The news over the past 10 days has been about Etisalat's Blackberry patch fiasco that has drained the batteries of many BB users. And to add insult to injury, it turns out that the patch is not really a "sofware update patch", as originally claimed by Etisalat...it was, in fact, a spyware patch that gave Etisalat access to BB users' email and messenger information (which should have technically been secure).
Now, the fact that Etisalat is trying to "spy" on its users is disturbing to begin with, but what's even more disturbing is Etisalat's ridiculous response to the whole fiasco. If ever there was a PR case study made out of this, it would be to showcase how NOT to handle a crisis situation.
Newspapers, the blogosphere, Twitter, word of mouth...EVERYONE was talking about this, but how did Etisalat choose to respond? By avoiding the situation. By not releasing a statement until a few days later, downplaying the story, saying only "300 customers were affected".
In an era where dialog with the consumer, transparency and honesty are key in ensuring a brand's credibility, Etisalat has got it all wrong...really!
I was not affected by this because just a week before the patch was released, I switched my BB service to Du...Yep...Du...And in all honesty, I am very happy with their service so far.
1) The coverage is good (there was only 1 location where I had Etisalat coverage but no Du coverage at all).
2) They are MUCH cheaper than Etisalat...even their international calling rates are better.
3) Turns out that changing my number to a Du number is not so complicated after all...All it took is one email and a few messages to advise my contacts that my number has changed. I still have my Etisalat number for a couple of months, and then I plan on completely discontinuing it.
I do hope Du benefits from the whole Etisalat mess. Not because I love Du (refer to some of my previous posts), but because any company that acts in such a moronic manner NEEDS to suffer some consequences!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
How I (eventually) made Catboy's "Best Dubai Blogs" list
Fake Plastic Souk's Alex McNabb prepared a list of "Best Dubai Blogs" that he shared with Dubai 92's Catboy. And I did not make the list!
Well...I hadn't made the list until I tweeted my disappointed, and Catboy gracefully obliged by adding me...so now I'm on the elite list of Best Dubai Blogs :) Thank you Catboy!
Oh, and here's the list in its entirety should you wish to consult a few worthy blogs:
http://www.motherinferiordubai.wordpress.com
http://discoballbreaker.com/
http://uaecommunity.blogspot.com/
http://fadfada-online.blogspot.com/
http://maiandsara.blogspot.com/
http://rupertbumfrey.blogspot.com/
http://mideast.blogs.time.com/
http://dubaithoughts.blogspot.com/
http://some-like-it-not.blogspot.com/
http://grumpygoat.blogspot.com/
http://www.momentaryawe.com/blog/
http://blogs.sun.com/christophersaul/
http://onebigconstructionsite.blogspot.com/
http://sandman-files.blogspot.com/
http://dubaiphotostory.blogspot.com/
http://emirateseconomist.blogspot.com/
http://dubai-jazz.blogspot.com/
http://louisefareed.blogspot.com/
http://carolynn-dubailife.blogspot.com/
http://auhgal.blogspot.com/
http://dubaiconsumermirror.blogspot.com/
http://blog.grapeshisha.com/
http://www.the-media-junkie.com/
http://thefatexpat.blogspot.com
http://fakeplasticsouks.blogspot.com
Well...I hadn't made the list until I tweeted my disappointed, and Catboy gracefully obliged by adding me...so now I'm on the elite list of Best Dubai Blogs :) Thank you Catboy!
Oh, and here's the list in its entirety should you wish to consult a few worthy blogs:
http://www.motherinferiordubai.wordpress.com
http://discoballbreaker.com/
http://uaecommunity.blogspot.com/
http://fadfada-online.blogspot.com/
http://maiandsara.blogspot.com/
http://rupertbumfrey.blogspot.com/
http://mideast.blogs.time.com/
http://dubaithoughts.blogspot.com/
http://some-like-it-not.blogspot.com/
http://grumpygoat.blogspot.com/
http://www.momentaryawe.com/blog/
http://blogs.sun.com/christophersaul/
http://onebigconstructionsite.blogspot.com/
http://sandman-files.blogspot.com/
http://dubaiphotostory.blogspot.com/
http://emirateseconomist.blogspot.com/
http://dubai-jazz.blogspot.com/
http://louisefareed.blogspot.com/
http://carolynn-dubailife.blogspot.com/
http://auhgal.blogspot.com/
http://dubaiconsumermirror.blogspot.com/
http://blog.grapeshisha.com/
http://www.the-media-junkie.com/
http://thefatexpat.blogspot.com
http://fakeplasticsouks.blogspot.com
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Oh Etisalat...you drive me nuts!
