When opening a business in the Philippines or anywhere for that matter, the key to success is to find the need and satisfy it. Find what is missing, that people need and you can try and provide it A Sari-sari store where there is one every 50 meters and they all sell the same thing at the same price? That is failure waiting to happen, and don’t forget to give utang (Credit) until you’ve gone bankrupt.
Another surefire way to fail is to copy the guy beside you, as you drive along and you need a tire (Or tyre) repaired. Have you ever seen a vulcanizing shop by itself, or were there six or seven in a row? The same goes for most small businesses, they group them together. You name the type of shop and they will be in a group. Maybe it’s the safety in numbers deal that could be the reason as to why it’s done that way.
In Olongapo City I know which area to go for each service I need, as they will be grouped together, which makes it easy for me, unless I forget which one of the craftsmen is the one I always use. But thank my stars that Mayang will tap me and explain that this one is not the one to be the one. They all look alike. The shops not the people! (Wow that was a close call with the “PC” Police.)
Big businesses tend to make big mistakes too. One example is The Pancake House on Subic Freeport, for years We’ve stopped in there for a great breakfast, and my wife and family are equally happy because it is not only American style breakfasts served, they also have a large selection of good Filipino food, fish and all that. The last two times they’ve been out of stock, not on American choices but Pinoy food. I have known these nice folks for years, and I commented on how hard it must be to find Filipino products here in the Philippines. The manager agreed, but I don’t think he caught my underlying meaning. (Just as well.)
Last week during a frenzy of Christmas shopping I was directed to pull into the Royal Store parking lot here on the Freeport. Been there many times, but the reason we stopped was because of the new store that had opened recently called the HSM Trading Haus. Okay it was new to me so I followed the group in. Wow Electronics and appliances furniture sporting goods and winter clothes. (Winter clothes???) Luggage and even the kitchen sink. (There were two of them) What a collection of items to avail of, under one roof.
It just so happened that my coffee maker failed to function a week prior, my wife was in a panic worried that I’d miss my morning cup, and be in a foul mood. That could never happen, but I showed her that by pouring hot water through the basket with the filter that I could in fact have fresh coffee. Calamity averted, and coffee machine was put on back burner for awhile. But there in the new store were an array of all types of coffee machines in all makes and models sizes and colors, a cornucopia of all things coffee making. I was shocked into silence and a tear misted up within my eye.
But then an alarm went off, why were they all out of the boxes, would not it be better if the boxes were there and one of each item on display? Paul, stop trying to inject logic into an illogical situations, you’re not working for the US Government anymore.
Snow skies, Ice Skates non electrical and various styles of exercising machines were there and yes most machines needed to be plugged into … you know what I’m going to say. But here is the one that really made me laugh, an entire stack of electric space heaters. Space heaters I picked up two in case my A/C made the room to cold.
Then the helpful young lady arrives to answer all questions and assist the overwhelmed Kano. Sounds too good to be true, come on we should know better by know. There are no boxes, no instructions or warrantee, and the store has no responsibility after you leave the front door. Hmmm, that’s odd but refreshingly honest. Oh but she was not done yet. It seems that EVERY item in the store in every section that required electric power was of the 110 Volt varieties were all that was stocked, not a 220 volt item in the Haus. (See how I squeezed that in?) Wait for it…No; they did not sell transformers!!!
The smile crossed my face; the young lady was beaming at how well her interaction with the Kano was going. I had not the heart or the will to say a word about what I just heard. So with a smile and a cheerful voice I asked if they sold toys, thinking about my grandson and my many nieces and nephews. The young lady perked up and lead me to a well stocked toy section with none that required a transformer, thank heavens as they still didn’t stock them. But they had Tonka (Medal not plastic) trucks again with no packaging but all in great condition, and even better prices. I needed seven different styles and they had them. Next the five nieces, I deferred to the sales girl and my wife for the selection of those female presents. I would have bought them all a Tonka truck.
Now out of the corner of my eye I saw a foreigner looking at an AVO Brand (Never heard of it) 55 inch flat screen TV and the price was PNP 28,000.00 then he was hit with the 110 power information, and too his credit he looked at me and smiled. I returned it knowingly. We bonded.
