Buy More, Save More – Not!
I go to the grocery every week to buy necessities. I compare prices and tend to buy items which cost less in the long run – a 1-liter bag of cooking oil instead of 2 500ml bags; a 100g pack of instant coffee instead of a couple of 50g packs. You get the idea.
So this morning I went to SM Save More supermarket in the Riverbanks Mall (Marikina). I don’t usually shop there but since I had to renew my NBI clearance – and a satellite office was in the area – I decided to save some travel time and hit two birds with one stone, so to speak.
What’s up, Manila?
It’s the middle of the year already. Are you aware of the happenings in and around Metro Manila? You probably hear a lot of the “happenings” from the news when you get home at night.
Is that what awareness is all about? Really now.
Why not try hopping over to where it’s at here in Manila, Philippines, where you can catch up on Metro Manila’s premium business listings, consumer forum, classified ads and everything about the National Capital Region and tourist destinations in the Philippines.
While you’re surfing the site, why not post a bit in the forums? Locate those hard-to-find stores. Or even find a bargain or two. Bargain? Two? If you’re lucky (as I’m sure you are indeed), you may even get tickets to watch a free movie for two, courtesy of WazzupManila and Magic 89.9 FM!
Categories: Business, Environment, Filipino, Manila, Movies, Philippines, Travel Tags:
Digital Camera Gray Market
Digital camera gray market hurting Canon business in RP
MAKATI City, Philippines — Parallel imported Canon digital cameras are hurting Canon’s business in the Philippines, the company’s top executive said.
Considering the Japanese company’s dominance in the digital camera business, parallel importers are now buying products outside of the country illegally and selling them for a cheaper price because they are not taxed.
“Competition is getting tougher because there are more players now. But we’re also hit by the gray market or the parallel importation,” said Ramon Arteficio, president and CEO of Canon Marketing Philippines.
This development has prompted Canon to recently issue warnings against local retailers now selling its products without going through legal channels.
“We’re addressing this now, sending letters to them, warning them,” Arteficio said.
The company has hired a law firm to build cases against local retailers illegally selling the Canon digital camera product.
The local executive said the company was only able to achieve 10-percent growth year-to-date, although it was targeting a 25-percent growth.
Arteficio said this lower-than-expected growth was due to lower photocopier and digital camera sales.
The company was able to generate about P1.3 billion in revenues for the year to date.
“If we don’t do anything about this, they will move more products in,” Arteficio said.
At the Makati City Hall
I went to the Makati City Hall at around 2:30 PM yesterday, 10 July 2007 to get certified true copies of DECLARATION OF REAL PROPERTY (aka Tax Declaration) forms from the Assessor’s Office.
This was the first time I actually (and personally) did everything by myself. Previously (in other matters), I’d have someone handle the legwork while I just observed to make sure that our objective was achieved in the shortest time possible.
This time, I first asked the security guard at the entrance to the building the directions to the City Assessor’s Office, to which he quickly gave directions to the second floor. I looked around and inquired at the first available window. I was then pointed to the window at the opposite side of the office.
I was then referred to a certain Mr. Soria, who was more than kind enough to personally go to their vault and look for the original Tax Declaration documents. He gave them to me and provided instructions on what to do with the documents. To ensure that I’d return the original documents, I had to leave one of my identification cards.
I had to go to the third floor and pay the corresponding fee of PhP150 (3 x PhP50) to the cashier at the window. No need to ask questions here, all windows were properly identified and it took me less than five minutes to make the necessary payment.
It took me a while longer though to photocopy the documents as there was a long line of people availing of the photocopying service at PhP2.00 per page.
I got back to Mr. Soria downstairs, returned the original documents and retrieved my ID card. I was told to wait for the photocopies to be authenticated.
What nice people they have at the City Hall.
I was asked to pay for Documentary Stamps worth PhP30.00, to the person who would be giving me the authenticated documents. When I asked for a receipt though, I was only given a small sheet of paper bearing the person’s signature, the amount I paid and the purpose for which it was paid.
I wonder what that’s for.
I was able to complete my work at the City Hall in record time — 30 minutes. Not bad, considering that this was my first time doing business with the Makati City government. I commend the employees for their efficiency, seeing that they serve the citizenry quite well, even for such “trivial” matters.
Paglingkuran ang Bayan indeed.
(note: additional information and details to be posted)
Categories: Business, Government, Makati Tags:
