Top 3 Local Couriers in The Philippines To Choose If You Are Living from the South

Way back 2017, I have written a blog post about the best couriers in the Philippines that I've known and tried. I haven't been able to update my list over the years and that's why I'm writing this. While I'm pretty sure you have your own favorites, I have mine too. I'll list them down shortly.

I lived from the North then (Valenzuela), but last year, we decided to move to the South (Cavite). I have come to realize that there's a scarcity of couriers from where I am now, compared to when I was living in the metro. I guess most couriers service NCR addresses because that's probably where e-commerce businesses are more active . Although it's just an assumption. :D

Anyway, I've googled and checked out a few websites. I found one that picks up from our area, but they have minimum parcel requirement. I am not a bigtime seller and I don't ship a lot in one batch. In fact, I only sell a few preloved items when I declutter, so reaching the required number is quite an impossible feat.

There's another one which I've only recently heard of. The thing is, shipping cost is quite expensive if I ship from where I am, going to different parts of the country. A big no-no for my regular buyers-turned-online friends.

So here I've listed the 3 couriers which I trust. They aren't completely flawless in terms of their shipping and delivery services but I am at my most comfortable when I trust my parcel with them.

 

 

1. GOGO XPRESS

It was formerly known as Xpost and even when I was from the north, I always use their service and almost all my transactions were excellent. The shipping rates aren't the cheapest, but still worth it in my opinion. Shipping was extremely fast compared to competitors, riders were friendly and courteous. They offer free pickup, free item protection (up to PHP500) and free COD transactions.

Their app is their biggest edge in my opinion. From scheduling a pickup to tracking and final deliveries, everything has been smooth for me for about 2 years. Until recently, when there has been a major change in their management, there were so many delays and backlogs but they were able to quickly recover. A few days after, they released a memorandum stating that they were withdrawing their partnership with Shopee. Another major change I observed was when they limit the serviceable areas for pickup to NCR and a few cities in Cavite and Rizal. Unfortunately, Tanza isn't one of those. I am still hoping for them to widen their coverage as soon as possible.

This is why I was forced to search for a different courier. A reasonably-priced courier that would pick up from my place and would offer that door-to-door service and parcel protection. Basically something that would outperform Gogo Xpress.

2. J&T EXPRESS

I have known J&T for years but it was only until recently that I decided to try them in place of Gogo. It was recommended by a previous buyer who wanted to save on shipping because Gogo, was well, more expensive. At first, I was under the impression that I could only dropship with J&T, just like JRS, LBC and more, but I found out I could also schedule a pickup online. The good thing is that they also pick up parcels from provincial places like ours, at no charge and they would even print your waybills for you. Great for those who ship small amount of parcels.

The only setback I always encounter is the booking process. I even had a hard time signing up for an account. Not sure whether it's a system glitch, but I always find it hard to schedule a pickup. Searching for the barangay, city, province is what prolongs the process. Sometimes, when I'm almost done, I'd still get this error 'order failed' or 'wrong sender address' and I'm like, how could that happen??? Using their app never fails to test my patience. PLEASE. IMPROVE. YOUR. APP. I.AM.BEGGING.

Nonetheless, I love the cheap rates, occasional vouchers, and accuracy of their tracking and delivery. I hope to never have any lost parcel with you guys hehe.

3. LALAMOVE

I though I might include a same-day shipping courier in my Top 3. I know there are other options like Grab or Angkas or Mr. Speedy (now Borzo Delivery I think), and I'm actually torn, but I would just say Lalamove since it's usually cheaper and most of my same-day bookings are with them. Although I have to be honest and tell you the not-so-good experiences I had with Lalamove.

First and foremost, it's usually hard to book a rider to pickup from my place to NCR and vice versa. I understand it could be the price surge in gas nowadays, but I couldn't book unless I add 'tip' on top of the base price. You're lucky enough if you could score a voucher to further lessen the total price. 

Sometimes, riders would ask you if they could mark the shipment complete and add another transaction para sulit daw gas to which I would just say I'm good with so long as the parcel gets delivered safely. Of course, it has to be within the day. I still opted for Lalamove despite everything, because I still find it less expensive. I haven't tried Borzo yet, but it's also cheaper than Grab.

