MACAHOO

Ok – I’ll give you the other side of the coin from Homepro:

I bought a new tap – faucet if you’re American.

When I opened the box at home, I discovered the filter was missing. I immediately brought it back to the shop. I was calm and undemanding and expected they would simply replace it with one of the others they had in stock. You must be kidding! They insisted they order a new filter from Bangkok and that I wait for “one week” until it arrived. I asked to speak to the manager. They told me he/she was in a meeting. Frustrated and, by this stage, furious, I left the shop – filterless. Ten minutes later, I returned to the shop, went round to the tap department and stole a filter from another box. Boy did it feel good!

Over the years, with the odd exception, I have found Homepro’s customer service, let’s say, somewhat lacking.

UPDATE:

I’ve found salt at a good price: 171 Baht per 25kg bag (160B plus VAT.) TRS brand – good, clean salt; I’ve used this salt for a few years.

Delivered free of charge anywhere in Phuket, providing you order a minimum of 10 (I think) bags.

P.K. Pools & Chemical Phuket – 089 1032877 or 082 4200029

Coming from the airport, it’s just before Heroines’ Monument, opposite the Shell petrol station.

If I understand you correctly, both Homeworks and Supercheap sell what you're looking for.

Thank you for all the replies.

For me, I think Makro is the answer – the price is great at 175 Baht for 25kg, plus I really like the sound of easily manageable, 5kg bags.

Do you need a member card to use the Makro (near Central Festival) or can anyone buy stuff?

My experience at Makro at the weekend:

I had never been before. When we went to the checkout, we were asked if we had a Makro card. We hadn’t. So, they gave us a one-day card. Then, near the front door, my girlfriend gave her name and id number, and the next time we go, she will pick up her proper card. I don’t know if a non-Thai can apply for the proper card.

And, about the Makro salt: The only salt that I could find is “iodized” which, according to my internet research, is not recommended for swimming pool use. I couldn’t find out why it’s not recommended. Of course it’s possible I missed the non-iodized salt, but staff told me that is the only salt they stock – and it was in 5kg bags. Oh, and it was 40 Baht for 5kg.

Thank you for all the replies.

For me, I think Makro is the answer – the price is great at 175 Baht for 25kg, plus I really like the sound of easily manageable, 5kg bags.

was paying THB 4500 per month but believe now gone up to THB 5000 !

Location is Thaibali villas Cherngtalay

If you pm me, I'll give you a contact for a guy who knows the science - not a bluffer like most of them - and won't charge you anything like that!

The title says it all.

Does anyone know where to buy the cheapest salt for my pool in Phuket?

Thank you.

I v tryed different supplyers, but some salt are very dirty, colors the water and clogg the filter.

Makro is approx 35 baht/5 kg bag and very clean salt.

Anyone cheaper for clean salt?

Thank you, katabeachbum.

This is the kind of answer I was hoping for.

The title says it all.

Does anyone know where to buy the cheapest salt for my pool in Phuket?

Thank you.

If you internally email me, I will supply you with contact details of an accountant whom I believe will do this job for significantly less than you're paying. And, by the way, over a period of four years this person has convinced me, and my friends, that she is 100% honest and above board.

I won't even ask why you're employing a lawyer to do an accountant's job!

I have a 'Sleeping Company' which was formed 7 years ago to buy my house here in Phuket. Every year I have to send in a tax return for my company. The thing is my company has no turnover or company accounts to fulfill. At present it cost me 25000 baht to have my return completed. I think this is quite a considerable sum as all my lawyer seems to do is press a few keys on her computer and 25000 baht thank you very much! Is there anyone else out there that has to do the same and does it cost you less? If you know of a lawyer who can do my return for less please let me know. Thanks so much.

My farang friend’s lawyer has told him that if he dies in Thailand, without having made a Thai will in which he states that he wishes to be buried in Thailand, he is not allowed to be buried or cremated in Thailand and the body must be repatriated – obviously at the deceased’s expense.

Anyone heard of this?

When you use the services of a so-called “international” lawyer, what you are effectively doing is employing a translator – and paying through the nose for it. I’ll admit that that’s a very attractive carrot.

Having used two of the local international firms, I’m sorry to say I found their services incompetent (to say the least) and in one case, a complete waste of time and serious money.

We did get a little off topic

My point is if someone does a good job, why not share it with all the members.

Do they not think he deserves it, or do they just like getting secret personal notes

Oh no Dan! You’re on to me. The cat’s out of the bag. You’ve cottoned on to the fact that I love getting “secret personal notes” from anonymous people, asking me for my builder’s phone number. You wouldn’t believe what a thrill it is.

OK LivinginKata… I see you’re a Super Moderator - and bearded, no less. So I’m gonna take your advice.

If anyone wants my contractor’s name and phone number, PM me.

