Monday, 28 November 2016

How to print documents in 7-Eleven Taiwan

As a tourist, there may be times when we need to print out our entrance or flight ticket but we often don't know where can we get it done. It is really convenient that we are able to print, scan or fax documents in any 7-Eleven store, at only NT$2 per A4 black and white page.

1. Upload files online.
Firstly, you have to upload the required document online through the given website www.ibon.com.tw/0100/file_upload.aspx . If you are unable to read Chinese, google translate will be able to do the job for you. 

You will then need to fill up your name and email address before you upload the required document. You will also need to tick the terms and condition box before you are able to proceed to the confirmation page. 

Once you are at the confirmation page, it will show you that the uploads have been completed showing you two date. The first date shows the date and time when you first upload the document, whereas the second date show the latest date and time when you have to be at 7-Eleven to print it out before the document expired. You will then have to take note of the confirmation number that is written in red, you can't print without this number. I would normally take a picture of this and scan the QR code in 7-Eleven instead. 

2. Procedures in Printing in 7-Eleven

Get into any 7-Eleven branch and look for the ibon machine. Everything will be in Chinese, but click on the buttons I have indicated in red arrow and you should be able to get things in place. If anything goes wrong, you may always look for the cashier to help you out. 




 You will then have to key in your confirmation number here before you click on the red button.

 You will then see your document on the screen. If this is the right document then you may proceed by clicking the red button.

 You may then have the option to choose how you wish to print your document. The first row is to indicate how many copies you would like to have. The second row is to determine if you want it to be in A3 or A4 paper, ordinary printing will be on A4 paper. The third row first box is meant by black and white, second box that I did not tick was color printing (which have higher printing cost). Thr fourth row, you may just tick the first box, as it meant using a normal paper. Final row is to determine if you want it to be in double or single sided, first box stands for single sided and second box stands for double sided. Once you are done with the setting, click print to proceed.
The first row is to indicate if you wish to print one or two sheet per page. Normally just follow what i ticked and you will be safe. Printing every page of the documents is the second row first box. If you wish to print just the particular page, then you would have to set it to that particular page before clicking the second row, second box. Finally, click on confirm and they will show you the cost.
Confirm the number of page and cost and click PRINT. 

3. Collection and Payment
You will then need to collect your printing from the nearby machine and bring the receipt generated by ibon machine to the cashier for payment. The process is then completed. 

7-Eleven in Taiwan! *Must Go*

The best part ! 7-Eleven!

It is not just like any ordinary speed mart that you can find across the street. 7-Eleven in Taiwan is one of the highest per capita concentration of convenience store on earth that has basically everything you need! I would definitely get my accommodation nearby a 7-Eleven to make sure my stomach will be satisfied even in the middle of the night. 


They also have all different varieties of drinks, I have tried to drink at least 2 cans of different drinks from 7-Eleven and it has never failed me. Even the milk tea in the convenience store is delicious! 
I am feeling grateful just by thinking I can get these treats in 7-Eleven even in the middle of the night! Especially when I am lazy to go too far for food, good supper is just a few steps away! *Tea Egg is a MUST TRY!

Other than food and drinks, there are much more that you can do in 7-Eleven!

1. Get your dry cleaning done 
Haven't tried one yet, but paying around 3 USD and they will take care of it for you. To be on the safe side, always ask before you bring anything over!

2. Pay bills and tickets, just scan the barcode and pay up. 
Insurance, water, electricity, tuition fees, or even speed fines. Just bring the receipt over and scan the barcode, you will then be able to make payment. Fast and easy without any hassle!

3. Call a taxi. 
Sick of standing in the middle of the road trying to get a single taxi? You may simply walk into 7-Eleven and ask them to get one for you. While waiting for your taxi, you may even be having some snacks and chill before your taxi arrives.

4. Send packages
Although it is not like Post Office whereby you may send to the exact address, as you can only send them from 7-Eleven to 7-Eleven. However, you do not need to travel far to find a Post Office, as 7-Eleven is practically everywhere in Taiwan. 

