Shopping in the Philippines

The Internet... It has grown from a mere alternative to the 22-pound, 24-volume encyclopedia to an everyday, can’t-live-without means of communication to the world.

About a couple of decades ago, the word online was unheard of. Doing business via the internet is impossible. But now, the internet has made its mark that has even placed new words in Merriam-Webster’s Dictionaries. The words online, users, net, chat, email, wi-fi and the like, are used in everyday living as the words eat, sleep and play. And with over 22 Million online users in the Philippines alone, anything is now possible.


THE WORLD OF ONLINE SHOPPING
As Pringles popularized it, once you pop, you can’t stop. Users are getting hooked on online shopping. More and more users are beginning to see the convenience and advantage that online shopping provides. Easy-to-compare products and prizes, convenience of shopping anytime,anywhere, and of course, the power that one click gives to the user. Unlike before, users are starting to feel much more comfortable doing transactions over the internet.

Amazon (of the USA) could be counted as one of the firsts in online mall. This online mall accredits legitimate stores to post their products via the Amazon site and people can shop as if shopping from the actual malls. Users could find anything and everything they need. The advantage this site gives is security. You know everything is legitimate as it passes through one of the most reliable sites there is in cyberworld.

For the Philippine market, buying online is a work in progress. People started off quite conservatively. From mere classified postings (buy-and-sell through online sites) to the current multiply sites (a social networking site where merchants set up their personal page via multiply.com to post their products and connect with other users). These are great avenues. However, it provides no security on the buyer’s end. It is a risk they take whether the product would actually reach their doorstep. That is why some opt to do “meet-ups” (with Cash-on-delivery as payment method)) and pick-up points. Which sometimes defeats the “online shopping” concept.

But now, the online Philippine market is ripe for the picking. Philippine-based shopping sites have emerged over the past decade. MyAyala and Filgifts are among the first online shopping sites that cater to OFWs who wish to send gifts for their families in the Philippines. However, these shopping sites are created to fit the OFWs as prices are in US dollars and it has built a negative reputation – that brand new items sold online are overpriced.


THE INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MALL OF THE FILIPINOS
As Filipinos are known to be crafty, a new concept for the local market has risen. A virtual shopping mall has stolen the scene. Buyonline.ph is now the largest, most complete, most convenient, and safest online shopping site there is. Catering to both local and international clientele, and providing shoppers with variety and security, it has set a new benchmark in online shopping. This is the new place where Filipinos all over the world can send gifts to family, friends, or to themsleves.


THE FACTS OF BUYONLINE.PH
Among the online shopping sites, Buyonline.ph has stood out. This registered, legitimate, young, and barely-a-year-old shopping site has climbed up the charts only a few months of operations. This shopping site was carefully thought of and has put into reality the unsaid wish-list of online users.

User-friendly
Buyonline.ph has an organized, user-friendly category for easy-search of products; and a search tool that helps users find particular products. This has the most easy-to-understand categories, so that you find what you are looking for in a few clicks.

Complete in Variety
When it comes to being complete, Buyonline.ph carries products from A to Z; from personal to household to commercial-industrial items. As their slogan says, “all you want online”. And they have been true to their word as they are the most complete online mall there is.

From body lotions, to any health and beauty products, to kitchen sinks, to cellphones and cameras, to netbooks and laptops, to health supplements, to toys and baby needs, to kitchen appliances, to LCD TVs, to apparel, to pet supplies, to outdoor griller, to commercial tools, to luxurious sofa set, to the local wooden baby cabinets, to anything else you can think of.

Paying with Security
It has the most payment options and secure at that. With reliable payment partners who have been in the industry for the longest time. Conservative users may opt for Bank Deposit payments (through BDO, BPI, China Bank, or Metro Bank). The infamous e-wallet such as Globe GCASH is also available. ATM Cardholders may use their ATM cards to pay online through Weepay (no need to go to a machine for this one). Credit card holders may use their credit cards to pay for their purchaes as well.

Sure Delivery
As it is standard in online purchasing (and quite accepted at that), the delivery fee is charged to the buyer. Buyonline.ph provides several courier for delivering your purchases right at your doorstep. The fee is very minimal. It is merely the substitute of your transportation fee or gas and parking fee minus the hassle of actually looking for a parking space. In a way, you contribute in saving the earth (one less car on the road).

Pocket-friendly
Most of all, Buyonline.ph breaks the overpriced reputation of online shopping. With Buyonline.ph, the products are priced the same or lower as the actual outlets. Most of the items are priced lower compared the malls and actual stores.

More than that, Buyonline.ph always finds excuses to treat their patrons to discounts, promos, and freebies. Making non-online-shoppers a believer is their joy and fulfillment.


With these perks and security, shopping online is indeed a hard habit to break. But with a habit that has 99% advantages and 1% disadvantage – buying things you do not really need but just because they are on an amazing sale – this habit might as well be part of your daily living.

Quoting Janette Toral in her article “Are you ready to buy online?”, “Shopping online can be fun, time-saving, and practical. However, one must exert some background checking to ensure that they deal with reliable online merchants.”

Buyonline.ph does just that for you. The job of background checking and ensuring the reliability and legitimacy of the merchants is all done by Buyonline.ph.

Buyonline.ph opens great possibilities especially for those who are new to online shopping. The fearful need not be afraid as this online shopping site has their patrons’ best interest at heart.

Buyonline.ph is a site especially created and designed for Filipinos by Filipinos. Another Proudly-Pinoy idea that deserves the support of Filipinos all over the world. The Philippines is ready for this new online lifestyle.