed.
@anonymous
well they have a customer service but it came very short to giving proper service to erring customers.
hopefully they could improve it, they really have the potential to succeed here in the country.
43 days? Seriously scary. I think I'll be having a heart attack just thinking about the transaction every day even when taking a bath or having a meal.
It's good to read about this article, I almost ordered from Lazada, but seeing they do not have Paypal I opted to delay my order. Now, I will never order from them. I'll just settle with ebay ph
hi there fellow blogger, my best comment here is also my blog about lazada.. please check it out: https://abeautifuleyesore.wordpress.com/2015/02/19/lazada-problems-dti-is-our-guy/
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