Google Nexus 7 now available at VillMan for Php18k

Ronnie Bulaong July 21, 2012 · 2 min read

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Google’s 7-inch slate has just started shipping out last week but VillMan has already got their quick hands on it and is already offering the tablet on a slightly higher price.

When Google announced their flagship device at this year’s Google I/O, theyâ€™re clearly aiming for the budget-conscious market by attaching a $199.99 price tag on to their 8GB variant of their quad-core tablet. In our recent post, weâ€™ve mentioned that of the two variant, only the 16GB, which costs $249.99, will be available locally which should worth around Php15k here.

It looks like local PC retailer Villman has gotten some early units directly shipped from the US. Theyâ€™re offering the Google Nexus 7 for Php17,999 (said to be only available in very limited stocks).

Take note that these units are parallel imports which means they did not come from the official Asus distribution chain (read: grey units) which explains the very steep price. Villman also did this with the Asus Pad TF300 which we reported last month.

Editor’s Note: We call this the InfoMaxx economy. Once the actual units are distributed by Asus Phils, the price will eventually normalize. We remember the time when gray market prices of the iPhone 4 reached Php92,000 in local stores. – Yuga

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Ronnie Bulaong

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This article was written by Ronnie Bulaong, a special features contributor and correspondent for YugaTech. Follow him on Twitter @turonbulaong.

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109 Comments

aflb · 14 years ago

ewan ko kung baket daming galit sa pricing, di wag bumili agad at mag antay nalang

buti nalang sold out na, forced to wait for official stocks. Though 18k is still a good price considering the 7in tablets sold by other brands.

bayanpages · 14 years ago

Any info when Asus will officially launch the Nexus 7 here in the Philippines?

voyager · 14 years ago

I am intersted with the Nexus 7 (8GB). When will be available? My first computer was bought in Villman in 1994 with a 386SX processor.

suzette · 14 years ago

hello po when will you have stocks? thanks! interested to buy…:)

dyonisii · 14 years ago

blame taxes. may sales tax, import tax, etc tax.

much like blu-ray discs. US$20 sa states, PhP2000 dito sa pinas.

Angel Dust · 14 years ago

I have no issues on the pricing of Villman Computers.
They have been in the business for more than 10 years.
I bought a lot of things from them.
This is a reputable IT Shops.
What matter most they provide the latest gadgets what other local distributors/retailers/local vendors can’t do.

psikick · 14 years ago

I get na Grey Unit cya so a markup is inevitable. but how come Grey units of gadgets sold by Kimstore, DBGadgets, Shopworldph, etc are actually cheaper than the ones sold here even for gadgets with official local distributors??

The fact of the matter is kahit pa official distro, overpriced talaga mga gadgets dito sa atin compared sa ibang bansa…

dens · 14 years ago

does kimstore dbgadgets, etc have the nexus 7? the point is not because its a grey unit, its because they are the first to bring it here. Once the nexus 7 is officially out, then the grey units will have no choice but to lower their prices to compete with official distributors.

Is villman’s price overpriced? yes indeed, but they do have reasons why they priced it that way. They are the first to bring it here in manila sold commercially. Those who want it first will surely pay premium for such items. For some buyers, price is not a factor, its a matter of getting then unit without having to go through the hassle of buying abroad. And these are the target market of villman.

psikick · 14 years ago

No they don’t. But they did have the iPad 3 wayyy before Apple officially released it here. And guess what, they were (and still are) selling it cheaper than Apple’s price when they eventually released it here. It’s not really about being the only seller of a particular gadget in the entire country. Of course every seller has the right to set their own prices, I respect that. I’m just sad coz they could have set a lower price which still gave them a decent profit. Keyword is could. They could have, but they didn’t. Kimstore, et al could have sold the iPad 3 for a much higher price during the time it was not yet officialy released by Apple here. But they didn’t. For me it speaks alot of the mentality and priorities of the sellers. :) Just my 2 cents..

r41 · 14 years ago

@psikick Indeed you have a point there, however I would just like to add that the stores you just mentioned are pretty much your typical internet startups with questionable sources. Villman has been in the country for a long time already, and you can spot their actual stores easily which cannot be said for the likes of kimstore. If kimstore sold even just at retail price, would you even bother buying from them? It’s all about the brand reputation – heck many people call Apple products overpriced, but where are they on the pyramid right now?

anon · 14 years ago

@r41 that is where you are misguided and mistaken. Kimstore and DBgadgets, though not having a physical presence, are known to be reputable sellers at competitive prices compared to Villman. they have been around for years already and the thousands of customers that they have sold gadgets to are testament to their reliability.

questionable sources you say? how can you say the same way to Villman? or is the mere presence of stores proof enough that the products being sold are automatically from legit sources? i question your logic there.

also on the last note: i am an Apple user, Macbook Pro, Iphone, and Ipad. i am browsing Yuga and typing this very message on my MBP right now. and YES, i without a doubt call their devices OVERPRICED. doesn’t mean that if i use their products i am a slobbering slave to their brand-name status cult.

r41 · 14 years ago

Sure, competitive prices are a boon to the likes of kimstore. But their reputation is built on a rather weak foundation – the internet. Unless you can say that they can operate at the same level as the likes of amazon and newegg, then yes I would agree that they are pretty much reputable. The key here is presence – inexistent, I would say. We’re a 3rd world country, after all.