I could be way off base and maybe selling 110 electric items in a country that uses 220 is not really a bad idea, but my memory harkened back to when my daughters were young and the house we were renting was 110/220 voltage and each receptacle was clearly labeled, yet 110 items were being blown-up in ungodly numbers. I had to keep a “Repair Guy” on retainer and on my speed dial. But now I have only 220 volt items at my house now, and nary can a transformer be found. I think it is a bad idea to go back to the old days.
But as I sum it up, I’ll depart for the year and wish you all, yes I mean you too, a most happy and successful New Year.
2015 let the adventure continue.
This post was such a good read. Made me smile numerous times.
Della;
Then my work here is done, I’m taking the rest of the day off. BTW Thank You!!!
Glad you enjoyed it, Della.
Bob;
Della must have commented on Face Book, wow technology is so wonderful, if only I could figure it out! (LOL)
Yes, she commented on FB, on my timeline, so I replied… and thus, my reply to her was also imported here to the site, along with hers! 😉
Bob;
Magic shear magic!
Happy new year to you and your family too Paul. All the best wishes for the year to come.
There is a abundance of surplus shops that sell Japanese stuff, electronic – and yes, all of it is 110.
A guy we know can rewire a lot of those things to 220 – it cost 3 – 400 Peso, So in some cases it’s an good idea.
Did you know that the way you and react, you are a really good “role model” for foreigners here, maybe you should – ohh no, that’s work….never mind:D
Always a pleasure to read your Monday post.
Axel
Axel;
Have you not been reading my problems with electric motors? Now you want me to buy the problem brand new and then fix it? Right next door I found a 220 volt Coffee Pot and it worked the first time I got it home. (LOL)
But to you and yours (Plus the new little guy you’re so proud of) a very happy New Year all the best to you all.
Hi Paul
We have two 110 appliances and each is hardwired it’s own individual
220/110 transformer. They still work.
But it didn’t stop our maid from burning out our 220 toaster… She tried to cook hot dogs in it… Bless her heart.
Jade
Then there’s the time we bought a used unboxed small refrigerator… It worked for a whole week.
Jade;
If maid did that to me I’d give her a da off with pay so I could fall on the floor and laugh without her feeling bad. hat is so funny.
My Maytag Dryer has a 110 volt transformer built into it because the dumb machine is both 220/110, the family in10 years have not found a way to blow it up. I’m so proud of them.,
Hot Dogs in the toaster still cracks me up..
Paul, your story and experience in that newly opened store is “funny and shocking” after learning the “Tonka” on a 110-v, while the Phil.wall outlets have 220V? and they don’t even sell the converter transformer? hahahah, maybe you should make business supplying them the needed “transformer or elect. converter”?
and what about the “winter gears” ?? amazing!! why the rest of the products were not in boxes by the way?? is that a sales trick? to sell more or what? i don’t get it, but i would only say…..”AWESOME”!! hahahahah, thanks for the post Paul,keep them coming for funny things, you all have a great Holidays!!
Al;
The lack of boxes I can only guess that they cleared old stock off the shelves in another country and shipped it here to sell, as they do with their old cars and buses. The winter sports items will come in handy if that Global Warming turns out for the worst.. But the kids loved the Tonka trucks. The manager of the Royal store beside was doing a great business in transformer sales as Oscar (The Manager) saw the need and filled it.
The Philippines is indeed a unique place in many ways.
I am not much of a Star Trekky person, but I have wondered many times when reading peoples stories and some of my own happenings there, if only they had ever made a Star Trek episode or movie where Spock went to the Philippines. I think his head would have quickly exploded when he starts pondering logic,,, and the Philippines .
Happy New Year Paul, and everyone else out there!
Bill S.
I guess the logic depends on the point of view. I know I do stuff that must crack a Pinoy up. I think Spock would have that first SMB and think; “Yeah, that makes sense to me.” I know that’s how it worked for me.
But I can’t count the times a ship’s officer told me to do something one way, and I’d just smile and say; “It’s your career” then watch them fold. Sometimes fear will trump logic. (lol)
And I hope you and yours will reap all the blessings the New Year has to offer.
