American Standard? Better Go Global!

[p1p]

This interesting text was recently sent to me in an email, seems to pretty much sum up my experience too.:

It's only after wasting hours, many liters of petrol and some 9,000b in cash that my wife and I discovered Global House on the southern loop of the central ring road, on your left after you've crossed the river bridge on your way towards Wieng Khum Kam and Lamphun. The place is vast, very well air-conned and stacked with enormous choice on every imaginable item for the home builder/improver.

Sadly for us it was the very last place mentioned by the builder who is currently destroying our tiny bathroom in an attempt to re-build it large enough to take an actual bath tub.

First call was American Standard on the east side of the Chiang Rai road just north of the central ring road. I saw exactly the design of bath I craved and like an idiot shelled out 14,000b for it there and then. The almost identical item at Global House? Just 5,000b. Then we saw some tiles we needed. They are sold in boxes of 25 and there were 20 left in one opened box. No more in stock. No problem, I had measured carefully and we needed exactly 20. Would you believe that they would only sell them to us at the individual price per tile? It would be 45 baht CHEAPER to buy a full box of 25 and use 6 for target practice than scoop up their surplus 19. I stamped out in disgust, leaving my wife to apologise for me!

American Standard, the Homepro section of Carrefour and Home Mart on the other side of Superhighway do not do window frames. Be warned! So after more wasted visits we we found ourselves elsewhere on Superhighway at a place that specialises in timber doors and window frames. I needed 2 frames with openable glass and fitted mozzie screens. We'd have to fit the screens ouselves, because they didn't do that, said the girl. As I could not drive a nail into a piece of wood without losing at least 2 fingers I was not impressed. So imagine my reaction when she added that, having bought the frames, we would then have to find someone else to fit the glass?!! Aaaarrgghhhhh! My wife did the exit speech and mandatory smiling for a second time.

At this point I was tempted to go for some good western common sense to a company that seems to specialise in sophisticated, COMPLETE double-glazed windows, a Chiang Mai company blessed with the Amazing name of Pik-Ass. But fed up with wasted miles, we phoned them. Yes, they could do just what we wanted. In Germany. 3,500 baht each and 4 weeks delivery. Our builder needed the windows in 24 hours!

Global House has none of the tile pricing nonsense and had just the windows we needed - COMPLETE - at 1,950 baht each. Their staff are outstandingly friendly and efficient, we have some vouchers which may win us a car, they are now adding a small garden centre and a man in the huge car park was selling ice cream. WHY go elsewhere?

[lannarebirth]

My girlfriend thinks there's a chedi behind Global House, as I give high wai everytime I pass by. I hope they're scouting locations near Mae Rim for a future store. Not only is it 10 times better than anyplace here, it's better than most of the places I used to go back home.

[Tywais]

Our front screen door is shredded due to our mischievous dog. Wonder if they can re-screen it or perhaps complete replacement. Prices?

[chanchao]

LOL, the Global House appreciation thread.. I completely agree.

I also can related to the insane bathroom situation in Thai residential construction. The house we're going to move to has 4 bathrooms, but none of them big enough to fit a really nice bathtub. (Those twin jacuzzi things..) I'm considering to convert a complete bedroom into a huge bathroom.

[Donnyboy]

This interesting text was recently sent to me in an email, seems to pretty much sum up my experience too.:

It's only after wasting hours, many liters of petrol and some 9,000b in cash that my wife and I discovered Global House on the southern loop of the central ring road, on your left after you've crossed the river bridge on your way towards Wieng Khum Kam and Lamphun. The place is vast, very well air-conned and stacked with enormous choice on every imaginable item for the home builder/improver.

Sadly for us it was the very last place mentioned by the builder who is currently destroying our tiny bathroom in an attempt to re-build it large enough to take an actual bath tub.

First call was American Standard on the east side of the Chiang Rai road just north of the central ring road. I saw exactly the design of bath I craved and like an idiot shelled out 14,000b for it there and then. The almost identical item at Global House? Just 5,000b. Then we saw some tiles we needed. They are sold in boxes of 25 and there were 20 left in one opened box. No more in stock. No problem, I had measured carefully and we needed exactly 20. Would you believe that they would only sell them to us at the individual price per tile? It would be 45 baht CHEAPER to buy a full box of 25 and use 6 for target practice than scoop up their surplus 19. I stamped out in disgust, leaving my wife to apologise for me!

