On Internet Service Providers - What ISP do you use?

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) breathe life into the career (maybe even the personal life) of the online worker.  Without an internet connection, you just can't work.  No contacts, no communications, no spadework (for us who enter websites from across the globes).  Without a proper ISP, we  cannot earn a living.

When I started online work,  I decided to subscribe, not to the basic plan, but to the faster plan, even if it was more expensive and I wasn't earning  yet.  Since it was going to be for work, might as well be equipped for it.  Not to mention I have the patience of a 2 yr old for loading over the net, I might end up chucking out my PC out the window even if it was the net that was quite slow.

That was in 2007.  We got the 1.2Mbps plan from a Quezon City ISP. Services were fine and uneventful then.  Now in 2010, when the little broadband dongles say they deliver up to 3Mbps, I still had the 1.2Mbps until October 2010 (and still paying double the basic plan).  It was only this November that the ISP called and said they were upgrading my speed to 1.5 Mbps and subtracting PhP200 from the subscription cost.

I noticed though, that :

• Around June this year, my connection always dies around 2PM and stays that way for 2-3 hours.  You can imagine how distraught I can get because I don't get to do any work, and had to extend to the work hours until beyond midnight.
• I noticed this September?  October? upto now (this very moment) the lights in my modem always has the hiccups and dies and resurrects every so often, sometimes every 5 minutes, every 15 minutes, etc.
• And yes, the phone included in the service is ALWAYS dead.  Causing another inconvenience to call cellphones instead of the land line service.  Hmp.  (Yes, my phone is dead right now.)

I have learned to ignore this since it's happening frequently, and I thought maybe it's just my area, etc.  Now I find out an online contact with the same ISP has the same net and phone problem.  My son's classmate also told him they have the same situation at home.  

What is happening?  

I have shared this concern with the counter person while paying bills, she just told me to file a complaint to services so that line men can come over.  Oh, what she told me exactly was TO CALL and file a complaint.  I find that funny because I just said the line was dead.  Yes, I can call using the cell but it's still funny to make me call.

I can always change ISPs, but my sons agree this damn blasted service is still the most reliable for their gaming needs compared to other ISPs. So yes, I am a hostage of my own ISP.  Boo.


How about you? What ISP do you use and is it reliable and quick for surfing, gaming and web maintenance?


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Withdraw Xoom at SM or BDO - Part 2

Withdrawing Xoom at BDO or SM business centers is okay if you are prepared and have the complete information and documents. 

As promised in the Part 1 of this post, here is how you can claim your Xoom salaries or remittance through SM or BDO.

Note:  SM and BDO uses the same Remittance Form and the procedures are the same too.

You will need the following:
1.  Most important - the Xoom Number that your sender got when the money was sent.
2.  The amount sent and what currency.
3.  Optional:  The secret word if your sender indicated any when the money was sent.
4.  2 government issued IDs like Passport, Driver's license, SSS, GSIS, etc.  If you only have one, fine, bring it still.  Some branches are considerate.  But the policy is followed to the letter by some BDO and SM branches and are picky with seeing 2 IDs.

Usability and Customer Conversion Note: 
I can understand SM and BDO are being protective of your money, but it's inconsiderate because not all Filipinos have 1 legal ID to begin with.  So looking for 2 IDs makes it rather difficult to withdraw the remittance, when they have the Xoom number and secret word anyways.  It is a drawback to you, dear SM or BDO because you may lose precious remittance dollar$ and customers, when the sender finds out their family back here cannot withdraw the money they sent!  They will quickly change money remittance centers the next payday, so that it's convenient for their family to receive the money.  I'm just saying...

5.  Your sender's information overseas and your information

• Complete Name (Tell your sender to write in the same name as the one in your legal IDs)
• Your sender's and your address
• Your sender's and your tel. no.  I think SM-BDO wants a land line number indicated as well.

6.  Lots of patience

7.  Bring a book, PSP or gadget so you can wait in peace.

To claim your Xoom remittance:


Make sure you have asked your sender the number, secret word, name indicated, address and phone number overseas.

Go to SM or BDO.  If you will claim late in the afternoon or early evening, ask the branch up to what time they accept Xoom transactions.  Some have a cut-off because it takes some time to process.

