Don't use Eastwest bank visa debit card

To those who have an Eastwest VISA card or those who're planning to get one. PLEASE forget it!!! Never again I'll use this VISA card and their services.

It all started on April 4, 2017 - When Eastwest bank stole my money :(

I bought something online and paid via Paypal and I viewed my Paypal account history and it shows that I've made a 1 successful transaction, on the other hand I also checked my Eastwest bank account and it charge me 2x of the same amount of what I'd pay in Paypal. I was so surprised that there are 2 transactions of the same amount in my Eastwest bank account but on my Paypal account history it only shows 1.

Now I'm trying to refund the amount in Paypal (I also called Paypal via skype) but they can't do anything because there is only 1 valid  transaction  showing in my account history as there is no basis in my Paypal account that I paid twice.

I contact and go to my nearest Eastwest bank and they told me that I need a cancellation letter from the merchant that I transacted with. But that's not possible since I received the item already and the merchant confirmed that he only received 1 amount of the payment as Paypal also suggest that we have a successful transaction and there is no need of a refund. I also explained to Eastwest bank customer service that if I really do want a refund then I should send back my item to the country of origin where I bought it and that would be a hassle.

Look at my transaction history in Eastwest bank. There are 2 transactions amounting to PHP 495.41.
1 of which is a valid transaction and what's the other PHP 495.41 for?

Now where's my other $9.49? That other transaction is unwanted and its the bank's fault and where can you possibly refund the transaction? To the merchant whom I successfully deal with a legitimate transaction? Screw you Eastwest bank. You just stole my money.

Don't ever consider using their service again. What more If I transacted with a huge sum amount of money and it goes wrong? Glad I closed my Eastwest bank account. I'm sticking to my other debit card.

Philippines shipping method guide EMS vs SAL comparison

To those who are uninformed or just want to find out what is the best shipping method when buying stuff online in the Philippines, well this article is for you. As an avid buyer online there are 2 methods I use when it comes to shipping my goodies here in the Philippines.

I have made a comparison between EMS and SAL and here are the issues I experienced using both services.

EMS shipping method

1. Package sent abroad is delivered faster to the Philippines however it may take 1-3 weeks or even more when your package undergoes inspection in customs. This is a normal process of  customs as all packages shipped by EMS are subject to inspection before delivering it to local post offices in the country.
2. EMS method is best used to ship packages that are small and when you have few contents in your package.
3. EMS shipping method is fast but too expensive, do not use this method when shipping large packages.
4. If you get impatient you can always go to EMS Pasay to claim your package. Be prepared on waiting for hours as the process may take long. Best to go early in the morning.

SAL registered Air

1. Be sure to ship your package via SAL air (REGISTERED) so you'll have a tracking number available. 
2. Package sent abroad by SAL air may take 3-5 days or more processing time before sending it to the Philippines. 
3. SAL registered air is cheaper and it is recommendable to use when you have tons of stuff in your package but there is a weight limit though and it may switch you to use SAL surface (ships via boat) instead.
4. SAL registered air is best used in shipping large packages.
5. Do at your own risk when shipping SAL air (UNREGISTERED) without a tracking number as it is far more cheaper and not recommendable.
6. Some says shipping with SAL goes under the radar of Philippine customs and to tell you its not always the case. As all packages are subject to inspection located in EMS Pasay. It will only depend on the declared value of your package whether it'll be dutiable or not. 
7. Another option to use SAL is their small package option called SAL small package (REGISTERED) it is cheaper than regular SAL but your package weight is limited to only 2000 grams and package dimension should not exceed 90cm (length + width + height).

NOTES:

• 10,000 PHP and below worth of items (shipping cost included) are now non-taxable by customs.
• Tracking numbers are sometimes not updated daily in the Philpost website. Be sure to use 17 Track instead to track your packages. 
• Sometimes packages take a long time to arrive and it will leave you clueless as the tracking number is not updated daily. Be sure to call your local post office,
• If you have any concerns regarding with your package try sending an email to Bureau of Customs cares as they only reply during weekdays    -      boc.cares@customs.gov.ph
• You still have to pay for 112 PHP and its for the Post Office handling fee (this is not customs duties but this is a default amount when you claim packages at your local post office).
• Lastly, know the difference between SAL air as it ships via by air and SAL surface ships via by boat/ship.
• Provincial Post Offices don't have Customs Officer present. If you need to recompute the value of your package simply request it to the Post Master found at your local post office.
• Again shipping methods vary from online shopping sites, make sure to contact the site first as it can help you save $$$

Overall there are no good or bad when it comes to shipping our dear packages. It just depends on our budget and personal preference.

Hope I helped others on their quest for answers on what is the best shipping method to use when buying online stuff here in the Philippines.

Thanks for reading.

Tamiya hand painting acrylics guide.

Most of the people I asked from online forums or even other modelers in my facebook group advised that the only way to hand paint acrylic in scale models is to not use Tamiya acrylic paints since it is much favorable to use them with an airbrush.

100% of the time they'll tell you to switch to Vallejo or Mr. Hobby Paints. But I'll have to say NO to that :) because I can and have my own method on how to hand paint these Tamiya acrylics.

