A lot of times, people from back in the States, or other parts of the world will ask me when they meet me – “Is there anything you miss from back home?” Or, people who follow me on the Internet will often e-mail me before they are coming to visit the Philippines, one of the things that they almost always ask me is – “Can I bring you anything that you need there?” I always appreicate people being so thoughtful, but my normal answer is that there is really nothing I need which I can’t get here. That is generally true, although I guess usually there are a few items that perhaps would be nice to get ahold of. For the most part, though, everything we need or want is available in Davao.
While I can think of a few items that we can’t get here, I have lived here long enough that I am not still feeling that I am desperately needing those items. When we first moved here, there was a lot of stuff that we could not find here and felt that we really needed. Over the years, though, you get used to not having those things, and thus you don’t need them anymore either.
Lately, there is one thing that I have found myself really missing. Nothing critical, but just a little pet peave I suppose. What I am talking about is being able to get large sizes of various items that you want or need. A few of the items that I am thinking of are things like Shampoo and other such items. In the States, if you would buy a bottle of shampoo, you generally had enough shampoo for you and your wife to wash your hair for a month or more. If you made a habit of shopping at one of the “big box” stores like Costco or Sam’s Club, a bottle of shampoo might last you for several months, maybe even 6 months, as the packages at these places are “industrial size.” Here in the Philippines, you’re going to get something different though.
Most people here buy “sachet” packs of shampoo. I hate the things. If you don’t know what a sachet is, it is generally enough shampoo to wash your hair only one or perhaps two times. Think of like a little plastic package of ketchup that you would get at McDonald’s or some other fast food place – that is the type of pack that a sachet is. If you buy a bottle of shampoo instead of a sachet, it is generally still only enough for you and your wife to wash your hair for a week or so. Certainly not very long! Sure, you can buy a dozen sachet packs, or even a hundred if you like. I find it a pain, though. I would like to have the option to buy a large sized bottle of shampoo in the store, but it’s not available.
Last week, Feyma was going grocery shopping, and I told her I needed a stick of deoderant. What she brought home was a deoderant that was maybe 1/3 the size of what you would buy in the States, and the 1/3 sized bottle was only half full, to make it look bigger than it actually was! If I could buy a big size, I find it more economical, less of a hassle, just better all around. Maybe it’s an American thing, but even if it is, it’s something I miss here.
These sachets are not just for shampoo either, that is just the example that I am using in this article. Lots and lots of products are sold in “single use” sachet packs. I just find that this complicates life, makes you feel like you are constantly having to run to the store to get another sachet of whatever it is you need. Yes, there is a solution – just buy more on each trip, but it is just a little nit picky thing that tends to get under my skin.
Sachets are great for travel where you need a supply for a single use, and don’t want to carry around a weeks supply for a 2 day trip. For regular home use, though… it’s not for me!
Of course, the reason for these single use products is because a lot of people here can’t afford to buy a six month supply of shampoo in a single bottle. I understand and accept that. Just thinking about little inconveniences that are a hassle, and this is one of them.
What do you think? Are sachets a convenience, or a hassle?
Morning Bob,
In Australia it is the same as the States pretty much. Most things have become "super-sized" in recent years (including the inhabitants). Those small packages are a pain and they create so much more visible waste too if they end up on the streets. From memory, even drinking water and ice could be purchased in tiny plasric bags suitable for a single serve. Maybe I didn't look hard enough but I could not find 2 litre platic bottles of diet coke/pepsi max, etc, that I use to mix with the local gut-rot whiskey. I had to buy 375ml cans and think they cost me more than the whiskey! Can't remember the price but, say, 4 of these cost me as much or more than the 100 pesos or so that the whiskey did! I found it hard to believe I couldn't find such bottles in the big supermarkets. Anyone in business knows that the cost of packaging is a significant if not major part of the cost of the final product. Buy having to purchase small it is costing us all extra.
Hi AussieLee- The big bottles of soda pop here are usually 1.5 Liters, instead of the 2L bottles that are so common in other countries. Over the past year or so, we are starting so see some 2L bottles, but only from time to time. I wonder, though, with these 2L bottles starting to show up like that, perhaps they are going to move toward that size. Canned drinks here are actually smaller than you thought… 330ml! It sounds like the cans in Australia are like the ones in the states, slightly larger than here. The US ones are 12 ounces (354 ml), but in the USA, the most common size for a single serving drink come in small plastic bottles and are 16 oz (473 ml).
You know what is funny? I checked out pricing for various sizing a few years ago. In the west, we are all conditioned that the larger the size of the package, the lower the cost per unit of the item. When I checked it here, I found that in many instances, you actually paid more per unit if you bought a larger size of package! I checked this on cheese, and if you bought a small pack with like 8 slices of cheese, it was cheaper per slice than if you bought like a 32 slice pack! Amazing!