5. Free Lottery Ticket!
Just by spending in 7-Eleven, you will be eligible to get a lottery number behind the receipt. Lottery will be drawn every 2 months to select the winner, and the winnings may vary from NT$200 to NT$10 million!! If you are lucky to win, bring it back to 7-Eleven and they will redeem it for you. Best part is, you don't even have to spend a cent on the lottery ticket!!!

6. Free Wifi
There is free wifi in most of the 7-Eleven, though you may have to sign up for it. But as a tourist, it is definitely convenient when you are traveling with a bunch of friends and did not get a mobile plan. 

7. ATM
You may withdraw or even wire money to other bank accounts any time of the day.

8. Print, Fax, and copy
For NT$2 per A4 black and white page, you may bring your documents to 7-Eleven and ask the staff to do the task for you. The price is pretty reasonable and not to mention VERY CONVENIENT! 

9. Recharge your mobile phone 
Most mobile packages in Taiwan are PAYG (Pay As You Go), and people like me don't normally keep track of how much credit left. Therefore being able to recharge your phone anytime is the BOMB! 

10. Buy tickets to show, concerts or games
You no longer have to go to a certain location just to grab a ticket. There is an ATM-like machine in every 7-Eleven called ibon. You may then purchase any sort of tickets you need directly with the machine and attend to the venue on time without any trouble. 

Here are some estimates of the prices that I find useful in 7-Eleven.
*Please note that prices are in NT$, and prices may change, therefore it only serves as a reference!

Drinks:
Coke and soda: can 20NT, bottle (600ml) 29NT, bottle (2L) 50NT
Coffee from the fridge: range from 20-35NT
Freshly made coffee: small: 25-40NT**, medium: 30-45NT**, Large: 35-55NT**
Tea from the fridge: A small cartoon: 10-20NT, bottle: 18-25NT, large bottle: 38-50NT
Freshly made tea: range from 20-35NT
Juice: 25-40NT for 600ml
Redbull59NT
Energy drinks: 20-35 NT
Water: 15-40 NT for small bottle, 50NT-70NT for 5L bottle
Milk: 30NT for small cartoon, 1L  89NT-140NT
Beer: Ranging from 50NT - 70 NT for small can, 70NT - 110NT for large can
Other alcohol: You should not buy it in convenient store, it is too expensive. I will mention it in the other article, but just for reference: personal mini whiskey bottle: 180NT-300NT, bottle of cheap wine: 200NT+, absolute vodka: ~500NT
**Cheapest: americano, most expensive: latte

Food:
You will find a huge selection of all kind of microwave food here that clerk will be happy to warm up for you. 
Sandwich: 30-40NT
Hamburger: 35-40NT
Cold noodles: 40-60NT (depends on size)
Spaghetti: 50-70NT
Salad: 35NT
Sushi roll: 35NT
Rice triangle: 30NT
Lunchbox: 55-75NT
Noodle soup: 55-80NT
Hot dog: 22-25NT + bread
Instant noodles: 20-45NT 
Bread: 35-50NT - toast bread, 18-30NT - sweet bread

Snacks:
Chips: 17-35NT for bag,
Chocolate: 10NT - small cheapest chocolate, better ones: 40-110NT per bar
Snicker, M&M, and similar candies: 30NT
Chocolate cookies: 50NT
Chocolate puffs: 30NT
Sugar cookies: 30-50NT
Icecream: 25-180NT 
Microwave popcorn: 35NT for both salty and with cheese.

Services
Copy and print: 2NT per white-black page, 15NT per color
Fax: 5NT local, global usually between 15-50NT
ATM: Free, but watch out for banking charges
Call taxi: Free
Internet: You need to purchase WiFly card, last time I checked it was 350NT, but not sure how long it last.
Paying bills: Free


Stationary
Pen: 10-25NT
Notebook: 20-30NT
Newspaper: 10-20NT
Ear cleaners: 50NT
Toothpicks: 30NT
Cigarettes: ~70-120NT per pack
Umbrella: NT100
Batteries (AA, AAA, etc.): ranges from NT99 to NT300 (rechargeable) 

Others:
Dog food: 35-45NT for can
Eggs: 10 for 89NT