American Standard, the Homepro section of Carrefour and Home Mart on the other side of Superhighway do not do window frames. Be warned! So after more wasted visits we we found ourselves elsewhere on Superhighway at a place that specialises in timber doors and window frames. I needed 2 frames with openable glass and fitted mozzie screens. We'd have to fit the screens ouselves, because they didn't do that, said the girl. As I could not drive a nail into a piece of wood without losing at least 2 fingers I was not impressed. So imagine my reaction when she added that, having bought the frames, we would then have to find someone else to fit the glass?!! Aaaarrgghhhhh! My wife did the exit speech and mandatory smiling for a second time.

At this point I was tempted to go for some good western common sense to a company that seems to specialise in sophisticated, COMPLETE double-glazed windows, a Chiang Mai company blessed with the Amazing name of Pik-Ass. But fed up with wasted miles, we phoned them. Yes, they could do just what we wanted. In Germany. 3,500 baht each and 4 weeks delivery. Our builder needed the windows in 24 hours!

Global House has none of the tile pricing nonsense and had just the windows we needed - COMPLETE - at 1,950 baht each. Their staff are outstandingly friendly and efficient, we have some vouchers which may win us a car, they are now adding a small garden centre and a man in the huge car park was selling ice cream. WHY go elsewhere?

theres somethings you cant buy there thou. I was looking for a timer, the kind you plug into a socket so you can have your lamp plugged into. Couldnt find one. Went up and down the isles in the electrical dept 2 times. (found it at Homepro) Bought a great garden sprinkler thou, 90 baht!

Also have been looking for a bracket to mount my microwave, cant find one anywhere. Have been to the usual places, Homepro & Global but they dont do them. Anyone know where I could find one in CM? Also a garden spade, most have funny looking hoes,shovels and stuff but no spades

this is what Im after

Edited April 29, 2007 by Donnyboy

[JuniorExPat]

This interesting text was recently sent to me in an email, seems to pretty much sum up my experience too.:

It's only after wasting hours, many liters of petrol and some 9,000b in cash that my wife and I discovered Global House on the southern loop of the central ring road, on your left after you've crossed the river bridge on your way towards Wieng Khum Kam and Lamphun. The place is vast, very well air-conned and stacked with enormous choice on every imaginable item for the home builder/improver.

Sadly for us it was the very last place mentioned by the builder who is currently destroying our tiny bathroom in an attempt to re-build it large enough to take an actual bath tub.

First call was American Standard on the east side of the Chiang Rai road just north of the central ring road. I saw exactly the design of bath I craved and like an idiot shelled out 14,000b for it there and then. The almost identical item at Global House? Just 5,000b. Then we saw some tiles we needed. They are sold in boxes of 25 and there were 20 left in one opened box. No more in stock. No problem, I had measured carefully and we needed exactly 20. Would you believe that they would only sell them to us at the individual price per tile? It would be 45 baht CHEAPER to buy a full box of 25 and use 6 for target practice than scoop up their surplus 19. I stamped out in disgust, leaving my wife to apologise for me!

American Standard, the Homepro section of Carrefour and Home Mart on the other side of Superhighway do not do window frames. Be warned! So after more wasted visits we we found ourselves elsewhere on Superhighway at a place that specialises in timber doors and window frames. I needed 2 frames with openable glass and fitted mozzie screens. We'd have to fit the screens ouselves, because they didn't do that, said the girl. As I could not drive a nail into a piece of wood without losing at least 2 fingers I was not impressed. So imagine my reaction when she added that, having bought the frames, we would then have to find someone else to fit the glass?!! Aaaarrgghhhhh! My wife did the exit speech and mandatory smiling for a second time.

At this point I was tempted to go for some good western common sense to a company that seems to specialise in sophisticated, COMPLETE double-glazed windows, a Chiang Mai company blessed with the Amazing name of Pik-Ass. But fed up with wasted miles, we phoned them. Yes, they could do just what we wanted. In Germany. 3,500 baht each and 4 weeks delivery. Our builder needed the windows in 24 hours!

Global House has none of the tile pricing nonsense and had just the windows we needed - COMPLETE - at 1,950 baht each. Their staff are outstandingly friendly and efficient, we have some vouchers which may win us a car, they are now adding a small garden centre and a man in the huge car park was selling ice cream. WHY go elsewhere?

theres somethings you cant buy there thou. I was looking for a timer, the kind you plug into a socket so you can have your lamp plugged into. Couldnt find one. Went up and down the isles in the electrical dept 2 times. (found it at Homepro) Bought a great garden sprinkler thou, 90 baht!

