Significant value buys & pricey stuff in the Phils

[Ako Si Jamie]

The most obvious thing for me was cigarettes. Bought 200 Marlboro Lights for 350 peso's which I think is equivalent to a packet of 20 major brand cigs in the UK.

At some places managed to buy a sandwich for about 20 pence and a bottle of coke for the same.

I went on a Jeepney ride for a couple of miles for about 10 pence.

Managed to get a really filling meal out of Chow King for about a £1 with a drink thrown in.

Can only recall buying stuff that was overpriced twice. Asked for a bottle of coke on Magalawa Island, they came back with a big bottle and four of these biscuits which were like crackers with a lemon filling. Didn't ask for the biscuits. Thought they were being hospitable. Charged us 300 peso's :Erm:

Got a can of coke at N.A.I.A. Cost 93 peso's. :rolleyes:

Was quoted 6,000 peso's for a return boat trip to Magahawa Island from our resort. Thought it was really steep. Instead we got the Victory Liner to Masinloc for about a £1 each which took about 30-40 minutes, then got a boatman to take us to the island for 2,000 peso's return. :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[stevewool]

the problem i thought over there with trying to keep saying wow thats cheap, well it is for us but not for them, the jeepnys well compare them to our buses and see how far you would get and so on , the pound does go further there but not here now, i do beleive that most of our mahals once here do realize we are not all millionairs but just like them back home working every hour just to have a good life

[sparky]

its one of the biggest dangers there is when in that part of the world- thinking things are cheap and not bothering about the cost- one of the easiest ways to get ripped off (even if the rip off price is cheaper compared to back home )

waht it does is make the vendor think they can get away with it and then overcharge every westerner they see- which is especially annoying for an expat!!

[Englishman2010]

My own experience of buying things there is food, booze and cigs are really cheap, but clothes and electrical goods are the same price. The internet, globalisation and the fact that everything is made in China means that prices are the same everywhere now, except for in airports, where they are twice as much:rolleyes:
If I want electrical goods and clothes I buy them here and benefit from a UK warranty.
I recently bought a few wooden ornaments/statues for my house from Palawan, they were pretty cheap, a couple of quid each, whereas the same things might have been £10 - £15 here, but to be honest the only things I usually come home with are 200 ciggies ;) and a suntan:icon_lol:

[KeithD]

You're supposed to declare wooden items at customs you know, so they can check them for lice, worms, disease, etc. :doh

....and DRIED FISH is illegal to bring in without a permit, so is fruit & veg, and live plants.

[Arthur Little]

to be honest the only things I usually come home with are 200 ciggies ;) and a suntan:icon_lol:

:cwm24: ... gosh ... did you manage to come home sporting a suntan, Ian? Try as I might - and believe me, I did ... it somehow eluded me :rolleyes: ... despite my best efforts!! Myrna had to practically plead with me to wear some kind of headgear - and share her parasol :please: - as a protection against the heat. But I refused to comply - and still it didn't work! :doh

[Arthur Little]

If I want electrical goods and clothes I buy them here and benefit from a UK warranty.

The only things I usually come home with are 200 ciggies ;) and a suntan:icon_lol:

:iagree: ... cigarettes and such like are a helluva lot cheaper - whereas clothes and electrical goods are as well bought back home for the sake of our UK warranties.

[grahamw48]

Cigs in England are basically 10x the cost of those in the Phils.

Local spirits...very cheap. :)

Transport of all kinds...unless you want to BUY a vehicle.

Some local electrical goods are cheaper.

Some clothes are cheaper than here...and good quality.

Leather goods are cheap (belts for example). Just check the quality.

Timber is cheap. I used to use LOTS for building aviaries.

Try to think in pesos though when shopping, and relate prices to what other things cost and to what people get paid. Then you'll get a better idea of VALUE for money. :)

[Englishman2010]

You're supposed to declare wooden items at customs you know, so they can check them for lice, worms, disease, etc. :doh

....and DRIED FISH is illegal to bring in without a permit, so is fruit & veg, and live plants.

