By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA

(© 2011 Journal Group Link International)

C HICAGO (jGLi) – Last October, Angie Gotangco Lariosa sent six Balikbayan boxes to her relatives in Batangas province in the Philippines, hoping it will get there in time for Christmas.

“I was assured by a Shipping Express employee that my boxes will be there before Christmas,” according to Ms. Lariosa, adding that she never doubted the assurance. “I have been sending my Balikbayan boxes with this company in the past and my boxes had gotten to their destinations, why would I doubt it this time?”

Four of her boxes arrived at their destinations, Ms. Lariosa said. But the two other boxes that contained new shoes and other new goodies never made it. “Baka napagka-interesan sa daan ang mga laman nito?” (Maybe, some people took interest on the contents while the boxes were in transit?), she surmised.

But it was during a New Year’s party celebration in her home when she started asking herself a question why her nephews who were supposed to receive her Christmas gifts had never acknowledged receiving her gifts.

When she called Shipping Express after the New Year, Ms. Lariosa said, “nobody answered.” She called again the Shipping Express but there was the same result: nobody answered.

It turned out Ms. Lariosa was not alone. Despite the sudden drop of temperature Ms. Lariosa and her husband, Ray, took a day off from work last Monday, Jan. 17, and went to the office of the Shipping Express at 5419 North Kedzie in Chicago to find out.

There, she discovered there were other a dozen or so other Filipino Americans, including Chicago local Pinoy monthly publisher and editor, Mariano “Anong’ Santos, similarly knocking at the door of the cargo delivery company that was padlocked.

When they were about to leave, a CBS Channel 2 reporter, Ms. Mai Martinez, came by to verify their complaints. Their visit made it to the 5 o’clock news that day.

This reporter went to the office of the Cirera Express, owned by Alex Cirera, to get information about Shipping Express. A staff of Cirera Express said Shipping Express is owned by Alex Cirera’s son, Robert Cirera. But the father and son are not on speaking terms “and the Shipping Express is now our competition,” according to the staff.

A check with the Better Business Bureau in Chicago showed that six customers of Shipping Express have filed a complaint against the freight forwarding enterprise not accredited by the BBB.

Among the complaints were “failure to respond to three complaints against the business;” “four serious complaints filed against the business;” and “business has failed to resolve underlying cause(s) of a pattern of complaints.”

Other consumers said they “have not been able to reach the company’s offices in the United States and the Philippines; the U.S. phone number goes directly to a full voicemail box and there is no staff at the company’s office to answer inquiries; and calls to the company’s office in the Philippines were answered by a third party who claimed the company had moved.”

The BBB has now rated Shipping Express with “F,” the lowest rating on a scale from A+ to F.

The BBB said Shipping Express came to its attention in August, 2010.  It suggests to customers to “read and understand company promotional materials and contracts and check company references and licensing” before doing business with it.

A staff at the BBB told this reporter that customers, who have complaints against business enterprises, may file complaints before the Illinois Attorney General’s office.

A call placed Tuesday, Jan. 18, by this reporter to the Shipping Express was answered by someone in the Philippines.

Renz Santos, an agent of Shipping Express owned by Robert and Hazel Cirera, told this reporter over the phone that all the 500 to 600 Balikbayan boxes from Chicago are all accounted for and they are all being readied for shipment to their destinations in the Philippines “starting next week.”

Mr. Santos said his employer is just having trouble with their broker, who is demanding “500,000 pesos (US$11,627.00) per container before shipment is released to us.” He said his office in the Philippines is located at KM (Kilometer) 17 Bormaheco Compound, Cervantes St., West Service Road, Marcelino Green Village, Paranaque.

He said each container has 50 Balikbayan boxes. There are four 50-foot containers that have yet to be released to his company.

Santos said his employer was able to find a new broker, who accepted lesser fees. He did not mention the amount. He added his company ran into financial trouble when “an American employee” collecting boxes in Chicago was also stealing money from the company.

He said his employers – Robert and Hazel Cirera – are doing everything to fix their problems. (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net)