What is the cheapest way to ship large and bulky items in the Philippines? Check out 2Go Budget Box

Dear Clarice, 

 

I read in your blog about your relocation from Manila to Bacolod.

May I ask what service did you use to move your things? 

 

Regards, 

Christine

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With the rise of eCommerce, courier and shipping services tremendously grew in the country in the past few years. This is a good development for consumers since we have many options on how to send out our packages conveniently anywhere in the country. 

Now, we can ship out parcels for as low as Php 40 for small pouches within the same city. Many couriers even offer pick-up services which are a life-saver for most businesses this new normal. 

However, shipping large and bulky items is another story since shipping items that don't fit the couriers' pouches is way too expensive. 

In 2015 when we relocated from Manila to Bacolod, we really did not bring most of our stuff. Thus, getting a full container van is not necessary. We are also bringing our car and will be traveling by land so we can just bring some of the things with us. (By the way, you can read about our road trip, here)

We just needed to find a cheaper way to ship our things that won't fit inside the car. 

So, what is the cheapest way to ship large and bulky items in the Philippines? 

Based on our research, 2Go Budget Box is one of the cheapest options to send large and bulky items in the Philippines. Their box (which 2Go will provide) is similar to a "balikbayan" box and it allows a maximum of 50 kilos. 

Other couriers can charge you more than 2,500 pesos for a box this big but for 2Go, we only spent around 1k+ inclusive of insurance already. 

Aside from the cost, we also love that they provide pick-up services which means you don't have to worry about going to their branch. Tracking is also very easy and their customer service is great. 

Actually, we also used this service a couple months ago when we sent out books to our authors. The books were very heavy and we are being charged almost 3k by another courier. With 2GO's budget box, we only paid around 1k and had no problems shipping in Luzon and VisMin areas. 

Please note that this service is via sea freight which means that it may take longer than usual. Nonetheless, we are pretty much happy that we found the cheapest way to ship large and bulky items in the Philippines. 

Thus, if you are relocating or moving within the Philippines,

if you are a business owner in need of a courier for your business 

or if you are someone who simply wants to send out packages for your family this Christmas,

then you might want to consider this option for you. 

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By the way, this post is not sponsored and we are just happy customers. 2Go had been our go-to courier and has helped us with our personal and business needs. 

If you are interested in their service, you can send your inquiry or book a pick-up schedule by sending an email to chinkee_sandiego@2go.com.ph. You may also call them at 8779-9222 loc 85916. For more details, you may visit their website. 

New month! New Shopee Brand Ambassador to Kick Off the 10.10 Brands Festival!

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, introduces its newest brand ambassador, Kim Chiu, alongside the launch of the 10.10 Brands Festival, its biggest brands sale of the year. The famous actress, dubbed the Princess of Philippine Movies and TV, will feature in Shopee’s new TV commercial and many exciting in-app activities.

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “Shopee Philippines is happy to welcome one of the country's top entertainers into the Shopee family, Kim Chiu. Kim's bubbly, charming personality and love for online shopping both resonate with millions of Filipinos who find joy and excitement on Shopee. This 10.10 Brands Festival, we hope to bring the best brand deals and so much more with our valued and trusted brand partners.”

Users can look forward to these from Shopee brand ambassador Kim Chiu:

● Kim Chiu’s new Shopee TV commercial: Kim Chiu gives the viral “Proof of Delivery” trend her own spin. Fans can look out for the TV commercial on local TV networks and on Shopee’s official Facebook and YouTube accounts.

● Kim Chiu for Shopee Prizes: Users can find Kim Chiu on in-app games such as Spin & Win and Guess It Right, which they can play to win rewards such as coins and vouchers.

● Mini-games and contests with Kim Chiu: This October, users can join the #10BrandFaves contest featuring Kim Chiu for a chance to win 1,000 Shopee coins.

Fans can look forward to more Kim Chiu content such as behind-the-scenes videos on Shopee’s official YouTube and TikTok channels, and Kim Chiu-themed Instagram stickers. Users can also interact with the actress herself during her Twitter takeover on Shopee's official Twitter account this October 9.

