CashCashPinoy Strikes Again! (Scam, Scam, Scam)

As of writing this, I am positively livid and seething as to how this supposedly "deal" site is scamming all of its members.  Why?  Let me count the ways.  If you're a regular reader of this blog, then you might be familiar with my post regarding their travel scam.  No?  Let me refresh you by clicking on this link.  Well, if you think they stopped there, think again.  After writing that post, I've had some people comment on how CashCashPinoy has scammed them, and a friend even told me that his officemate bought a "supposedly" authentic Lacoste bag, except that when it arrived, it wasn't.  Pure fake.  Today, I've had the pleasure of experiencing another one of their schemes.  Thank goodness I can proudly say that I haven't fallen victim yet.  I called and asked about the deal first before going ahead and purchasing it.  Guys, ALWAYS call the merchant before buying any deals.  Ask all the questions that you have, so that you won't have any regrets afterwards.  

Going back, today CashCashPinoy sent me an email regarding their Sofitel Manila Dining Experience deal.  Usually, whatever email that comes from CashCashPinoy immediately goes to the trash.  But today what struck me was that they were offering 40% off at any of Sofitel's Restaurants, including Spiral.  My birthday is coming up next month and I was thinking of treating the entire family to Spiral for my birthday dinner.  But I had a few questions like "do they limit the number of people who are availing the deal?" "is the day I want already fully booked?" and "do I need to pay any other charges other than the deal amount?".  So I called up Sofitel for clarifications.  Well the answer to my questions 1 and 2 were no, which was a good thing.  But question #3 came up and I was told that since I want to use the voucher for dinner, then I am to pay an additional Php215 per head.  HUH?!  Before going any further, I would like to show you the deal in question.  Please read thoroughly and tell me what you think:

So... what do you think?  Did you see, in ANY part of the deal wherein it states that you'd have to pay an additional Php215 per head?  Because I surely DID NOT.  Look at the part encircled in red.  It says that the deal is valid for Spiral for lunch during Monday to Friday, then dinner Monday to Thursday.  If you were me, what would be your understanding of this?  It means that as long as you buy the voucher, then you can use it M-F lunch, and M-T dinner.  Right?  Well, according to Sofitel, since there is a difference of Php215 from lunch to dinner, the deal holders will have to settle the difference with the hotel if they want to dine during dinner.  That particular part was NOT mentioned in the deal.  And when I told them that it wasn't mentioned, the reservations officer then pointed out to the clause that I highlighted in the blue box.  For me, when you say "any amount in excess of the voucher price", it means that when you incur any additional expenses like drinks which is not part of the buffet, THAT is the one that you'd have to settle directly with the hotel.  Actually, Sofitel is not the one to blame on this.  This is purely CashCashPinoy's sheer genius (if you can call it that).  The only fault Sofitel has is choosing CashCashPinoy to advertise their deal.  You see guys, it's not about the money.  I mean, if you are paying for Php1590, what is another Php215 right?  My point is, instead of just stating the additional charges clearly in their ad, CashCashPinoy chose the twisted route of scamming their buyers into thinking that Php1590 is all you have to pay for a great lunch or dinner.  This is beyond low.  Somebody please share this post so that it goes a long way and people will not be duped into buying from CashCashPinoy.  I personally will start boycotting this company from now on.  You should too.

CashCashPinoy's Bad Reputation: Deceit, Deceit, Deceit

I really do not want to write this post, because there's just too much negativity in this world and I'd like to channel good vibes.  But CashCashPinoy has left me with no choice.  It's time to put their deceitfulness to an end. 

About a month ago, I read an article concerning CashCashPinoy's untruthful travel deals.  In the article, it was mentioned that 2 people bought coupons from them for an all-inclusive trip to Japan at a mere Php 20,000++ (sorry, I forgot the exact amount) from the original price of Php 40,000++.  Sounds like a good deal.  But the problem started when they contacted the travel agency to fix their schedules, only to find out that there are certain charges that are NOT included in the price, and those charges would mean that they'd have to pay an additional Php 20,000++!  Now, where's the deal in that?!

I myself has signed up with CashCashPinoy, and has bought several deals from them.  It is their regular practice to send deal promotions through email several times a week so that their customers are aware of their new deals.  So when I received an all-inclusive travel deal email a few weeks ago, I checked and found out that indeed, their travel deals are misleading.  Putting the matter into my own hands, I emailed their customer service to tell them to please take out the "all-inclusive" part of their travel deal if it isn't true, to which the reply was a playing dumb "which travel deal are you pertaining to?"  Let's just say that the conversation did not end well and I threatened to report them to DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) the next time I see these false deals.

Come last Friday, I received CashCashPinoy's newsletter again.  And surprise, surprise!  Another all-inclusive travel deal (encircled).  I logged on and tried to see if they've already corrected their crooked ways.  Read on to see:

Look closely at the encircled area below.  If you're too excited, or just not fond of reading fine prints, chances are that you won't even notice that part.

...and voila!  One click and you'll see all of the non-inclusions (see encircled part below).  Seems like they haven't change one bit.   I called Alva Travel Corp., the travel agency listed to inquire.  The guy who answered was not only unprofessional (kept on putting me on hold, talking to other people), but he was also rude and impatient.  It appears that you'd have to pay an additional Php 15,000-Php20,000 for this specific travel deal (depending on your travel dates), and the visa and travel tax is not even included yet.  WOW.

 

So what happened to those poor customers who fell into their trap, you ask?  Nothing.  CashCashPinoy refused their request for a refund for the reasons that it is stated in their terms and conditions that their vouchers are not valid for cash back and that the deal has been "diligently explained" to the customers.  Diligently explained?  I.  Don't.  Think.  So. 

I am fully aware that it is not entirely CashCashPinoy's fault.  It really pays to click and read everything before forking over your hard earned cash, but my problem is that they put in the words "ALL-INCLUSIVE" and that is purely bullsh*t. (sorry!)  Where I come from, all-inclusive means I don't have to pay a single cent more after I buy something.  Have you ever experienced a sale wherein you're asked to pay more than the sale price at the check out counter?  Hell no.  NEVER put all-inclusive if it is not.

Now, it appears that the CEO of CashCashPinoy has already responded to the site that exposed their travel scam.  As stated in his response to the article, he claims that DTI has approved this kind of deceit.  Tsk tsk.  Now where's the justice in that?  Poor customers.  I hope one day they get their justice.  CashCashPinoy is liable and should not get away with cheating their customers.  And yes, I hope this post goes viral so that more people are aware of this kind of biased practices by the so-called "deal" site.