An old high school friend sent me a text message asking if I had any experience with shopping at Amazon and how to go about it when you want the goods delivered into the country.
I actully don’t have any Amazon-shopping experience so I can’t help him either.
I have a $200 gift certificate there hanging around and waiting but from what I’ve read on their site, Amazon doesn’t deliver in Asia (except for books).
I thought the only way around it is to have the package shipped to a friend or relative in the US then have them send the package here.
Is that really the best way for now?
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When I know a relative is coming over to the Philippines, I quickly order and have it delivered sometimes using express delivery (5 days). The first and last time I ordered and had delivered in the Philippines took 3 months. This was using the cheapest method. Never again.
I had two experiences when I was still living back home in 1997. I bought Diego art books. It took longer longer than expected (although, it didn’t take 3 months, as experienced by Noemi) considering that I took the DHL (I think) option. I just remember paying for tax, though.
Another option would be to go to those bookstores who accept “orders” for books which aren’t currently sold in Pinas. Like that one in Glorietta, near the entrance facing this other music/book store. Forgot the name.
I’ll be in the same boat in a few months when I make the move to the Philippines full-time. Here’s one source:
http://www.myusaddress.com/
As you cna see, they have a Manila office and are well setup for US shopping/Philippine deleivery.
This company is owned by Manny Paez, a principal in http://www.manilaforwarder.com and http://www.travelph.com
I’ve known Manny in an on line mode for some years now, I believe him to be reliable. I have no business connection with these sites.
Worth a checkout.
Thanks for the comments/suggestions. So I really have to wait for my uncle to come back home from Houston to have those Amazon items sent to me.
Abe, Johnny Air Cargo (http://www.johnnyair.com/) is reportedly another good alternative. I have several friends who buy camera gear from the US and have it shipped home through their service. They have a megamall office at the basement level, I think you can inquire there.
Almost a year ago I ordered a book for my friend from amazon. I believe I’ve choosen the not soo cheap option as the delivery method. Then I got a notification card from the Alabang Post Office asking me to pick up the package. That was my first.
I bought an out-of-stock CD from Amazon a few years ago. What would have cost me P450 reached P700 because of shipping fees, but it was worth it.
Unfortunately, it took three months–three months!– before I received the item. The post office sent me a notification card to pick it up from them. When I picked up the CD, I had to pay something like 20 bucks for the storage fee.
myusaddress.com looks good, but the website itself seems to be very new. the “testimonials” seem to have been designed to lead somewhere… but don’t. and “news” is actually a ” Lorem ipsum” page. this isn’t very good for building confidence…
You also have to consider the warranty on the items you buy especially if they are electronic equipments in case they are DOA (dead on arrival) out of the box (or balikbayan box)
try http://www.e2door.com. they have an online shopping cart and calculator so you know exactly how much they’ll be charging you before you even buy the item. it’s not cheap though, I use it for stuff you can’t find locally.
any other reliable company you know that offers a temporary US address and ships all your items in a balikbayan box to the philippines? the http://www.myusaddress.com does not seem complete. i’m planning to buy a lot of stuff online because of the sale season in the US.
I think the post office EMS service is also a good alternative. I have been using the service and its excellent and safe.