Questionable sources? That is up to their business, but I leave you with a question: Which of them actually pays taxes? Who is the bad guy now, eh?

And I’m pretty sure you misinterpreted my apple reference, but that doesn’t matter anyway.

someone · 14 years ago

On the first page I posted my thoughts on they computed for the price of this tablet.

Let go about it again.

$250 / 11k – Actual cost of this tablet
3000 – Shipping / customs fee. source? based on yuga’s estimate when he ordered his Nexus One 3 years ago.

With this, Villman spent 14k for each Nexus 7 tablet.

Again, Villman is a retailer. They generate income through selling. Why would you guys expect them to sell this at same price as they acquired it? It makes no sense to run a business that doesn’t generate profit.

They’re selling it at 18k, with 4k profit from the 14k estimate. They can justify this for the following reasons:
1. They’re the once doing the leg work in getting this tablet.
2. They have physical stores that pays rent.
3. Staffing
4. They already bought it from Google. They’re not asking you to pre-order and give a downpayment.

Bottomline – If you want this tablet now, hassle free, no waiting, no fuzz, get it from Villman. If you don’t mind waiting, want to save on shipping / store markup, and knows someone abroad, get it online.

hanjo · 14 years ago

nakakaaliw naman magbasa ng comments.
when i read the portion of the first paragraph of this article na “already offering the tablet at a slightly higher price” my reaction is just “Villman knows how to make profit and they kinda have the right for being among the first to offer it here. for price-sensitive people and those with information, they possibly and most probably would not buy.” surely, villman must have thought of those who don’t care too much of the price difference but would prefer to be among the first to have their hands on the device and are willing to pay a premium. for the rest, just wait na lng. i find that strategy more acceptable than those who suddenly charge higher prices (like 50% more) when the supply is dwindling due to unexpectedly high demand.

RedSimba · 14 years ago

Mali ata exchange rate sa Villman ^_^

mx · 14 years ago

im surprised na pwede pala to sa business practices nang pilipinas, i mean wala ba tayong batas na ipinagbabawal ang overcharging or kahit na may certain limit lang sa patong sa mga products like hangang 20% nang price langang pwedeng ipatong, parang 200% ang patong eh? parang walang proteksyon ang mga mamamayan natin sa mga ganito… tsk tsk tsk…

hehe · 14 years ago

Sa Villman 72+ pesos ang exchange rate!!

koko · 14 years ago

AINOL NOVO 7 AURORA 2 FTW!

thehell · 14 years ago

the hell wid the price. Ipad2 nlang ahaha

thehell · 14 years ago

the hell wid the price. Ipad2 nlang

tere · 14 years ago

wtf, hopefully anyone smart enough to know about the nexus 7, is smart enough not to buy at an overpriced rate.

Gen Randolph Flauta · 14 years ago

What! P17,999? I’m just gonna get that Nexus 7 in other stores!

meh · 14 years ago

only a fool would pay double for this, and it has no 3g. It would be hard to use in the Philippines considering most of the wifi in the malls is slow or never works

weW · 14 years ago

asus pa kase ehh!

matt · 14 years ago

I will wait till widget city sell this.

wreek888 · 14 years ago

If you have 18k, just buy the ipad2. That nexus is too overprice. I think Villman is competing with greenhills when it comes to pricing. Expect by Dec. di na papansinin yan nexus 7 and by that time ka price na lang siya ng Ainol.

anon · 14 years ago

it is quite idiotic, considering that Google and Asus are selling this device AT A LOSS (meaning ang cost ng materials, assembly at shipping nito ay tamang-tama lang sa unit price ng isang Nexus 7), tapos sobrang patong pa ang gagawin ng retailer na ito. idiots i say are those who will be shelling out 18k for this device.

anon · 14 years ago

for those not believing that this device sells at a loss, here’s the manufacturing cost breakdown:

http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/09/nexus-7-component-costs/

tsk tsk. typical pinoy business talaga. sobra2x magpatong basta new at overhyped na device.

someone · 14 years ago

With $250, you can buy a Nexus 7 tablet if you’re living in the US, Europe. But you’re not.

They won’t ship it here, because it’s not officially released here.

Villman’s shipping it directly from the US. Do you know how much is spent on shipping + taxes + customs fee?

As I have said earlier, retail prices are usually 30% more than the acquisition price. $250 + shipping cost multiply that by 1.3, then there’s their Villman’s retail price.

