Sending gifts to the Philippines is one of the ways Filipinos abroad can show their family and friends in the Philippines that they think of them. Shopping online to send gifts to the Philippines has become an ever more popular option as e-commerce has matured in the last few years, and with the increasing numbers of Filipinos living abroad. At the end of 2010, there were over 11 million Filipinos living outside of the Philippines. Apart from the age-old tradition of shipping boxes packed with stuff by air and sea, the internet has created a faster, friendlier way to send those gifts. This article will look at how you shop online to order gifts for delivery to the Philippines. It will also include a few possible choices for gift ideas.
For ease and convenience, you may begin with a search engine such as Google and enter key words that are meaningful for you. For example, you may enter the word "pasalubong," which is the Tagalog word for gift. You may also enter other terms such as " gifts to the Philippines ," or some variation thereof.
The search will then bring up a list of websites that are offering the service that you would like to use. Be cautious when choosing a company. Some companies are brand new, while others have been around for years. You want to choose a company of quality, one that is trustworthy and has some connection to the suppliers in the Philippines that you would like to use.
In the Philippines, there are approximately a dozen companies offering an online gift delivery service. Many are located in the Manila area, and cater to Metro Manila only. Some companies sell only flowers, while others offer only computers and laptops. There are a few, however, that are located in North America, function like department stores and have everything from party packages, cakes, flowers and electronics for sale. They also may delivery to more remote locations in the Philippines, like Bicol Region, Baguio, and Cebu. Consider also where you are located. For example, if you are in the US or Canada, or sometimes Hong Kong or Japan, it would be wise to look for a company that has a representative in your area. Customer service is then held accountable, instead of a thousand miles away in a different time zone.
4 things to look for when choosing a website
Here are a few indications that you are selecting a good gift delivery service:
1. They have an up to date and user friendly website. Online shopping websites that look dated may not be doing very well, which would make you wonder if your gift would end up being delivered. Choose one that is professionally designed and is easy on the eyes. Also, having the choice of paying by credit card and / or PayPal is a good sign, since you want a company that has been verified as trustworthy.
2. The website has established relationships with Filipino suppliers . When you're buying a cake, I'm assuming you want a product that your family will appreciate, with a brand name like Red Ribbon. Or should you want to get a gift card so that your recipient can go shopping in a respected mall, it would be good to know that the gift delivery website you choose has a relationship with SM shopping malls and department stores.
3. They have a wide selection of products available . A company that offers flowers, cakes, gift cards, electronics, computers, appliances, etc. makes it very convenient to shop with since you can keep coming back for different items on different gift giving holidays. A one stop shop is preferred than having to search repeatedly for different companies offering only one or two products.
4. They've been reviewed on social networks and forums . This is a good sign that the company holds themselves accountable and seeks to provide great customer service. Do they have a Twitter or a Facebook site? What are the opinions of the service from others? These are good questions to ask before you decide to order with an online gift delivery service.
After you've had a chance to review the key categories, if the service you're considering has passed at least 4 out of 5, then you're probably working with a reputable company.
Written by Sheryl Balilla co-founder of Pasalubong.ca, a worldwide service for Filipinos overseas.
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