3 minutes ago, khunPer said:

The Makro I use is still with a perfect variety of both own and local brands, as well as foreign imported goods; generally high quality and reasonable prices, some products even way cheaper – also as single units or small packages – than same brand in other retail shops.

Same with our local Makro, and has plenty of western brands, though not nearly the variety of the ones at Pranburi & Hua Hin. Smartly catering to Thais, and much less waste from no sales.

I notice lots of western product that are introduced, are discontinued rather fast, as simply not a market for it here.

Also still stocking name brands, but have noticed a lot a more ARO brands of the exact same name brands. Some name brands completely replaced, others sold side by side.

16 hours ago, BritManToo said:

When were you last 'abroad'?

Most of the prices I see are cheaper than the UK.

Times have changed, inflation is serious in the west.

Sounds to suffer from the dunning kruger effect, when is the last time you actually went back to EU or UK? Most things are cheaper and the prices that nowadays are charged in most decent Thai places, country wide, charge virtually the same as they do in most EU countries, as well.

Unless you just want to be true for the sake of being true and compare the prices of the inner central london with Thailand or something. Groceries on almost every end are cheaper, even meat does cost more, this is in reality big time compensated for with prices of any other groceries or toilet/cosmetic articles.

Same if you would want to purchase something of an actual brand, clothes whatever, aka just decent quality, it virtually always costs way more here aside of not having western sizes available on top. Singapore is even cheaper on all those ends.

If you would eat as a local does in Europe, you would pay less in Europe and have a more wide diet as well. Thai rice by the KG even costs less in Europe than it costs in Big C, Makro or Tesco Lotus, lol. If that doesn't prove the point and awakes one, nothing will.

Then to answer the on topic part of Makro, that is what you get since the Dutch sold it as the Thais wanted to own 100% alone. Of course this all was also aligned with opening strategic border located branches together with a new agreement for trade at those countries, which was only initiated, right after. This also influenced their overall prices, they can now do what they want. One ring, CP, that rules them all.

The fact most of you all even fall for this inflation lie, which did not apply to Thailand at all, there was never inflation, just more greedy landlords and corporates. They did not print massive money and their currency stayed strong so far, due to that too. Higher costs to import is big BS too, as of their stronger currency, that compensated 3-4 times the inflation alone.

The word inflation used by your average Thai means; my business is down so i charge more and call that inflation. This allows me to exist longer even the bankruptcy is a delayed guarantee. Unless a new sucker arrived and decides to bail them out by buying it.

I used to go to a bar charging 80 per small chang to then increase it suddenly to 100 because of inflation. Her rent was unchanged, the staff situation was the same, the electric or water bills or wifi bill did not change, at most 2-3% if anything at all.

Ended up losing all her customers and close 12 months later. The real inflation was that she bought a car that now needed to pay off in installments too, without making any more effort for the business to organically earn that. The car she lost too.

Meanwhile down south virtually any long stayer that is known pays still only 60 baht per chang. The irony is that even on the 80 baht price with 35 baht wholesale, the profit margins are bigger than they are in Europe, while in Europe they pay everyone good wages.

Their rent is more, their taxes is more, there is all kind of insurances and rules, the wages are higher, the quality and service standards are higher, and yet they turn a profit in the west. But here it can't be done because failed businesses are able to keep existing.

As well in tourism areas too many foreigners that try to earn a foreign wage or even more, that makes us pay more for no reason too. As clearly the locals don't bother to even compete on that level. Love it or hate it but this are all facts.

19 hours ago, 0ffshore360 said:

While Makro has always presented as a wholesale outlet it historically maintained a reasonable competitive range.

Now the range seems minimal and up priced which strikes me as contradictory to marketing announcements.

This is part of a deliberate trend across retail parent companies. Makro is owned by CP. When CP took over from Tesco (e.g. Lotus's) it also went further downmarket, minimizing many product lines - basically Lotus's is just aisles and aisles of Tetrapaks. Big C seems to have removed its 'imported' foods aisles in many stores. Tops is pretty hopless. Even the high end Tops Market and Marketplace have just the same stuff - just maybe a bit more of it.