Thanks for participating on the site, AussieLee. I always enjoy reading your comments!
Hi Bob,
My main issue with these sachets is the amount of trash they generate! And with the economy going down the drain, the need for more affordable items only increases as they solve this by making everything into sachets. Sachet suka, toyo, ketchup, tomato sauce, the list goes on and on…
Hi Bob!
I agree with you on the sachets; especially when you try to open them when your hands are wet. And if you only use half, where do you put the other half so it doesn't leak out or look like trash in the shower?
I think it's a good reason to just keep your hair short!
Mark C.
Hi again Bob,
Thanks for the nice comment. I forgot to add I know a guy who lived in the Philippines for a few years and he owned a little store. Nothing more needs to be said after he told me that he only managed to sell cigarettes individually!. Not by the packed and certainly not by the carton! Two excellent comments you make Bob is in relation to the size of the cans and the relative pricing. What is happening is that the sizes are often getting smaller but the price staying the same (eg food cans were always 440grams and drink cans 375mls but now they are often smaller, somewhat imperceptibly so). Yes, I have also noticed in some cases that the larger package is the same price or more expensive which verges on being a criime. It is simply because people of our age have had it conditioned into us when were growing up that the bigger the package the cheaper per unit of volume it would be. Australian supermarkets are just starting to introduce unit pricing which will clearly show what the price is per 100grms or 100mls or the like. This will enable easy comparison across like products of different volumes.
Hi mia- Yes, I agree, these sachets end up all scattered around the Barangay, littering things up way too much! And, as you say, more and more products are in sachets now. I wonder if sachets are as popular in other countries? I know that they are not in the States, but maybe in other countries that have a lot of poor people.
Hi Mark C.- Absolutely! When your hands are wet in the shower, it is almost impossible to open a sachet of shampoo, unless you use your teeth! 😆 I hate that. And, like you say too, the remainder of the sachet is awkward to keep without spilling out the remaining contents!
Hi AussieLee- Putting unit pricing on the shelves in the stores is a good step toward helping people understand what the true cost of a product is. They have been doing this for a long time already in the States, but they are tricky about it. They don't use the same units on comparable items! So, even with unit pricing displayed, you still have no idea how the products compare to each other!
Here's an idea. Get a bunch of the sachets, open them and put the contents into plastic bottles.
An item that I had the most trouble finding there was shaving cream. The last time I was in the Philippines I searched towns throughout Zambales, and finally found one small, out-dated can of Colgate shaving cream in the market of Iba. Some people that I asked about the item seemed as if they had never heard of it's existence.
BTW You've been out of the States too long ! 16 oz sodas were replaced by 20 oz ones years ago ! 😉
Hi John- Yeah, I did think about buying a bunch of sachets and putting them in a big bottle, but it's an inconvenience…. one way or the other! 😆
Those 20 oz. bottles were just starting to come in when I moved to the Philippines, I didn't realize they were so popular though!
Bob you said, “the reason for these single use products is because a lot of people here can’t afford to buy a six month supply of shampoo”. That may or may not be true. As AussieLee noted that a guy he knew sold cigarettes individually, which is just the way my father in-law buys cigarettes. He buys them one at a time because if he bought a pack of cigarettes he would be expected to share the pack. The same thing happens with shampoo. If you buy a big bottle it is likely to get used/shared by friends, relatives or neighbors. So people buy single servings and that works out to be cheaper because the sharing effect of Filipino culture.
Hi James- I had not considered this in terms of being forced to share like that. It's a good point. I do think that cost and ability to afford plays into it too, but the need to share probably has a place in the consideration too.
Hi Bob! Interesting article.
Like Mia, my main issue with sachets is the amount of trash they generate. It's true it's also a pain to open a shampoo sachet in the shower. I hate that.
When it comes to shampoo and other toiletries, I agree that small sizing is a pain but I think it is better to have small sizes when it comes to drinks or food as I see so much waste here in the US when it comes to that. I notice that normally a can of soda (here) will not be consumed totally. Almost always, there is leftover that just end up being thrown in the sink. Same thing when one goes to fast food restaurant, there's just too much fries or big sized soda cup filled to the brim then later on, it goes to the garbage can.
I haven't been to the warehouse clubs there (very much like costco here). They might have bigger sized shampoo bottles there. 🙂
ah yes sachets, our store does a rip roaring business in sachets. I do hate them so… if it's snack foods the empty packs end up scattered in front of the store, the profit on most sachet products is in the 10-60 centimo range… you have to sell alot of sachets to make enough money to buy… well a sachet for yourself lol.