Does that mean I cant bring a durian back with me next time then:omg:

[malditako]

Does that mean I cant bring a durian back with me next time then:omg:

oh dear....that smells a lot lol

[Terpe]

....and DRIED FISH is illegal to bring in without a permit.....

You are allowed up to 20kg combined weight per person of fish and fish products (including dead bivalves) or the weight of one fish whichever weight is highest. Fish can be dried, cooked, cured, smoked or fresh but fresh fish is only allowed if it
is gutted.

Source:-

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageLibrary_ShowContent&id=HMCE_PROD_010856&propertyType=document

[KeithD]

20KG if It's from the EU, not The Philippines.

[Terpe]

20KG if It's from the EU, not The Philippines.


:yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes: I'd better check the book again , We're always bring back at least 20-30kg from Phils.
Never had a problem so far. :Erm:

[sars_notd_virus]

matador brandy 2litres,combat shorts,Pinoy t-shirts for my hubby..:xxgrinning--00xx3:
marlboro lights(1ream) and i got some more slim cigarettes in duty free which is in my hand carry ,dried mangoes,nuts,banana chips,videoke player and more trousers/jeans,tshirts and shorts..I think me and my daughter exceeded our luggage weight up to 2kilos more but whilst we were escorted by an employee in NAIA, it was waved... and arriving in LHR at 630am nobody checks on it:D:xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Terpe]

:yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes: I'd better check the book again , We're always bring back at least 20-30kg from Phils.
Never had a problem so far. :Erm:

Safe :xxgrinning--00xx3:

http://importdetails.defra.gov.uk/Default.aspx?Location=None&Module=IDDSearch

Search Criteria : Country = Philippines ; Category = Fish/Fishery products ; Products = Fish (dried)


1 Page 1 of 1 pages. (1)

Philippines
Category : Fish/Fishery products
Products in Category : Anchovies , Ayer , Bombay duck , Bowal , Cod , Crab , Crayfish , Cuttlefish , Fish , Fish (cooked other) , Fish (cured other) , Fish (dried) , Fish (other fresh fish) , Fish (smoked other) , Fish products (other) , Fish sauce , Flying fish , Grouper , Haddock , Hilsha , Katla , Kingfish , Kobi , Lobster , Lobsters , Octopus , Oyster sauce , Prawns , Rohu , Salmon , Sardine , Sea bass , Sea eggs , Shark's fin , Shrimp , Shrimp paste , Shutki , Sole , Squid , Stockfish , Swordfish , Tilapia , Trout , Tuna
Import Rule : 20kg total weight per person are allowed in combination with products from the following category: Bivalves (Dead) or the weight of one fish, whichever weight is the highest. Fish must be fresh and gutted or processed (i.e. cooked, cured, dried or smoked)

[Englishman2010]

A word of caution to anyone flying into Hong Kong or Singapore:

They both have strick controls on the amount of tobacco and liquor you can take into their territories.

Strictly speaking SG will not allow you to take any tobacco or alcohol in, you can buy it there, but it is heavily taxed, cigs and booze is even more expensive than it is in the UK.

HK only allow you to take 19 cigs and minimal quantities of alcohol in, again you can buy it there, it is a bit cheaper than the UK, about £4 for 20 cigs.

Both places scan your luggage and will confiscate any products brought into the country illegally and also heavily fine you, be warned :omg:

[Ako Si Jamie]

My mate never has any problems bringing over 1000 cigs back with him every time he returns from the Phils. He just slips them 500 peso's. :D

[Englishman2010]

My mate never has any problems bringing over 1000 cigs back with him every time he returns from the Phils. He just slips them 500 peso's. :D

No need to even do that, no one in the Phil's cares what you put in your case, you're leaving the country. Not sure the customs officers in the UK would appreciate a 500 peso bung though:icon_lol:

[Tawi2]

no one in the Phil's cares what you put in your case
I once had a bespoke knuckle-duster made in brass for a friend as a decorative ornament,not the lightweight alloy ones like those you buy in thailand,this one was a beauty,fitted the hand like a glove.Security had been tightened at NAIA following the twin-towers attacks,a customs officer was rifling through my suitcase and came across it "Rough in manila nowadays" I said,he gave me a look :rolleyes: and replaced it in the bag without a word.