I just wish I could top-up money with no minimum amount required since I don't use Lalamove every so often. That's something I wish they consider.

So there you have it! I wanted to have a lot of options so if you are probably in the same location or know other couriers that would pick up from Tanza, please let me know! I would love to try them out! Thanks so much for dropping by!

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Using Shopee SPayLater For The First Time

I am sure that you've heard about Shopee SPayLater at one point especially if you are an avid online shopper. I wasn't even interested at first to be honest. Processing fees and interests have always been red flags to me. The only loans I am willing to deduct from my paychecks are salary and multipurpose loans from SSS and PAGIBIG. I just wanted to make sure my contributions were properly utilized.

I am not even confident enough to apply for credit cards because I am scared that the interests would be too much and would add up to my piles of bills. I would rather wait until I have enough cash to buy something I want or need. That way, I won't get any unexpected charges.

Think cash. That's what my mother used to tell me all the time. However, I kept on seeing these promotions online and thought of maybe trying out SPayLater for a change, and see whether it's worth it or not.

Before we start, I would like to let you know that I am not a financial expert or affiliated with Shopee so everything I say is based on my experience or what I have encountered.

WHAT IS SHOPEE SPAYLATER?

It's like a payment method/service provided by Shopee wherein qualified users can use this to pay for purchases at a later date. This is good if you don't have cash on-hand or you find it uncomfortable to pay first before getting your purchases.

Users have the option to settle payments in installment basis - you can choose to pay on your chosen due date (every 5 or 15 of the month), pay in 3, 6 or 12 months. Of course, the longer option you choose, the higher the interest rate will be. If you failed to settle on your due dates, late fees would also apply. There might be consequences as well such as suspension of your account or limit to Shopee services and vouchers.

Credit limit is up to P50,000 monthly depends on your approval. When I signed up, I was approved with a P10,000 credit limit. I think the expected monthly salary disclosed during application as well as your account history has something to do with the approved credit amount. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

For more information regarding SPayLater, I've included some screenshots here, which you can also easily see on your Shopee app.

HOW TO SIGN UP FOR SPAYLATER

To be honest, it took me several tries before I get approved. I am not sure what exactly went wrong on the first few tries - it could be my I.D.s or some information I must have typed in wrong. Then about less than a couple of weeks ago, I gave it another shot and was finally approved. I started buying groceries and a few things I need using SPayLater.

HOW TO USE SPAYLATER

It's very easy to use this service from Shopee. You just have to do the usual shopping and just select SPayLater as the payment method uponchecking out. If you are not ready to pay the item in full, choose from the monthly installments that are available. I always choose BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) because the interest rates and processing fees will be lower.

INTEREST RATES

BILLING CYCLES

You have two options to choose for your due date. You can consider your payout date (if you are an employee) before choosing what's best for you. I chose 15th of the month though because...uhmm, no particular reason. :D

HOW TO PAY YOUR SPAYLATER LOAN

HOW TO PAY YOUR SPAYLATER LOAN IN ADVANCE

As much as possible, I'd like to pay for my purchases ahead of time so I don't have to worry later on. It's a personal preference but that's what I usually think. I don't like COD as well because I prefer cashless payment. I get impatient too while waiting for my bill which I can only expect to come at least 10 days prior to my due date.

I was only playing around when I found out I could pay my SPayLater loan in advance. I included some screenshots down below. I found out that every time you receive an order paid with SPayLater, it automatically accumulates on the upcoming bill amount which you can pay in full even if it's not your due date yet. I like doing this so as to increase my credit limit back up again and avoid expensive bills when it's already almost my due date.

NOTE: There are lots of payment methods to choose from to pay your loan. It doesn't have to be Shopeepay. I just like to keep some cash in my Shopeepay account just in case I need to buy something.

 

 

  

  

 

OVERALL THOUGHTS

I find Shopee SPayLater convenient to use. The application only takes about 5 minutes as long as you have a valid I.D. and make sure you follow the instruction properly, supply all valid information and fix yourself for the facial verification part.

I haven't been able to use SPayLater for a long time yet but so far, I enjoy using it most especially because of the vouchers only exclusive to SPayLater users. I noticed that they give out vouchers from time to time wherein users can take advantage of 20-100% cashbacks, capped at around 75-350 coins.