Also have been looking for a bracket to mount my microwave, cant find one anywhere. Have been to the usual places, Homepro & Global but they dont do them. Anyone know where I could find one in CM? Also a garden spade, most have funny looking hoes,shovels and stuff but no spades

this is what Im after

I'd like to add my name to the Global appreciation society! Great selections, good prices and helpful staff.

I've also failed in the search for spades in Chiang Mai - let me know if you succeed and I will do likewise!

JxP

[chuchok]

Anybody got the phone number for Global House please?

[lannarebirth]

Anybody got the phone number for Global House please?

It may be in here someplace:

http://www.globalhouse.co.th/index.php

[ProThaiExpat]

Thank you Thaivisa. Lived in Chiang Mai and am a dedicated do-it-yourselfer, but never heard of Global House.

Last week registered my new vehicle at the Transportation Office and in navigating back to Mae Rim, we left turned off Hang Dong road at the first opportunity and sure enough, there on the left was this monstrous do it yourself store. Promised to return when I had time.

For sure, will do it now.

[chuchok]

Anybody got the phone number for Global House please?

It may be in here someplace:

http://www.globalhouse.co.th/index.php

Tks for that.FYI,the TEL is 053-124555

[ihop]

Been shopping at both Global House and HomePro quite often the past few months upgrading things around the house. Global House seems to have slightly lower prices from what I've seen. And if there's something I can't find at one I can usually find at the other.

Another plus for Global House is that I've yet to encounter DCC charges (US Dollar) when I charge something on my credit card. They've always placed the charge in Thai baht without having to request it. At HomePro, it's been the other way around. If I forget to request Thai baht, the charge will be in USD and then I have to wait 5-10 minutes for them to reverse the charges.

Hope I win that Honda Jazz at Global House!

[Pantip]

Regarding spades – I’m having the same problem, every time I ask for a spade the proprietor comes up with a shovel. There must be a special word in Thai that I am unaware of. I wonder what it is.

Edited May 1, 2007 by Pantip

[p1p]

A spade is เสียม or เครื่องแซะ

A shovel is พลั่ว

[chuchok]

A spade is เสียม or เครื่องแซะ

A shovel is พลั่ว

Take a pick???

[WaiWai]

A spade is เสียม or เครื่องแซะ

A shovel is พลั่ว

Take a pick???

Gotta call a spade a spade.

[Donnyboy]

A spade is เสียม or เครื่องแซะ

A shovel is พลั่ว

Take a pick???

Gotta call a spade a spade.

are you guys having a dig at me?

[Donnyboy]

This interesting text was recently sent to me in an email, seems to pretty much sum up my experience too.:

It's only after wasting hours, many liters of petrol and some 9,000b in cash that my wife and I discovered Global House on the southern loop of the central ring road, on your left after you've crossed the river bridge on your way towards Wieng Khum Kam and Lamphun. The place is vast, very well air-conned and stacked with enormous choice on every imaginable item for the home builder/improver.

Sadly for us it was the very last place mentioned by the builder who is currently destroying our tiny bathroom in an attempt to re-build it large enough to take an actual bath tub.

First call was American Standard on the east side of the Chiang Rai road just north of the central ring road. I saw exactly the design of bath I craved and like an idiot shelled out 14,000b for it there and then. The almost identical item at Global House? Just 5,000b. Then we saw some tiles we needed. They are sold in boxes of 25 and there were 20 left in one opened box. No more in stock. No problem, I had measured carefully and we needed exactly 20. Would you believe that they would only sell them to us at the individual price per tile? It would be 45 baht CHEAPER to buy a full box of 25 and use 6 for target practice than scoop up their surplus 19. I stamped out in disgust, leaving my wife to apologise for me!

American Standard, the Homepro section of Carrefour and Home Mart on the other side of Superhighway do not do window frames. Be warned! So after more wasted visits we we found ourselves elsewhere on Superhighway at a place that specialises in timber doors and window frames. I needed 2 frames with openable glass and fitted mozzie screens. We'd have to fit the screens ouselves, because they didn't do that, said the girl. As I could not drive a nail into a piece of wood without losing at least 2 fingers I was not impressed. So imagine my reaction when she added that, having bought the frames, we would then have to find someone else to fit the glass?!! Aaaarrgghhhhh! My wife did the exit speech and mandatory smiling for a second time.

