Hermespan

Riding a folding bike around Manila: Bringing in a package from overseas via Express Mail Service (EMS)

The above concerns ordering a bag from Thailand to Philippines. Don't forget not just shipping costs but taxes and duty to bring items in.

Wouldn't surprise me if it is cheaper to fly Air Asia to Bangkok and back to Manila than ordering online. Technically retail price of this product is cheaper than equivalents in Philippines but the 'free shipping' offer for three months was deceptive in my view as export itemss are priced higher, even *before* shipping. Plus the wait, hassles and Customs man. I met a member of the Thai company at the Taipei bike show and she told me picking it up in BKK was something like THB1800

So, if you plan your shopping in advance, and if you are travelling anyway, it looks like there are significant savings buying direct.

Whether this works for Indonesian and Vietnamese bicycle products I do not know. I *do* know that 'free international shipping' on some herbal health products from Sumatra is marketing disenginuity (aka a lie) because when I order for delivery in Indonesia I get twice the amount. So, there is no such thing as 'free' obviously. I presume the bicycle parts and accessories market is the same as health supplements one.

Azreal911

doesn't the asian countries have Lion air which you can fly from within one country to the next for like around $50 USD? but then you get on the plane like you get on the bus no seat reservations . still worth it to go pick up a bike for the day!

Hermespan

Yes, but when part of my job as a producer is to book flights for the production team in Asia I do NOT book Lion Air flights, even though they are the cheapest of even the discount airlines. My boss is a pilot and he won't fly LION AIR. Why? Pilots were found to be using amphetamines in off time.

But yes, *if* you book enough in advance, and especially during seat sales, AIR ASIA can be a great deal.

So, fundamentally I agree with you. But discount airlines have such minimal baggage linits, abd you pay fir ecery little add-on (such as a SEAT!, such a ms PAYING!!) that except in dxceptional circumstances as noted above it is better to fly normal airlines.