Marketing and sales practices of Filipinos are strange and interesting. Among the more common ones are the following:

1. The suki habit-This is a traditional buying practice of Filipinos which must have been introduced by the Chinese because “suki” is a Chinese word. Here the buyer patronizes one store instead of buying from different stores at different times. The store owner in return obliges by giving discounts or extra little things as “dagdag” or addition. These may be extra spices, two extra pieces of candies, etc. all to entice the buyer to continue buying from his store. It is worth noting, though, that Chinese cornerstone owners practice this more than any other seller, Filipino or other nationalities.

Marketing and sales practices of Filipinos are strange and interesting. Among the more common ones are the following:

1. The suki habit-This is a traditional buying practice of Filipinos which must have been introduced by the Chinese because “suki” is a Chinese word. Here the buyer patronizes one store instead of buying from different stores at different times. The store owner in return obliges by giving discounts or extra little things as “dagdag” or addition. These may be extra spices, two extra pieces of candies, etc. all to entice the buyer to continue buying from his store. It is worth noting, though, that Chinese cornerstone owners practice this more than any other seller, Filipino or other nationalities.

2. Sellers always take note of the very first person to buy their goods in the morning. This buyer gets a discount on whatever she buys because she is buena mano or the good hand, being the first for the day. She is supposed to bring about a good sale for the whole day. Some sellers believe that some persons are good buena manos while others are not depending on how brisk their sale goes after that first purchase.

3. The “lako” or peddling system is practiced everywhere in the Philippines. Peddlers carry their wares which may be fish, meat, vegetables, fruits and other food, jewelry, even furniture and bring them right at the doorstep of buyers. They make their presence known by shouting aloud announcing what they have for sale. While prices here may be a bit higher than those in the market, many housewives buy from them because it saves them the trouble of going on trips outside their homes.

4. In the public markets, some sellers use the “tumpok-tumpok” system of selling. Fruits, vegetables, small fishes in small piles or “tumpok” are lined up and sold at lower prices. The average market-going housewife usually buys from these vendors because it is easier for them to estimate the amount needed for the size of their families.

5. A unique buying habit among the fishermen and buyers in Paranaque and Malabon (fishing towns within Metro Manila) is the “bulungan” (literally translated ”whispering”). Early in the morning before sunrise, buyers who are mostly fishmongers from different markets meet the fishermen on the shore while they are still unloading their bountiful catch. Prospective buyers approach the fisherman one at a time and will break the ice by speaking in the language of the fisherman. A fisherman is approached by the buyer by buzzing or whispering into his ears the amount he wants to pay for the fish. The fisherman already knows what price he wants for his commodity. If the amount offered does not meet his expectations, the buyer may whisper another price quotation and if still unacceptable the “bulungan” continues to other buyers. Another buyer will come to the fisherman and will follow the same method of procuring fish. This “bulungan” is continued until the seller hears the best price. If for instance, all the buyers have approached the fisherman and still no agreement is made about the selling price of the fish, then the latter will sell his fish to the buyer who offered him the highest mice for his catch.

6. Buying and selling using “kantahan” or singing ms medium of communication is heard among fish vendors in markets. Each seller tries to attract the attention of buyers with her singing, trying to outing and outsell her neighbor vendor.

7. In market eateries or food sections it is not uncommon to see lady waitresses holding customers by their hands pulling them into their eatery to eat their food for sale.

8. “Hi Joe. Wanna buy watch?” This is a gimmick sometimes used in cities. A mestizo dressed in a U.S. Navy uniform offers to sell a watch or two at a low price price he’s about to leave for the U.S.” Buyers of these watches are sometimes cheated because they are actually of the poorest quality. Ignorant “provincianos” and gullible city-dweller fall easy prey to this gimmick.

9. When a foreign-looking buyer comes around, sellers usually jack-up their prices believing that Westerners have much money and can afoul to pay goods at higher prices.

10. Many Filipinos love to buy by installment or “hulugan” and “paiyakan”. This is common in offices, schools or even in neighborhoods where periodic payments for goods bought are collected by the sellers. Although goods get higher in price because of the installment plan, it is resorted to by many who cannot afford to pay big amounts in cash for furniture, appliances and jewelry. It enables them to “keep up with the Perezes”.