I received a call on our land line yesterday looking for my hubby. Apparently, hubby won a free dinner for two on a raffle. The caller said that the raffle entry was filled up by hubby last weekend in Fun Ranch. I have seen him so I really thought that it was for real. The call lasted for more than ten minutes. The caller, which is, Love Perez, by the way, says that we won a dinner for two at Club Astoria in Astoria Hotel in Ortigas. We also won a gift certificate of two days and three nights stay in Bohol or in Bangkok. She also said that we can avail of the free dinner that day at 6 PM or at 8:30 PM and if we are not available we can avail it on the next day (which is today). She ask for my mobile number, which I gave (damn!) and says she will be our coordinator for the said event. It has been mentioned too that after the dinner we need to stay for 90 minutes because we will be toured around the hotel. Then awarding of gift certificate is next.
To tell you the truth, I was convinced that we really won a free dinner for two and was ecstatic to hear that we won a two days 3 nights accommodation in Panglao Island (which I am dreaming more than you dream about Boracay). She was convincing because:
* she talks about the time and date where hubby filled up the raffle and it was true
* she talks about the stub number and so so of the raffle coupon
* she keeps on saying that there is no financial obligation and that we don”t need to bring credit cards (which we don’t have) or cash (which I don’t have)
* upon my inquiry if the kids are allowed, she said yes.. and even assures me that we are going to have a fun family dinner and that I should bring some jackets for the kids (very kind of her)
* she also said that the reason why hubby is picked as a winner is because he is a family man
Now what makes me think twice about it?
* diction and pronunciation baby.. she says engineer with an e not with an i
* and she keeps on saying and assuring me that there is no financial obligation
* we never won a raffle before.. not once..
So I searched on the net about Astoria Raffle and their winners.. well.. read and read and discover Astoria. After reading the entries regarding that I searched for Astoria Hotel and called their international number. I said I am verifying a raffle so and so and they transferred my call to their cafe. The lady who answered was polite enough to say she knows nothing about it and that people organizing the said event was not in the area yet..
How was the free dinner? Nah.. I can’t just brave the Ortigas Avenue traffic for a free dinner which would cost me 90 minutes of my time which can be used to write an article on my blog. oh by the way I told the girl I maintain a blog and that I will be blogging about them, indeed I am.LOL I am not saying this is a SCAM Ok, if you have been chosen as one of the winners go and have some free dinner and share with us your stories..
Actually I was tempted to go for the sake of my blog.. but.. hubby says no.
Astoria Hotel is located in #15 J. Escriva Drive, Ortigas Business District, Pasig City
Genejosh says
March 12, 2009 at 3:31 pmhi…this story of yours makes me more careful..thanks for sharing..anyway, i have an award for you for I love ur blog and wants to be friends here..if you have time please grab it at http://genejosh-hyzyd.blogspot.com/2009/03/thank-you-for-these-awards.html Take care.HAve a nice day!
Enchie says
March 12, 2009 at 4:32 pmI'm a victim! I filled-up this raffle coupon at the Ark of Avilon in Tiendesitas. And I also received a call went, and yes its true that the food was for free. As usual, there was a catch. Offers!offers!offers! walang kamatayang offers! Not only that, the agent who talked to us, after a few days, called me and was offering another, that is not of Astoria Plaza anymore.
niko says
March 18, 2009 at 7:21 amoh my! hubby and i were supposed to go there too, sometime last year.. naku ang galing ng mga kausap sa phone, buti na lang our december sched did not permit us.. i was told na some boss from our company referred me to them for that free dinner and etc etc.. i did not believe at first but with consistent calls i said we will go, but thanked god we did not! hohohonow i have to believe it is really a scam after all! thanks for posting pehpot!