Shopee 10.10 Brands Festival

Until October 10, shoppers can enjoy free shipping with no minimum spend, big brand giveaways, and up to ₱1,000 off brand vouchers at Shopee’s 10.10 Brands Festival.

Lucky shoppers can win ₱430,000 worth of prizes, such as vouchers, bundles, newly launched items, and even a lifetime supply of products, from over 30 participating brands.

Leading up to 10.10, shoppers can also look forward to Nestle, Deerma, GoMO!, Lactum, Colgate Palmolive, Shigetsu, P&G Beauty, Garnier, and Belo Brand Days on Shopee Mall, where they can get discounts up to 80% off, branded items as low as ₱179, and a free gift with every purchase.

Starting October 1, shoppers can check out different themed sales on Shopee including the Groceries Fair on October 1, Fashion Fair on October 2-3, Mom & Baby Fair on October 4, Work From Home Fair on October 5, Gadgets and Gizmo Fair on October 6-7, and Beauty and Wellness Fair on October 8-9.

At the 10.10 Brands Festival, shoppers can use ShopeePay to buy load, pay bills, and scan to pay. They can activate their ShopeePay wallet and top up through online banking, debit card, and over-the-counter partners to get up to 50% discount on load from Globe, Smart, Sun, and TNT; 50% cashback from Maynilad, PLDT, and a growing list of partner billers; and ShopeePay ₱1 Deals from Puregold, Ultramega Supermarket, Potato Corner, and other partner merchants.

For more information, visit https://shp.ee/t583r92

Tips for Finding the Perfect Christmas Gift and Avoiding Last-Minute Holiday Shopping

Keep the Shopee Christmas ambassador’s tips in mind 

as you start your holiday shopping at the Sep 30 Payday Sale

As we settle into the -ber months, it’s time to start thinking of your Christmas list. If you’re at a loss as to how to spread joy to your loved ones during the holidays amidst a pandemic, who better to ask for advice than one of the Philippines’ Christmas icons, Jose Mari Chan?

The musician, who has been Shopee’s Christmas ambassador since 2018, shares that the important thing is to imbue the true spirit of Christmas. “This pandemic may have completely changed our shopping habits, but one thing remains the same—every chance you get to show kindness, do so. Whatever you give doesn't have to be a big amount.”

Begin your holiday shopping at Shopee’s Sep 30 Payday Sale and keep these other tips from Jose Mari Chan in mind:

1. Take advantage of the convenience and accessibility of online shopping

Like plenty of Filipinos, Jose Mari Chan prefers to shop online these days, from gifts to basic necessities and healthcare products. “Instead of taking public transport or driving to a store, you can purchase from Shopee while staying at home.” Aside from enjoying the safety and convenience, he adds that users get to help out other Filipinos. “You're doing not only yourself a favor. You also continue to support small businesses, manufacturers, and delivery services.”

2. Always check for free shipping and other promos to make shopping more worthwhile

Jose Mari Chan reminds users to keep an eye out for vouchers, especially during Shopee’s big sales. At the upcoming Sep 30 Payday Sale, for instance, users can enjoy free shipping with no minimum spend, 30% bills cashback, and 30% off vouchers. Stack vouchers for bigger discounts. Jose Mari Chan says, “What more can you ask for? I assure you, when you purchase on Shopee, you will always be able to get the best deal.”

3. Go cashless for safe and convenient transactions

Start opting for contactless payment methods for safe and convenient payments. Use ShopeePay, Shopee’s all-in-one e-wallet, to Buy Load, Pay Bills & Scan to Pay. At Shopee’s Sep 30 Payday Sale, enjoy ShopeePay-exclusive promos such as up to 50% off on mobile load; 30% bills cashback from Meralco, Maynilad, PLDT, and over 60 other billers; and ShopeePay ₱1 Deals from Puregold, Potato Corner, Seaoil, and more.

For account security, Jose Mari Chan adds, “Change your ShopeePay PIN regularly and do not share it with anyone to prevent unauthorized purchases.”