[Ako Si Jamie]

No need to even do that, no one in the Phil's cares what you put in your case, you're leaving the country. Not sure the customs officers in the UK would appreciate a 500 peso bung though:icon_lol:
He has been stopped for bringing that amount back, that's why he bunged them.

[Englishman2010]

He has been stopped for bringing that amount back, that's why he bunged them.

I guess I've just been lucky so far:D That reminds me, I've only got two cartons left of the 200 cigs i brought home ;) ;)

[Ako Si Jamie]

Marlboro ?

[Englishman2010]

Marlboro ?

Marlboro Lights, not that I'm encouraging anyone to smoke. It's not big and it's not clever:NoNo:

Actually, I did buy one of the electric ciggies in a Mall in Makati, 500 pesos and it came with a 3 month supply of nicotine filters. It plugs into the mains to re-charge, a Phil to UK adapter was about 100 pesos. I'm going to give it a go when the last of my Filipino supplies run out.

[Ako Si Jamie]

Marlboro Lights, not that I'm encouraging anyone to smoke. It's not big and it's not clever:NoNo:

Actually, I did buy one of the electric ciggies in a Mall in Makati, 500 pesos and it came with a 3 month supply of nicotine filters. It plugs into the mains to re-charge, a Phil to UK adapter was about 100 pesos. I'm going to give it a go when the last of my Filipino supplies run out.Damn. Wish I got some leccy cigs when I was over there. I meant to be giving up this week but I've still got some Marlboro Lights myself to polish off.

[Englishman2010]

Damn. Wish I got some leccy cigs when I was over there. I meant to be giving up this week but I've still got some Marlboro Lights myself to polish off.

I don't know how safe it is, it'll probably fuse my house when I plug it in:omg:

[grahamw48]

I wouldn't like to say on a public forum how many cigs from the Phils I've managed to bring 'safely' to my home in the UK...just glad I had that spare holdall and arrived at 3am at my local regional airport. ;)

[Arthur Little]

My mate never has any problems bringing over 1000 cigs back with him every time he returns from the Phils. He just slips them 500 peso's. :D

500 peso? ... :yikes: ... buying them in the Phils that equates to the price of twenty-five 20-packs of 'Hope' [the best] cigarettes!!

[Ako Si Jamie]

500 peso? ... :yikes: ... buying them in the Phils that equates to the price of twenty-five 20-packs of 'Hope' [the best] cigarettes!!Maybe, but he was probably thinking he'd have them taken off him.

[Englishman2010]

I wouldn't like to say on a public forum how many cigs from the Phils I've managed to bring 'safely' to my home in the UK...just glad I had that spare holdall and arrived at 3am at my local regional airport. ;)

:xxgrinning--00xx3: Me neither, but i still have some left of the '200' i brought home 4 weeks ago ;)

[Englishman2010]

A few years ago I used to travel to southern Europe every 3 - 4 months. Cigs were about £1.50 a packet in Portugal, Spain and Greece and about £5 here for 20 Marlboro. You can legally bring home 3200 from an EU country. So I did, every time:D I reckon I was saving between £250 - £300 a trip which easily covered the cost of my flights and hotels, and when I ran low again, I was straight on the BMIbaby or easyjet website to book another cheap flight to stock up and get a few days sunshine:D

[Terpe]

Urgghh!! smoking is such a terrible habit and waste of money :D:D

[Englishman2010]

Urgghh!! smoking is such a terrible habit and waste of money :D:D


I completely agree Terpe:xxgrinning--00xx3:, see my earlier comment about buying an electronic cigarette on my last trip to the Phil's. I'll try it when my supplies run out

[grahamw48]

500 peso? ... :yikes: ... buying them in the Phils that equates to the price of twenty-five 20-packs of 'Hope' [the best] cigarettes!!