That being said it's a part of life over here. Filipinos are used to shopping "For the moment" and regularly take 5+ trips to the sari sari every day. Have you noticed how inflation has destroyed the size of the sachets? When I first moved here a sachet of happy peanuts gave you a decent handful for P1. Now the sachet is still P1 but has 4 peanuts in it, not even enough to chew on for a minute.
Hi Beth- I agree that a lot of food and other such things go to waste in the States. For drinks, I never liked to buy cans, I preferred the 16 oz (now 20 oz!) bottles because the lid cold be put back on, and save the drink for later.
I have been to some of the warehouse clubs here (Makro mostly) and they don't have large sizes either. Actually, what they usually do is to put like 50 of the small items in a big plastic bag, and that is "buying bulk" I guess! 😆 And, they are generally not lower in price either, so I don't really shop there much.
Hi BrSpiritus- Yes, I agree that package sizes – of sachets and non-sachet items – have gotten smaller over the past couple of years. Even with smaller package, sometimes the price goes up too! Yeah, a pack with just a few nuts in it bugs me too…. it's not even worth the effort of opening the sachet! 😆
Maayong Buntag Bob
Everything is smaller in the RP. A value meal at Jolly Bee has a burger that is half size and a couple fries. The first time I was in the RP I could not get accustomed to the small horses, cows, houses, pickups, trucks, dogs, motorcycles, streets, and other things that are to numerous to mention. Some items I am beginning to like smaller like the 7oz bottle of Coke and the bite size pieces of bread for a quick snack. But I will agree with you on all the small packets of items like shampoo since you see the empty packets all over the place. Also the side cars on the tricycles are way too small. I cannot sit up strait in them and can only see 5 feet in front unless I turn my head sideways. 🙁
Hi Larry- Maayong buntag, Larry, kumusta? Maayo kaayo ko.
Ha ha… you are right that almost everything is smaller here, no doubt.
Tricycle sidecars? Been there… done that! I have the bump on my head to prove it! 😆
Hi Bob! We, Filipinos, like everything retail or "tinggi". Just look at how we load our cellphones! For me, it is more expensive not only in monetary terms but in effort to buy in sachets. I prefer not to buy from the sari-sari store because they are actually more expensive than if we buy from the supermarket. Of course, sari-sari stores are convenient if you forgot or suddenly run out of an item.
oops that should have been "tingi".
Hi Cathy- I prefer to also buy at the supermarket, but my complaint is that even at the supermarket you can't buy things in big packages! I hate buying a bottle of shampoo at the supermarket, and it seems that just a week later you are out again! 😆
Hi Bob,
Another reason for smaller sizes could be storage like over here in Austria. Unless you own a house, you don't have much storage room. The rental apartments are small, so one has a small fridge, small oven, small dishwasher, etc. and small cupboards. Reminds me of living on a boat!
In the store we can buy only 1 kg bags of flour, rice, or sugar – nothing bigger except for businesses (hotels, bakeries, etc) where it is sold in a separate shop. But, we don't have sachets!
Hi John in Austria- I never thought of it being a space thing, but anything is possible! 😆
I never realized that Austria had such limited space in the homes there.
Bob,
I see most of us is in agreement about the small packaging.
I as a lot of americans prefer the larger size so your not always shopping. I used to do my shopping at Costco and then market every other week. I also liked larger packges so the longer use.
Here I notice is because of economics they get used to a one week supply and shop every week to replenish.
I wish the shelf labels in the store would give unit pricing to compare. It would be easier to figure out where the best buy is.
But as you say "We are not in Kansas anymore"
Hi Bob.
Small size,convenient,easy to carry,induvidual,low outlay…..all terms for poor value to the person who has to pay for the increased packaging costs that the supplier passes on to them.I am not yet living in the Philippines full time but when I visit, my partner always accuses me of trebling her grocery shopping because I always buy the "biggest"pack of anything I can find.Trying to convince her that my simple rule of economics of content cost vs packaging costs lasts only the lenght of my visit.
I am a purchasing manager of a supermarket group so I can say to my shame that the margins applied to individul portion packs are astronomic in real terms.
However I can see the need to provide a low retail price(despite the real cost) in view of the average daily wage available to most.
Also one day the realisation in terms of increased garbage costs will come to someone's attention.
Good point from John….Now I know why I am having to consider increasing the size of my kitchen cupboards…Its my fault because when we get home from the supermarket we cannot put all these bigger packs away.
MMMMMM.another variable do my savings offset the increased cost of my new
kitchen cupboards.????
HI Bob,
You make me want to send you a holiday Balikbayan box of goodies from here in Chicago! I live not to far from Sam's Club and I just opened a membership there. Kidding aside, I have to send my girlfriend 2 boxes of such items by next week. Better yet, I had better make it 3 boxes. One box being things for me when I return to Davao in April 2009.
Cheers!
