Air 21 Shipping Rates Guide

MASADA BACKPACKER, KOTA KINABALU TRIP

2010-09-28T01:24:00.000-07:00

Our trip to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia was unforgettable, thanks to the people behind Masada Backpacker. The staff responded to my queries promptly. They even offered free airport pickup and were willing to hold the room for us without taking our credit card information despite the fact that we were not scheduled to arrive until 8PM. One of the owners, Peter himself, met us at the airport with a big welcoming smile.

We were also welcomed by Sam and other guests upon arriving at Masada Backpacker. Peter gave us a quick tour of the place after we have settled in. The place was very clean and well kept. The living room offers a comfy couch and big LCD TV showing English channels among others. This was a great place to hang out while sipping a free cup of hot chocolate or Sabah tea. There was a lounge/breakfast nook with coffee & tea making facilities, fresh bread and fruits, microwave, etc. Guests can also use the desktop computer with WI-FI or connect to WI-FI free of charge. Masada Backpacker also has this cute little patio where smokers (& non-smokers) can hang out.

Here, backpackers’ main problem is no problem at all. What am I talking about? Having to qeue up for the toilet or shower, of course! At Masada Backpacker we did not have this problem at all having 3 toilets & 5 showers!

Everything went smooth during our 3-day, 3-night stay. The tour to the islands (with snorkeling, buffet BBQ lunch) was arranged by Masada Backpacker for us. This was where I first tasted my NOW favorite Malay dessert called Kuih Mak Mur!! The staff also helped us with the places to go to during our walking tour of the city, providing helpful maps and information. Masada Backpacker's location is great as everything was just a stone’s throw away – perfect for tourists like us who enjoy the adventure of going around on foot. Getting around in a taxi or bus is not a problem either, as Masada Backpacker is located nearby the bus & taxi stations. On our last day, Kelly & Peter, the owners, brought us to certain places (shrines, Catholic churches, Atkinson Clock Tower, museums, etc) and had Kutching Laksa (a very delicious Malay chicken/shrimp noodle soup) and their local iced dessert (much like the Philippines’ halo-halo).

Peter was so nice to have brought us to the airport (we thought we were just getting free pick up one way). And Kelly was so kind to have just emailed me the recipe for Kuih Mak Mur! What more can we ask for?? Our vacation was indeed unforgettable. We did not only get to stay at an affordable and nice place but we also gained friends, needless to say. So a million thanks to Masada Backpacker especially to Peter, Kelly, Jane, Sam, and Felicia!

We will definitely see you again and recommend Masada Backpacker to our friends & fellow travelers!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: www.masadabackpacker.com

Very Poor Customer Service from Air21

2010-07-28T18:28:00.000-07:00

I sent this email to Air21 following the 3-day delay of the document I shipped to my mother. I am based in Laguna and the document was shipped to Tarlac. Laguna to Tarlac delivery took 6 days - about the same transfer time from Bangkok to Manila!

CONTACT FORM>
Name : Michelle Idmilao
Company Name :
Address :
City : Binan
State/Province : Laguna
Country :
Zip : 4024
Phone Number : 0915-8462533
Fax Number :
Comment : Re: 301002577389

Can you please explain why the document I sent via Air21 from Laguna to Tarlac has not been delivered? Your branch advised of 1-2 days delivery but it has been 5 days (6th day tomorrow! I sent the document via air21, and not via Philpost, knowing that it will arrive earlier, despite the higher rate. So how does your service differ with Philpost when it's been taking the same time to deliver? The document is important and I expected Air21 to deliver it no later than Apr 24.

Secondly, your online tracking says "delivery attempted". Do not tell me that there was nobody to accept the document. The address is residential and commercial at the same time. Operation hours is 6 am- 9 pm. How can that be possible???

I have experienced this same problem with your company several times. Delivery attempted and failed when in fact receivers were at the address waiting for the packages. It seems that your personnel are so fond of "delivery attempted" status. How can your management be so sure that delivery was indeed attempted??

To the manager, please give attention to this concern ASAP. Air21 has been the better courier and it seems that this is becoming less and less true. Thanks.

Michelle Idmilao

So how did Air21 Customer Service, Ms. Cruz replied to my complaint?? Here is her INEFFICIENT, TEMPLATE-BASED, IMPERSONAL, and IMPROPER RESPONSE:

Dear Ms. Idmilao,

This is in response to your inquiry regarding the status of your shipment under tracking number 301002577389.

Please be advised that based on our tracking system, your shipment was already delivered yesterday July 27, 2010 at 12:20 pm and it was received by Micael Idmilao.

For further inquiries, please call Air21 hotline at (02) 854 2100.