Anonymous says
April 6, 2009 at 2:08 amSadly im a fresh victim of this astoria scam. Once you're there and hear them out, all your questions are answered wisely and that you would really think that it is not a scam. It would look as if you are putting money on a piggy bank, then use it afterwards for your travel. Since i love travelling, i thought this would be a good deal. My bad was not to check first thru net.. Now.. im suffering the consequence. I'll try to get a refund and truly, i want to spread this to stop their misleading operation.
Anonymous says
June 5, 2009 at 1:46 pmi dont think its a scam. if you people are really into travelling, spending holidays then, be part of astoria. a marketing strategy i should say of offering you their deal and not any scam as you believe it is. after all, you cannot be a member or own a holiday ownership if you cannot afford ;since you know, people who have only excess money can difinitely be a part of that exclusive club. i guess, we should say sorry for those who never try their luck. God bless everyone!!!
redamethyst says
March 5, 2010 at 7:51 amyun iba totoo talaga di ba, you get a free dinner, pero laging may catch. it's a way of marketing na may daya? wahahah
niko says
March 18, 2010 at 1:06 pmbwahaha buti na lang talaga di kame nagpunta
Anonymous says
September 24, 2010 at 8:43 amMy sister can't refund her 40k in club astoria she just cancelled her membership and you know what they said to her "bakit ko pipirmahan yang cancellation letter bigay mo lang samin yan para ma-process" actually we were deceived by their sweet tongues, now that my sister cancelled her membership bastos na sila. Anyone here know how to deal with this or a lawyer where we can ask if the contract is really notarized and legal? Please help my sister, she need to process this right away she's going to Scotland next week. Thanks
Anonymous says
November 3, 2010 at 8:31 amMy boyfriend and I are planning to spend the free accommodation in Bohol. Right now we are trying to call the hotel for reservation, but since I don't have much information about this astoria, I'm here in front of my computer, searching and getting some information about the hotel, gotcha! I'm here, and thank God.. Anyway, free dinner for two is really free and while discussing the membership for almost 90 minutes, we called the attention of the waiter for additional ice tea for two (hehehe)…at the end of the presentation, we refused to be a member and just get the gift certificate which i don't know if we will use this for Bohol..
actron cp9190 says
November 23, 2010 at 12:08 amthanks for very informative post!
Anonymous says
June 26, 2011 at 3:46 pmshit.. is this really true? i just confused because someone called this afternoon same lang din ang mga sinabe sa hubby ko.. 🙁
Ane says
September 22, 2011 at 10:33 pmLOLs i got the same call a few months ago, apparently hubby also won a raffle, free dinner and everything else you said on your post. 😛
It was hubby’s birthday, we thought, free dinner, why not.. LOL 😛
After dinner they have a 90 minute presentation which urges you to get a timeshare. LOL! 😀 It’s 90 minutes of our lives we will never get back.. 😛 We declined the timeshare, of course! But the dinner was okay, so it wasn’t a total loss.. We never got to use the free 3D/2N stay in Bohol or Bangkok though, I’m thinking it’s not really “free” anyway.. 😛
Jenny So says
October 22, 2011 at 9:57 amSiguradong scam iyon. nakakatakot naman. 🙁
john says
April 9, 2012 at 10:54 amdid u use yout gift certificate?
john says
April 9, 2012 at 11:04 amanybody here who experienced their free gift hotel accomodation for two? is it real?
Animac Bente Uno says
May 9, 2013 at 10:23 pmHi, I registered as a member last May 7,2013 I signed the contract, only providing my name and billing address and mobile num,And yesterday I cancelled it because I realized that their ‘good’ presentation is like a SCAM. Fortunately I didnt provide my credit num because that time I dont’have my card and I dont remember my card number. I also did not give any cash for downpayment cause I just went there to use the ‘buffet’ prize[Don’t have enough money for downpayment]. Problem is, they are texting me now that there will be a mail to be sent in our home asking me to pay the 20k fine stated in the contract. Do I still need to pay that? Can they have me arrested/filed a case regarding this matter? Thanks.