Hi Bruce- Yeah, it seems that we westerners all have similar tastes, toward larger packaging sizes. A lot of people here don't even have shopping for weekly needs, they do it daily!
Hi David- You know, in America over the years the size of people's houses has skyrocketed! Maybe that's because they buy too much stuff! You may just be correct on that!
Hi Henry- I'm sure that your girlfriend will be very happy to receive that box! Lucky lady!
…as long as the size of a bottle of San Miguel beer stays the same I'm a happy pilot..er…camper …(hic)
Hi brian- you are safe, then. Filipinos will never accept San Miguel bottles shrinking! 😆
On the drive from Laubia Airport in Cagayan De Oro to Iligan City, the first time I traveled this part of the National Highway I was amazed at what seemed to me dozens and dozens of Sari Sari stores out in the middle of nowhere. I wondered how these stores could exist and it still rather amazes me. Even in Iligan City they seem to be everywhere.
I live in the outlying suburbs of New York City. For me to go to a store I have to drive around ten miles ( round trip ) or more depending on the kind of store.
I have come to the realization that those Sari Sari stores which " appear " to be out in the middle of nowhere are probably " neighborhood stores " and as having a car is not as prevalent as they are here, most people have to walk to a store in the areas I am talking about here. I certainly appreciated the 24 hour Sari Sari store within a few seconds walk from where I stayed in Iligan City.
Any retail operation caters to the market it serves and I guess the market in many parts of The Philippines calls for smaller " cost effective " packaging at least cost effective as it appears on the price tag. I have noticed similar although to a lesser extent in the UK.
If larger sized items ( normal size to an American ) just don't sell obviously retailers are not going to consume shelf space and investment in having them. One of my friends there talks about " daily Needs " and I guess that means buying small packages of items daily instead of a " large Economy Sized " version of the same product.
I don't care for sachettes either, I bring my own soap for the shower and shampoo as well. I gave the hotel supplied sachettes and mini bar of soap to my Filipino friends which they appreciated.
I also consider the income and " purchasing Power " the average person there has and I think that may have a lot to do with buying something with the lowest possible price on it, regardless of the value compared to a " Large Economy Size ".
For me, it's a 20 mile round trip drive to a major shopping mall or national retailer like Home Depot or Walmart. If I have to drive to a place like that I consider my immediate needs plus future requirements whenever possible. If I had a walk to convienience store I might be tempted to do otherwise.
Hi Bob New York- my biggest problem when it comes to the extremely small sizes is always being out, and needing to go get more. Whether the store is 10 miles, or 10 steps outside the front gate, if you are dirty and want to take a shower, but have no shampoo, it's a hassle! 😆
hi bob,
nice article, i am not so sure if there still the san miguel miguelito, it is a small size beer, i think it's about 200ml or maybe less??
i also heard that there is a "coca-cola sakto" i have not seen it yet.
i think, because of the sari-sari store, filipino do not really need to buy large size product as they can just walk for a few meters and buy what they need.
economy also play a big role, pinoy must stretch their money for 2 weeks, i'm sure you know how they get paid every 15/30 of the month plus of course the current wages.
Hi Bob,
Most people in RP don't have enough money to buy stuff in "bulk". They are living
one day at a time. No work for the day, means no money for tomorrows consumption. The salary that they earn everyday is going to buy them 3 kilo of rice, some fish and maybe if they are lucky enough there's a left over to buy 1sachet of rejoice shampoo. It's called supply and demand. Sachets are the on demand for Filipinos budget. We just have to be thankful that we can afford to buy a 10 dozens of sachet if we want to.
my take is: HASSLE. well for the majority of us who are lucky enough to be able to afford a computer – but for the rest of the Philippines who are just inching along the poverty line they go by the motto: one day at a time so even though its a hassle, they have to live with what they can afford at the moment. Now I feel so lucky to be pumping my Dove shampoo for 2 months now 😛
Hi Consuelo Florida- Of course. I agree, I did write that in the article too, after all.
Hi Obei- Two months on the same bottle! That stuff must be imported! 😆
Hi dans- Thank you.
shopping for deodrant tip… they are not suppose to be half full!
When buying deodrant spray from the malls make sure its sealed container and if its not sealed go for the heaviest! 🙂
Hi Graham- Well.. this was stick deodorant, and it was a package sealed in shrink wrap plastic. I think it had the amount that was supposed to be in it.
You have a good tip, though! 😆
My girlfriend tells me the sachet is better because if you buy a big bottle you might use too much. She says with the sachet you use just the right amount.
Hi Ray- It may well be best for your girlfriend…. not for me though! 😆
I'm with you Bob i bring a big bottle when i go the Philippines .i guess i need to bring a case when i move there huh Bob ??. Phil R.
Hi Phil R.- A case of the big bottles will keep you going for a while! 😆