I have been a daily browser here for a few years, but never posted until now. I couldn’t resist your request for a builder recommendation.

I am half way through (four and a half months) the building of a large villa and I am using a contractor who was well recommended to me. So far I cannot fault him – absolutely fantastic. After all the horror stories I’ve heard I was prepared for a nightmare, but it hasn’t come. Of course, there’s still quite a few months to go.

If you want his details, email me.

Thought I’d resurrect this thread if only to let people know that there actually are good, conscientious, honest builders out there – or maybe that should read: “a good, conscientious builder out there.”

The house is finished. I really couldn’t be happier. Much, much better than I had ever dreamed. He was very keen to do things correctly. He didn’t rip me off when he carried out extra work which was outside of his quotation. Quality and finishing is excellent.

I’m not saying this was easy – far from it – but it was nothing like a nightmare. More like a fitful night’s sleep.

I couldn’t be happier with the outcome.

Are you going to let us know who did it, or are you keeping it a secret????

Never mind the "PM me" stuff

Give him credit on an open forum if he deserves it

No, it’s not a secret! I could be very wrong, but I rarely (if ever) see posters give names of service providers on the forum. They always seem to say, “pm me.”

I will gladly post the company name and contact number if someone can confirm that it’s not against forum rules.

In the meantime, if you want my contractor’s number, pm me.

I have been a daily browser here for a few years, but never posted until now. I couldn’t resist your request for a builder recommendation.

I am half way through (four and a half months) the building of a large villa and I am using a contractor who was well recommended to me. So far I cannot fault him – absolutely fantastic. After all the horror stories I’ve heard I was prepared for a nightmare, but it hasn’t come. Of course, there’s still quite a few months to go.

If you want his details, email me.

Thought I’d resurrect this thread if only to let people know that there actually are good, conscientious, honest builders out there – or maybe that should read: “a good, conscientious builder out there.”

The house is finished. I really couldn’t be happier. Much, much better than I had ever dreamed. He was very keen to do things correctly. He didn’t rip me off when he carried out extra work which was outside of his quotation. Quality and finishing is excellent.

I’m not saying this was easy – far from it – but it was nothing like a nightmare. More like a fitful night’s sleep.

I couldn’t be happier with the outcome.

In my, admittedly, limited experience of having a digital camera repaired, you may find you can buy a brand new, higher spec-ed camera for the same price, or less, than you’ll pay to have your Fuji repaired. (Bearing in mind that your camera is a three year old model).

I had mine sent to Bangkok.

There is no doubt that a countersignature, on both one of the submitted pics and on the application form itself, is required when renewing a UK passport.

I have the application form in front of me.

In fact, section 9 on the form, which is the field that requires the countersignature, states in bold, block capitals “THIS SECTION MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE COUNTERSIGNATORY.” The countersignatory, besides signing, is required to give name, professional qualification, address, passport number and telephone number.

It’s surprising LivinginKata successfully renewed his passport without this requirement.

Phuketrex - This is the sort of reply I was looking for. Thank you!

You say, "Used a Kodak shop in Sai Nam Yen road in Patong for the pics." Could you kindly be more specific on exactly where the Kodak shop is, in case I go to Patong tomorrow and there are several Kodak shops on that road?

Yes, tricky problem. I needed a new UK passport late 2007. Tried a photo shop in Chalong, they say no problem we know what to do. Then when go British Embassy in Bangkok photos no good. But no problem, go over to mall almost opposite UK embassy and get correct photo format in about 10 minutes.

Thanks for that LivinginKata, but I'm applying for my passport by post from Phuket.

If I have to go to Bangkok because of a stupid photo, I will not be amused!

Anyone else?

Has anyone recently applied for a British passport?

The latest requirements for the photograph are very strict and specific, and I’m wondering where in Phuket I can have such a photograph taken.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

To mfiskong.

I assume from the wording of your post you are Brazilian (Brasilian?).

I must say: your command of the English language is ultra-excellent; much better than the average person whose mother tongue is English.

There’s an exceptional, relatively new, little restaurant in Rawai/Sai Yuan on the soi with the boxing gym on it. It’s called “Cashew Nut’s Food” [sic]… Don’t ask!!

Nice atmosphere – very friendly staff – great Thai food (haven’t sampled the farang menu) – very clean. My Thai girlfriend says the Pad Thai is just about the best she’s ever had.

I have been a daily browser here for a few years, but never posted until now. I couldn’t resist your request for a builder recommendation.

I am half way through (four and a half months) the building of a large villa and I am using a contractor who was well recommended to me. So far I cannot fault him – absolutely fantastic. After all the horror stories I’ve heard I was prepared for a nightmare, but it hasn’t come. Of course, there’s still quite a few months to go.

If you want his details, email me.