Nabentehan ako ng Smart

So this morning, on my way to do some fieldwork in Zambales, I registered for Smart's Lahat Text Promo. I was supposed to get free texts to all networks, 20 minutes call-time to Smart, TNT, or Red Mobile, and 50 mb worth of internet access, all consumable within the period of 3 days. I texted "LTU50" to 2266. And I received a confirmation textback that stated that indeed I am now registered for the said promo.

Late this afternoon, I made the usual call home to my significant other. After which I checked my balance. Lo and behold, my phone call was charged approximately 20 pesos. So I called Smart's customer service to inquire. I told them that I have registered for their promo this morning and called a TNT phone for no more than 3 minutes approximately. The customer service person told me that I should add *2266 before the 11 digit cell number for the promo to work. But I told her that was not stated in the promo. She told me it was. So yeah, maybe, in my break of dawn rush I might have not read carefully the after-registration text back. I was very polite because I thought it was my fault. And so I ended the call.

But when I checked the after-registration text back and even the original promo text, there was NEVER any mention of appending *2266 before the 11-digit number. So I called Smart's support service again. I explained that I called not more than 1 minute before and I was told that the *2266 mechanics was in the text. I told her "NO! You people are LYING!" And for what? To add the 20 pesos you have filched from me to your multi-billion peso profit for the year?  I said I wanted a refund. I was flatly told no. Because I did not follow their (secret) mechanics I was rightly charged that 20 pesos. I sarcastically told her that my only option now is to file a case with the DTI so I can refund my 20 pesos. 20 fucking pesos. You are a multi-billion peso company and you stole 20 pesos from me. You lie to steal 20 pesos.

Good job Smart! Great fucking service.