Ask for the remittance form and fill it up completely.  Your sender's info will also be written down so I hope you followed the first step before coming over to BDO-SM.

Give the form and your IDs.

Wait for 15-30 minutes.  Sometimes it takes 45 minutes to an hour.  Yeah.  Quite ridiculous in this day and age of instant messaging and almost instantaneous email.

In my experience,  SM Business Centers are quite quick.  BDO branches I've been to are quite zzzzzzzzzz....  except for BDO in Robinson's Galleria which surprised me because they were quicker than the SM Business Centers even.  (Note that I withdraw in US Dollars, so there's a lot of hullaballoo in requesting for dollars and eats up more time)

If your sender sent you money in Philippine Pesos, I recommend getting your remittance at a Cebuana Lhuillier branch instead.  They are super quick, almost no waiting time.  And they are not so strict with IDs and the sender's information.  You can definitely claim with only one ID.

So there.  I thought all along BDO and SM were okay but as I tediously write this down, I just realized it was quite cumbersome.  But still, you might need this info so best be prepared.  I have been using Xoom 2x/month for 2 1/2 years so I can claim my remittance at SM or BDO even while asleep.  The quickest way to get your money is to have everything prepared before you go there.

Since Xoom is okay anyways, you can still ask your sender or client to send you your fees through Xoom, just in Philippine Pesos, and claim at Cebuana  Lhuillier so that the process is quick and convenient for you.


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Super Pleased with Union Bank EON

I am super happy with my Union Bank EON.

• Total deductions, minimal (and from Paypal, not Union Bank).
• Time to make funds available : Quicker

The total fee deducted from my pay is just P50 for the Paypal request to transfer to Union Bank.  I used to transfer Paypal to my China Bank account, but it frustrated me that they deducted around P200-plus for accepting Paypal.  And this is deducted every time, so people who need to make weekly transfers because they need to are penalized the most.

As for time to receive the money, I do transactions on Wednesday mornings and money is usually in by late Friday evening.  When I was still using China Bank, the money came in by Monday the following week.

Yup, I'm a happy customer.

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Withdrawing Xoom in the Philippines through BDO and SM Business Center Part 1

I have been withdrawing Xoom at BDO and SM for the last 2 years and I can say the service is very reliable.

Recently, I have ended my online services with a client who pays with Xoom. So last week, it was my last time to withdraw Xoom. I did so at the SM Business Center and the teller requested for a second ID. I said I only had my SSS ID, my license and passport are not available, but I did have a Xoom password. I was allowed to withdraw the remittance, and the teller said they were just accommodating my request but it will be the last time they will allow me to withdraw with just one ID. I nodded, knowing full well that it was to be my last until another Xoom client comes along.

As I waited, I reflected that yes, Xoom and I had a good roll. In mid-2008, as a newbie freelance online worker, there were lots of times BDO's or SM's connection with Xoom were offline. But on hindsight, I realize I have not had trouble with offline connections since late 2009 and 2010.

Also, if you are withdrawing in Philippine Pesos, I found out that withdrawals through Cebuana Lhuillier took just minutes. I expressed my surprise and the Lhuillier staff said that they had a more direct access somehow with Xoom, that is why they were faster. SM and BDO have a lot of online clearances to verify an amount to be sent, thus I always had to wait a long time.


Next: How to Withdraw your Xoom Money from BDO or SM Business Center



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Building Others Online, Neglecting Your Own Online Persona

I find it really strange that a lot of professional marketers are successful in building up their clients' online personas, but neglect to build up their own nicely.

I'm guilty of this.  My excuse is always, after building up others' sites, when I'm done for the day, I'm tired.

But really, it's because I'm such an introvert person deep down. (hahaha good one.)  What I mean is, I am extroverted and sociable where required.  But left on my own, I am an obnoxious island.

How about you, SEO-ers and e-marketers, I hope you are faring better than I am...   Have you been good to yourself and marketing yourself properly?



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Online Freelance Workers - When to Change your Computers and Equipment

I have been working online for 3 years now, but changed computers in 2008 so I did not notice this then yet.

Do monitor your computers and equipment every so often.  They are your tools in the job.  It's not a whim but really a necessity to have updated equipment.