16 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

This is part of a deliberate trend across retail parent companies. Makro is owned by CP. When CP took over from Tesco (e.g. Lotus's) it also went further downmarket, minimizing many product lines - basically Lotus's is just aisles and aisles of Tetrapaks. Big C seems to have removed its 'imported' foods aisles in many stores. Tops is pretty hopless. Even the high end Tops Market and Marketplace have just the same stuff - just maybe a bit more of it.

One ring to rule them all https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8ir8rVl2Z4

3 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

That's a great price, it's $228.61 on Amazon, and it's out of stock at Costco.

In any event, I'm still waiting for you to give us the prices for chicken breasts, pork loin and live jumbo shrimp in Texas. I buy a lot more groceries than I buy speakers

Why? I'm not that guy. I don't know the food prices of US except for asparagus and beer.

1 minute ago, EVENKEEL said:

Why? I'm not that guy. I don't know the food prices of US except...

Well, you cherry-pick a discontinued item that was on and is now out of stock to make a point. Now you admit you know nothing about the topic of discussion, whatever.

1 minute ago, EVENKEEL said:

...for asparagus and beer.

Watch the gout brother...

4 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

I'm still waiting for you to give us the prices for chicken breasts, pork loin and live jumbo shrimp in Texas.

He did...but you obviously didn't see that post (all but shrimp).

1 minute ago, dingdongrb said:

He did...but you obviously didn't see that post (all but shrimp).

That was KuhnLA, not our friend in Texas, try to follow along pops. (just kidding)

6 hours ago, KhunLA said:

My daughter, only a few years out of Uni, has house & condo they rent out, new Atto 3, and just came back from JP. Went to CN the year before that.

Curiosity has me asking, what uni and what was her major?

As far as Makro, it varies on location whether or not there's a vast variety of products. That's the same as I find for Big C and Lotus.

NOTE: Many items I find needing to buy in bulk at Makro can be found in Lotus in smaller amounts. Likewise, I find that identical items found in Lotus are generally less expensive than Makro. The Lotus in my area generally has much better looking and fresher vegetable section.

7 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

That was KuhnLA, not our friend in Texas, try to follow along pops. (just kidding)

Correct, but you got your answer didn't you? Besides I don't understand all this comparison between countries, ridiculous..... but I'll just move on and stop interfacing so much with all you youngsters.......

😄

54 minutes ago, dingdongrb said:

Curiosity has me asking, what uni and what was her major?

As far as Makro, it varies on location whether or not there's a vast variety of products. That's the same as I find for Big C and Lotus.

NOTE: Many items I find needing to buy in bulk at Makro can be found in Lotus in smaller amounts. Likewise, I find that identical items found in Lotus are generally less expensive than Makro. The Lotus in my area generally has much better looking and fresher vegetable section.

Thammasat Uni / marketing.

Market inventory is supply & demand. Our local Makro really doesn't need to add anything, and should actually get rid of more than a few things geared toward westerners. Sure a lot goes to waste, and they adjust the price up to balance the loss.

Makro has good eggs, meats & seafood, fruits & veggies, (except potatoes). Really don't buy much else, processed foods. Good rotisserie chicken, and only 119 baht. Baking supplies, get at ma/pa shop, as cheaper, and better options.

Have to get Chorizo & whole wheat flour at Hua Hua Makro.

Our Lotus's is the worst I've ever been in. Never shop there, and only go to the mall there for Swensen's & Pizza Co. Only 2 chains here, no Big C, a bunch of the 7-11s and 1 KFC.

Smalls-ville, <30k people here, so lucky to have the Makro at all, and that was built <10 yrs ago, I think, and we didn't decide to move here until it was. Not a fan of wet/fresh market.

20 hours ago, BritManToo said:

When were you last 'abroad'?

Most of the prices I see are cheaper than the UK.

Times have changed, inflation is serious in the west.

I was in the UK in September and was surprised how cheap some things are. I picked up this excellent bacon for about 100 baht at Morrisons and sausages were cheap too. On the other hand fresh ginger obviously more expensive. If you go in Aldi or Lidl things get seriously cheap. Mayonaise in Aldi 89 pence. In my local Big C , 69 baht. Depends a lot on what you are eating. If you eat a lot of typically Thai food , yes its cheap but if you go for the stuff you eat at home, more expensive.

What is definately cheaper is cooked food in a ' dtham sang ' place. Great choice for 50 baht. Fish and chips in the UK often around the 10 pound mark , give or take.