And I thought Spock was a Pinoy, Seems logical tome!
Gerald;
He’s from Boston area of New England, but he might speak Tagalog.
If they can get enough of those small business together they may become the next Mega Mall
Happy new year.
Loren;
A Mega Mall that sold the same thing in each store now that would be a plan. But that Irish Pub at the Harbor Point Mall is a good idea. If we only had one on your Mountain
Bob;
Now that’s a great idea.
Paul,
We have several 110V appliances and transformer to convert them. Anne hasn’t burned out any of the appliances yet i sure have though. I was trying to plug in the microwave but i grabbed the 110V roaster plug instead and about a minute later started smelling smoke. She was not too happy as she had plans for the roaster lol. You and Mayang and Family have a Prosperous New Year.
Randy;
I’ll give it a few more months and you’ll only have 220 V items, it funny how Natural Selection will weed out those pesky 110v items. (LOL) Hire a maid to speed the conversion to 220v quicker.
Do the convertable transformers work good ???
Lenny;
I know very little about any transformers as I’ve never used one. I hope someone will answer your question.
Hi Lenny,
Yes, they do work good. We brought a lot of US purchased small appliances and two large flat screened televisions to the Philippines and use convertable transformers with them here without any problems.
Larger transformers are needed for some higher wattage needs though. My husband brought welding equipment and an air compressor here with us, but they need higher wattage transformers to operate he said.
Thank you Queeniebee, I knew in my heart that a Lip reader would answer Lenny’s question. It why I hang around on this site.
🙂
Paul happy New Year and I too enjoyed the story.
I don’t think Bob will let me have another day off, but thank you for yor kind words and the best that 2015 can offer goes to you.
I suspect one pair of now skies should be sufficient stock for as long as the store stays in business. :o)
Mike;
I’d not thought about it but I think you are right. (Good response) LOL
Being so far away from EPAville and OSHAville I guess there is no worry about all of the Magic Smoke emitted by all of those 110 volt items being plugged into the 220 volt outlets. If something similar to that store was here in the USA I think they would have to supply some kind of bag or container to capture the Magic Smoke so it could be disposed of properly.
AVO is or was a famous UK manufacturer of electrical test equipment but I think the AVO TV you mention is not from the same company.
Happy New Year to you and your family Paul and thanks for another great article to start off another work week.
Bob (NY)
When I was in the Navy I had a 1958 Austin Healy Bug Eyed Sprite. Loaded with British electrics from Lucas Electronics of Great Briton, due to their constant malfunction it was called: “Lucas, the Prince of Darkness” A great New Years to you kind Sir.
My heart goes out to all the brave members of the NYPD for their tragic loss.
The way Filipinos do business is some times confusing to us foreigners that are used to a well organized society. But, that phenomena of copying isn’t not only Filipino, it happens anywhere in the world I think. When a new gadget comes, like when pc’s came on the market in the 80′ everybody who had a store wanted to sell them, the same I believe with color TV sets. Anyway I agree that it’s a waist of time running around to all the sellers at the market, as they all sell the same things more or less at the same prices! So, to save time and hassle, just pick a store where they are friendly and get you the stuff you need and don’t waist more of your time with getting hot and sweaty! All the tomatoes at the vegetable markets are always the same, just some maybe more ripe than others… But, as for the sellers, well they all want to make a peso and that’s what they are there for, even it only brings in a few pesos they are content with that, that’s the Filipino way of thinking. A little gain is better than no gain, whether it was worth the time or not. You see many people wandering around the barrios trying to sell some items even nobody is interested! What a waist of time! But, time is what the Filipino has, so therefore they continue as if time had stand still and we are living in the nineteenth century!
Have a happy new year!
Tim;
It was Sari-sari stores I was speaking of that all sell the same things at the same prices.
I was not speaking of TV and Computers, I’m sorry if I didn’t make it clear, the shops all lined up are specific services, as in tire repair, electrical repair dress makers excreta not one item that most stores sell. I’ll have to work on my clarity issues.