I've said this time and time again, but there is a serious problem with customer service in this country...and this is applicable to almost anything, from moving companies, to banks, to restaurants...and of course, telecom companies. Given that Etisalat is practically a monopoly, it doesn't really make the effort to invest in its customer service.
Case in point, my sister wanted to get her phone service changed from prepaid to postpaid, AND she wanted to get roaming service as well. Did she manage to do both these things at once? Of course not. She had to change to postpaid first, wait for a couple of days, then go back to get roaming service. And of course, she had to present a passport copy every time, because God forbid Etisalat keeps these on record in their files.
A couple of months ago, I also switched to postpaid. I had a business trip during the month of April and needed to expense some of the calls I made. I waited for the bill but did not get it. I got an SMS from Etisalat telling me what the total amount was, but I did not get a detailed bill.
I thought it was an address issue or something along the lines, but then I got my May bill, and the address was fine. So I called Etisalat to ask them for a detailed bill for April. You'd think that it would be a simple request...I mean, how hard is it for them to contact their billing department and ask them to send me a copy of the bill? Or to give me access to my detailed bill on my online account?
Noooo....of course not...because that would make it too simple and far too efficient...
Instead, I have to go to an Etisalat office (and not just any branch at a mall...it HAS to be an actual office), with a copy of my ID of course, to get them to either give me a copy of the bill OR to get them to give me access to my detailed bill online.
Totally, absolutely ridiculous! Almost as ridiculous as having to go to a bank and fill up a form in order to set up Internet banking!
Case in point, my sister wanted to get her phone service changed from prepaid to postpaid, AND she wanted to get roaming service as well. Did she manage to do both these things at once? Of course not. She had to change to postpaid first, wait for a couple of days, then go back to get roaming service. And of course, she had to present a passport copy every time, because God forbid Etisalat keeps these on record in their files.
A couple of months ago, I also switched to postpaid. I had a business trip during the month of April and needed to expense some of the calls I made. I waited for the bill but did not get it. I got an SMS from Etisalat telling me what the total amount was, but I did not get a detailed bill.
I thought it was an address issue or something along the lines, but then I got my May bill, and the address was fine. So I called Etisalat to ask them for a detailed bill for April. You'd think that it would be a simple request...I mean, how hard is it for them to contact their billing department and ask them to send me a copy of the bill? Or to give me access to my detailed bill on my online account?
Noooo....of course not...because that would make it too simple and far too efficient...
Instead, I have to go to an Etisalat office (and not just any branch at a mall...it HAS to be an actual office), with a copy of my ID of course, to get them to either give me a copy of the bill OR to get them to give me access to my detailed bill online.
Totally, absolutely ridiculous! Almost as ridiculous as having to go to a bank and fill up a form in order to set up Internet banking!
Monday, June 08, 2009
Is getting jailed for being drunk legal?
I recently heard the story, from a friend of mine, that his friend was found outside an Abu Dhabi bar by policemen, drunk, and was taken into custody. Granted, the drunk guy had fallen (or passed out), so he was found laying on the street. He was first taken to hospital to get his alcohol level checked, and was then taken to jail where he's still being kept to this day.
He's been there for 5 days now and does not know when he will get out. The police moved him from one prison to another then back to the first prison, then again to the 2nd prison.
Is this legal? I mean, the guy was not driving, and as far as I'm concerned, if there are clubs/bars in the UAE, it means that you are allowed to drink. The guy did not get into a fight and he did not hurt anyone. He is Christian, southeast Asian, but does not have a liquor license. I understand that the police would jail someone for a day or two, but 5 days??
Can anyone shed some light on what the law says about this?
He's been there for 5 days now and does not know when he will get out. The police moved him from one prison to another then back to the first prison, then again to the 2nd prison.