I find that in CM Rimping beats the other outlets for product choice, but their prices tend to be generally higher.

4 minutes ago, trucking said:

I was in the UK in September and was surprised how cheap some things are. I picked up this excellent bacon for about 100 baht at Morrisons and sausages were cheap too. On the other hand fresh ginger obviously more expensive. If you go in Aldi or Lidl things get seriously cheap. Mayonaise in Aldi 89 pence. In my local Big C , 69 baht. Depends a lot on what you are eating. If you eat a lot of typically Thai food , yes its cheap but if you go for the stuff you eat at home, more expensive.

What is definately cheaper is cooked food in a ' dtham sang ' place. Great choice for 50 baht. Fish and chips in the UK often around the 10 pound mark , give or take.

You take photos of groceries while traveling?

I'll say sausage and bacon are cheaper in Thailand than the US, but it is generally cr*p

46 minutes ago, trucking said:

I was in the UK in September and was surprised how cheap some things are. I picked up this excellent bacon for about 100 baht at Morrisons and sausages were cheap too. On the other hand fresh ginger obviously more expensive. If you go in Aldi or Lidl things get seriously cheap. Mayonaise in Aldi 89 pence. In my local Big C , 69 baht. Depends a lot on what you are eating. If you eat a lot of typically Thai food , yes its cheap but if you go for the stuff you eat at home, more expensive.

What is definately cheaper is cooked food in a ' dtham sang ' place. Great choice for 50 baht. Fish and chips in the UK often around the 10 pound mark , give or take.

What does a 3 bedroom house cost including council tax and utilities?

How about a car, tax, mot, insurance, fuel and maintenance?

How much for a wife half your weight and age?

I'm happy to pay 200% for bacon and other foods in exchange for paying 20% on housing and transport.

I find it weird and sad that so often so many expats after so many years of declaring some semblance of permanence in residing in Thailand persist in almost perpetual comparisons of "back home " sh.T !

Some of the worst are the POME's !

23 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

I go to Makro pretty often and it seems like they have more stuff than ever.

Probably depends where you're at. At our Makro in Lamphun, "farang" item's like Kraft Mayo and Olive oil can be hit and miss. I've noticed that some items and brands simply are not carried anymore. I'd imagine that at the Chiang Mai Makro I probably wouldn't run into the same shortages.

4 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

What does a 3 bedroom house cost including council tax and utilities?

How about a car, tax, mot, insurance, fuel and maintenance?

How much for a wife half your weight and age?

I'm happy to pay 200% for bacon and other foods in exchange for paying 20% on housing and t

Totally agree but the thread is not about the cost of living in general but more about just food prices and options. I live here as well for the reasons you mention and because I know when my bread is well buttered. You forgot to mention hotels and travel expenses , a pittance here but a lot more in England.

But , if we are just talking about the cost of supermarket food then I would say the UK is not that expensive and the choice is obviously better for a western palate . The days when I found a kow moo deng exotic are well gone. As for wine and beer , beat Thailand hands down.

All my girlfriends in the UK were nurses from the orient , Philippinoes and Chinese Malay . Problem was they came one at a time not in bunches like Thailand.

8 minutes ago, 0ffshore360 said:

I find it weird and sad that so often so many expats after so many years of declaring some semblance of permanence in residing in Thailand persist in almost perpetual comparisons of "back home " sh.T !

Some of the worst are the POME's !

Well pi$$ off and read another topic then and stop whining. It really is that easy.

16 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

What does a 3 bedroom house cost including council tax and utilities?

How about a car, tax, mot, insurance, fuel and maintenance?

How much for a wife half your weight and age?

I'm happy to pay 200% for bacon and other foods in exchange for paying 20% on housing and transport.

Car? Paid cash. Upkeep on a car that gets 22 k/l - Cheap. House and home improvements and renovations over the last decade. Paid cash. Property tax? Came to about 30 THB. 7% VAT (as opposed to 8.5 in my state of residence). Want to make home improvements? No license, fees, inspectors, easements and bureaucracy that you get in the US. Out of pocket on a monthly basis: Electricity (reasonable), water (cheap), garbage pickup (dirt cheap), gasoline (like I said, I get 22 k/l and drive a couple of times a month to get supplies), food (even with inflation, reasonable).

