Last 2 experience was a hassle – Remitly: Send Money & Transfer Review

Been a user for may be almost a year and have sent remittance may be 6-8times now. The last 3 times I have sent money to the Phil. was a “where’s my remittance” “how long will it take” “please take action now” “me chasing my own money” “call customer service 2-4 times to get things done *expedited* kind of service. First of all I understood the last 2 times because my recipient was a passbook/savings acct holder, and LBP is not Remitly’s “partner or prefered banks”. I was told it will be MANUAL deposit that will take 2-3days. Aaahhh hello?! Why would you charge me 3.99 for expedited? Never once I asked for my fees to be waved even it took 2-3days for the transaction to go through. Now my most recent one took me 4 calls to get it done, was promised 2-3hrs each time I called. My 4th call, I already told the lady, I was informed (fr. my 2nd call) to switch mode and place of transaction for my recipient from LBP to BPI, from deposit to bank account to cash pick up, then waited for 24hrs and my money IS STILL up in the air somewhere, not made it to “BPI” because it had to be verified? My mom who’s 81yr old mother needs it ASAP!! Then I was informed it’s switched to cash pickup at a designated pawnshop places. I said that is not safe for my 81 yr old mother, BUT if that’s the best, fastest way for them to receive it now, then go ahead, BUT YOU (remitly) needs to switch the recipient to someone else (not my mom anymore) so that it can be safely picked up. It was reviewed and agreed before I hang up with the lady on the other line. 2 hrs later money was ready for pickup but the 2nd recipient was not on there (still my mom was the recipient). So she (2nd recipient) went home, drag my 81yr old mother to the pawnshop to pick up cash (its not just a few thousand) Imagine yourself doing all of that, having your family go back and forth and stay calm while making 2-4 calls to speak to some. otherwise the customer service people are all nice, apologetic and all but cant deliver what it claims “expedited, 3.99 fee your money in minutes”. If its for emergency remittance? I DO NOT advice using remitly. You dont want your family hanging in Phil esp during emergencies. Now to get your dollars worth (higher exchange rate than xoom or western union), pay less remittance and not sending urgent? Yes use this. I will might try them again but NEVER for emergencies. Thank you.
Review by palangga01 on Remitly: Send Money & Transfer.