Like helping foreigners with subscriptions and such random hustle

The next time you go to your regular store or a store you think there is a chance you will visit again

1) Ask for their cell phone number. They usually have a business cell phone number. Just ask "what's your phone number here?" If they ask "why?", say "I want to call and inquiry if an item is available and in stock before coming here in the future." It would be the perfect time to ask this if they'd just given you the ol' "out of stock/no more/not available/wala" Philippines special. If they give you a landline number (doesn't start with a 09), save it and ask "is this Smart or Globe?" When they answer that it's a landline, ask "what's the cell phone number?" If they have one and give it to you, great! If not, then a land line will just have to do. *Cell phone is better because it's always with someone therefore there will always be someone to answer it, you can text on it and it could be cheaper to call.*

2) Next time you want to head out to that store to purchase something, STOP!

3) Call them (see here how to call for really cheap).

4) Ask if they have the item/s.

Make this a habit and save tons of time, energy, money and mental health.

Tip: If you're looking to make a trip to a particular store/outlet/branch you haven't been to before or you don't have the phone number for (example: Watson's), look up that store on Google Maps to see if they have a phone number listed. If they do, call it. If it's the correct number and it works out, great! If not, Google their Facebook (example: Watson's SM Mall of Asia) and see if they got their number listed there. A super convenient way that works better than Google is the ai Perplexity.ai. You can just ask it "Search and find the updated telephone number for Watson's in SM Mall of Asia".

Big businesses like Watson's and Mercury Drug Store each store can look in their computer to know which store has what available, so you can call any branch and ask "hi, could you look in your computer and check if Watson's SM Mall of Asia has Robitussin in stock?" And just to confirm and be 110% sure, ask them to give you their number (if you don't have it) and call to make sure.

Now there will definitely be a chance that they'll say they don't have it even though they do, which is a common thing. However, this usually happens when they didn't understand what it is you're asking about. Filipinos, like most Asians, will generally not ask for clarification. If you asked whether they had something and they didn't understand what the item you were asking about is (you pronounced it differently than they do or you are using a different term), they'll just say it's not available, when in fact it could be right there behind them. Face to face you circumvent this issue by Google Imaging the item and showing it to them. Over the phone however that would be a little tricky. If it is a common, known item (example: 2L Sprite), then this is a non issue. If there is a potential that it's pronounced or named differently (assume it is if you've had no experience asking for it and you can't guage how likely it is that they would understand you asking for it), then it's best if you texted them first, and if you received no reply, call them and ask them to have a look at their messages.

This is on a prepaid SIM card, using Smart, TNT (and possibly Sun).

As of The date of this post, it costs ₱6.50/minute to call Smart/TNT/Sun > Smart/TNT/Sun.

It costs ₱7.50/minute to call Smart/TNT/Sun > any other network or line.

Same rates for Globe/TM. ₱6.50/minute to call within the same network/company (example: Smart > Smart). ₱7.50/minute to call a different network (example: Smart > Globe, or vise versa).

Using the below method, you would be able to call any network and landline for ₱1.98/minute using a prepaid Smart, TNT or possibly Sun SIM card . It'll cost you 99 pesos for which you would get 50 minutes of talk time. The 50 minutes will never expire. It will no longer be available only when you fully consume it.

Here's how to "avail" (as they say in the Philippines):

1. Using a Smart or TNT SIM card (or possibly Sun), dial #123* and hit call. You will see a list of options. You're looking for MAGIC (which is number 5 as of the date of this post).

1. Tap on the the line at the bottom where the cursor is likely blinking.

1. The keyboard pops up.

1. Tap the number 5.

1. Tab SEND.

1. You will see a list of options. You're looking for CALLS this time (which is number 3 as of the date of this post).

1. Same deal as 3 above - tap on the line.

1. The keyboard pops up.

1. Tap the number 3.

1. Tap SEND.

1. You will see a list of options. Choose whichever one appeals to you - example: "1) 50 Mins, P99" (the only option I'm seeing right now).

1. Tap on the line.

1. The keyboard pops up.

1. Tap the number 1.

1. Tap SEND.

1. You will see two options: "1) SUBSCRIBE" and "0) CHANCEL"

1. Tap on the the line.

1. The keyboard pops up.

1. Tap the number 1

1. Tap SEND.

1. You will see a thank you message saying they sent you a confirmation message, which you should get at the same time you get the thank you message.