Is this legal? I mean, the guy was not driving, and as far as I'm concerned, if there are clubs/bars in the UAE, it means that you are allowed to drink. The guy did not get into a fight and he did not hurt anyone. He is Christian, southeast Asian, but does not have a liquor license. I understand that the police would jail someone for a day or two, but 5 days??
Can anyone shed some light on what the law says about this?
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
I did not sell out...
...I am still here (unlike what Mory and Coloman insinuated in their comments to my previous post). I've just been busy over the past month due to:
1) A weeklong work trip
2) Coming back to a pile of work at the office
3) A move
Ever since my sister moved in with me, we've been in dire need of a bigger place. Poor girl was sleeping on a not-so comfortable sofa bed, and had not place to hang her clothes! We searched for a good 3 weeks before my lease was about to run out. We waited till the last minute because people said that it is very easy to find apartments...and cheaper...especially now.
I guess the above applies to people who are not as picky as we are. We wanted the right place with the right view at the right price. Took a while but we found it eventually (3 days before my lease was over).
Within the span of 24 hours, movers were contacted (EuroMovers...they were wonderful, helpful, super quick and super cheerful), Dewa was called and Du was advised of the move.
Can I just say how impressed I was with Dewa's customer care department. When I called, the man on the other end of the line was very helpful in providing me with all the documents I needed to make the transfer from the old to the new apartment. Now, of course, the process itself is still very much archaic:
- You have to fax a copy of your old lease, passport copy, visa copy, and a note asking for a final bill (who uses faxes anymore these days! I always worry that my faxes never reach their intended destination...and this was the case with Dewa, who never got my request for final bill)
- I then had to go to Dewa to create a new account for the new location. And pay a new deposit. Why could I not do this over the phone? Or Internet? Oh, and can I point out that Dewa does not accept debit or credit cards? Only cash!
- Of course, since they had not received my final bill request, I had to go to DEWA AGAIN a couple of days later to pay my final bill and get my deposit back.
Du's customer care department, on the other hand, was a disaster to deal with. I was on the phone for 20 minutes with the person at Du who was trying to explain to me what I needed to do in order to switch my services over to the new location (again, fax a letter, visa, passport copy, new lease copy, bla bla bla), and trying to book an apointment for the service guy to come activate my services. The conversation ended with him telling me that someone would contact me within 48 hours to set up an apointment.
55 hours later, no one had called so I called again to check that they had received the fax. They had (hallelujah!) and said that someone would call me by end of day to confirm apointment time. No one called.
So I call again the following morning, and they promise to call back within 15 minutes, which they do. We set the apointment for the service guy to come over. The good thing is that the service guy was extremely punctual and efficient (I was so worried I'd have to wait an hour for him to show up!).
The apartment's still a mess but we are slowly settling in... and at the very least we have electricty, water, internet and cable!
1) A weeklong work trip
2) Coming back to a pile of work at the office
3) A move
Ever since my sister moved in with me, we've been in dire need of a bigger place. Poor girl was sleeping on a not-so comfortable sofa bed, and had not place to hang her clothes! We searched for a good 3 weeks before my lease was about to run out. We waited till the last minute because people said that it is very easy to find apartments...and cheaper...especially now.
I guess the above applies to people who are not as picky as we are. We wanted the right place with the right view at the right price. Took a while but we found it eventually (3 days before my lease was over).
Within the span of 24 hours, movers were contacted (EuroMovers...they were wonderful, helpful, super quick and super cheerful), Dewa was called and Du was advised of the move.
Can I just say how impressed I was with Dewa's customer care department. When I called, the man on the other end of the line was very helpful in providing me with all the documents I needed to make the transfer from the old to the new apartment. Now, of course, the process itself is still very much archaic:
- You have to fax a copy of your old lease, passport copy, visa copy, and a note asking for a final bill (who uses faxes anymore these days! I always worry that my faxes never reach their intended destination...and this was the case with Dewa, who never got my request for final bill)
- I then had to go to Dewa to create a new account for the new location. And pay a new deposit. Why could I not do this over the phone? Or Internet? Oh, and can I point out that Dewa does not accept debit or credit cards? Only cash!
