WHY IS it that commercial establishments seem to expect customers to give them change instead of the other way around?

Don’t you just hate it when you get to the cashier and you are asked if you have P1 or P2, or 50 or 25 centavos? Why can’t stores have all the bills and coins they need to make change when they open in the morning?

With banks opening branches anywhere and everywhere, including shopping malls, it should not be that difficult to make a quick dash to one of them to get bills in small denominations and coins so customers do not end up short-changed.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has given the assurance before that there are more than enough coins in circulation. Where are all those coins now?

I have to commend Shopwise, though. Although their cashiers also ask you for smaller denominations, they would give you more, rather than less, than the change due you if they really do not have the exact amount.

In effect, you get a discount on your purchases, no matter how small. It seems they would rather absorb that small loss than make the customer pay more.

License renewals

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and Robinsons Land Corporation are making it easier for people to renew their licenses so they can continue to practice their profession. Pretty soon, PRC will have offices in Robinsons Malls where professionals can renew their licenses so they do not have to go to the commission’s main office.

I am sure many professionals will find this very convenient. Going to the mall is almost a daily habit with many people. Now they do not have to make a special trip to the PRC for their licenses. It will also help decongest the PRC main office.

Deteriorating service

People at the China Carpet Manufacturing Corporation are wondering why the after-sales service of Elite Machines Inc. seems to be not as reliable as in the past. They are hoping the firm will fix the problem soon and restore the quality of service people have come to expect from them.

An e-mail from the manufacturing company said Elite technicians were no longer as quick to respond to requests for repair and service of their bundy clock.

The e-mail sender said the technician would show up only after several days of repeated follow-up, but the clock would malfunction again two or three days later.

She said her company had been happy with Elite’s performance in the past, one reason why they renewed their yearly service contract several times. Technicians arrived early and the work was satisfactory. But since last year, the e-mail sender said, service has deteriorated.

Consumers need educating

A growing number of local governments have passed ordinances prohibiting the use of plastic bags and promoting a shift to reusable bags.

If I remember correctly, some merchants in Muntinlupa City were even arrested for continuing to use plastic bags.

While the initiative is commendable, authorities should not just focus on merchants, but should complement their drive with an education campaign targeting consumers.

People have to demand that commercial establishments stop using plastic, and they have to learn to bring reusable shopping bags.

Unless consumers join the drive and are willing to cooperate, it will be very difficult to enforce the ordinances.


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