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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