- Of course, since they had not received my final bill request, I had to go to DEWA AGAIN a couple of days later to pay my final bill and get my deposit back.
Du's customer care department, on the other hand, was a disaster to deal with. I was on the phone for 20 minutes with the person at Du who was trying to explain to me what I needed to do in order to switch my services over to the new location (again, fax a letter, visa, passport copy, new lease copy, bla bla bla), and trying to book an apointment for the service guy to come activate my services. The conversation ended with him telling me that someone would contact me within 48 hours to set up an apointment.
55 hours later, no one had called so I called again to check that they had received the fax. They had (hallelujah!) and said that someone would call me by end of day to confirm apointment time. No one called.
So I call again the following morning, and they promise to call back within 15 minutes, which they do. We set the apointment for the service guy to come over. The good thing is that the service guy was extremely punctual and efficient (I was so worried I'd have to wait an hour for him to show up!).
The apartment's still a mess but we are slowly settling in... and at the very least we have electricty, water, internet and cable!
Sunday, May 03, 2009
*Tweet* I'm so bad...*Tweet*
...for neglecting this blog! I have not completely given up on blogging though...I've just been testing out a new form of blogging that's all...
My first foray into micro-blogging started a few weeks ago. Yes, DubaiSunshine is now on Twitter! And in the span of a few Tweets, I managed to get myself 40 followers...Not bad! Thanks to those who have chosen to follow me.
Twitter has gained immense popularity over the past few weeks. Everyone's on Twitter it seems! Even celebrities! Ashton Kutcher recently became the first Twitterer (is that what we are called? Twitterers?) to get 1 million followers (in a race with CNN!). Oprah does it. Demi Moore even helped save someone who was thinking of committing suicide.
I even have friends who send Tweets to their loved ones...while hanging out with their loved ones!
Even I have been guilty of tweeting in a club with a few other friends...Well...at least we could communicate without having to scream into each others' ears to be heard!
How long will this Twitter phenomenon last? Is it a fad or is it here to stay for good? Only time will tell I guess.
In the meantime, if you miss me on this blog (if anyone even reads this blog anymore!) check me out on Twitter (@DubaiSunshine). And drop me a Tweet to say hello :)
Until then, Tweet ya later!
My first foray into micro-blogging started a few weeks ago. Yes, DubaiSunshine is now on Twitter! And in the span of a few Tweets, I managed to get myself 40 followers...Not bad! Thanks to those who have chosen to follow me.
Twitter has gained immense popularity over the past few weeks. Everyone's on Twitter it seems! Even celebrities! Ashton Kutcher recently became the first Twitterer (is that what we are called? Twitterers?) to get 1 million followers (in a race with CNN!). Oprah does it. Demi Moore even helped save someone who was thinking of committing suicide.
I even have friends who send Tweets to their loved ones...while hanging out with their loved ones!
Even I have been guilty of tweeting in a club with a few other friends...Well...at least we could communicate without having to scream into each others' ears to be heard!
How long will this Twitter phenomenon last? Is it a fad or is it here to stay for good? Only time will tell I guess.
In the meantime, if you miss me on this blog (if anyone even reads this blog anymore!) check me out on Twitter (@DubaiSunshine). And drop me a Tweet to say hello :)
Until then, Tweet ya later!
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Dubai in the media
Two damning articles about Dubai have appeared in foreign publications over the past 2 days.
First on BBC, then another one in the Independent.
What's going on? Why the sudden Dubai-bashing? Again, nothing that's written in these articles is new, but they're shocking nonetheless.
Oh, and as a side note, when I tried posting the link to the first article on this blog's Twitter account, my post got deleted...TWICE! Guess someone's not happy with the bad rap Dubai's been getting.
First on BBC, then another one in the Independent.
What's going on? Why the sudden Dubai-bashing? Again, nothing that's written in these articles is new, but they're shocking nonetheless.
Oh, and as a side note, when I tried posting the link to the first article on this blog's Twitter account, my post got deleted...TWICE! Guess someone's not happy with the bad rap Dubai's been getting.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Coldplay
I was at the Coldplay concert last Saturday, and all I can say is WOW! What a show!
We got there early so we could secure good spots...and what amazing spots they ended up being! Chris Martin was so close, we could almost touch him!
