*Updated as of July 02, 2017

I guess one of the reason why you are here is because you want to know more about this new mobile application that offers *installment shopping* without a credit card! You know mate the world is changing and we’re going digital now. :)

Putting aside, Akulaku just started launching their mobile application in the Philippines lasts July 10, 2016 which only caters customers around Metro Manila (Antipolo City is included) EDIT: They no longer included Antipolo City from their service areas!!!. But expect more cities will be covered very soon.

I am one of those lucky people who were able to see someone on Facebook shared something about this new company. The name is weird to be honest and you wouldn’t think this was originated here in PH. And it seems I was right. They have existing counterparts in neighboring countries like Malaysia (I wouldn’t mention them all, go visit their website for more info).

What interests me to go further with their 0% interest installment offer (it’s gone now I’m sorry), aside from the fact that I’m in dire need of a new phone, I also want to know how it works in a mobile application. I know it is not possible but this is the first and I guess the only mobile application here in this country that offer such service as of now. Since my data connection is not in FREE FB (limited photo and video) subscription, I quickly search the app in Play Store and downloaded/installed it.

Here is the screenshot of the app in Google Play Store (I got no iOS device so no App Store screenshot for now):

Figure 1 - Akulaku app in PlayStore

And here it is when you finally installed and launched it. I love the red color palette because you know it is a lucky color. 

Figure 2 - Login Page

Since this is my first experience on this app, I registered for an account. I like how registration only requires you very few details so you can fill it out in no time.

Figure 3 - Account Registration Page

When you’re done and have your account logged in, it will display the home page with lots of banners. For me the banners are too large hence it requires me to scroll further to view others. On the bottom below you can see 4 tabs. Currently we are on the first tab. You can also see the cart logo on the bottom left side of the page which tops a number when you added some items in it.

Figure 4 - Home Page

Below is what you see on the "Category" tab. Some things here can also be accessed on the home page but you will get more hierarchy of each product category that are currently available.

Figure 5 - Category Page

The 3rd tab is "Bills" which you can clearly see your installment limit. Apart from that there are also buttons that can lead you to your pending/completed orders and existing bills.

Figure 6 - Bills Page

Now let's try to look for items to buy. Like this iPhone 7 RED Special Edition for example. 

Figure 7 - Product Page

On the screenshot above you already have the overview of the item particularly the colors to choose from, storage capacity available, specifications, lowest down payment fee available and full price. I like that you can also add the item as wishlist for you to view later. 

Yoou can also see vague specification of the product with some pictures and sugar coated description. For not-so-technical person this is already enough but if you're not the same you will need to ask google for more info or better yet visit the manufacturer's website.

Moving forward from Figure 7 - Product Page, if you are sure enough that this is the item that you want to buy and pay for the next 1-12 months then you are free to tap the "Next" button to proceed to Order Confirmation page.

Figure 8 - Order Confirmation Page

I'm glad this app was able to provide real time computation of whatsoever payments you need to see to help in your decision. Since I have mentioned above that they no longer offer 0% interest charge, the longer you intend to pay for the installment, the higher the processing fee is to be included. I guess their processing fee is still affordable compared to other installment service (Home Credit for example). For this item I was only able to get 8% top-up fee for 12-month installment payment scheme compared to others which can reach from 20% - 30%.

Currently they accept payments through Dragon Pay/OTC and Local Debit Card/ATM. Mentioning Dragon Pay payment method, you'll expect to have more access to other payment options which includes popular payment centers (e.g. LBC, Bayad Center). 

Figure 9 - Payment Method Page

Once you settled that down payment fee it will take them 24 - 48 hours to track your payment and another 5 - 7 days for your item to be delivered on your doorstep. Sometimes it may took more than 7 days for you to receive it (as I have read some customer's feedback on their FB page it took someone 8 days) so learn to contact their customer service channels to follow-up on your order. Did I also mentioned that shipment is FREE? And I heard a lot of good feedback with their delivery team but not impressed that they deliver even late at night (again as per customer's feedback).

I intended to cut down this review a little short so you'll have an interest to download the app in Google Play Store or Apple's App Store and discover the rest of the app's features which I didn't mention here and make your own judgement. :)

Ready to sign-up? Just enter my referral code WNNSJ to get Php. 200 discount on your first order! :)

Questions? Concerns? Violent reactions? Put them down below and I'll entertain them as soon as I can.

Thanks for reading! :)