Make sure to check the freight forwarders not only for their prices but for their reliability. Filipinos living overseas are a close-knit community, they would certainly share with each other the most dependable and reliable service available based on their personal experiences.
As early as October, my balikbayan boxes were all packed and ready to be sent home thru seafreight. Dahil nga holidays, everything that I need during my vacations were included in the boxes because I don’t want to carry heavy luggage during my trip. Kasama doon yong lahat ng mga pasalubong, electronics, small appliances, home decors mga ihahanda namin on Christmas and New Year, my personal things, and a lot more.
Usually, it has to take 45-50 days to reach Manila from Riyadh. I am a regular customer of CONNOR CARGO FORWARDERS in Batha for almost 6 years. In the past years, they never failed me. Recently, many of my comrades, whom I recommend to this forwarder, complained that their cargo took almost 4 to six months (in some cases, it took them a year!) before they received the cargo in Manila. They were disappointed and decided not to send cargo thru Connor.
I did not take their complaints seriously dahil para sa akin bilang regular customer nila, siguro naman they will make me as an exception sa mga kaso ng mga kakilala ko. So sa kanila ko pa rin pinadala yong five boxes, which is almost 160 kilos last October 18, 2008. and I was hoping na first week of December nasa Manila na yon.
I arrived in Manila on November 28, and upon my arrival, tinawagan ko kaagad yong Manila agent nila to follow-up my stuff kasi I have to travel to my province on December 1. I was surprise na wala pa daw manifesto yong parating na cargo, so I have to call Riyadh to know what happened.
I have to cancel my scheduled 3 advance paid-flights in Cebu Pacific to Legazpi-Manila-Legazpi (Dec 1 , Dec 5 and Dec. 9) because I have to wait for it. After several follow-ups and it wass almost near Christmas, wala pa ring advise sa akin. So we traveled to Legazpi on December 21 na wala pa ring assurance tungkol doon, but I was still hoping na before New Year, darating yon. I was so disappointed when I learned that the cargo will arrive in Manila on January 15 pa.
Nasira lahat ng plans and budget ko. Kinakailangan kong gumastos pa para bumili ng handa namin on Christmas and New year.. I have to buy gifts for my family and friends. I have to forfeit my 3 flights and what so annoying, kailangan kong humingi ng dispensa sa mga dapat nabigyan ko ng pasalubong.
Just today – January 23(almost 3 months!), dumating ang cargo ko sa amin sa probinsya ng wala na ako doon and I missed the excitement sa pagbigay ng mga pasalubong. I should have manage to give out all my gifts personally pero hindi ko na magawa.
And I want to warn everyone about the many complaints of FW to Connor Forwarders located in Batha at the back of Manila Plaza. Think twice and find reputable cargo forwarders in order not to experience the same fate that I had.
It pays to pick well-known names who have been around for a while for your shipments as they already know the ropes and the whole process can be expected to be smooth and on-time.
Don’t send thru CONNOR FORWARDERS!