I used to call them the 'HOPE I don't get cancer' cigs. :icon_lol:

.
.
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/8633/cancer1wt.gif

[JimOttley]

Urgghh!! smoking is such a terrible habit and waste of money :D:D

Cultivate that thought Terpe :xxgrinning--00xx3:

We ex smokers are a bleedin annoying lot ;)

[mindanao]

cigs comes cheap in phils, wondering if it got the same flavors or taste as some western brand cigs:Erm: My relatives came home bringing those imported marlboro and most of my relatives wanting more of that imported cigs saying its taste good compared to pinas made:omg::omg:

so which is which that taste better:Erm:

[grahamw48]

It depends what you're used to.

Compared to British or American-made cigs Filipino ones taste very different (stronger ?), but you get used to them....especially at those prices.

The ones you bring back from the Phils have people here asking what you're smoking...old socks ? :icon_lol:

[KeithD]

Is P10 good value for having a pee?

[Tawi2]

Is P10 good value for having a pee?
I have a pic somewhere,I took it outside a public toilet in Digos??It offers Ihi for 5 pesos and kalibang for 10.

[purple]

I would say that there are things in Phils that are expensive too.. like getting branded stuffs which is 100% cheaper here in UK if they are on SALE... but for sure the foods are comparable cheap back home (Phils.) Of course getting to and fro is much more cheaper back home, but it really depends on your lifestyle.

Back home, I realize that if I want something for two days worth of food and get personal stuffs... maybe its just because I'm getting it from supermarket would cost me about 10-20 pounds... and today, me and my husband went to get some food shopping which cost him 27 pounds for two of us is something I can compare... but of course it all goes down to one's lifestyle and eating habits.

I don't smoke but I'm sure back home is very cheap.. specially the rhum :icon_lol:

[Englishman2010]

I would say that there are things in Phils that are expensive too.. like getting branded stuffs which is 100% cheaper here in UK if they are on SALE... but for sure the foods are comparable cheap back home (Phils.) Of course getting to and fro is much more cheaper back home, but it really depends on your lifestyle.

Back home, I realize that if I want something for two days worth of food and get personal stuffs... maybe its just because I'm getting it from supermarket would cost me about 10-20 pounds... and today, me and my husband went to get some food shopping which cost him 27 pounds for two of us is something I can compare... but of course it all goes down to one's lifestyle and eating habits.

I don't smoke but I'm sure back home is very cheap.. specially the rhum :icon_lol:

I think generally food is cheaper in the Phil's, but western brands are comparible and sometimes even more. I haven't been to a supermarket in the Phil's, but certainly in a 7/11 things like Coke, candies, chocolate, chewing gum ..etc seems to be similarly priced

[Terpe]

......I haven't been to a supermarket in the Phil's, but certainly in a 7/11 things like Coke, candies, chocolate, chewing gum ..etc seems to be similarly priced

There is a very big supermarket close to our house in Marikina. We've shopped there a few times and I can say overall It's expensive even by UK standards. Maybe even more so.
It is just so crazy. Yet the place is always full and the shopping 'carts' always full.

The local markets are at least 1/3 of the price (even at white guy prices)

[grahamw48]

I think you've been unlucky Terpe.

Generally, supermarkets are much cheaper in the Phils, as they usually are here.

It is worth bringing plumbing stuff like taps, and also electrical sockets, etc from the UK if you're planning on building a house, as quality is very poor in the Phils for the cheap locally produced ones, and you'll be either constantly repairing them or risk either flooding or burning the house down.

The situation is improving though, now that more big DIY type outlets are opening over there, offering a bigger range.

I also took all my tools with me, for the same reason.

