General Info

[QUOTE=RedKilt;1771351]This might be a weird post on ISG but there was some discussion recently (somewhere here and linked to Skogis) about the cost of new baggage (specifically Samsonite) in Manila compared to elsewhere.

55 cm: Aust cost 6,825 php; Phils cost 11,750 php.

75 cm: Aust cost 17,815 php; Phils cost 35,630 php.

Don't bring an old bag to the Philippines thinking you might exchange it for a new cheaper one. These differences are quite dramatic.[/QUOTE]I destroyed my backpack with an accident in Cebu Radisson and bought a new Tumi Backpack from Seattle Outlet for $165. Same backpack is on sale Cebu Ayala Mall Tumi store for 31000 p.

Wow. What a difference!.

[QUOTE=Mbsl65;1771362]I destroyed my backpack with an accident in Cebu Radisson and bought a new Tumi Backpack from Seattle Outlet for $165. Same backpack is on sale Cebu Ayala Mall Tumi store for 31000 p.

Wow. What a difference!.[/QUOTE]Imported designer stuff in Philippines are very expensive.

[QUOTE=RedKilt;1771351]This might be a weird post on ISG but there was some discussion recently (somewhere here and linked to Skogis) about the cost of new baggage (specifically Samsonite) in Manila compared to elsewhere.

It might help those who figure you will get cheaper stuff in the Philippines instead of at home.

I have recently returned from Australia. I purchased 2 new Samsonite hard-cased bags in Sydney (a 55 cm and a 75 cm) in a shop in Pitt Street.

I was shocked to compare the cost I paid (at the relevant forex rate as shown on my CC account) with the existing cost in Manila (and this latter Manila store was also offering a promo.

55 cm: Aust cost 6,825 php; Phils cost 11,750 php.

75 cm: Aust cost 17,815 php; Phils cost 35,630 php.

Don't bring an old bag to the Philippines thinking you might exchange it for a new cheaper one. These differences are quite dramatic.[/QUOTE]I've bought several items at the Tumi store in Greenbelt, three shoulder bags, a couple of wallets and one or two other items. I found the retail prices the same or quite similar to what I'd pay in he States or Europe. The difference I think is hat it's easy to find designer brands discounted in other countries, but almost never here. The single exception that I've found is the Tommy Hilfiger store in Abreeza, Davao which routinely offers goods at a 45% reduction, thus making the prices pretty reasonable.

GE.

[QUOTE=ManonsanBoy;1771377]Imported designer stuff in Philippines are very expensive.[/QUOTE]Generally true. The import tariff levied on luxury goods is high. Moreover, lux retailers here have to contend with high rents and a rather small customer base, most of whom are well-traveled savvy shoppers who know the best and cheapest shopping is overseas.

(The rest of this comment is more relevant to residents and long-stay visitors.)

My three imports are clothing & footwear, food & alcohol, and cookware. Spirits are a bargain and wine is priced OK. Manila is excellent for kitchenware, though German and Swiss-made items are a bit high. Mall of Kitchens in Makati is awesome. Great deals at New Sin Kian Heng in Quiapo. In the malls look for Gourdos, though kind of expensive. The variety and selection for menswear is often lacking, which is why I do a HK trip once in a while. Locally, at GB Mall men's shirts and trousers run between p4000-p6000 at Massimo Dutti and a bit less at less at he Mango at Glorietta and MOA. I've picked up Unbranded brand raw denim in the Glorietta for about p3000 discounted, but Japanese stuff is in town now though pricey at p12,000+; of course it's expensive in Japan, too. Good footwear has been a pain to find and it was limited to Rustan's. Since the guys at Signet set up shop Carmina shoes, which run about $550+ in HK, are here for about $500+. It's approx. $150 more than ordering from Spain, but add the shipping and customs and it's about the same.

[QUOTE=Hutsori;1771828]Generally true. The import tariff levied on luxury goods is high. Moreover, lux retailers here have to contend with high rents and a rather small customer base, most of whom are well-traveled savvy shoppers who know the best and cheapest shopping is overseas.

(The rest of this comment is more relevant to residents and long-stay visitors.)

My three imports are clothing & footwear, food & alcohol, and cookware. Spirits are a bargain and wine is priced OK. Manila is excellent for kitchenware, though German and Swiss-made items are a bit high. Mall of Kitchens in Makati is awesome. Great deals at New Sin Kian Heng in Quiapo. In the malls look for Gourdos, though kind of expensive. The variety and selection for menswear is often lacking, which is why I do a HK trip once in a while. Locally, at GB Mall men's shirts and trousers run between p4000-p6000 at Massimo Dutti and a bit less at less at he Mango at Glorietta and MOA. I've picked up Unbranded brand raw denim in the Glorietta for about p3000 discounted, but Japanese stuff is in town now though pricey at p12,000+; of course it's expensive in Japan, too. Good footwear has been a pain to find and it was limited to Rustan's. Since the guys at Signet set up shop Carmina shoes, which run about $550+ in HK, are here for about $500+. It's approx. $150 more than ordering from Spain, but add the shipping and customs and it's about the same.[/QUOTE]I do a fair amount of shopping at Massimo Dutti and find the prices almost the same as Europe. The prices at the Polo store in Greenbelt are outrageous on the other hand. Huts, if you get a chance I'd appreciate a PM on the location of the Carmina shoe store. I've not seen it.

GE.

