How to buy appliances for your family in the Philippines — from abroad
The situation every OFW knows: you're in New York, Toronto, Dubai, or Riyadh, and the refrigerator back home in Batangas finally gives up. The old way was to remit money, have someone travel to the appliance store, and hope the price was fair. The better way: buy it yourself, online, with your own card, delivered to their door — and time it to a sale event so the discount is real.
Step 1 — Pick the platform
For big appliances, the practical choices are Lazada PH and Shopee PH. Both host official brand stores (LG, Samsung, Haier, Midea, Carrier and others) and major appliance retailers, both deliver nationwide, and both accept major international cards. Retailer sites like SM Appliance and Abenson are a good third option for price comparison.
Step 2 — Set up the account and card
- Create the account under your email — you keep the order history, receipts, and warranty records.
- Add your international Visa or Mastercard. Billing country and delivery country do not need to match.
- If the card is declined at checkout: try a virtual card from your bank, PayPal where offered, or top up a family member's GCash and have them place the order with your chosen listing.
Step 3 — Ship to the family's address
At checkout, the delivery address is your family's Philippine address, with the recipient's name and a working local phone number — couriers call before delivering large items. For province deliveries, check the listing's shipping coverage; official stores generally ship nationwide, but lead times outside Metro Manila are longer.
Step 4 — Time it to the sale calendar
Philippine e-commerce runs on double-day mega-sales: 9.9, 10.10, 11.11, and 12.12, with 11.11 usually the deepest of the year, plus payday voucher drops around the 15th and 30th of each month. A big-ticket purchase almost always deserves to wait for the next event — see our 2026 sale calendar for what's coming.
Watch out for fake discounts: some listings inflate the "before" price ahead of sale days. Compare the same model on both platforms and one retailer site before you pay. Prefer official brand stores for anything with a compressor or a warranty.
Step 5 — Delivery day
Track the order in your app; your family only needs to receive it. Check the unit before the courier leaves where possible, keep the box until the return window closes, and register the warranty with the brand's PH service center under the recipient's name.
Why this beats sending money
- You control the model and the price — no surprises at the appliance store.
- You catch the sale — discounts on official-store appliances during mega-sales are real money on a refrigerator-sized purchase.
- No remittance fee on that amount, and the card may earn your points or cashback.
- The paper trail is yours — receipt, warranty, and seller chat all live in your account.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my US, Canadian, or Gulf credit card on Lazada or Shopee PH?
Generally yes — both accept major international Visa and Mastercard, and the card's country doesn't have to match the delivery address. If it's declined, try a virtual card, PayPal where offered, or fund a family member's GCash.
Whose address goes on the order?
Your family's Philippine address, with the recipient's name and a working local mobile number — the courier coordinates delivery by phone.
When is the cheapest time to buy?
The 9.9 / 10.10 / 11.11 / 12.12 mega-sales, with 11.11 usually the deepest. Payday windows (15th and 30th) are smaller but monthly.
Who installs the appliance?
Delivery is handled by the platform's logistics partners; installation depends on the seller and product. Split-type aircon typically needs a separately booked installer — check the listing notes.
Is this better than just remitting the money?
Usually: you pick the exact model, catch the sale price yourself, skip the remittance fee on that amount, and keep the receipt and warranty in your own account.
How do I avoid fake discounts?
Compare the same model across Lazada, Shopee, and one retailer site. If the "sale" price is the everyday price elsewhere, skip it. Buy big-ticket items from official brand stores or verified mall sellers.