EBAY Philippines. I have used ebay quite extensively and am comfortable with it. But has anyone used ebay Philippines? Does it work in the same way or are there differences? My intention (wifes actually) is to buy something on ebay Philippines and have it delivered in the Philippines, from the Philippines.
I've not used it, it does exist but the options are very limited and the second hand market over there is very immature, most stuff seems to have an excessively high second hand value.
Had a quick look last night. Seems to offer the same level of buyer protection and PAYPAL protection as here in the UK and in other parts of the world, if used. But I noticed many sellers are after a Cash on Delivery sale. Also many items that are apparently for sale are evidently not when one clicks on the item in the listing, quite different to my experience with ebay otherwise. Also noticed many sellers don't specify a postal price at all which I would tend to want to avoid unless I got a firm commitment before making a bid.
Not a viable option for us, am afraid. The delivery and payment (even with paypal) are dodgy to say the least.
I am trying to think of a viable way of sending presents out there without sending money, without posting or without using what appears to be the rather expensive online options.
Something like Ebay, would be ideal, yes. The problem would arise if the seller will charge extra from the receivers at the other end, or demand some other payment for any spurious reason, pinoys are so very apt in inventing.. And perfecting....
I remember going over that site looking for stuff I could buy for my inlaws over Christmas as a gift, the fact I failed to find anything that didn't need payment upon arrival shot that idea down
Abenson are not too bad for their web offering, prices are not as inflated as some. http://www.abenson.com.ph/ SM tends to be inflated though. Villman Computers has some stuff as cheap as here and some not so cheap, it's also tricky to pay online. http://www.villman.com/
Bank deposits are popular modes of payments here, aswell as money transferring services such as GCash (from Globe telecom) etc. You could text or even chat with the seller(s) to organize payments. I always use www.sulit.com.ph, I've bought and sold multiple items there and I even have an account - it's free to register. If I remember correctly, back in London there were these Filipino stores located in Earls Court who were able to organize gifts for loved ones in the PH, all you had to do was pay them and spare some time to specify exactly what you wanted to give them. Heck, if you go to www.shakeyspizza.ph you can even buy food for loved ones here in the PH - haven't tried it but I see it all the time.
What do you do Paul. Do you phone em from the UK, email them or how does it work? I see I can pay by PAYPAL so thats okay.
Shakeys... Now I just need Greenwich to offer this service and my inlaws get a Pizza when they least expect it!!
Just go onto their website and then 'Order Now' and 'Padala' and 'International' and then select what you want. The first time you use it, I think you need to send them a copy of an ID and the card you used by e-mail. Just block out everything except the last 4 digits. They were very quick to verify mine. Might not even need to do that with Paypal?
What about timing? Say, I want to arrange for my wife's family to go to the local Shakeys for the Monster meal, how do I request a certain time on a certain day?