Consumer experience thailand

[Mikisteel]

Fridge broke last week so began looking and found decent upgrades at places like.

 

Big c

Powerbuy

 

Checked model numbers on lazada saw better prices by 1-2k baht less but after inspecting the specs realised those model numbers were incorrect and the specs of many of the fridges were smaller than the more expensive correct models in the retail stores.

 

So buying online seemed like a bad idea.

 

Went back to Powerbuy but got accosted by smarmy sales guy who kept saying Hitachi better than Samsung.

 

Not being an expert I asked for an explanation. Nothing made sense after that so we went to a different store which was smaller but had many more options.

 

Found one which had a nice depth to the freezer so we went through the delivery process and the warranty process with the guy. 25 minutes that took.

 

He goes off to check when they can deliver and advises us no stock and no stock in other stores. 

 

I thought this was a bit odd but I said ok when is new stock due and how long to wait.

 

This seemed beyond him so he told me no new stock coming without seeking that info, he knew immediately so at that point I know he's BS.

 

So we're heading for the exit and then I realise. I am a farang and we don't accept bullshiiit from lazy sales people.

 

So I go into mildly pisssed off farang mode and say to the three clock watchers by the exit. "Can I speak to the manager please" no have, they say so a little louder I repeat the phrase and 3 tall guys are now looking over who look like managers. I shout softly are you a manager and catch eye contact. Guy comes over asks in English if I speak Thai I answer in Thai yes but only a little but here's my wife who is Thai.

 

Explain we don't believe Powerbuy puts machines on the floor which they cannot supply.

 

Manager says it's correct we only display it if we can supply it. 

 

Advise him we want the fridge freezer and we don't mind waiting for delivery.

 

Guy goes off and in 2 mins he has located 6 of them and delivery is within 5 days.

 

Do paperwork, pay. Job done.

 

I don't complain about the first guy but it's painful to have to go through such a charade for something which should be so easy to do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bendejo]

Gotta wonder why he pulled the "mai mee" stunt.

 

 

[Puchaiyank]

"Ditto"...your experience has been also mine...not all sales clerks but I have learned if they immediately say "no have"...I say thank you and continue looking for the item I need...most of the time it may take a few moments to locate the item...then carry to sales clerk and say, "see, have"...they usually roll their eyes and walk away...lol

[attrayant]

I find the mom & pop appliance shops to have the best prices and they sell all the same things.  The only downside is that I have to take a Thai friend or relative with me to speak to them because they usually have zero English-speaking ability.

 

[BurgerGung]

Pretending not to know is regrettably common.

[johng]

I think they get commission on certain brands and will try all and any trick to get a sale.

[moontang]

A friend has a new Hitachi and it does appear to be better made than the Samsung.  I bought a Toshiba inverter from powerbuy, 2 door, for 6600.  Sony smart TV from lazada.  Salespeople at the big stores are compulsive liars. 

[robblok]

Its great shopping in Thailand, unlike your experience.

 

Just now on a Sunday ordered a new gym machine. Contacted the owner on line asked about dimensions .. guy got back in 15 minutes with the dimensions. I asked if white was the only color, was told could have black and some other colors too. I said black. Got a price quote was told it took between 20 and 30 days to make and paid the guy and done.

 

All that on a Sunday and without much hassle. I guess it depends who you contact and how you behave yourself. (not saying that the OP did anything wrong)

 

There is good and bad everywhere. 

[topt]

2 hours ago, robblok said:

There is good and bad everywhere. 

Agreed but ultimately you are talking about a very different experience to the OP. You were in direct contact with the owner unlike the OP who was talking to a staffer in a chain shop.......

 

Which I guess proves your point............

 

 

[dotpoom]

When I buy stuff like this I buy according to the price...thus living by my motto in life..."Keep it simple".

[wreckingcountry]

Fridge broke last week so began looking and found decent upgrades at places like.

 

Big c

Powerbuy

 

Checked model numbers on lazada saw better prices by 1-2k baht less but after inspecting the specs realised those model numbers were incorrect and the specs of many of the fridges were smaller than the more expensive correct models in the retail stores.

 

So buying online seemed like a bad idea.

 

Went back to Powerbuy but got accosted by smarmy sales guy who kept saying Hitachi better than Samsung.

 

Not being an expert I asked for an explanation. Nothing made sense after that so we went to a different store which was smaller but had many more options.

 

Found one which had a nice depth to the freezer so we went through the delivery process and the warranty process with the guy. 25 minutes that took.

 

He goes off to check when they can deliver and advises us no stock and no stock in other stores. 

 

I thought this was a bit odd but I said ok when is new stock due and how long to wait.

 

This seemed beyond him so he told me no new stock coming without seeking that info, he knew immediately so at that point I know he's BS.

 

So we're heading for the exit and then I realise. I am a farang and we don't accept bullshiiit from lazy sales people.

 

So I go into mildly pisssed off farang mode and say to the three clock watchers by the exit. "Can I speak to the manager please" no have, they say so a little louder I repeat the phrase and 3 tall guys are now looking over who look like managers. I shout softly are you a manager and catch eye contact. Guy comes over asks in English if I speak Thai I answer in Thai yes but only a little but here's my wife who is Thai.

 

Explain we don't believe Powerbuy puts machines on the floor which they cannot supply.

 

Manager says it's correct we only display it if we can supply it. 

 

Advise him we want the fridge freezer and we don't mind waiting for delivery.

 

Guy goes off and in 2 mins he has located 6 of them and delivery is within 5 days.

 

Do paperwork, pay. Job done.

 

I don't complain about the first guy but it's painful to have to go through such a charade for something which should be so easy to do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just an example of the majority of staff who work in large stores ! They haven’t a clue what’s going on other than told to push certain items to customers ! And as you said they aren’t even very good at that !

