Philippines Forum

WWu777
Joined 2007
Posts: 17

16 years ago

Things that are underpriced and overpriced in the Philippines

16 years ago

Hi all,
Just to show you how strange prices are here in the Philippines, here is a list of things that are dirty cheap and things that are overly expensive.

- Movies - only 80 pesos or $2

- Haircut - 40 pesos/$1 if at salon in local neighborhood or nontouristy area, or 60 pesos/$1.50 if downtown.

- Meals - usually between 100 pesos and 200 pesos (3 to 4 dollars) for a full meal at a restaurant, or a bit more if it caters to westerners, but still cheaper than in the US.

- Taxis in Manila - $2/80 pesos for a 15 minute ride by meter!

- Jeepney - 7.5 pesos, just under 20 cents.

- Intercity buses - $3 or 120 pesos for a 90 minute ride between Manila and Angeles City

Now here's the weird part:

Electronic items tend to be double the price of the US and UK!

- digital cameras - gotta spend at least $250 for a decent one whereas in the US you can now get a decent one for around $100

- camcorders - similar to above

- laptops - now 10,000p or $500 for state of the art capacity (used to be a lot more), whereas in the US, you can get a state of the art laptop for half that price (check ebay).

- cell phones - has gone down recently, but still 25 or 30 percent higher prices than in the US, on the average

(I've never understood why electronic items are more expensive in Asia than in the US, since most of them are made in Asia!)

Snacks imported from the US are also more expensive than they are in the US.

- Hershey's kisses - a total ripoff, but my Filipina girlfriend pressures me to buy them for her! Here a SMALL bag is 184 pesos, that's over $4! In the US, you can get a large bag of Hershey's kisses for 2 or 3 dollars! Who in their right mind would pay that much for it?

- Doritos, Pringles - same, about double the cost as in the US.

Anyhow, those are some of the bizarre prices here in the Philippines.

I still don't get how most Filipiinos who make around $8 or $10 a day can afford anything above, esp the electronics stuff. It doesn't add up and everyone I ask just guesses and isn't really sure. The math doesn't add up and I can't find a satisfactory explanation.

Winston
[url]http://www.happierabroad.com[/url]

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

Living in Philippines Guide

The Philippines attracts the interest of expats from all over the world - truly has a lot to offer for a variety of different people. However, it's also important to understand the pitfalls that can be avoided with appropriate homework and preparation.

Philippines Forum
Join our Philippines forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Philippines.

Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Philippines.

Best Places to Live in Philippines

If you're thinking about living in Philippines, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Philippines in 2023.

Healthcare in Philippines

Expats in the Philippines have a lot to say about the quality of medical care, hospitals, prescription medicine availability and health insurance in the Philippines.

Cost of Living in Philippines

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Philippines.

Moving to Philippines Guide

Expats moving to the Philippines join others that have moved there for work or a lower cost of living during retirement. It's critical to understand what the realities of living there are, but those that successfully make the adjustment believe it is a good place to live.

Real Estate in Philippines

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Philippines.

Pros & Cons of Living in Philippines

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Philippines.

Retiring in Philippines

Advice for people retiring in Philippines.

10 Tips for Living in Philippines

If you've recently arrived in Philippines, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Philippines.

Additional Information:

Visit our Philippines Index for a Full List

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

Contribute
Help others in Philippines by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Philippines.