Western Union Payment via PBCom Cubao (Ire)
The Forgotten ID At 11.15am on 28 May 2008, I went to the PBCom Cubao branch with the intention of collecting my Western Union Google Adsense payment in dollars.
Having gotten used to EBusiness Services (another authorized Western Union dealer) only requiring one ID, I just brought my driver’s license. The PBCom associate (sorry I lost her calling card and I can’t remember her name) in charge of Western Union payments informed me of the bank’s requirement of two government issued IDs.
Seeing my dismay, she suggested that maybe I can try SM Cubao. I was very tempted to go back to the familiar offices of EBusiness Services in Farmers Plaza. However, after bolstering myself with the thought that I wanted to give PBCom another chance, I went home and returned with my passport.
The Php 1.25 Copying Charge I stared in quiet disbelief that I was going to be charged Php 1.25 for a copy of my IDs. I asked whether they had a copying machine. The answer was yes, but it’s under repair. So I clarified whether I was going to be charged if the copying machine had been working. The answer was yes.
At this point, I wanted to bolt and go to EBusiness Services in Farmers Plaza, where I was never charged anything extra for my Western Union payments. Visions of never ending charges for a copy of my IDs repelled me, but I forced myself to stay seated and hand over the required payment.
The Reversal I submitted my Western Union document for her perusal. When she caught sight of the sender’s name, Google Inc., she commented on it and then commenced a series of questions designed to find out more about a client’s needs. I think she realized that I could be a potential repeat client.
The $0.01 Payment My Western Union payment was in dollars and one cent. I was worried about the $0.01 payment because there was a possibility that it might be dispensed with altogether. To my relief, the PBCom teller gave me a one cent coin.
The Parting Shot As I was leaving the premises of the PBCom Cubao branch, the PBCom associate reassured me that there was no need for a copy of my IDs the next time I visit the bank. The Php 1.25 payment was a one-time charge. Since they now have a copy for their records, they could dispense with it during future trips to PBCom Cubao.
PBCom Service Leaves a Bad Taste in the Mouth First, I was actually encouraged to bring my business somewhere else. Then I was treated in a “cold” manner because I questioned the Php 1.25 charge, and, although the wrong impression of it being a regular requirement was corrected, it was a belated thought that was shared at the end.
If I hadn’t been a Google Inc. recipient, what would have happened, I wonder? The logical guess is pretty obvious, and it certainly leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
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