Amazon taking on NTUC in Spore

johnny333 · Apr 6, 2015

I received an email from Amazon about them shipping personal care products for FREE to Spore on order of US$125+

Here are the items:

Bathroom tissues, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007UZNS5W/ref=pe_367160_136254550_pe_epc__1p_0_ti
Pampers, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005DLCJX2/ref=pe_367160_136254550_pe_epc__1p_1_ti
Dishwashing detergent, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GLXKDPC/ref=pe_367160_136254550_pe_epc__1p_2_ti
Pampers Swadlers, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DFFT76U/ref=pe_367160_136254550_pe_epc__1p_3_ti
Kleenax tissues 3 ply, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008YD8232/ref=pe_367160_136254550_pe_epc__1p_4_ti
Paper Towels, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BGN8PLG/ref=pe_367160_136254550_pe_epc__1p_5_ti

I'm actually surprised that Amazon is able to offer FREE shipping because these are bulky items. Other than the price there is the convenience If they can ship to a persons door step. I'm sure people dislike carrying large bulky items on a bus.

In the past NTUC had a monopoly in Spore but with Amazon getting serious about expanding worldwide, NTUC may be in trouble.

gingerlyn · Apr 6, 2015

very good info. thank you.

one of my relatives work in EDB and Amazon once proposed to Singapore government to allow them to set up Asia regional distribution hub in Singapore but this was totally rejected by Singapore government.

i dont know what is the motive for Singapore government to reject amazon proposal.
Amazon even offering singapore government to own amazon shares.

since this request is rejected, Singapore consumers continue to receive amazon parcel from USA (usually transit at Hong Kong / Seoul).

johnny333 · Apr 6, 2015

gingerlyn said:
very good info. thank you.

one of my relatives work in EDB and Amazon once proposed to Singapore government to allow them to set up Asia regional distribution hub in Singapore but this was totally rejected by Singapore government.

i dont know what is the motive for Singapore government to reject amazon proposal

PAP has many sidelines e.g. NTUC supermaket.
Obviously they are afraid of the competition from Amazon. This is going to cost Sporeans, just look at what happened when they turned away Airasia

The email got me curious & I've started looking at Amazon for other useful household items that Amazon will ship FREE to Spore e.g. laundry detergent. Will ask my relatives to share in these bulk orderings or maybe include books in my orders.

thinkorsink · Apr 6, 2015

the next move that the sg gahment going to do is impose taxes on these neccessity items.

gingerlyn · Apr 6, 2015

Johnny
the problem with amazon now is that there are many items which are sold and shipped by amazon.
however, due to licensing, amazon dont ship to Singapore.

for example,
Dockers pants.

sold and shipped by amazon but not shipped to Singapore.

i believe this is due to protest by Dockers retailers (JayGee)

LITTLEREDDOT · Apr 6, 2015

gingerlyn said:
very good info. Thank you.

One of my relatives work in edb and amazon once proposed to singapore government to allow them to set up asia regional distribution hub in singapore but this was totally rejected by singapore government.

I dont know what is the motive for singapore government to reject amazon proposal.
Amazon even offering singapore government to own amazon shares.

Since this request is rejected, singapore consumers continue to receive amazon parcel from usa (usually transit at hong kong / seoul).

protectionism

Sideswipe · Apr 6, 2015

johnny333 said:
I received an email from Amazon about them shipping personal care products for FREE to Spore on order of US$125+

Here are the items:

Bathroom tissues, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007UZNS5W/ref=pe_367160_136254550_pe_epc__1p_0_ti
Pampers, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005DLCJX2/ref=pe_367160_136254550_pe_epc__1p_1_ti
Dishwashing detergent, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GLXKDPC/ref=pe_367160_136254550_pe_epc__1p_2_ti
Pampers Swadlers, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DFFT76U/ref=pe_367160_136254550_pe_epc__1p_3_ti
Kleenax tissues 3 ply, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008YD8232/ref=pe_367160_136254550_pe_epc__1p_4_ti
Paper Towels, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BGN8PLG/ref=pe_367160_136254550_pe_epc__1p_5_ti

I'm actually surprised that Amazon is able to offer FREE shipping because these are bulky items. Other than the price there is the convenience If they can ship to a persons door step. I'm sure people dislike carrying large bulky items on a bus.

In the past NTUC had a monopoly in Spore but with Amazon getting serious about expanding worldwide, NTUC may be in trouble.

purchases from Amazon: collect at collection points, not send to home, in Singapore ?

what about buying them from China @ Taobao ?

johnny333 · Apr 6, 2015

gingerlyn said:
Johnny
the problem with amazon now is that there are many items which are sold and shipped by amazon.
however, due to licensing, amazon dont ship to Singapore.

for example,
Dockers pants.

sold and shipped by amazon but not shipped to Singapore.

i believe this is due to protest by Dockers retailers (JayGee)

Amazon probably does not care who they sell to but they face restrictions imposed by the companies. However I am sometimes surprised by the items they will send to Spore, e.g. Samsung SSD drives.