At this point I was tempted to go for some good western common sense to a company that seems to specialise in sophisticated, COMPLETE double-glazed windows, a Chiang Mai company blessed with the Amazing name of Pik-Ass. But fed up with wasted miles, we phoned them. Yes, they could do just what we wanted. In Germany. 3,500 baht each and 4 weeks delivery. Our builder needed the windows in 24 hours!

Global House has none of the tile pricing nonsense and had just the windows we needed - COMPLETE - at 1,950 baht each. Their staff are outstandingly friendly and efficient, we have some vouchers which may win us a car, they are now adding a small garden centre and a man in the huge car park was selling ice cream. WHY go elsewhere?

theres somethings you cant buy there thou. I was looking for a timer, the kind you plug into a socket so you can have your lamp plugged into. Couldnt find one. Went up and down the isles in the electrical dept 2 times. (found it at Homepro) Bought a great garden sprinkler thou, 90 baht!

Also have been looking for a bracket to mount my microwave, cant find one anywhere. Have been to the usual places, Homepro & Global but they dont do them. Anyone know where I could find one in CM? Also a garden spade, most have funny looking hoes,shovels and stuff but no spades

this is what Im after

Anyone?

[ProThaiExpat]

There are many iron working shops that could weld together some angle iron to fit your microwave perfectly and attach wall brackets or legs, as you choose. Prime and paint the angle iron any color you want and you have a microwave bracket.

If you want to get exotic, take the assembled frame to a electro-plater and have it done in chrome.

[mogoso]

LOL, the Global House appreciation thread.. I completely agree.

I also can related to the insane bathroom situation in Thai residential construction. The house we're going to move to has 4 bathrooms, but none of them big enough to fit a really nice bathtub. (Those twin jacuzzi things..) I'm considering to convert a complete bedroom into a huge bathroom.

I was impressed by globals selection and the huge difference in price from home pro and amer standard

[briley]

They don't sell the mesh for fly screens - get mine fitted by one of the shops near the Mae Rim/Super highway junction, on the Chiang Mai side heading towards Mae Rim before the junction. If you do it yourself then you also need the strips of rubber and other little bits.

PS Anyone who calls the building 'well air conditioned' has never been to global!

[Thaihog]

Could somebody post idiot proof directions on how to get to Global House. Please refrain from using compass bearings (ie north,south etc) and use the terms left, right & straight on.

Thanks...

[JuniorExPat]

Could somebody post idiot proof directions on how to get to Global House. Please refrain from using compass bearings (ie north,south etc) and use the terms left, right & straight on.

Thanks...

Drive out of Chiang Mai on the Hang Dong road, turn left after the new Big C keep going straight on that road until you see Global on your left, you cannot miss the huge sign.

JxP

[Thaihog]

Could somebody post idiot proof directions on how to get to Global House. Please refrain from using compass bearings (ie north,south etc) and use the terms left, right & straight on.

Thanks...

Drive out of Chiang Mai on the Hang Dong road, turn left after the new Big C keep going straight on that road until you see Global on your left, you cannot miss the huge sign.

JxP

Thanks JXP- simple, clear and concise, even I shouldn't get lost with those directions.

Cheers

[JuniorExPat]

Could somebody post idiot proof directions on how to get to Global House. Please refrain from using compass bearings (ie north,south etc) and use the terms left, right & straight on.

Thanks...

Drive out of Chiang Mai on the Hang Dong road, turn left after the new Big C keep going straight on that road until you see Global on your left, you cannot miss the huge sign.

JxP

Thanks JXP- simple, clear and concise, even I shouldn't get lost with those directions.

Cheers

You are very welcome. You will go over a bridge over the river, don't let that phase you, just stick to the directions given!

I am the most directionally challenged person I know consequently I fully understand your initial request.

JxP

PS - turn left IMMEDIATELY after the new Big C!

[JimShortz]

I believe Global House are having a fire sale if you want some cheap stuff - only slightly charred!

[jackr]

Not much there, basically just pallets and pallets of tiles. Some kit was still residing in the front bit where they kept the lawnmowers and wheels when I was there couple weeks back... but didn't fancy the chance of being crushed by 10 tonnes of crap to check them out