As for the way Filipino’s conduct business I would not presume to understand why they do it as I’ve never been a Pinoy. The shop that sell nothing but 110 V items I will go out on a limb and say; “Not the best business plan I’ve ever seen!
I feel that even Richard Quest of CNN fame would agree with that.
As for living in the 19th century, when an American needs tech support, and dials that to; free number, there is an 85% chance a Filipino will answer the phone.
Space heater..seriously? 🙂 Happy New Year to you and to your family, Mr. Paul T. Cheers.
Jose,
A entire pallet of them selling at PNP 400.00 each (110 volt of course)
But Jade’s maid could cook hot dogs on one. (See Jade’s comment above, it’s funny)
Paul, I have only one appliance that operates in !!0 v. It is a Kitchen Aid mixer and Draws so much current that a 750 watt transformer is needed. I bought it here but what is odd was that right next to it was the 220 V version of the same mixer but there was a 2500 Peso difference in price so I opted for the less expensive 110v model because of color and cost difference. Then i had to find a 750 watt transformer for it and did but i paid almost 3000 pesos for the transformer. So I paid 500 peso for a silver colored mixer over the White one!
Note to readers: Paul Thompson is the undisputed master of taking a bad situation and making it worse to the point of uncontrollable laughter. He gets his inspiration from everyday absurdities that we all encounter here in the Philippines. the difference is His outlook on them and his own solutions to them. It takes a humorous approach to everyday life here to be able to adapt to it . Having a wise Filipina wife is also a must!
Joe;
I watched people in that 110 V store getting excited about the low prices without thinking about the cost of the power converter. It could have been you I was watching. (lol) I wonder if that’s why electric cars don’t sell well here, people must think 220 Volts is High Test Fuel?
And Joe thank you for your kind words, Happy New Year to you and yours.
Hi Paul , lot of these stores now in Manila selling all types of stuff, I allways have look
And walk out smiling what some people buy,spent Christmas in Subic went to Texas joes
Had a great burger and fries wife had steak ,I also had a few San migs, still plenty of roadworks
On the road to San fernando but all part of the fun of living in the Philippines ,
Keep the stories coming you got a great gift of making people smile,
All the best for 2015 Derek in pasig
Derek;
So was Texas Joe’s as good as I said? The Cowgirls are the best and the SMB’s are cold. What I can’t figure is why you took the old broken National Highway to San Fernando when the Expressway will put you there in 35 to 45 minutes. (If I’m driving); and the road is so smooth.
But the best of the New Your to you and your family, 2015 is gonna’ rock.
Hi Paul , Texas Joe,s Was better than you said ,really enjoy our meal cow girls were great,
That was the best burger I’ve tasted in the Philippines ,I came of the highway because we have
Some land in San fernando in Beverly place next to shoe mart mall,anyway like a challenge
Driving , we travel to Subic every few months to get out of mega Manila ,I like a bit of peace
And few beers , and Subic is a great place to chill out thanks Paul for making me smile for
The past few years , Derek in pasig
Derik ;
I’m pleased you enjoyed it, If I miss my weekly Bubba Burger I see stars. On your next trip out to the boonies, contact me (Through Bob on this site) and we’ll have a beer and burger together.; If I say TJ’s to my wife she’s on her way to the car.
Hi Paul , will do looking forward to meeting you and your wife,
Next time we are in Subic , which shouldn’t be to long ,
Happy new year , Derek and Emma .
Hi Paul,
I love your articles, they always make me smile and at time laugh. Selling a 110v appliance in a 220v country makes me scratch my head and I’m not there. And they don’t sell the step-down transformers. Wow maybe you should open a store that sells the Transformers right next door. Just don’t include a box or warranty. 🙂
We are moving to the Philippines this year after my wife gets her American citizenship. We are buying our electronics here and shipping them to the Philippines. Good thing now is about 40% of the TV are 100v~240v 50/60hz. So no transformer will be needed. Can’t wait to move to Gensan, maybe one day I might get to meet Bob.
Scott D;
Duel voltage are also sold here and there is no trouble with them, the Manager of the Royal store next door sells transformers and is doing a landslide business
Enjoy your move to the Philippines, I’ve loved every minute that I’ve been here, even the not so good ones..