Anonymous says
September 10, 2014 at 7:27 amHi, I received a phone call as well same thing with you.. I was so excited when they told me that i won a ticket trip to bangkok, indonesia or las vegas. I also won a dinner buffet for two and a 3 days and 2 nights at the hotel. For local they mentioned the puerto princesa as well. To make the long story short the 90 minute stay is a waste of time. Good thing I have a background in TIME SHARING. I’m not saying that this is a scam. I’d rather hear the truth than saying you won a ticket or a 3 days and 2 nights stay at the hotel. The moment i talked with them and asked why are they telling the people that they won a ticket for a trip and they said that, that’s how the company promote their hotel.
Mommy Pehpot says
September 11, 2014 at 10:47 pmmarketing bullshit no
pong says
September 17, 2014 at 8:47 pmIm here and they suck. LOL im not convince and i pay our own bills. Hindi nila masagot mga tanong ko haha! Like pano nyo ma gguarntee na mag kaka visa kami sa us? LOL!
Mommy Pehpot says
September 17, 2014 at 9:46 pmaww good luck! hahaha
glenda says
September 22, 2014 at 5:06 pmGosh… I received a phone call just this afternoon saying the same things with you guys.. and I’m not really convinced.. Wala talaga akong maremember na nagfill up ako ng raffle coupon.. I’m just wondering… How did they know my personal data??
well, none of my business.. hahaha! Nag iisip pa naman ako kung saan magandang mag honeymoon cause I’m geting married this dec.. hehehe..
Thank God, I found and read this blog..
Mommy Pehpot says
October 15, 2014 at 8:20 am🙂 congrats in advance!
slypingAce says
October 2, 2014 at 5:02 pmbuti na lang nagresearch ako agad at napadpad dito, hehe.. they called me earlier today. After reading this I decided not to go. My wife always cook delicious dinner anyway lol. Thank you mommy pehpot.
Mommy Pehpot says
October 15, 2014 at 8:16 amgood for you! haha
susan liad says
December 14, 2014 at 11:47 ami received a phonecall also just now telling me the same story so im very excited to go sana but the problem is wala na ko budget kse i just came home from palawan together with my 2 kids at naiwan hubby ko so ang saya sna kung kmi nman ang aalis, pero nag research muna ako kse kakatakot na maniwala sa panahon ngayon at dahil po sa mga nbasa ko i decided not go thank you very much sa info mommy pehpots at iba pang mga blogger its a big help na wag na madagdagan ang mga maaabala pa nilang tao thanks and advance merry christmas!
to all
Rowena San Lorenzo says
January 17, 2016 at 9:56 pmI received a phone call yesterday around 3pm saying the same things. I filled-up this raffle coupon at Gerry’s -Market Market Branch. He also texted me the details how to claim the gift certificate. He told me strictly… “ma’am ngayon araw lang pwede makukuha yan…” And when I read their text and pointed out the 90mins for the presentation before claiming or rewarding the GC. Nag doubt na ako. Malinaw nanalo ka. I claim mo lang ang napanalunan mo so ID lang kailangan….Eh bakit may 90 mins… bakit isang araw lang pwedeng ma-avail yan or makukuha ang gc at bakit madalian yan. Yan ang naiisip ko kahapon. So I decided not to claim na lang. Kinabukasan I received another text na… “Ma’amna pwede uli ma-claim and ma-avail…” Inconsistent talaga… so nagreply ako “I’m sorry I can’t make it…” My daughter check this promo and she found out that this is scam. And she noticed no DTI permit for the said promo. Nag check din ako sa google , thank God, I found and read this blog..Thanks!
