SmartBro WiMax VI: Modem Problems Again (Part II)

I haven't brought my modem yet to the Smart Wireless Center. I've been stressing about it lately and finally decided that I've had enough. This WiMax connection has been one of my stressors since the day I applied for it, sad to say. I don't have the time to bring their defective modem back and have it replaced only for the replacement modem to break down after a couple of weeks. I don't have the patience to do that anymore.

I wrote a letter to Smart Communications requesting termination of their service without having to pay for the pre-termination fee (PSF) and other such payments related to disconnection. I sent it through their WebConnect service 24 hours ago, and they haven't responded yet. But then it says that "valid" requests will be responded to within 24-48 hours of submission. I wonder how they classify a valid request. Anyway, if they don't respond within the hours they said, I will send them an email again or maybe go straight to the NTC.

I am actually very, very tempted to just ignore it, get another broadband subscription from one of their competitors. After all, all they could do if I don't pay up is to sell my account to one of the collection agencies, and then these collection agencies would send demand letters, have a "lawyer" call me and threaten to sue me. They can sue me all they want, I know that I won't be jailed for it. Section 20 of the Philippine Constitution states that: No person shall be imprisoned for debt or non- payment of a poll tax.

Real lawyers don't threaten people or coerce them to pay up or they will sue. That only happens on TV. I know that for a fact because I come from a family of lawyers too, and they don't act that way. 

Au contraire, if the consumer is actually forced to pay up or threatened, these "lawyers" can be the ones to be sued as stated in the Revised Penal Code Article 287.

Recruiter Pet Peeves

I can't believe how some recruiters do their job here in the Philippines. Some of them can't seem to take a hint that they are already disturbing and/or harassing a potential recruit. Anyway, I've listed my biggest pet peeves, which are based on experience, from day one of my job-hunting days until the present:

1. Calling during non-working hours. I mean, sure, I didn't have a job back then and I was eager to have one. I was a fresh graduate. But that doesn't mean you can call me up at 7 in the evening to conduct a phone interview! For most families, dinner is at 7PM so at least have the decency to call at a reasonable time! Sheesh. I can name at least two huge companies who do this, one still "makulit" after telling her that I couldn't possibly have the interview at that time, but I don't have proof and I don't want to be sued.
2. Not sending an e-mail or text first and waiting for a response first before calling. At least wait for 30 minutes to an hour to get a response before calling. I don't understand why some recruiters are so hungry to get their quota that they become "bastos" and don't consider their prospect's situation first. I know of a few recruiters who email/text first. This actually happened to me earlier, at least three similar numbers called me (of course I didn't answer.) I reprimanded him/her through text, saying to at least send me a text or email before calling. I also declined the last call, and will keep declining until he/she learns to text.

Ok so I've got only two biggest pet peeves, some of their habits are kind of tolerable already. How about you share yours? No company name-dropping please. :)

Smartbro Wimax Review Part III

So today's the 5th day of my Wimax connection. And it's getting pretty frustrating on the browsing part.

I've noticed that the connection almost stops - yes, STOPS - from around 7PM to 11PM. I could download my torrents but it's a bit slower than normal, and I could *not* surf the internet. I just hope this improves overtime. I hope someone from Smart reads this. :)

Train Commuting Pet Peeves

I don't have a car. Well, we have a family car but I don't drive and we don't have a driver (if you don't count my brother hehe), so I have no choice but to commute.

Just recently I was assigned to a new project. New project = new client = new location. Fortunately for me, the client's office is pretty much near our house. However, this project entails me to know stuff, which results to me needing training. This training happens to be in Makati, which means that I had to ride the train.

So, after 3 days of the train experience once again, I've observed certain things that I hate about riding the train.

1. Getting in the train without much effort - because of all the shoving and pushing. A woman even made me leverage so that she would not be shoved as much, but then I wouldn't be much help because I WAS WAY SMALLER THAN HER. >.<

2. Ladies/Women who wear too little - sleeveless, backless, everything suffixed with -less. Super short shorts and skirts are also a no-no. Girls, you are upping your risk of contracting skin frakkin' diseases. Also, if you already have one of those diseases, we - the people who wear much more - are also at risk.  Plus the sweat, my gosh. I don't want your underarm sweat on my arm or cheek! Can you imagine? Eek. At least wear a cardigan over that tank top.

3. People who hug/put their face on the vertical handrails. Can I say, eew? I mean, hundreds, if not thousands, of people put their dirty hands on that tube of metal, and you have the courage to put your f-a-c-e on it. Come on. Plus I don't have something to hold on to, so move.

4. People who have something to hold on to - except their balance. Please, please, please don't rely on the handrails for your balance. The person at your back, who's not holding on to anything, hates you more than anything right now.

5. Tall people who use shorter people as their tables. Come on, we have our stuff to carry, we don't need the additional weight.

That's my list. Or at least what I remember. Anyway, tomorrow's the last day I ride the train (at least for now), so yay for me! :)