As e-commerce grew in the Philippines, one segment was left out–OFWs. Because they live and work outside of the Philippines, they do not carry credit cards and thus, cannot shop or pay online.
Enter PayRemit, a shopping app that makes it possible for migrant workers to shop online and pay with remittance,which was launched last 2017 with partner merchants Goldilocks and Cebu Pacific. A year later, PayRemit expanded its services and began piloting a shopping site on Facebook for appliances and gadgets that OFWs could send to their families back home. Today, the PayRemit App is a well-stocked, curated marketplace that can deliver items to OFWs across Luzon and selected areas in Visayas and Mindanao.
“We had to respond to OFWs’ needs. They wanted an online platform for appliances and gadgets. So we built one. ,” says Vincent Grey, PayRemit President & CEO
True to the problems it was created to address, Payremit continuously listens to the market and makes it possible for OFWs to pay in installment. With these concerns heard and addressed, Filipinos in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia can now enjoy the same benefits as credit cards when shopping on the PayRemit App.
Moreover, PayRemit offers concierge services, which makes purchasing infinitely easier for OFWs. Customers can message PayRemit on FB and someone will help them throughout the entire process. In addition, PayRemit has sales agents who are fellow OFWs and satisfied PayRemit customers who want to help their kabayans shop. This makes PayRemit a tight-knit community of OFWs who are able to help each other bring happiness to their families.
Aside from this personal touch, what really sets PayRemit apart is the capability to collect cash payments from OFWs, which no other e-commerce site has been able to do. To do this, PayRemit taps local suppliers such as Abenson, Royal Star Appliances and K Servico to be able to deliver items at lower cost.
“When we finally got the business model right, it became clear that we were making a huge difference in the lives of our customers, sales agents, and their families. The photos they share with us are testament to this.” adds Grey.
However, the journey is not over yet. With more products and services coming this year, PayRemit remains committed to its purpose to empower the lives of Filipino migrant workers and their families, one purchase at a time.