Window Shopping: Fence & Gate

About a month ago, I was talking to a few people about the cost of putting up a fence and I mentioned to them that we would be spending over Php 300,000 just for three walls, a gate, and the carport without the roof. They then started laughing and told me that was way too high and that it should only cost us around Php 275,000 inclusive of the roof.

I felt bad at that point and they took pity on me by giving me a list of contractors who have done work for other residents in the village. So with renewed optimism, I asked them for quote. But to ensure the suppliers were all on the same footing, I sent them a "fence kit" containing the carport plan, staking layout and the specifications that Maricel from Rabacon sent to me last year (which you can read here) but without the rates:

WORK ITEMS

• CHB Perimeter Fence - Cement Plaster Finish with Paint
- 13.00mts x 6’ ht per side x 3 sides (right side, left side & back fence)
- 6” concrete hollow blocks
- 10mm re-enforcement bars for post, tie-beams & dowels
- Smooth plain cement plaster finish on both sides
- 2 coats of latex paint finish (per owner’s color choice)

• Steel Fence - Picket Fence Design - Paint Finish
- Picket fence design
- 13.00mts x 6’ ht (front steel fence)
- Carport gate – 5.00mts x 6’ ht
- Pedestrian gate – 1.00mt x 6’ ht
- One layer of concrete hollow blocks before steel fence – paint finish
- Includes electrical provisions for post lamps
- Primer and 2 coats enamel paint finish (per owner’s color choice)

• Garage Floor Finish
- Plain cement mixed with white cement finish with grooves
- 5.00mts x 13.00mts
- 10mm re-enforcement bars
- Includes labor and materials for concrete

CONTRACTORS

- Jaime A. Pacheco

Telephone Number: 0929 463 3861
Email: jimmy_pacheco@yahoo.com

CHB Perimeter Fence - Php 219,030.50
Steel Fencce - Php 62,916.00
Garage Floor Finish - Php 61,250.00
Total: Php 343,196.50

- Loida P. Sustiguer

Telephone Number: 0927 262 3735
Email: lp_sustiguer@yahoo.com

CHB Perimeter Fence - Php 185,000.00
Steel Fencce - Php 100,000.00
Garage Floor Finish - Php 65,000.00
Total: Php 350,000.00

- Varian M. Falcutila

Telephone Number: 0918 220 1756
Email: varian.falcutila@yahoo.com

Total: Php 360,100.60

- Edcor Builders

Telephone Numbers: 668 7584, 0917 602 4032, 0922 456 1375
Email: edcor.builders@gmail.com
Website: http://edcor.webs.com

CHB Perimeter Fence - Php 201,498.80
Steel Fence - Php 112,060.20
Garage Floor Finish - Php 65,000.00
Total: Php 378,559.00

> Pop! < That was my hope bubble bursting after seeing those rates. Oh, well.

No Return, No Exchange?

In Good Housekeeping magazine's January-February 2012 issue, they have an article on consumer rights that's quite timely now that we're about to buy things for the house. We were surprised to find that many of what we thought were standard practice turned out to be illegal...

They interviewed Zenaida C. Maglaya, Undersecretary for Consumer Welfare and Trade Regulation Group of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to help clarify the "No return, no exchange" policy and surcharges for credit card use. Here are excerpts from the article:

Is the Customer ALWAYS Right?
by Mari-An C. Santos

- Surcharging when you charge

To settle the issue on store policies regarding the use of credit cards, Maglaya cites the DTI DOA 10 Series of 2006: "Rules on Price Tags/Labels and Providing Prohibition against the Imposition of a Surcharge, Extra Charge or Additional Charge in the Use of Credit/Automated Teller Machine/Debit Cards for Payment of Purchases of Consumer Products or Services."

That is, you must not pay anything over and above the price indicated on the tag or any item you would like to purchase.

- Can a store have a "No return, no exchange" policy?

Simply put, no. According to the Consumer Act of the Philippines, the words "No return, no exchange" or words to such effect shall not be written into the contract of sale, receipt of sales transaction, in any documents as evidence of sale, or anywhere in the store or business establishment. In this way, consumers are reassured that they have the right to return defective goods or demand remedies, in case of imperfect service.

Should you find that a store is in violation of the the prohibition on "No return, no exchange" policy, you can file a complaint with DTI. Simply provide the following information:

1. Your name and address, and that of the firm/entity being complained about
2. Acts of omissions constituting the offense including the approximate date, place, and time of its commission
3. Remedy you are seeking from the DTI, other than the damages
4. Other relevant information

- Can a store exercise only a policy of exchange but not refund?

Consumers are entitled to either an exchange or refund, as long as there is a defect in the quality of goods or imperfection in the service.

- Can I return defective goods without the official receipt?

The official receipt is the best proof of purchase. However, you may still demand replacement or refund if you can prove that a defective item was bought from a certain store.

- Can a store impose the condition that items can only be exchanged once?

No. Merchandise can be exchanged many times, as long as the consumer chooses the option of replacement.

_____

I called up DTI and Erica told me that these policies are also applicable to custom-made furniture and not just clothes or things you can get from a mall.

She also said that for furniture (e.g. kitchen cabinets), the supplier is OBLIGATED to fix any shoddy workmanship for free. Hmmm... calling Cusm Furniture Shop...

And you know how stores give a lower price for cash purchases (books, appliances, etc.)? Erica said that they're not allowed to do that. If they offer a lower price, you should be able to use your credit card to buy the item at that price.

There's more about refunds and claiming warranties in the article but way too long to post here. The magazine is still available in newsstands.

Visit www.dti.gov.ph and www.dtincr.ph for more information.

For immediate action and to report sellers who violate consumer rights, call DTI Direct: 751 3330 or send them an email:

Mr. Ferdinand Manfoste
Assistant Regional Director
dtincrlegal@yahoo.com

Shop Hop: Space Encounters

Since they're currently on sale, my Mom and I decided to pay them a visit.

They do not accept custom-made orders in the sense that you won't be able to bring a picture of a chair you like and ask them to make it. What they do have is a catalogue of their own designs (partial list below) which you can customize in terms of wood finishes and upholstery. You can also bring your own fabric and they'll adjust the cost accordingly.

The furniture sold here are mostly Scandinavian inspired which isn't exactly a style I gravitate to, but when I tried their Mama Bear wing chair, I started having second thoughts. It was so comfortable and I could imagine myself reading a book and just lounging in it (footrest sold separately):

Mama Bear Chair - Php 30,000

33.5" (w) x 36" (d) x 40" (h)

They also have a slightly smaller wing chair available:

Cooper Bear Chair - Php 29,500

29" (w) x 29.5" (d) x 32.5" (h)

The prices above are based on mahogany wood but they also have a teak wood option which costs a little more (e.g. Cooper Bear Chair Php 37,300).