[Terpe]

Supermarkets are much cheaper in the Phils......

Not in any area we have been to recently Graham.

In some of the 'Stack 'em high, sell 'em cheap' warehouses then yes.

[grahamw48]

I think you must live in the posh area then. :icon_lol:

Fruit and veg, yes I'll always get from the market because cheaper and fresher, but couldn't bring myself to buy any of that fly-blown meat under any circumstances.:NoNo:

- Always frozen stuff from the supermarket or smaller specialist shop.

I did grow a lot of fruit and veg myself though, and had rabbits chickens and ducks ...great eggs from the ducks. :)

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/1033/richwithducks.jpg

[fred]

We just killed the last of our ducks..Never again!!
We do have 14 layer chickens but they are locked up with a septic tank of their own..
Eggs are 5-6 Pesos each now so I sell the ones we dont need to pay for layer mash..
So.. free eggs for us!:xxgrinning--00xx3:
Inflation here on certain items is frightening.. 2 months ago a bottle of Gasul was 650.00 for 11 KG..
Now its 900.00 Pesos!! Now thats inflation.

[grahamw48]

Good god.
Last time I was there it was about 350 pesos ! :yikes:

My main business was breeding cage and aviary birds, and making cages and aviaries for expats.

Before I had the proper restaurant/shop/house built, I constructed a shop from timber at the front of the house for the ex's dressmaking business.

We also used to sell the excess eggs and rabbit meat, plus literally hundreds of kilos of fruit from our 3 Avocado and one Mango tree.

[JimOttley]

I think generally food is cheaper in the Phil's, but western brands are comparible and sometimes even more. I haven't been to a supermarket in the Phil's, but certainly in a 7/11 things like Coke, candies, chocolate, chewing gum ..etc seems to be similarly priced

It's £1.50 for a 500ml coke in the UK, it's 8 peso for a 250 bottle from any sari sari store in Manila.

Yes there are places you can get a Coke cheaper in the UK, for me it's Irn Bru and I buy bulk from Makro at about 23p a can about 33 peso but soft drinks are definitely cheaper in the Phils.

Meat is cheaper but the margin is closing, rice is much cheaper over there but again getting much more expensive than it used to be, again I can get close to the Philippine rice prices by buying from UK Makro.

[JimOttley]

We just killed the last of our ducks..Never again!!
We do have 14 layer chickens but they are locked up with a septic tank of their own..
Eggs are 5-6 Pesos each now so I sell the ones we dont need to pay for layer mash..
So.. free eggs for us!:xxgrinning--00xx3:
Inflation here on certain items is frightening.. 2 months ago a bottle of Gasul was 650.00 for 11 KG..
Now its 900.00 Pesos!! Now thats inflation.

Yeah the inflation is getting scary Fred and you live in the cheaper bit :(

[fred]

Not sure thats true Jim.. 11 Kg in Manila is around the 700 mark.
They say its to do with transportation but I think its more to do with a scam.. Transport cost may have incresed prices a little but not a massive % rise like we have just had.
Its not always cheaper in the Province..Most things are cheaper in the big cities Ive noticed.

[JimOttley]

We are selling rice at 33peso a kilo just now Fred, in Manila.

I'm surprised that the provinces are more expensive? I always thought there was an economy of scale from being closer to the production? (although a lot of rice is imported I guess)

[fred]

Depends on the rice you buy Jim.. Rice prices are about the same here but then I expect the whole country has to abide by the NFA price guide lines..
Quality Imported rice can cost 3 times that amount!

[JimOttley]

For our use at home Ana has always bought Thai Jasmine and yes it is one of the most expensive and I guess closer to the 700 peso for 11kg, was not so bad a few years back but that's the big world food price crisis for you :(

I can get Basmati 10Kg in the Makro near Liverpool for about 12 quid so very similar price to what you mention, Ana hates Basmati though :)

I can get Thai Jasmine here in the UK at about 13 or 14 quid for 10 kg.