Unamusing SM Advantage Card tricks
June 4, 2008
The SM Advantage Card program is playing tricks on us — and it’s not at all amusing.
Last week, we wrote that SM Advantage Card (SMAC) is automatically enrolling members into the Philam Personal Accident insurance Program by automatically debiting 20 points from one’s account. Offering insurance would have been a real benefit, except that members were not previously made aware of this and the notice on the latest policy was given only three months before it lapses.
leela commented that she initially got an email from SM Advantage Card notifying her of an insurance policy that takes effect September 2008. That was fairly acceptable, but she was surprised when SM wrote again and clarified that the policy had actually started on September 2007, not 2008, and the insurance has only 3 more months remaining coverage. What?!
Our 20-point SM Advantage question: Why are members made aware only now, when the policy is about to lapse?
Earlier this week, Ruth also posted on her blog (I can’t find the entry there right now, though) that SM Advantage apparently had been enrolling her into the insurance program since 2006. Meaning, they had deducted points since then — without her knowledge and permission! — but she was made aware of the insurance only after she recently called SM Advantage. What if she met an accident during that time, she asked. The policy may have been in effect but could have she enjoyed the benefits considering she was not aware of its existence?
Again, our 20-point SM Advantage question: Why does SMAC automatically enroll members into the program without informing them and without even getting permission from them first?
It would have been OK if the program is for free. But members are charged 20 points for something they could not even enjoy. Those 20 points do not cost a meager P20, as what SM would want us to believe. We spent P4,000 to be able to get 20 SM Advantage points so in effect, we paid P4,000 just to get that Philam insurance.
This action by SM Advantage is definitely a manipulative, unfair trade practice.
Ruth shared that she had already complained to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) about this, and we’ll eagerly wait for updates on the issue.
For now, try to check your SM Advantage points balance. We probably don’t know it but SM might have been deducting points of all sorts without our knowledge.
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July 29th, 2008 at 11:03 am
that happened to me too. But they gave me the notice around 4 months before the policy ends. I thought it was sick.. BAd SM BAd
June 21st, 2008 at 10:03 am
SM advantage is your advantage, you get lower price, good shopping experience, and then you earn some points back just like a tiny discount, but money is money so enjoy it.
dont cry for P20, just wait that someone has claimed insurance and they paid it. we pinoys are bullshit in complaining. P4,000 for insurance, please check your math, you bought something you brought home. not P4K for the insurance.
Am not connected with SM if that’s what you think. I hate SM actually but they are here to magnet the muscles of the foot of my mother,sister,wife,to move towards those pesky entrance door.
June 21st, 2008 at 6:50 am
SM Advantage have a website but i don’t know how to contact them. Last March, I lost all my points in it (i know i have more than 20 pts.), either used by this scam or redeemed by other person who stole my card. They should put up a guidelines that you need an ID card to redeem the points in it.
June 10th, 2008 at 1:43 am
Romell and other readers,
I made a blog specifically for this SM Advantage scam. Please visit http://pinoyadvocacy.blogspot.com where you can also read all the emails I exchanged with SM and DTI. Unfortunately, as of this writing, nothing has been resolved. They are still skirting the real issue and simply kept on thrusting in my face the so-called “privilege” they have “bestowed” upon me for which they want to make it appear I have been so ungrateful for.
I beseech everyone here who also won’t allow social injustices like this to be a norm in our society, to help me gather enough hard data which I can show DTI officials so that they can finally start investigating about the darn matter.
Thanks!
June 9th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Bakit kasi walang Anti-Trust law dito sa Pinas e?
June 7th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
can we do something about this? Sana magawan ng hakbang.
June 6th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
ang akala ko 2009 mag eexpire yun pala 2008 na lang…madami nga silang mali dun ah…pano kaya ibabalik yung points and are there an online poll that we can post our concern…
June 6th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
i received a call from mr. maclang. he is now available - but only for an email exchange. walang on air interview. i am just waiting for his email address.