First you'll need the following stuff.
-Tamiya Acrylic Paints (any color)
-Tamiya Mixing Bottle 23mL (recommended bottle size)
-Tamiya X-20A Acrylic Thinner
-toothpick or cocktail sticks
-Tamiya Acrylic Retarder (optional but not really needed, just put 1 drop and it will do.)

Tamiya hobby supplies you'll need.

Here's how I do it.
1.) The ratio of the thinner to paint should be 1:2.

2.) Put 5mL thinner and 10mL paint to the mixing bottle (depends on how you'll use the paint but I usually dump all the paint in the mixing bottle.)
Note: Don't put exactly 5mL thinner in the bottle. As I observed that some paints (especially ligher colors) are just too transparent when you paint them, you'll probably have several applications of brushing these kind of colors. The ideal measure of the thinner should be less than 5mL but more than 4.3mL.

3.) Mix the paint and thinner using the toothpick or cocktail sticks. If you find the paints too thick or hard to paint you can always add a little x-20A thinner to achieve milk consistency.
Note: Make sure with every use you'll have to tighly close the bottles.

4.) Voila!!! You're ready to hand paint Tamiya acrylics!!!
Note: When painting large surfaces or if the paint did not adhere too well. Make sure to leave the first coat dry before beginning with another coat.

XF-1 Flat black mixed with thinner and a small drop of retarder.

XF-1 Flat black painted on 1/35 Tamiya wheels (paint is still drying).

For best results I also use Tamiya paint brushes :) that's how I get the trick (I really haven't try other brushes thought but it works for me as some says they have trouble painting Tamiya acrylics with other brushes but I really dunno if that's true or not?) 

Tamiya is locally available here in my country :) I trust and commend their hobby supplies as the uses compliment with their model kit lines. Also not to be biased but I guess its purely personal preference on why I like Tamiya products so much and please note that I'm not anyway affiliated with Tamiya. I wrote this article to help others with their hobby.

PS: I never really tried using this mix with an airbrush since I don't own one. I paint my models with the Tamiya Lacquer Spray cans. That would be another review.

Thanks for viewing.

My personal experience on using Buyee Japan online buying service proxy (full review)

Buyee lets you buy items from different online shops based on Japan including Yahoo Auctions. You don't need to understand Japanese to order items just give them the URL of the item they will bought it for you and ships the item with their Japanese address and forwards your package overseas. So I got curious and since I'm a fan of online shopping I might as well try it.

The first time I use Buyee I was amazed on how they respond back with my inquiries as they respond back with english and its really good you can communicate with them easily. Their service is easy to use and understand however with this pros mentioned there are also cons. 

With their shady business tactics, there are a lot of hidden fees they throw on you. If it weren't for the convenience on buying "rare" items that are not locally available I wouldn't use Buyee at all.  A word of caution to those who will first time using their service.

Now to the cons, first is the consolidation fee they are offering, this consolidation fee let's you combine 2 packages for 500 yen and 3 and above packages for 1000 yen (fee as of 11/12/2016) which is good if you don't want your items to be individually shipped. Now before you use consolidation service make sure to include 3 and more of your packages otherwise they'll charge you again for an additional 1000 yen and note you cannot cancel the service. 

I think its just an excuse so they can milk money from you. Honestly you don't need to pay that service as I've been using other online buying service proxy and they don't have that option. Any package with your name and address is yours and why do you need to consolidate different packages just to make sure its yours. Pft what a rip off.

Second thing I hate about Buyee is that they don't tell you exactly the weight of your package. I noticed that when I tried to order a bunch of model kits from a different online shop, at their checkout, it shows the weight of each item you bought then estimates the shipping fee. For 8 items, it weights about 2.5 kgs approximately on the other hand Buyee here says 3 of my model kits I won in Yahoo Auctions weights about 2 kgs and it should have been less than 1 kgs (note 3 of the model kits I bought at the online shop are the same with the model kits I won in Yahoo auctions Buyee and when my package arrive I tried measuring their weight just to see if its accurate and it was less than 1 kgs).

They also got optional options to milk you money services such as Insured Plans where they insured the delivery of your package in case of damaged items they'll refund you an amount of money another is the inspection plan wherein they inspect your item just to see if its complete. Lastly, another optional service is the protective packaging where they will repack your package in a secure manner which I found out that other user reviews online claiming Buyee use papers instead of bubble wraps to pack the packages. I don't really know since I didn't avail all of the optional service.

I’ve got these 3 items from Yahoo Auctions via Buyee and it was very expensive. you'll have to pay fee for the auction, shipping fee from the seller to Buyee warehouse, consolidation fee (items I bought are from different sellers), shipping fee from Buyee to your home. 

Break down of cost: 

Item 1 = 1000 JPY

Item 2 = 500 JPY

Item 3  = 1511 JPY

Domestic Shipping  Fee =  2044 JPY (3 domestic shipping fees from 3 different sellers)

Package Consolidation Fee = 1000 JPY (for 3 items)

Insurance Plans = 0 JPY

Protective Packaging = 0JPY

International Shipping Fee = 2450 JPY

Total: 8505 JPY

Buying things is such a hassle especially online, buyers risk their time and money to look and buy for an item that's not locally available to them. Never again I will use their service (or perhaps if they have low fees I might reconsider). I just wished that Buyee can learn to love their customers. 

That's it for now.

EDIT: Don't use buyee when you plan on shipping a big package.