Market scam?

Post by **barrys** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:51 pm

My gf was at Hua Hin market this afternoon, buying meat.

She bought 4 separate items (all fresh pork products) from 4 different sellers.

We've just checked the weights on our kitchen scales after cross-checking with a 1/2 kilo bag of flour to make sure the scales are working properly.

1 item was overweight, i.e. generous seller
1 item was exact weight
2 items were, on average, 40% underweight - evidently the result of manipulated scales because she was watching them

She also tells me that if it's a long weekend with lots of Thai tourists around, the prices for fish and prawns, for example, also suddenly rise by around 15 - 20% because of "increased demand" - though the prices in Paknampran/Pranburi tend to remain constant.

Seems that a bit vigilance is needed when shopping these days!!
The gf says she simply won't buy at HH market any more - voting with her feet - fair play to her

Post by **Khundon1975** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:07 pm

40% under weight, that is just taking the p*** Barry.

I can understand the price rise, supply and demand kicking in there.

Even so, someone needs to report the stall holder to get those scales fixed.

Post by **miked** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:40 pm

this is exactly why we buy at Makro. ( no i haven't got shares in them) this seems to be a problem at many markets here. often the scales are covered on the customers side so you can't see what your getting. I'm sure the majority of traders are honest but how do you know.??
at Makro the quality is better, cheaper and fresher. the store has air con and secure parking. the toilets are spotless and i can help myself to a free cup of coffee. the prices are clearly marked and that's what you pay.
why go anywhere else.????
miked

Post by **barrys** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 11:04 pm

miked, I absolutely agree with you - and we normally do buy at Makro 'cos it's a lot closer and more hygienic.

On the other hand, it's a bit sad on account of local traders complaining that the big chains are destroying local business - but in reality the bad apples are ruining it for everyone - as I said, the gf simply won't buy at the market any more and then she'll be branded as anti-social to local thais - can't win can you?

Post by **Takiap** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 11:06 pm

All to his own i suppose. but i quite like the idea of supporting local vendors. I use a guy down on the corner when I buy meat and I've never been ripped off yet. If a vendor does try to overcharge, I simply walk away, whether the goods are already in a packet or not. I also never go back to a vendor once they've tried their luck.

This atually reminds me of the local ice cream wifey that comes by daily... two small tubs of ice cream = 30 baht while down at the local shop the same two tubs cost 6 baht each. Now, surely she knows I'm not a tourist after having seen me here everyday for years. Makes you wander what sort of an IQ she has......lol

Post by **buksida** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 12:11 am

This year everyone is suffering, call it what you will; credit crunch, economic crisis, financial meltdown ... whatever. Its just their way of trying to make up the difference by fleecing the easy targets which are farangs and weekend Bangkokians ... most of the time they don't know the difference between expats and tourists or Bangkokians and locals so they just chance their arm.

It's happening everywhere, not just in Hua Hin markets!

Post by **STEVE G** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:10 am

I know that market traders the world over are prone to these type of scams, but 40% under is just silly as anyone is going to notice that and stop buying from them.

Post by **migrant** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 7:26 am

I try to buy local here in California. We have a weekly farmers market in my town, and one on a different day in the next town.

I usually buy the same items from the same vendors, so I do get to know them.

After awhile they were giving me free stuff, or helping me pick choice items!

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:16 am

Mrs.T only uses trusted market stalls when shopping there. Otherwise it's Makro every time.

In the past we had staff who did the shopping and tried to rip us off. Cannot do that with Makro - you get an itemised receipt - easier to do the books as well.

But it's true what Buksi says - a lot of the traders don't know the difference between tourists and residents - you'd think that they would make the effort.

VincentD · Post by **VincentD** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:19 am

In Bangkok, I am fortunate that both the local wet market and Foodland are less than ten minutes away, and a five minute walk between each.

There are things you can get at the local market you won't get at Foodland, and vice versa.

If making curries and stuff I get fresh squeezed coconut milk from the wet market. If I'm making western-style food, Foodland becomes the choice. Plus, Foodland is open 24 hours a day.

I'm familiar to both the local wet market stallholders and the Foodland staff as I've been buying from them for years, so no rip-offs.

I'm utterly spoiled here.

Post by **heretostay** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 11:26 am

price per kilo meat and veg are more expensive than the supermarkets, and the quality is not so great, try the evening markets on the klong road has a large one on wednesdays and sundays, can almost buy double there to what i pay in the central market.
Even the Thai wife wont go to chat chai market. "pang mak mar"