I have learned this the hard way.  I did not notice my Old Reliable had become a lot less reliable after 2 years.  No amount of cleaning and such can put back its old performance.  This negligence has cost me a lot of time and exhaustion.

I thought it was me, but one day using another computer, I found that there was a LOT of stuff I was able to do than I have the past few weeks.  Also I found I enjoyed work more using a speedy computer than the average one.

So learn from my experience.  If you can afford it, splurge every few months on newer, speedier components.  If you trust your tools now, at least check after a year you computer's performance vis-a-vis YOUR performance.  Then check again after every 6 months. 

Time and energy and tip top output are very important to us online workers, more than others, since output is the only thing we have to show clients and employers. So be vigilant, take care of your equipment and have fun in your work! 

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When is Payday for Online Workers?

Some online workers who work for regular stints get paid in the usual 15th/ 30th of the month.

But for others who work per project, and have some amounts set aside already and are not financially dependent on the next paycheck, I realize payday can be any day you want it to be payday.

Cool, huh?

Yep, another one of those perks of working online freelance...


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Union Bank PH Customer Service - 2 Thumbs Up

I am very pleased with the way Union Bank has been handling my request to reactivate my EON account.

I have not been using my EON card since I activated it and deposited/ withdrew once in 2008, I think.  My regualar client has switched to sending me salaries through Xoom so I get the money immediately, instead of waiting out days. Plus I moved houses so I am much farther away from the UnionBank I applied the EON card at.  So now I have totally forgotten my EON online password and other info.

For the past 2 months I have been depositing to Chinabank the Paypal money I am earning from ODesk.  I withdraw weekly since I am not yet in a financial position to let the money idle in the Paypal account, even if I want to leave it there.  In 2 months, I estimate I have spent over PHP1500 to PHP2000in bank transfer fees.  Yeah, that's a lot.  So I wanted to open a new EON account, but I decided to ask the customer service first.

The Union Bank Customer Rep was very knowledgeable about EON.  I regret though that I did not list down his name.  He answered my questions adequately about inactive accounts.  First off, I will not pay inactive fees, says the Customer Rep, only the Annual Fee. I was fine with that.  I just did not agree to paying some hundreds PER MONTH that I was inactive.  That was a strange rule.  I'm glad they bent it.  Second, I'm glad he didn't say I had to apply again.  Heard some peeps were not allowed to just continue using their old EON card.

He also promised that Union Bank will email in 2 days.  And they did.  I was informed the online account was not working anymore and was further informed I can just register again, but using my old EON account info.  That was kewl.  And quick.

Will update you more on what happens next.

For now, I am very content. :-))


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Xoom will no Longer Accept Paypal

Attention, Online Filipino Workers:

If you have clients/ contractors who are sending you your payments through Xoom paying with Paypal, might as well give them the heads up that Xoom will no longer accept Paypal payments.

Odd thing is it will be effective immediately.  As in tomorrow!  (March 24, 2010)

I wonder why there's no time allowance on this.  Plus I don't know if it's just for the Philippines, or if other countries are still allowed to.  There's a number at the bottom of picture below if you need clarifications. 

Oh well, I hope you all won't have sticky issues with payment and everything will be well.

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Wow! Quick Paypal Withdrawal in the Philippines

Of course, 1 of the most crucial aspects of online work is how to get paid.  Your clients may be anywhere in the world, so you must make sure payments to you are quick and pain-free.

I most prefer Xoom for my payments so I don't know much about Paypal.

All I know about Paypal is that 2 years ago, I had a headache having my account verified.  When I did try to withdraw funds it took me, I think, 4 or 5 days for the money to appear in my account.  My contractor, a very considerate person, knew this was not the best way to go, so we agreed to have payments sent through Xoom.  (More on Xoom in a later article, I suppose.)

Yesterday, I chose the "withdraw to bank" option, landing the funds through China Bank  This morning, I took a peek (even if I didn't really believe the funds would be there) and the status for bank transfer was pending.  But this noon, the transaction was already completed.

I'm guessing credit goes to the bank for this relatively quick affair.

China Bank, you are so lovable for online Filipino workers. As they click in Facebook, "Like eht!"


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