4. It's better to plan ahead and organize your Christmas list early on

Jose Mari Chan shares that he and his wife are early birds when it comes to holiday shopping. He advises users to follow this principle and plan ahead. “List down some important people whom you want to cheer up, then browse online to see what items you can give. Do it early. If you leave it up to the last minute, you might make some impulse purchases or even overspend,” he says.

5. Put more heart into picking gifts to make them more meaningful

Feeling stumped about gift ideas? Here’s a piece of advice from Jose Mari Chan: try to come up with gifts that hold meaning for the recipient. “For the past years, my wife and I have been giving each other a common gift that we’d both agree on prior, such as items we need for the home. I would also ask special friends if they have a favorite charity, and I would donate in their name as a gift.”

The musician concludes that as he gets older, he derives more pleasure from giving than receiving. “When you receive, it's just a moment's pleasure. When you give, it lasts longer. When you give out of kindness, love, charity, and generosity, the impact will last for many years.”

Get gift ideas at Shopee’s Sep 30 Payday Sale via this link.

Enjoy the Christmas festivities with Jose Mari Chan and watch his latest Shopee video via Facebook at https://shp.ee/5kkbwhh or YouTube at https://shp.ee/vtk84wr.

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

Go Higher with the EU in the 2021 Virtual European Higher Education Fair Philippines

Planning to take graduate or post-graduate studies in the EU?

Let the European Higher Education Fair (EHEF) 2021 guide you to “Go Higher with the EU”.

The biggest of its kind in the Philippines, EHEF will give Filipino students, academicians, researchers, and university officials the opportunity to connect directly with world-class higher education institutions from across the European Union.

The Fair will be inaugurated on 1 October at 1:30pm and streamed live at https://www.ehefphilippines.com and on the EU Delegation to the Philippines Facebook.  

The registration at https://wwww.ehefphilippines.com is free and all that is required is an internet connection, an interest in pursuing further studies in the EU, and dreams to go higher in life.

“The EHEF 2021 promotes the diversity and excellence of higher education in the EU,” says EU Ambassador Luc Veron. “Useful, practical and comprehensive information about the different mobility initiatives and distinctive higher education programs will be available at your fingertips.”

The EU is one of the world’s top centers of academic excellence and a hub for cross-fertilization of ideas and cutting-edge technologies and innovation.

Outside of academia, the EU offers limitless opportunities for borderless travel to some of the world’s best, most iconic destinations and to immerse in a wide diversity of cultures.

This holistic experience is how post-grad students can “Go Higher with EU”, the motto of this year’s Fair.

EHEF 2021 will be the biggest yet, with 140 European higher education institutions offering MA and PhDs that will improve the career opportunities of talented Filipinos wishing to study in any of this year’s participating EU member states, namely, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Spain, France, Italy, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Finland, and Sweden.

Participants can look forward to two days with a packed schedule of activities including webinars on specialized courses and programs, country presentations, and live chats with representatives, alumni, and scholars from participating institutions.

Regional partner institutions for this year include Wesleyan University (Luzon), Silliman University (Visayas), and Xavier University –Ateneo de Cagayan (Mindanao), which will host clustered presentations for students and other members of the academe. 

University partners for this year are the following: University of Sto Tomas, University of the Cordilleras, Lyceum of the Philippines University - Batangas, Mabalacat City College, St Louis  University, Rizal Technological University, Trinity University of Asia, Ateneo de Manila University, Visayas State University, Jose Rizal Memorial State University and Mindanao State University’s (Marawi) College of Public Affairs.

The Fair is supported by Campus Erasmus and the Association of Christian Schools, Colleges, and Universities. Media partners this year include Business World Spark Up, Cebu Daily News, Gadgets Magazine, Inquirer Super, Panay News, Subselfie Online, Philippine Star, Manila Times, Adulting Millennials Podcast, The Philippine Business and News (thePhilBizNews.com), and SunStar Davao.

The Virtual EHEF 2021 is organized by the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, together with EU Member States’ Embassies, education services, and Institutes and in collaboration with the Commission on Higher Education.

If you’re ready to Go Higher with EU, register for EHEF 2021 now at https://ehefphilippines.com/.