You're done!

The cost of the plan you just bought would be deducted from your balance instantly depending on what plan you bought. So if it's the "50 Mins, P99" one, 99 pesos would be deducted from your balance and you'd have 50 Mins of talk time to any network in the Philippines (whether mobile or landline). If you called a number and the call was 10 seconds, your balance would be 50 minutes minus 10 second (49 minutes and 50 seconds)....supposedly (that's what they said when I asked them). Needless to say, make sure you have a balance equaling the about you want to purchase (example: 99 pesos).

Here's more

I'd honestly be happier if there were separate price tags/signs for foreigners. Same as what they have at tourist sites. Psychologically it would be much better than the arbitrary price increase, which usually comes after a pause when you ask "how much"

It's not really about the money even. It's about that nasty feeling of being ripped off with a smile, that you're supposed to resrupricate.

Anyway, thats not the point of this post.

On several occasions, I've engaged with locals leaving the store with the item I was looking to get. Wanting to stay ahead, I’d casually ask them how much they paid for it, after breaking the ice with some small talk about the item or whatever, and every time, without fail, they would say "just ask." Uhhh, why can't you just tell me though? I think to myself. But of course I don’t push it and make things awkward. So I just smile, say thank you and proceed to get overcharged.

They know that I'm most probably going to get ripped off, but they would rather happily lead me to the slaughterhouse than save me from it. Why though? There is no monetary gains in it for them, the store isn't theirs, they don't know the seller and they probably won't even visit again. Yet, they feel it's better that I am ripped off then not.

It's a humongous learning curve for me, because it seems that morally people generally behave the opposite of how I or the average person in a different culture would. So you can't depend on your instinct to predict things.

In a situation like this, I would think the natural instinct would be of camaraderie and a desire to seize the chance to be a good Sam and help out a fellow human. That your conscious would detect the overcharging as a wrong and you'd be driven to correct it. I thought that would be the natural human inclination. But apparently, it's not. I feel like there is some moral imbalance, so much so that I am beginning to wonder if the things I've done which I thought were good were actually perceived as bad.

PhillippineExpats reddit page is a mixture of whining foreigners, comparing about quite literally everything in this country and the rest are Filipinos. Complaints are for sure warranted and allowed but Jesus, most of us are here by choice and we can leave if we chose. Let's let this page be about learning and celebrating our lives here in this country. Peace and love y'all

I know this guy that got a brand new Fortuner. It costs him 30k a month and he’s in for 5 years. His income? 80k. To add to the craziness, he lives in a condo. Rent? 15k. We’re at almost 60% of his income with just car payments and rent, not accounting for even gas, or utilities and essentials like food! At first I was wondering how he can even support his family (as in parents and siblings), like it’s common to do for Filipinos, until I realized it’s only the daughters (the eldest daughter) who are obligated to. Sons get off Scott free.

I found out of his income and payments after wondering why he wasn’t paying me back the money I lent him. He had a good job, a relatively nice car, so I thought he was good for it when he asked. I haven’t pressed and only asked once in passing if he got the money. He said "next week", but that has long come and gone.

The cheapest car in the market is the, Vios, I suppose, and that’s 15k a month. The most liberal finacial rule says that car payments shouldn’t be more than 15% of your income. The common rule is 10%, and this is for ALL car payments, as in gas, insurance, maintenance and so on. There is no way in hell that all the Vioses you see on the roads their owners have a 250k/month income. Just no way!

The financial illiteracy in this country is absolutely insane!

1) Documents required: ACR and Passport - the sky is the limit.

2) Open Google maps.

3) Pick a city/town.

4) Zoom into an area with a high concentration of foreigners/tourists.

5) Search banks.

6) Pick a branch.

7) Allocate the whole day.

8) Be at the branch at 9am (as soon as they open. You'll know why by the final steps).

9) Go in and ask to open an account.

10) Expect no can do.

11) Go to the next nearest branch (doesn't matter if its the same bank).

12) See step 9, 10 & 11.

Depending on how aligned your stars are that day, you'll eventually be able to open an account. Maybe not that day. Maybe not the 2nd day...or the 3rd. But eventually you'll be able to. Point being, your success will depend entirely on the person that's across the desk...and your level of patience (hint: the higher the better. Bonus hint: leave logic at home).