Two years ago was in HK and met a Phil gal at Sticky Fingers in Kowloon. A night of fun (for a price) ensued. After a bit of warm-up she says "do what you want to me", music to my ears but I digress. Told me she was in HK for two weeks to buy designer clothes, designer small luggage items, and so on, to take back to the Phils for resale. She would wait in long lines at the stores for advertised sales, buying at most a few items each day. Had a chart on her phone with a detailed, daily plan of attack (stores and items). Not sure how she transported items back home, maybe used other transiting girls as runners, a few items each girl? After following this thread it now makes sense. Good intel from the forum members on future gift giving ideas for that *special* girl.

[QUOTE=ManonsanBoy;1771377]Imported designer stuff in Philippines are very expensive.[/QUOTE]When US retailers enter into a market, they have 2 and sometimes only 1 choice: (1) find a partner in that local country and setup an exclusive master franchisee agreement and wholesale your goods to them or (2) make a run at it solo -- in many countries, this is not an option due to protectionist laws that require a local partner.

Many of the companies are working off a marked up wholesale price and then marking up it again to cover their costs / profits. Ie Nordstroms, Saks, etc.

[QUOTE=Hutsori;1771828]Manila is excellent for kitchenware, though German and Swiss-made items are a bit high. Mall of Kitchens in Makati is awesome. Great deals at New Sin Kian Heng in Quiapo. In the malls look for Gourdos, though kind of expensive.[/QUOTE]Ugh, I have being buying my kitchen stuff piecemeal. While I am ok spending a little more than average, I am not trying to get ripped off. I am heading over to MoK next week as I still don't have enough pots yet. Weird, I did a google search on kitchen stuff a few months ago and I must of missed MoK.

Dishes: Muji; Glasses / Silverware: Rustan's; Tefal saute pans: SM.

(I miss internet shopping / comparison shopping.).

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;1771877]Huts, if you get a chance I'd appreciate a PM on the location of the Carmina shoe store. I've not seen it.

GE.[/QUOTE]I'll post it here in case someone else wants to visit, too. When it was in QC the shop's name was Lost+Found, but when moved to Makati was was renamed. Signet, Unit 102 C Windsor Tower, 163 Legazpi St., Legazpi Village, Makati.

[URL]https://www.facebook.com/thesignetstore[/URL] - has a map.

[URL]https://instagram.com/thesignetstore/?hl=en[/URL]

[QUOTE=Random99;1771959]When US retailers enter into a market, they have 2 and sometimes only 1 choice: (1) find a partner in that local country and setup an exclusive master franchisee agreement and wholesale your goods to them or (2) make a run at it solo -- in many countries, this is not an option due to protectionist laws that require a local partner.

Many of the companies are working off a marked up wholesale price and then marking up it again to cover their costs / profits. Ie Nordstroms, Saks, etc.[/QUOTE]I see Rustan's carry lots of Costco Brand (Kirkland). I wonder how they get them.

[QUOTE=Mbsl65;1772195]I see Rustan's carry lots of Costco Brand (Kirkland). I wonder how they get them.[/QUOTE]To Mbsl65.

I saw Kirkland 2 lb chocolate almond tub at Johnny market in AC last month I was very surprise by that too.

Fast eddie 48.

[QUOTE=Mbsl65;1772195]I see Rustan's carry lots of Costco Brand (Kirkland). I wonder how they get them.[/QUOTE]The family that own Rustan's have strong ties to the USA and relationships there. Large upper class family with stunningly attractive women. The men tend to go to elite universities in the USA. If I so chose, and were I to forego mongering, I could stay with them whenever I visit the PI. Elegant, upper class time, but no fun.

[QUOTE=Ebauche;1772921]The family that own Rustan's have strong ties to the USA and relationships there. Large upper class family with stunningly attractive women. The men tend to go to elite universities in the USA. If I so chose, and were I to forego mongering, I could stay with them whenever I visit the PI. Elegant, upper class time, but no fun.[/QUOTE]Many if not most of the elite families here have strong ties in and to the US dating back to when the country was a US territory. It can be enlightening and extremely entertaining to hang out with members of these families, who are, by and large, very well educated, speak perfect English and are well traveled. I don't agree with Ebauche that they are "no fun," except from a sexual standpoint. They're lots of fun as platonic company.

GE.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;1772929]Many if not most of the elite families here have strong ties in and to the US dating back to when the country was a US territory. It can be enlightening and extremely entertaining to hang out with members of these families, who are, by and large, very well educated, speak perfect English and are well traveled. I don't agree with Ebauche that they are "no fun," except from a sexual standpoint. They're lots of fun as platonic company.

GE.[/QUOTE]I noticed lots of celebrations. They kind of bore me. Lots of shallow talk and always talk about brands. I not interested. I prefer educated middle class ladies.

[QUOTE=Mbsl65;1773044]I noticed lots of celebrations. They kind of bore me. Lots of shallow talk and always talk about brands. I not interested. I prefer educated middle class ladies.[/QUOTE]Many Filipinos (mainly pinays IMHO) all brands regardless of status / income / family etc. Many will swap mobiles after 6-12 months when the latest brand is available, they can talk in brands and even model numbers.

One once said "I need branded sunglasses" - when I told her she had 10 already (cheaper but all functional) she said "is important as my Facebook friends will see".

Life for many pinays is dictated by Facebook not reality unfortunately.