There’s so much to be said about mobile payments these days that I don’t even know where to begin. However, in my 8 years of mobile/online banking, I can probably say that 90% of the time, I don’t transact with cold cash anymore. It’s because there’s rarely a need to do so, except of course if you’re buying from your local mom & pop convenience stores (like the one I have — I do accept G-Cash payments, by the way) or public markets that don’t accept credit/debit cards or mobile payments. And it’s a shame, really — when you think about how many businesses remain either hesitant or clueless (or both) about using mobile payments. While some of these people are technophobic by nature, many remain set in their old ways because they’re more comfortable that way.

But if you look closely, many of these people don’t even give mobile payments a try because they refuse to be like old dogs being asked to do new tricks. I’m not writing this to say, mobile payments are easy as pie or are ridiculously easy because the truth is that it does require a considerable amount of work and research. What these technophobics fail to acknowledge is that their fear of technology (or at least most of them anyway) can be fixed by arming yourself with a little know-how — and this, my friends — is what this post is about. I’m here to tell you that yes, the wonders of technology may seem like an insurmountable mountain but that you are never too old or too young to learn about it. And this learning is a huge step towards understanding what technology can and cannot do and how these things can actually make a real difference in your life. 

First of all, let me just get one thing out of the way: This is not a paid post. I’m not getting paid to write this content so if you think I’m harping about Globe GCash benefits because I got paid for writing this, well let me reassure you that I’m writing this because I know someone somewhere out there at some time in the future might find this useful. So now that we’ve got that issue out of the way, let me briefly discuss what Globe GCash is.

The new way to pay and send money.

GCASH lets you store money in your Globe number, turning your mobile phone into a virtual wallet. This means you can use your phone to conveniently, quickly and safely send money and pay bills.

– See more at: http://gcash.globe.com.ph/#sthash.W2Td4VhP.dpuf

Globe GCash is a novel way of storing and moving your money — that is, (1) from your bank to your Globe GCash; (2) from G-Cash to your bank; (3) from your Globe GCash to other people’s Globe GCash; (4) from other people’s GCash to your GCash; (5) from your GCash to financial government/private institutions that accept mobile payments, establishments — online or offline. And thanks to Globe GCash Race to 1 Million GCash transactions, you might even win a Samsung Galaxy S4 or 100,000 pesos worth of shopping spree just by using GCash! That’s why more than anything, I call it a payment hub. My favorite bank, BPI (Bank of the Philippine Islands) used to hold this position for me until an important payment service was recently added which made me switch to Globe GCash completely — PAGIBIG (HDMF) payment facility.

A payment hub — at least in my case used to be what stands between me and my billers. In essence, it answers the question, “How can I send my payment to my biller without going to their payment center and handing over cold cash?”. It’s a hub because transactions run both ways — I can send payments (money) and also receive payments a lot easier than through banks. And you guessed it right, it’s best for businesses! If your income comes from products/services you sell which in turn pays your bills, then Globe GCash is your best bet for convenience and speed.

Now I know most people would say, “well, I can also pay my bills through my bank’s online payment facility; and I can also send money and receive money through my bank.” That’s true. I’ve always been happy with BPI’s service, I personally think it’s unparalleled when it comes to innovating for their customers’ sake — in fact, like I said, I’ve always been perfectly happy with BPI (and still am) because its list of add-on services and features never cease to delight me. But there was always a biller that I can’t pay through BPI — yes, PAGIBIG. And this is exactly what tipped the scales for me. For many years I can conveniently pay MERALCO, Globe Handphone, Globe Innove, Citibank, HSBC, BPI Credit Card (obviously) and even send money to buy stocks (through COL Financial). I can transfer funds easily to enrolled accounts and even to any BPI account (via BPI’s smartphone apps — iOS and Android). I can even schedule appointments (deposits, withdrawals) conveniently online so I don’t have to sit all day in a crowded BPI branch (more on this delightful service called “BEA” on a separate post). But up until now, the only gripe I have is I can’t pay for my PAGIBIG Housing Loan through BPI. I only had 2 choices back then — pay at SM Payment Centers (carrying the latest copy of my bill) or spend the entire day at a PAGIBIG branch/payment center.

And because I’m inherently lazy all for convenience and speed, I longed for the day that I can find ONE PAYMENT HUB TO RULE THEM ALL — and lo and behold, I have found it through Globe GCash!

Now, I don’t have to drag my lazy feet to the nearest SM just to pay for 1 bill. I can now pay PAGIBIG Housing Loans through GlobeGCash! Hallelujah!

Have I used it? You bet I have! Countless times and without an incident, mind you. It’s pure awesomeness and I wonder why very few people dare to try it. Best of all, I don’t even have to go to a bank to fund my Globe GCash. I can cash-in at Globe Centers, via online bank transfers, Bancnet ATMs, SM Payment Centers and Globe GCash partner establishments. And because I can accept payments through G-Cash, I can use the payments I receive to pay for my bills, buy stuff at G-Cash partner establishments and get this, I can even use it to buy stuff online without a credit card either from local online stores or internationally from Amazon, Zappos, eBay etc. and have it shipped here in the Philippines! Read more about G-Cash American Express Virtual Card here.

But here’s another question you might want to ask: “But what if I needed to take-out the money I’ve put in?”

Well, you can always cash-out. You can do that by going to the same places I mentioned above, ask to cash-out, fill out a form (as in cashing-in), tick the appropriate box for cash-out and your cold cash is back in your hands (with minimal fee). There’s no charge to cash-in but Globe GCash charges for cash-outs.

But isn’t that too much hassle? What if I needed the money pronto? Well, then — get yourself a Globe GCash Card — yes, a physical plastic card that you can use at ANY ATM in the country. PIN for the ATM is the same as your Globe GCash MPIN and it charges 3 pesos for balance inquiries. I’ve tried it and it works as advertised.

A shopping and ATM card in one

A GCASH Card is linked to a GCASH account. You can use it to shop in over 33,000 Megalink-accredited establishments nationwide, or to withdraw cash from Megalink, BancNet, or ExpressNet ATMs. You will also enjoy zero maintaining balance and zero annual fees.

– See more at: http://gcash.globe.com.ph/#sthash.W2Td4VhP.dpuf

So, to sum things up: Globe GCash is a wondrous mobile wallet that can actually take-over as your secondary, if not primary payment hub. Its best for small businesses and especially for freelancers but it’s a generally great service for anyone looking into alternative and convenient ways to buy, sell, and pay for products and services these days. I’m actually an early adopter of the service and have been with Globe even in the early days of the then “Are you one of us?” GenX cards and commercial and have witnessed the product evolve from mere hip card of retail discount benefits to the robust payment system that it is today. I’m happy having Globe GCash and I look forward to exciting add-on products/services in the future.

To use/sign-up for Globe GCash, you can either access it via *143# using any Globe mobile phone or download the Globe GCash app. It’s available for iOS, Android and BlackBerry.

Do you have GCash? Do you actually use it? Do you think you’re ready to make it your central payment hub? Let me know in the comments!

Enjoy cashing-in! And out!