The rain, lightning and thunder show that accompanied the band only made the whole experience even better in my opinion.
The band was incredible...they looked like they were having fun on stage, they interacted with the crowd, they improvised, and they sang their lungs out! Their rendition of "I'm a believer" was amazing, and Chris often burst out into spontaneous rain-related songs such as "Why does it always rain on me" and "Raindrops keep falling on my head".
He even invited a girl to go up on stage with him to celebrate her birthday. Lucky b*&^h :)
The venue at the Emirates Palace was perfect once again (although more traffic on the way out this time around, and it seems that the wristband section was a bit more chaotic).
Abu Dhabi has proven once again that when it comes to attracting the big names and putting on a show, it beats Dubai hands down!
We got there early so we could secure good spots...and what amazing spots they ended up being! Chris Martin was so close, we could almost touch him!
The rain, lightning and thunder show that accompanied the band only made the whole experience even better in my opinion.
The band was incredible...they looked like they were having fun on stage, they interacted with the crowd, they improvised, and they sang their lungs out! Their rendition of "I'm a believer" was amazing, and Chris often burst out into spontaneous rain-related songs such as "Why does it always rain on me" and "Raindrops keep falling on my head".
He even invited a girl to go up on stage with him to celebrate her birthday. Lucky b*&^h :)
The venue at the Emirates Palace was perfect once again (although more traffic on the way out this time around, and it seems that the wristband section was a bit more chaotic).
Abu Dhabi has proven once again that when it comes to attracting the big names and putting on a show, it beats Dubai hands down!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Tweet Tweet...
Dubai Sunshine is now on Twitter! So if you're a twitterer (or whatever you want to call yourself), follow me on Twitter...Just click on the Follow me link on the right...
Tweet ya later!
Tweet ya later!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
What's been happening?
I'm averaging out a post a month. Not good at all. I really should pay more attention to my blog...
Not that there's been much happening lately.
Totally busy: which everyone tells me is a good thing. They did lay off a few people though, but not too many. I know it may be sad to say, but at least this financial crisis has helped weed out non-performers, and provided a kick in the butt to those who were granted immunity (myself included!).
Totally unrelated: why is it that Saih Ash Shaib (right at the border of Dubai and Abu Dhabi) has now become Saih Shaib, with the "Ash" erased out of all the signs? Who is it that woke up one day and decided that the "Ash" had to go?
Totally random: How often should one take a vacation to remain sane? Every 3 months? 6 months? Once a year? Why is it that I've felt like I needed a vacation ever since I came back from my last vacation? Huh?
Totally annoying: will traffic in the Greens ever get better? EVER?
Totally serious: looking for a 2 bedroom apartment around the Media City area. Greens, Springs, JBR, Dubai Marina, Barsha...Just NOT Jumeirah Lake Towers. Hate that area cause it feels like a ghost town, although I know deals are pretty good there. I also know that Discovery Gardens is a nice area, but I feel it's kind of deserted. Anyone got any leads?
Totally tired: off to bed now...
Not that there's been much happening lately.
Totally busy: which everyone tells me is a good thing. They did lay off a few people though, but not too many. I know it may be sad to say, but at least this financial crisis has helped weed out non-performers, and provided a kick in the butt to those who were granted immunity (myself included!).
Totally unrelated: why is it that Saih Ash Shaib (right at the border of Dubai and Abu Dhabi) has now become Saih Shaib, with the "Ash" erased out of all the signs? Who is it that woke up one day and decided that the "Ash" had to go?
Totally random: How often should one take a vacation to remain sane? Every 3 months? 6 months? Once a year? Why is it that I've felt like I needed a vacation ever since I came back from my last vacation? Huh?
Totally annoying: will traffic in the Greens ever get better? EVER?
Totally serious: looking for a 2 bedroom apartment around the Media City area. Greens, Springs, JBR, Dubai Marina, Barsha...Just NOT Jumeirah Lake Towers. Hate that area cause it feels like a ghost town, although I know deals are pretty good there. I also know that Discovery Gardens is a nice area, but I feel it's kind of deserted. Anyone got any leads?
Totally tired: off to bed now...
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