The Heat Is On

I knew it had come to an all time bitched-up situation with the notorious Philippine heatwave when I noticed that I was extremely cranky, and not to mention drenched in sticky sweat, everytime I wake up in the morning. I knew right away that the fan wasn't going to do the trick any longer, and that if I postponed buying an A/C any longer than one day more, my reationship with Pink, let alone my sanity and general well-being, will disintegrate into ashes...all because of this fucking heat.

The next day, I was at the mall to start canvassing on the best deal in airconditioners. I saw one in Automatic Center in Greenbelt for P13000 for a 1.5HP machine. And get this: I get a free digital microwave oven for free! But since I was still on office time and I was a loyal shopper slash membership card holder at Abensons, I decided to put off the purchase until I could be absolutey sure that there are no better deals at Abensons. That same night I was standing at Abensons in front of the same exact A/C from Automatic Center, and realized that there was prolly no better deal than that anymore. After a short discussion on features, benefits, terms, savings, and freebie(s), I motioned for the clerk to ready it, as I was definitely buying it, i.e. using a 14-month, 0% interest paying scheme, and I am picking up the free oven as well, of course.

To my surprise, I was told that I was only going to get the free oven IF I PAID THE GODDAMNED AIRCON IN CASH. Like I would actually pay 14 grand in cold cash...or that I carry that money with me at any given time! So I told the clerk, "How come you didn't tell me that when I was asking you about it earlier? I'm all worked up about the oven now...!" All I got was a pitiful shrug-and-head-scratching combo. So when it seemed that I wasn't going to get the frickin' microwave, I talked to the supervisor on duty and the clerk who has been assisting us in all my previous purchases from Abensons (read: I've bought practically legions of expensive stuff from their establishment [e.g. a refrigerator, blender, etc.]...and without them really doing anything extraordinary to delight me whatsoever as a customer, I've stuck with them as my store of choice). I told them that I could get a better deal in Automatic Center, because I was advised by the clerks there (and validated by their supervisor, mind you) that I was going to, indeed, receive the microwave oven with my purchase (albeit offering just a 12-month instead of Abensons' 14 months). Furthermore, I told him--which was confirmed by my "suki" clerk--that I have been a loyal customer of Abensons, and have not received any special considerations ever since I started business with them; and that despite finding a better deal elsewhere, I still opted to buy from Abensons...so it would be a nice gesture on their end to throw in the microwave. In my sheer exasperation over the we-can't-do-anything-because-it's-the-suppliers'-policy spiel, I told them that I feel really unimportant and unappreciated, that if I don't get the microwave oven as a free item, I am going to walk away and never coming back. Nothing. Still got the we-can't-do-anything-because-it's-the-suppliers'-policy extended long playing spiel. Since I was practically facing a blank wall and was desperate to cool my room pronto, I bought the 1.5HP A/C and vowed never to patronize them again. Ever. And I'm still not setting foot in the darned store since that time that I stepped out.

And I am yet to buy a stove, a TV, a flat iron, and a toaster. I guess I'm buying it some place else.

After miraculously installing with ease the A/C, Mister 1.5HP has been blowing cool air into our master's bedroom and hasn't failed us yet. Waking up mornings are now such a delight (with the exception of having to wake up at 4am just to reset the timer back to 4+ hours more), and the sweats don't kick in until I step out of the condo...which only lasts for about a couple of minutes, since I'd normally hop in a cab to the office. Unless, of course, the cab's A/C is busted...

Well, good luck with my Meralco bill...!