The price is justifiable given the above computation. If you know someone coming back from the U.S., then try to get them to buy this for you so you won’t have to an additional 7-8k.

bokoi · 14 years ago

@someone, taga-villman ka ba? Ganoon din ginawa ng kaibigan ko sa 8gb ang sinabi mo. Lahat na, in peso equivalent is 11k+ lg. Sa 16gb siguro around 15k fair price, di na lugi si villman. di naman per unit lagyan mo ng shipping fee since maship mo naman sabay. 16k siguro pwede pa. But 18k is too much.

someone · 14 years ago

@bokoi

I’m not affiliated with them. I’m just like you guys, patiently waiting for this to arrive in the philippines with “local” manufacturer’s warranty (if this is actually going to happen).

I’m just tired of these kids complaining that this should only cost $250 / 11,000 pesos. The pricing is in US dollars. It’s not intended for us here in the Philippines. Instead of bashing villman, these kids should get Google’s attention and make them officially release this tablet here.

Roberto Lim · 14 years ago

How much would I be willing to pay for a Nexus 7. For the 16GB variant, not more than 12-13K.

The US$399 iPad 2 sells for just 18.9K.

Noari · 14 years ago

Exactly, the main selling point for nexus 7 was value for money, when you price it for more than an ipad 2 you lose “value for money” point

Provy · 14 years ago

i think the price is for the 16GB version, as per their website.

mt · 14 years ago

Its an adverb. Not an adjective. And yes it is a tad too expensive.

Angelo · 14 years ago

posted that too quickly, and yes, it’s an adverb

Bon · 14 years ago

Nice one, Villman! Based on the posts ng mga tao dito, alam na alam na nilang lahat kung gano kayo katindi pumatong sa mga gadgets ninyo! Let this be a lesson and friggin’ boycott Villman!

r41 · 14 years ago

Nice one Bon! Thanks for pointing out that majority of the posters here like you do not use their brains. Please read the post by ‘someone’ up there.

Bon · 14 years ago

@r41: If you really believe that’s how the retailing industry works, then you’re not just stupid, you’re also naive. Villman will always find a way to circumvent taxes, fees, and other import duties to make a profit. But if you choose to believe that they are all holy and that they follow all the rules, then ignoramus ka nga! Sheesh! You think like a friggin’ child.

r41 · 14 years ago

You said it yourself. “TO MAKE A PROFIT”. What part of business do you not get? Once again, please READ. These nexus’ are not retail units. These are GREY UNITS. GREY UNITS. GREY UNITS. GREY UNITS. And for one last time, GREY UNITS. You keep treating them as if you can buy anytime in the US. FYI even US units are sold out.

Oh and about following the rules? They follow it perfectly – to buy and sell at a HIGHER price. :) BRAINS PLEASE?

someone · 14 years ago

1. Yes it is overpriced. But I don’t think people understand how the business works.

$250 is around 11,000 depending on the exchange rate.

At 11,000, there’s no profit to be made.

Since it was only released in the US, Europe, shipping cost is shouldered by the store (Villman). Shipping might set them back 3k a piece.

Usually, in the retailing industry, the retail price is 30% more than the cost of acquisition.

So, 11k (unit price) + 3k (shipping) * 1.3 = 18.2k

2. The product isn’t officially released here. You can’t really expect to get the same deal here.

pcso result · 14 years ago

^this. better wait for its official release here in the Philippines

r41 · 14 years ago

THIS! A round of applause for this man! So many people screaming “OVERPRICED!” when they do not really know the logic behind the mark up. Getting tired of useless and whining posts, really.

Angelo · 14 years ago

SLIGHTLY higher price? Are you sure with the adjective that you’re using?

As of this writing, $199 is 8,300+ in pesos, and Villman is pricing this at P17,999. That’s more than double the original price, a highly exorbitant and excessive mark-up. Far from being slightly higher.

r41 · 14 years ago

For one thing, you should learn to read: this is the 16GB version hence 250$ and not 199$. Second of all, this a grey unit, Villman itself went out of its way to acquire the units – they deserve some credit to even bother getting one. NOTE: They got it for 250$ (remember: GREY UNIT, so add shipping pa), so don’t expect them to sell it at that price. Hence the mark up to 18k. I wish more people had common sense, or at least the ability to read.

Angelo · 14 years ago

For one thing, you should stop lawyering for Villman if you don’t understand what many of us here are ranting about.

Again, the common thought denominators are; 1. it is inappropriate to describe its price as only ‘slightly’ higher, and 2. it definitely is overpriced.

Even if we base the price comparison on the 16GB version that is valued at $250 (P10,400+ as of this writing), the 70%+ mark up or P7500+ price difference is still way too much.

The customers mindset here in determining that the product is expensive, priced right, or cheap was based on its local selling price comparison to its Google published selling price.

Angelo · 14 years ago

SLIGHTLY higher price? Are you sure with the adjective that you’re using?

As of this writing, $199 is 8,300+ in pesos, and Villman is pricing this at P17,999. That’s a highly exorbitant and excessive mark-up. Far from being slightly higher.