Rowena San Lorenzo says
January 17, 2016 at 9:59 pmI received a phone call yesterday around 3pm same scenario. I filled-up this raffle coupon at Gerry’s -Market Market Branch. He also texted me the details how to claim the gift certificate. He told me strictly… “ma’am ngayon araw lang pwede makukuha yan…” And when I read their text and pointed out the 90mins for the presentation before claiming or rewarding the GC. Nag doubt na ako. Malinaw nanalo ka. I claim mo lang ang napanalunan mo so ID lang kailangan….Eh bakit may 90 mins… bakit isang araw lang pwedeng ma-avail yan or makukuha ang gc at bakit madalian yan. Yan ang naiisip ko kahapon. So I decided not to claim na lang. Kinabukasan I received another text na… “Ma’amna pwede uli ma-claim and ma-avail…” Inconsistent talaga… so nagreply ako “I’m sorry I can’t make it…” My daughter check this promo and she found out that this is scam. And she noticed walang DTI permit for the said promo.
paul says
January 19, 2016 at 6:41 pmoh’ my gosh buti nalang nag search muna ako bago ako mag balak pagpunta bukas… may tumawag sa akin this afternoon same na same din mga pinag sasabi sa akin…
anonymous says
February 23, 2016 at 8:27 pmthanks for this very informative blog. tinawagan ako kanina from AVLCI daw sila, just told them i’ll call back later coz i’ll be meeting someone. i’ll never call them back, sayang ang oras. thanks again, mommy pehpot 🙂
King Andrei says
February 24, 2016 at 4:29 pmActually, katatawag lang nila sakin ngayon na nanalo daw ako ng free buffet for 2 and 3 days and 2 nights gift certificate hotel accommodation at their affiliated hotel at Davao, Thailand, Malaysia, Las Vegas & Florida. May iniwan sya saking contact person to verify. So, this is bogus?
Mommy Pehpot says
March 3, 2016 at 8:38 amhindi naman po bogus or scam.. it’s their marketing strategy
WaterLilly says
August 28, 2016 at 5:38 amWe enjoy the food! Though we need to listen to their 90mins presentation, to claim the said GC. It’s not bad afterall.. hahha just pretend youre interested then after the long presentation just say NO.
Eile says
October 2, 2017 at 11:36 pmNag message friend ko sakin, and sabi nya nanalo sya sa raffle ng Astoria, nag fill up kasi sya ng last friday sa isang kainan sa Megamall. But na curious ako nung nakita ko ung ticket Grand Draw ay Dec.15, 2017, eh October pa lang naman. nagsearch ako if true ung promo about Astoria. Thanks po sa blog na ito. BIG help.
Good evening Engr. C** A**This is Ms. Dominique of Astoria Plaza. The stub you filled-up was selected by our management, which means that the stub owner will enjoy a complimentary dinner buffet for two at Astoria Plaza’s Café Astoria ground floor. We would be happy to see you there between 6:00pm to 8:30pm tomorrow night. This also means that you will be the recipient of a Gift Certificate for a complimentary 3 days/2 nights accommodations for two in select hotels in any one of these destinations: Palawan; Bali, Indonesia; Bangkok, Thailand; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. You will receive this Gift Certificate after attending a 90-minute presentation which follows after your dinner. Astoria Plaza is located at 15 J. Escriva Drive, Ortigas Center, Pasig (near the intersection of Shaw Blvd & Pioneer St). Basement parking is free. Please don’t forget to bring a valid i.d. and look for Ms. Desiree Umlas. Kindly expect also a call from our manager for confirmation. Thank you very much.
Paul says
November 18, 2017 at 1:11 pmTheyre here now at Davao. They called me and said the same thing. Thanks for this blog. Btw, this is their number 09473074852 and 09307759164. Beware.
PS:Paborito nilang banggitin ang word na ‘engineer’.?