Imagine the amount of coins one could earn and use for future purchases! I'm easily swayed by these cashback promos and I'm not sorry at all. Haha!

It was too hot these days so I decided to buy a pair of cotton boxer shorts for women. They were on sale for about ₱‌159/ea. The total was ₱‌292 for the pair (applied free shipping and coins) and I got some cashbacks worth ₱‌200 (because of the 100% cashback voucher capped at 200 coins). Including the rates/fees for this particular purchase, I paid ₱‌303.71. So hindi na 'ko lugi, right?

Yesterday, I received one of my orders from last week - an OPPO Band B1 Watch - which I got on sale for ₱‌1099. I got it further discounted because of an SPayLater voucher where I got 400-peso off my total purchase. Imagine the savings. I only paid ₱‌699.35 for my loan.

I assume that we'll encounter less and less of these types of promotions in the future, so you know it when they say, "enjoy while it lasts."

I just had a minor issue with SPayLater so far and this is with regards to the interest/free shipping vouchers. Take this one for example. Say I am to buy this earrings which costs around ₱‌589...

I noticed that if I choose a free shipping voucher with the ShopeePay/SPayLater label, I'll pay ₱‌653.85 for my loan (please see screenshots below). If I choose a different shipping promotion though without SPayLater on it , I would only pay ₱‌612.27. It appears misleading to me because how come they are providing free shipping vouchers, yet it seems like I'll have to pay for them through loan? This is just an observation and I don't think it's a technical error either. I've been trying these shipping promos with other products too in my cart and there's really a difference on the loan amount. It doesn't make sense to me at all. If you have an explanation for this, please enlighten me.

SAMPLE SPAYLATER VOUCHERS

Screenshot below shows examples of the the promotions offered when you utilize SPayLater. I would say that it's a convenient and practical way of paying for purchases online and I would definitely continue using the service. From time to time, they also offer 0% interest on certain products. I'm kind of excited for the next big sale and see what kind of offers I can take advantage of!

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Life Update On A Monday

Hey dearies, it's Hanna.

You won't believe this: I should be on my shift right now but I am writing because this day can't be any worse. Today is Monday - basically the start of the week and my computer isn't working as it should be. Who can be productive when you're encountering technical issues? I had my brother helped me but he can't seem to figure it out with me ranting and rushing him around. So I told him I got this when obviously I don't! I can't seem to handle pressure that well lately. It's hard to be cool about things especially when you have zero idea on what to do.

Then, when I was about to clock in, we lost internet connection! I can't get myself to blame anyone because it isn't right. Still, I can't help but get frustrated. I was tagged absent because of this and I couldn't even update my supervisors real time because the signal in my location, well, sucks.

I let my head cool down for about 30 minutes before proceeding, and thinking of this situation as a miracle in disguise. Maybe this could be an extension to my rest days. Ugh, man, 3 days off? On normal working days, I would probably kill for it (kidding!). It indeed sounds tempting, but something I couldn't afford right now given the finances lined up this month. It's easy to think that way but I just can't. I am this kind of person who must follow schedules and if things don't turn up the way they should - me sitting pretty would never happen. How things would have been easier to accept if only I was spontaneous?

Reality check though - what's done is done. The technical issues and internet connection is beyond my control. I just have to accept so the anger won't eat me up.

I am so sorry that my mind is in chaos right now. Writing this helps me feel more at ease. I'd like to read this back one day and realize that it was not that big of a deal. That whatever provokes me right now, won't provoke me forever. It may still not be resolved the moment I was typing this, but soon it will - maybe in the next few hours, maybe tomorrow. I don't know for sure, but definitely not forever.