Why compare Thailand to the home country? I can easily afford to live here. The cost of living in the US has gotten stupid.

27 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I'm happy to pay 200% for bacon

What I find interesting is that pork tenderloin is less expensive than fatty cuts like bacon. Supply and demand. Less demand for tenderloin (which is really cheap) and more demand for pork fat (go figure). But I'll still shell out of the bacon to make BLTs and breakfasts.

12 minutes ago, Keeps said:

Well pi$$ off and read another topic then and stop whining. It really is that easy.

FU2 ! I started the topic Deadhead !

6 minutes ago, connda said:

Car? Paid cash. Upkeep on a car that gets 22 k/l - Cheap. House and home improvements and renovations over the last decade. Paid cash. Property tax? Came to about 30 THB. 7% VAT (as opposed to 8.5 in my state of residence). Want to make home improvements? No license, fees, inspectors, easements and bureaucracy that you get in the US. Out of pocket on a monthly basis: Electricity (reasonable), water (cheap), garbage pickup (dirt cheap), gasoline (like I said, I get 22 k/l and drive a couple of times a month to get supplies), food (even with inflation, reasonable).

Why compare Thailand to the home country? I can easily afford to live here. The cost of living in the US has gotten stupid.

What I find interesting is that pork tenderloin is less expensive than fatty cuts like bacon. Supply and demand. Less demand for tenderloin (which is really cheap) and more demand for pork fat (go figure). But I'll still shell out of the bacon to make BLTs and breakfasts.

And the pork loin is pretty darn good here, eggs and chicken are good as well

Beef, bacon and sausage improving, but still not good

13 minutes ago, 0ffshore360 said:

FU2 ! I started the topic Deadhead !

Are you still whining? You've got some front having a dig at the POMS, I'll give you that. Give it a rest FFS you tart.

41 minutes ago, Keeps said:

Are you still whining? You've got some front having a dig at the POMS, I'll give you that. Give it a rest FFS you tart.

Hohum .

I have noticed the introduction of something called the ARO brand.

I don't know what that is, though.

I have no complaints about quality.

However, I just wonder if MAKRO might be able to introduce higher graded items, into the mix, if it might make some sense.

1 hour ago, GammaGlobulin said:

I have noticed the introduction of something called the ARO brand.

I don't know what that is, though.

I have no complaints about quality.

However, I just wonder if MAKRO might be able to introduce higher graded items, into the mix, if it might make some sense.

ARO brand is one of MAKRO's own brand product lines. It also has Savepack (bulk buy for hotel/catering etc) and Petz Friend (pet care). Think there are a couple of other own brand lines in addition to these and tie ins with a couple of foreign brands that provide exclusively to MAKRO.

34 minutes ago, Keeps said:

ARO brand is one of MAKRO's own brand product lines. It also has Savepack (bulk buy for hotel/catering etc) and Petz Friend (pet care). Think there are a couple of other own brand lines in addition to these and tie ins with a couple of foreign brands that provide exclusively to MAKRO.

The problem is I do not know which in-house or private-label brand is supposed to be higher level and more expensive, or premium.

I will be happy to select the premium private-label MAKRO brand, if I can find out which one it actually is.

I've not noticed a change in Makro but have in Big C Sukhumvit Pattaya where they seem to hide the foreign expat type foods

13 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

I have noticed the introduction of something called the ARO brand.

I don't know what that is, though.

I have no complaints about quality.

However, I just wonder if MAKRO might be able to introduce higher graded items, into the mix, if it might make some sense.

I used to buy vintage cheddar at Makro, nice but over 250 baht. Then I noticed ARO vintage cheddar. A lot cheaper so I have tried it. No complaints. Says on packet from New Zealand.. Tried the ARO hash browns. Best I have tasted so far. Even the wife likes them.

27 minutes ago, trucking said:

I used to buy vintage cheddar at Makro, nice but over 250 baht. Then I noticed ARO vintage cheddar. A lot cheaper so I have tried it. No complaints. Says on packet from New Zealand.. Tried the ARO hash browns. Best I have tasted so far. Even the wife likes them.

250 Baht, OK.

But, did you remember to mention the weight of the package?

(In newtons, please)

Edited April 26Apr 26 by GammaGlobulin