I've noticed an improvement in their website for overseas buyers. If you sign into your account & it is set with a Spore address, there will be info whether an item can be sent to Spore. Many common household products are sold by Amazon & can be shipped to Spore, so I won't have problems satisfying the $125 minimum.

If an item is sold by Amazon & there are no restrictions imposed by the distributor, the shipping is FREE as long as the order is US$125 & above.

I get my shirts, pants, shoes from Amazon. However sales of clothing is usually restricted to the US e.g. Patagonia clothing . I've gotten around this by using a freight forwarder.

However there is a simpler way if I want to get Patagonia products. Order directly from the Patagonia online store, they will ship the order to Spore. Check with Dockers if they have an online store. Another place to check is ebay. Many of the merchants there will ship overseas.

johnny333 · Apr 6, 2015

Sideswipe said:
purchases from Amazon: collect at collection points, not send to home, in Singapore ?

what about buying them from China @ Taobao ?

I have ordered many things from Amazon & they will send items to my home address in Spore. They will take care of all the paper work.
They are using Spore as a distribution centre for this region & that is why shipping is free as long as the order is $125 and above.

Can't comment on Taobao because I've never tried them .

xpo2015 · Apr 6, 2015

Amazon should take over Sim Lim Square so that we wont see tourists knee down to get refunds from chow ah bengs.

johnny333 · Apr 6, 2015

thinkorsink said:
the next move that the sg gahment going to do is impose taxes on these neccessity items.

They are already doing that, it is called the GST.
Any items coming into Spore with a value of US$200 and above is charged GST

The reason things cost so much in Spore is that businesses have high overheads e.g. rental, electricity, ...
With more people ordering things online many businesses in Spore will shut down.

xpo2015 · Apr 6, 2015

You should order a new 50 inch TV.

halsey02 · Apr 6, 2015

You cannot trade or buy in Singapore, unless you have the mark of the following on your forehead..."PAP", "PA", "NTUC"....then your palm must be marked with "PIONEER", " PASSION"...please add further.."MARK", where you must have to trade, buy or survive....

johnny333 · Apr 6, 2015

xpo2015 said:
You should order a new 50 inch TV.

A spore user would have problems with a US TV because it uses 120volts & runs under the NTSC & not PAL standard

Leckmichamarsch · Apr 6, 2015

gingerlyn said:
very good info. thank you.

one of my relatives work in EDB and Amazon once proposed to Singapore government to allow them to set up Asia regional distribution hub in Singapore but this was totally rejected by Singapore government.

i dont know what is the motive for Singapore government to reject amazon proposal.
Amazon even offering singapore government to own amazon shares.

since this request is rejected, Singapore consumers continue to receive amazon parcel from USA (usually transit at Hong Kong / Seoul).

Jack Ma owns n uses Singpost for his eCommerce. so the heat is on brick n mortar biz

GOD IS MY DOG · Apr 6, 2015

so far almost everything i wanna order from them don't ship to S'pore one.........how to know beforehand that they'll ship here..........?

congo9 · Apr 6, 2015

GOD IS MY DOG said:
so far almost everything i wanna order from them don't ship to S'pore one.........how to know beforehand that they'll ship here..........?

Yes, i wanted to order fitness watch also can't send here. Have to send through a forwarder in USA.
I wanted to order some high class lingerie also can't send here. KNS ..

I

johnny333 · Apr 6, 2015

Leckmichamarsch said:
Jack Ma owns n uses Singpost for his eCommerce. so the heat is on brick n mortar biz

I've tried ordering from an online stores named Qoo10, http://www.qoo10.sg/ The experience has been disappointing because they use Singpost & items often go missing :biggrin:

So if Jack Ma is smart he should already know about the problems with Singpost

johnny333 · Apr 6, 2015

GOD IS MY DOG said:
so far almost everything i wanna order from them don't ship to S'pore one.........how to know beforehand that they'll ship here..........?

You have to create an account with Amazon.
After creating an account, make sure to chose delivery to your Spore address.
While you are signed on go look at the items you are interested in. The system will indicate if the item can be shipped to Spore

johnny333 · Apr 6, 2015

If anyone is interested in getting a good air purifier, they can get a Honeywell air purifier from Amazon for only US110.49
http://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-502...8&qid=1428312657&sr=8-3&keywords=air+purifier

You'll have to buy a few more items to reach the $125 minimum. Suggest some spare HEPA & carbon pre-filters and a step down transormer like this unit http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Star-15...428313231&sr=8-12&keywords=power+transformers This model is sold by Amazon & can be exported to Spore.

Amazon taking on NTUC in Spore

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