Whoo, that was one hell of a rant. Sorry for this quick break, but what's the purpose of this blog? Me sharing snippets of my life and the things I hate and love - all squeezed up in this beauty-turned-personal blog. Life isn't all rainbows and colors anyway. I'd like to share the good and the bad, the educational and the senseless blog posts I could think of. I will probably have more of this in the future, but I promise to never let go of my beauty reviews. :)

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Quick and Easy Process of Requesting CENOMAR and Other Certificates Online

I didn't even know such thing as CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage) existed until my mother required me to get a copy from PSA (used to be NSO) for housing loan purposes. Being too idle to brave long traffic and queues in this scorching heat in a ber-month, I decided to look for alternatives. I searched online about what CENOMAR is and whatnot and then I came across the PSA website and through further exploration, I stumbled on a page where there is an option to request for a copy online. I did more research and though I confirmed online request is possible, there's barely enough information on its step-by-step process and testimonies whether online request is really a successful and efficient option. So here's me - I'm gonna share what exactly transpired in this yet another of my risk-taking transactions online.

Months ago, I already shared with you a post about NBI Clearance Quick Renewal Delivery and I was overwhelmed with how people reacted and thanked me for posting the actual process. I thought that maybe sharing with you the online process for CENOMAR and Birth Certificate will be as helpful and informative. If you are someone like me who does most things online, better not skip a line!

I'm taking the time since introduction has been quite long anyway and it seems like you are reading forever. But just a disclosure, I don't have much knowledge about CENOMAR and apart from my own personal reason, there's probably more stuff you can do with this paper. Googling it or doing a quick search like 'What is CENOMAR?' will be very helpful. Lol!

APPLICATION PROCESS

STEP 1. Go to www.psaserbilis.com.ph. This is not the official website of PSA but an online facility for submitting requests. Here's what you will see:

STEP 2. Click on the link that says 'Click here to request now'. It will route you to the terms and condition page. Read and click 'Accept'.

STEP 3. Contact and delivery information page will be displayed. Here, you will have to fill out your shipping information so make sure to type in the correct details of the addressee, address, telephone and e-mail address (this is important so you can receive notifications). Delivery schedule is 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday-Friday except holidays.

For requests for delivery within the Philippines:

PHP 330.00 per copy for Copy Issuance requests

PHP 430.00 per copy for CENOMAR requests

For requests for delivery to other countries:

USD 20.30 per copy for Copy Issuance requests

USD 25.30 per copy for CENOMAR requests

STEP 4. After filling out, click 'Next'. Then you will be directed to the consent/confirmation,  disclaimer and acceptance page. Review your shipping information then press 'Confirm'.

STEP 5. You will be routed to the Requests Summary page. Here, you can now choose which document to request. Options are birth certificate, marriage certificate, death certificate and CENOMAR. Just click on your option and you will be redirected to the next steps.

STEP 6.1 FOR CENOMAR. You will be asked to fill out necessary information in the Add Request page such as your name, sex, place of birth, date of birth, father and mother's names, and purpose. For the purpose of the request, choose any from the drop down box. Click 'Save' then a pop-up box will appear. You will have to read through it and press 'Confirm' if everything's correct.

STEP 6.2 FOR BIRTH/DEATH/MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES. You will be asked two questions before you get to the Add Request page.

STEP 7. You will return to the Requests Summary/cart page. Review what you placed on it as well as the grand total. For additional copies, expect additional charges. Press 'Submit'.

STEP 8. The system will generate a Batch Request Number for you. You will use it for the payment and delivery. The grand total will be P430 for the certificate and issuance fee. During this time, you will receive a copy of the acknowledgement form through e-mail. Make sure to check.

STEP 9. You will be required to print two (2) copies of the acknowledgement form if you opt for bank payment. Since I don't want to print anything, I just paid through credit/debit card through the website.

STEP 10. Once you click on 'Pay online via credit card now', you will be routed to a secured payment channel. Just fill out you card number, expiry date, name on the card and CVV (3-digit code at the back of your card). You will receive a notification both on the website and e-mail once payment has been confirmed. It's usually right away so be sure to check when you're debited.

STEP 11. That's pretty much it. You just have to wait for a few days to receive the copy. I placed a request last September 09, 2019 and got the document by September 29, 2019. That's only 4 days! If you cannot wait that long, you have to apply in person at any PSA Serbilis Center near you.

DELIVERY AND TRACKING

If you want to track the status of your request, go back to the home page and look for this (photo below). Type in your batch request number, hit 'go' and there you'll see the status.

Example:

So that's pretty much it! If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to reach me via these channels or simply reply down below so I can get in touched with you faster! Thank you for reading!

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