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Creasy]

No hab

[watcharacters]

 

Good customer service is not one of Thailand's strong points.

 

 

[giddyup]

8 minutes ago, Creasy said:

No hab

Agreed. Far easier to say this than get up off your arse and show the customer where it is, or interrupt the game playing on your iphone.

[30la]

On 7/14/2019 at 3:55 AM, Puchaiyank said:

"Ditto"...your experience has been also mine...not all sales clerks but I have learned if they immediately say "no have"...I say thank you and continue looking for the item I need...most of the time it may take a few moments to locate the item...then carry to sales clerk and say, "see, have"...they usually roll their eyes and walk away...lol

We are in Thailand, saying "I don't know" is a loss of face, it's easier to say "we don't have it"!

[jackdd]

1 hour ago, wreckingcountry said:

Just an example of the majority of staff who work in large stores ! They haven’t a clue what’s going on other than told to push certain items to customers ! And as you said they aren’t even very good at that !

You can't expect much from people who get paid 30 THB per hour.

[rwill]

When buying from powerbuy you can often get a much lower price buying it from their online site.  Specially when they have an item discounted already and then also have a % off code you can apply too.  I recently bought a whirlpool dryer that way .  Normal cost is 37,900.  I paid 26,100 for it.  A large difference.

 

[CLW]

Typical lazy sales man attitude of many (not all) clerks here in Thailand.
The first years I would have done same as you. Now I don't bother if they can't use their brain or lift their asses.
Another store will be happy to sell it to me.

Recently I enquired about the price and requested an offer for some construction related stuff. Asked five companies in Thai language via phone call, line message and email.
Now, one week later none of them replied.
Business must be going well...

[mejomini]

Bought several appliances at HomePro. Usually there is a sale promotion going on....really good prices on a Samsung refrigerator and 3 Air conditioning units. Also  bought a hood and hob for my new kitchen.  Friendly, efficient service, quick delivery at my convenience, hassle-free installation. Beat the other guys' prices hands down too. Very happy with the service. A warranty defect item was taken care of without any hassle too. 

[connda]

On 7/14/2019 at 8:51 AM, BurgerGung said:

Pretending not to know is regrettably common.

In Thailand, it's called - "Customer Service." 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

3 hours ago, watcharacters said:

 

Good customer service is not one of Thailand's strong points.

 

 

Poor customer service IS one of Thailand's strong points.  

[NCC1701A]

NEVER EVER walk into a store of any type in Thailand and ask a Thai for their opinion of a product or which you should buy.

 

research everything online and then stick to your guns.

 

you realize 99% have never bought a frig or made any major purchase of any type.

 

 

[Zikomat]

 I have stopped asking for any support or help from the Thais long time ago. I remember my Uncle visiting me on Samui 5 years ago. We go to Power Buy, buy a lot of stuff and then my Uncle is asking for something specific. I go to the staff and immediately get the standard "no have" answer from another Thai service idiot.  I inform my Uncle but he refuses to believe and goes to look for the item himself. After just 5 minutes he comes with it in his hands. 

 So these days I prefer not to ask for any help from the Thais at any place. If I can find it myself - I find it. If not - I go to another place. They are just not helpful. And never try to ask for the directions from any Thai person - they will send you to any direction they like just to get rid of you. Happened to me not once.

There is so much unexplained idiocy in these people , so I will refrain from adding more examples in order not to get banned on this website.

Edited July 15, 2019 by Zikomat

[Zikomat]

14 hours ago, 30la said:

We are in Thailand, saying "I don't know" is a loss of face, it's easier to say "we don't have it"!

I don't agree. It is just a laziness multiplied by "it is ok not to care about the stranger" effect. They will never act the same way with their own people.

Edited July 15, 2019 by Zikomat

[Captor]

I have heard that the guy who wants to sell a Hitachi is actually employed by Hitachi and not by Powerbay. That explains why he only want to sell that.

OR if he is employee at Powerbay he is getting bigger payback from Hitachi.

[hobz]

The staff at my local homepro usually scatter like roaches as soon as I indicated that I may need some help.

I'm pretty sure that they are afraid of speaking english. I bet they are hired because they have some sort of English degree and yet they can't speak a word and they are afraid that this will surface to the managers..

 

But yeah, also the whole "mai Mee" when they clearly have no idea is super annoying... I figure they are lazy and sometimes even hostile.. like they enjoy disappointing farangs or something... God knows with these morons.. usually not the sharpest tools in the shed..

 

Had one guy at the gardening section in homepro trying to convince me to just "burn" everything together instead of using adapters and stuff. Hilarious.. found all the right adapters at global house the same day ????

[colinneil]

Mikisteel i had a similar experience, needed new fridge/freezer, looked at lazada, things not quite correct.

Went to Global, no sales staff interested in helping me ( playing on smartphones).

Went to big C, SALES STAFF SWARMING AROUND ME, i am interested in that 1, why you not buy this 1, no use to me as you can see, i am unable to walk, the freezer compartment is too high for me.

No hab the 1 you want, what the hell is that then? no hab.

Where madam you, they ask, i am here i am buying, i want that 1.

Getting nowhere, so i take out my phone, spoke English, 1 of the salesmen says he is speaking to his madam..... Wrong, i was speaking to the store manager, explained the nonsense her staff were giving me, give the phone to a sales person, 5 minutes later the 1 i wanted suddenly appeared, delivered 3 hours later.

[Destiny1990]

Shops could follow the ikea formula Thailand.

 

[faraday]

51 minutes ago, Destiny1990 said:

Shops could follow the ikea formula Thailand.

 

Wassat then?

[bluesofa]

2 hours ago, Destiny1990 said:

Shops could follow the ikea formula Thailand.

Build your own?