Galleon.ph, a new local e-shop created by <Openovate Labs />, launched in public alpha today.

Galleon is a store sourcing items locally not available on the market. To define which products the store sells, social media is integrated and users, visitors of the site can ‘Like’ products they wish to purchase. If enough people like the products, the Galleon team will start ordering the product.

More than anything, Galleon.ph describes itself as a social experiment. Galleon crowdsources its store offering.

Christian Blanquera:

We think this project is pretty unique in that we are selling products not originally available here. The products we sell are ever growing because it’s the social community that really builds the store, based on what they truly want. We are trying to make this into a social experience and experiment.

Due to its unique concept of sourcing from other nations, Galleon customers will have to be patient once having placed their order. Galleon expects that deliveries will take anywhere between 10 and 15 days, because of a double stage shipping system[1]. For the client this obviously does save the hassle one could experience with shipping to Johnny Air or customs delaying the process when importing goods. With Galleon the prices cover everything: both customs and shipping are included, as well as payment fees.

Galleon can be called crowdsourcing products
Pavan Challa
Galleon.ph

As is normal with products ordered from the US, it is important that customers are aware that electronic appliances they may order via Galleon will operate on 110V as default. Customers thus must make sure they have the possibility to plug in 110V devices, or the device can operate between the 110V-240V range.

While some users may not want to link their Galleon account to their Facebook account, we reckon it is the smarter account creation option. Nobody needs one more profile, with one more password to remember. Galleon also does not auto-publish on one’s wall.

Galleon is the third project launched by Openovate, whose founder Christian Blanquera we interviewed last week.

We missed having a FAQ on the site[2] as well as payment options beyond Paypal. The Openovate team told me that they are working at implementing other payment options as well. With Paypal as main payment option the procedure is simple and fast. In this initial stage, Galleon only accepts locally issued credit cards (via Paypal). If a customer wishes to use an international credit card, they must provide verification IDs before the order is confirmed.
Foregoing the coming verification process for locally issued credit cards will please most customers and speed up their order, but we fear that Galleon may add the additional verification in a near future due to the Paypal’s often unpleasant attitude towards businesses.

As with most stores the footer block is rather humongous as well, due to the large amount of product categories, but the team have cleverly hidden the footer behind a smooth roll out option.

Compared to most local online stores, Galleon is a jewel in the jungle.

We do like the Galleon awesome design and its typography. Compared to most local online stores, Galleon is a jewel in the jungle. Not only is the homepage well designed, but a great level of attention was spent on designing the product pages and search results.

Galleon is a welcome newcomer on the local e-commerce market, with an innovative concept. Even while still in alpha the site excels in design and its simplicity. Minor bugs are still to be expected, and personally we wish the store to also offer ThinkGeek products, but anyone willing to browse the Galleon store is bound to find awesome items. There’s literally something for everyone. Nose shower gel dispenser? Check. Social media shower curtain? Check.

Addendum: Jeffrey Siy updated us that users can now also pay with GCash and Smart Money, thanks to the inclusion of the AsiaPay payment Gateway, additionally to Paypal.

1. First internal shipment and then local shipment [↩]
2. Despite its numerous help links in the footer [↩]