Thank you for writing to Air21

Sincerely,

Rischelle Wendy L. Cruz
Airfreight2100 Inc.
DP-Trace Representative

9F Marvin Plaza Bldg., 2153 Chino Roces Ave. cor.
9A Rufino St., Makati City
Philippines 1200

Visit:
www.dos1.com.ph

Of course, this was not the response I expected!! It was obviously a template used to respond to me. Is this how Air 21 responds to customer complaints?? Needless to say, their employees must be retrained (CS who responds to email and include the ones who deliver the documents/packages themselves!!)

So I emailed back saying...

Ms. Cruz,

Does your tracking system also tell you when the document was received by your branch from the shipper? And is this all you can tell me in response to my complaint email?

Yes I am aware that it has ONLY been delivered yesterday, Jul 27 when it should have been delivered NO LATER THAN JUL 24. The document was needed on July 25. It is now deemed USELESS as the document has a deadline for submission.

I did not ask for an update on when the delivery was successfully done. As you can see in my email, I asked for an explanation from your HIGHER MANAGEMENT why the document took 6 LONG DAYS to be delivered from Laguna to Tarlac - ONLY LAGUNA TO TARLAC.

Please have your manager call me at my number below if you cannot handle my concern.

Regards,
Michelle
EStore Unlimited
http://mich0113.multiply.com
0915-8462533
0923-2806675

At the time of writing this blog, I have yet to receive a response to my 2nd email.

I have been using Air21 since I put up an online shop in 2003 (to send and receive products and documents). I have had this same problem of delivery delays a number of times and I just didn't dwell on it. It's very disappointing having to experience this same problem AGAIN!!

Air 21 Shipping Rates Guide

2009-07-25T11:30:00.000-07:00

*all rates are inclusive of 12% VAT
*Declared Value Surcharge equal to 1% of declared value is to be added if you would like me to declare the value of your items.

Destinations A: Bataan, Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Rizal, Tarlac, Zambales, NCR to include Caloocan, Las Pinas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Pateros, Quezon City, San Juan, Taguig, Valenzuela

Small Pouch (14 x 1 x 7.5 inches) – up to 1 kg – Php 84
Large Pouch (19 x 1 x 12 inches) – 1 kg – Php 106.40
1.5 kg – Php 123.20
2 kg – Php 134.40
2.5 kg – Php 156.80
3 kg – Php 179.20
Box (up to 4 kg) – up to 2 kg – Php 145.60
2.5 kg – Php 168
3 kg – Php 190.40
3.5 kg – Php 212.80
4 kg – Php 235.20

Destinations B: Abra, Albay, Aurora, Benguet, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, La Union, Masbate, Marinduque, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan, Quezon, Quirino, Romblon, Sorsogon, Virac

Small Pouch (14 x 1 x 7.5 inches) – up to 1 kg – Php 100.80
Large Pouch (19 x 1 x 12 inches) – 1 kg – Php 106.40
1.5 kg – Php 123.20
2 kg – Php 134.40
2.5 kg – Php 156.80
3 kg – Php 179.20
Box (up to 4 kg) – up to 2 kg – Php 145.60
2.5 kg – Php 168
3 kg – Php 190.40
3.5 kg – Php 212.80
4 kg – Php 235.20

Destinations C: Aklan, Antique, Biliran, Bohol, Capiz, Cebu, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Iloilo, Leyte, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Northern Samar, Palawan, Siquijor, Southern Leyte, Western Samar

Small Pouch (14 x 1 x 7.5 inches) – up to 1 kg – Php 106.40
Large Pouch (19 x 1 x 12 inches) – 1 kg – Php 112
1.5 kg – Php 123.20
2 kg – Php 140
2.5 kg – Php 162.40
3 kg – Php 184.80
Box (up to 4 kg) – up to 1.5 kg – Php 168
2 kg – Php 190.40
2.5 kg – Php 224
3 kg – Php 257.60
3.5 kg – Php 291.20
4 kg – Php 324.80

Destinations D: Agusan Del Norte, Agusan Del Sur, Basilan, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Compostela Valley, Davao Del Norte, Davao Del Sur, Davao Oriental, Lanao Del Norte, Lanao Del Sur, Maguindanao, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, North Cotabato, Saranggani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Surigao Del Norte, Surigao Del Sur, Zamboanga Del Norte, Zamboanga Del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay

Small Pouch (14 x 1 x 7.5 inches) – up to 1 kg – Php 106.40
Large Pouch (19 x 1 x 12 inches) – 1 kg – Php 123.20
1.5 kg – Php 145.60
2 kg – Php 168
2.5 kg – Php 190.40
3 kg – Php 212.80
Box (up to 4 kg) – up to 1.5 kg – Php 168
2 kg – Php 190.40
2.5 kg – Php 224
3 kg – Php 257.60
3.5 kg – Php 291.20
4 kg – Php 324.80