Jasmine says
November 22, 2017 at 7:01 pmBetter to search before grabbing such opportunity like this.Same scenario with you guys..Honestly,nagdadalawang isip ako kung totoo ba ito or hindi.I searched the name who contact and the person to be looked for.None of them have no record.Thanks to this blogger.This is just a scam pala.Natuwa pa naman sana ako sa GC free daw.haha
Jasmine says
November 22, 2017 at 7:02 pmBetter to search before grabbing such opportunity like this.Same scenario with you guys..Honestly,nagdadalawang isip ako kung totoo ba ito or hindi.I searched the name who contact and the person to be looked for.None of them have no record.Thanks to this blogger.This is just a scam pala.Natuwa pa naman sana ako sa GC free daw.haha..
ANONYMOUS MOM says
April 30, 2018 at 4:21 pmThanks for this blogger.. I just received yesterday the same text message from AVLCI SMX MOA. I’m planning to go there with my daughter only for the free dinner and the gift certificate.. anyway, we’re not interested on the membership, besides, i really can’t afford to pay the fee.. 🙂 About the raffle promo, yes, i filled up a raffle stub at Aveneto SM Ukokkei at Megamall last February, 2018.
coffee boy says
May 10, 2018 at 2:22 amnq receive ko yun call. then nag pnta kame ni hubby but i did my research so prepared na ko sa mangyayari. diner was good naman. then presentation naman 1on1 kqu nun agent at first palang sinabi ko na not interested but medyo makulet sila so i order a coffee tapos mga ilang mins. sabi ko nag papalpitate ako and i need to go to the hospital pero charot lang yun para mabigay na yun gc. ayun hnd na nya tinapos yun prrsentation nya natakot siguro pero bingay padun yun gc. pero hnd mo sya magagamit dto sa qc. sa palawan lng sya WTF diba tapos u need to have 5k dp daw which will be refund after ng stay medyo stinky yun qh hahaha any thx for the food.
TIP. after ng meal sabihin mo lang may kukunin ka sa parking or sa car whatsoever or sabhin mo kunin mo yun wallet mo nandun kase credit card mo then leave hahaha
Phyllis says
June 6, 2018 at 5:22 pmSo this blog was posted way back 2009 and Astoria still use this kind of marketing strategy?They should innovate at least.
Mommy Pehpot says
June 9, 2018 at 11:40 ammalapit na mag 10 years! ahahaha
J.Guillen says
September 7, 2019 at 2:30 pmMy husband received a call from astoria ortigas telling the same thing na free dinner plus an accomodation sa astoria palawan. Nag fill up daw sya ng raffle coupon sa caltex, nagtaka agad ako kase baket hindi formal ung pag inform na nanalo ka. Normally thru email ipapadala or registered mail. Pero a phone call medyo diskumpiyado ko agad. Ang dali pa naman ma hook sa mga ganyan ng asawa ko, hindi muna nag vavalidate or even check the raffle coupon na hawak nya. Kase dapat hinanap ang raffle coupon nya then ask sya anong # ng raffle coupon.
Thanks for the info, magaling talaga ang instinct ng mga babae.
jessa says
September 21, 2019 at 10:03 pmThank you I read this blog because some one call to my daddy and he said that he was from Astoria Hotel and according to that person my dad won at the raffle and then he get my dad’s information di na kami pupunta tomorrow thanks for the stories !!!
Yam says
November 14, 2019 at 3:16 pmI received the same call. I confirmed that I will go there tonight (kase from 6-8:30 pm lang sila mag entertain). But after reading all the comments here, better not go na lang. Ang trapik pa naman ngayon kahit saan. Besides, diet naman din ako so NO to buffets. LOL. 🙂 Na tempt pa naman ako sa free accommodation and dinner buffet.
Monina Garcia says
November 22, 2019 at 1:23 amActually received a call today. But i asked her if we need to pay for the membership fee to avail the buffet and the 3 days accomodation. Seems like she became a bit annoyed of my question, then told me that Astoria indeed offer membership but we are not required to pay for membership. Then she told me that she will just send the details of the dinner buffet for 2 after our call. Then nothing came. Appears that they are just using the “raffle” and “free dinner buffet” to entice people to go to the venue and then they will offer the membership.