Since the day I posted my complaints about Ensemble E-Travel Philippines, a lot of people had been emailing, sharing the same problems and asking for help.
Ensemble through Mr. Joey (the owner) had delivered compensation for my stressful Bohol honeymoon trip last year. I, personally, have no more issues with the company.
However, the growing number of people who are having the same problem as I did, proves that this travel and tours agency remains unprofessional, incompetent and are still marketing misleading deals. TV Patrol featured them in December 2011 but it seems like it made no significant difference and the agency is still up, running and with a different logo.
MetroDeal is as responsible for all these because they continue to sell deals from this merchant despite the many complaints raised against them. The only way to stop Ensemble and their terrible services is to stop selling their deals, once and for all.
Ensemble is not a scam agency. In fact, the trips do push through but not without a nightmarish planing and coordination. The real problem with Ensemble is that it is a small company too ambitious in creating deals which they cannot deliver well.
People have asked me how I got compensated.
It took me a thousand calls (98% unanswered) and a 21-page complaint letter sent to the owner of the company. The letter contained a formal summary of complaints and expectations, the entire email correspondence with their unreliable travel executive (highlighting the errors and mistakes she did), proofs of text messages and calls, all extra expenses incurred, bills and receipts, and proof of unkept promises and deceitful advertisements.
It was a big thing that Mr. Joey was understanding and cooperative that time but sadly he appeared in the picture only AFTER the damages were done.
In the end, the only way to get your trip’s worth is to be aggressive. If you wait quietly and patiently for this agency to deliver, you might not get what you paid for. Call them daily, message them daily, flood their walls and emails.
If it’s not too late, I suggest you ask for a refund. I recommend also that you contact your banks and have those transactions voided. Explain to them the status of the agency. Someone told me that even if it were months in the past, it is a valid request.
Here are all the possible ways to contact Ensemble (feel free to share updates):
Website: http://ensemble-etravel.com/en/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ensemble-e-Travel-Phils/119445541474481
Emails:
- ensemble.etravel@gmail.com (Main)
- ppsdeal2@gmail.com (for Palawan deals)
- bantayandeal2@gmail.com (for Bantayan deals)
- info@ensemble-etravel.com (General inquiries)
- sales@ensemble-etravel.com
Chat: ensemble_etravel@yahoo.com
Mobile Numbers:
- 0917-488-6386 to 89
- Joey Regis (Owner): 0917-424-6558
- Daryl (Palawan deals) 0917-488-6388
Office Numbers:
- Manila office 02-546-9083
- Cebu office 032-263-3007
METRODEAL
Address: 27F (Regus) Tower 2 The Enterprise Centre, 6766 Ayala Avenue Cor. Paseo De Roxas, Makati City
Email: support@metrodeal.com
Office number:
- 02-788-6591
- 02-885-8448
Update March 2012 – A Reader’s suggestion:
Email DTI: dtincrlegal@yahoo.com and attach all needed evidences. Or go directly to their office. It’s just at the Enterprise Building 27Flr Tower 2 : Regus Office (leased). Ask for the supervisor (Ruby) and show all needed evidences. Demand for a refund.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
I wouldn’t want anyone to go through the same ordeal as I did. I am now based in Abu Dhabi and have no ties with Ensemble. I have read of people who sought legal counsel and reported this company to government authorities but have never heard of satisfying results.
To help, I have gathered all the complaints and pleas posted in my site to warn future travelers who are researching about deals in group-buying sites and provide a forum for people who had been ”ensembled”.
FROM OLDEST TO NEWEST
Hundred more complaints in the following sites
http://www.pinoymoneytalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=36664.0
http://jynxedpanda.com/2011/10/16/ensemble-stress/
http://ithinkcindy.com/tag/ensemble-e-travel/
http://vinayabut.blogspot.com/2011/12/ensemble-e-travel-deal-on-metrodeal.html
Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences below!
VIOLETOLOGY 
metrodeal sucks!! i hate metrodeal to the highest level… its been a year now since ive cancelled and ask for a refund on their puesto del sol deal and untill now, NONE no action but a reply that they are doing something to give back my refund, wow for a year? seriously?!…the reason we cancelled the deal was when we arrived at puesto del sol in batangas to check the place, the place was unfinished, the place is on top of the hill and not a minute walk away from the beach and was very hard to reach because its very steep, our car had a hard time climbing that place, rotten swimming pool, and construction was still on going when we went there…so there are construction worker fixing around and finishing their things and because the place was small NO PRIVACY to expect…
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Buyers beware. I purchased hair treatment coupon with this buying site and it was disastrous. I ended up using just 1 instead of the 4 vouchers I have bought. (No need to ruin my hair for the 3 vouchers. I also do not wish to ruin somebody else’s hair by gifting these vouchers.) This site is after merchant volume (for its percentage cut) and not quality offers. Photos posted are often not the items you will get. There was also an instant where a lot of people ordered angry bird cake from MetroDeal. Turned out the photo was from another site and not from the cake maker MetroDeal was promoting. As expected, lots of complains. Google it so you will know. MetroDeal posts great write-ups but far from actual. As most people have already commented, “false advertisement!” Buyers beware.
ps. Also bought spa treatment from MetroDeal. Photos posted was so enticing that I even brought my friend with me. We went to the spa location. Saw the place and was horrified. Needless to say, we left without getting the treatment. Again, lost 4 vouchers. Strike two means this particular buying site has no regards or whatsoever with its reputation. It just wants to sell, get their cut, and bid adieu “so long suc*ers.” There maybe a few great deals but most of them are garbage. Be weary. If it’s too good to be true, then it probably is.
pps. It is not just the companies (e.g. Ensemble E-Travel) who are responsible, MetroDeal knows what the companies are capable of providing. It just doesn’t care. It provides made-up photos and exaggerated write-ups.
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Those agencies are middlemen that add costs to your trips. It’s always better to do-it-yourself and plan ahead. Your schedules/itinerary will be the way you want it to be. Transact directly with the airlines, hotels, and tour providers. No agency fees. There are a lot of seat sales. You can haggle the prices with the local tour providers in each destinations. A lot of travelers are on DIY.
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Thank you very much for this web page, Ms. Violet. This is very helpful and informative. More power.
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Metrodeal is fully liable for all the merchant issues. Rather than wasting all your energy in following up with Merchants, I suggest 3 things :
1. Document everything and report to DTI. The email address is dtincrlegal@yahoo.com and attach all needed evidences.
2. Go directly to their office. It’s just at the Enterprise Building 27Flr Tower 2 : Regus Office (leased). Don’t waste time in calling them, either no one is answering or their phone lines are f**ked up. Ask for the supervisor (Ruby) and show all needed evidences. Demand for a refund.
3. Follow up daily. They say refund takes 4-6 weeks but mine is now at the 4th week and validation is still ongoing (so much for customer service). Metrodeal has admitted that they themselves are having problems contacting Ensemble but this is not a reason to allow them to just wait for Ensemble to reply back.
Metrodeal has confirmed that payment is not endorsed to the merchant unless the voucher has been used already. I’ve been to their office several times asking for follow up and believe me every visit comes with an escalated tone. Our money is still with Metrodeal, and they just need to get validation from Ensemble that we did not really used the voucher in order to process the refund. That process unfortunately takes millions of years thus make sure to do the visits and the legal reports to DTI.
I also think it helps if people go in groups in their office. I think that would really turn their office upside down and hopefully they would expedite our demand for refunds.
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”Metrodeal has confirmed that payment is not endorsed to the merchant unless the voucher has been used already.”
This is very informative! I totally agree with you. Thanks for this, Vanderlord.
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Hi Ms. Violet,
Are you still able to get your refund? Its been 3 months now, my efforts are still futile. How is your processing so far?
By the way, thank you very much of your info.
Many thanks,
Jean
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I got my refund a year ago, August 2011 but that was when Mr. Joey (CEO) was still helpful. I’ve heard ”stories” that it’s a new management (with same old service) now.
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we are also a victim of this unreliable and irresponsible travel company. we bought a trip to bohol last aug. 2011 and until now we barely cannot arrange our travel. i even went to their aragon st. singalong malate address and cannot find their office. it is high time that this company should pay and should be banned from doing business in the philippines especially a travel agency at that…the department of tourism and DTI should act now….it is not really fun in the philippines with this ensemble and metrodeal. your company is a big shame to the Filipino and the tourism industry…your victims are hardworking filipinos
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Thanks for sharing, Maila. True, just keep on follow-uping!
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we are also a victim of this unreliable and irresponsible travel company. we bought a trip to bohol last aug. 2011 and until now we barely cannot arrange our travel. i even went to their aragon st. singalong malate address and cannot find their office. it is high time that this company should pay and should be banned from doing business in the philippines especially a travel agency at that…the department of tourism and DTI should act now….it is not really fun in the philippines with this ensemble and metrodeal
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Hi, I’m also a victim of this damn deal. I’ve been calling and emailing metrodeal for a month now asking for a refund and all i hear from them is that they are still waiting for ensemble’s reply. I paid for that package from my hard earned money and all I get is an apology from that freaking company!!! Don’t you have any plans of going to media, Ben Tulfo or DTI to get their attention? ang alam ko ksi kelangan madami ang magreklamo pra maaksyonan ng DTI. Please let me know if you need help. Baka pwede tyong magtulungan to get our money back. Thanks email me at rej_1231@yahoo.com
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rej, you could also print all these complaints to add to your case. I really hope you guys would come together.
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Hi,
Were you able to actually contact Metrodeal’s Boss? I need help in getting back a big refund 😦 Can you please get in touch with me via my email? Thanks
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I sent you a PM 🙂
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Hi All,
Last September 2011,we bought palawan package for 5500/head. And our tentative date of travel is on March 1 .
we sent series of email and follow ups. nag email sila for confirmation of bookings with the name of Aira. after we confirmed that date. so sad that was the last time we have communication with her. until now no reply from Metrodeal or Ensemble. I have no choice is to file a case to DTI. Sayang naman…more that 27500 ang panloloko nila…Magkita na lang kami ng mga magagaling na employee ng Metrodeal at Ensemble.
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I really do hope DTI does something.
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