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Which Is The Best, Big C, Tesco Or Makro?


Jessi

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We have a BigC at Klong 6.5 on Hwy 305, out east of Rangsit. Nice enough, but a longer traffic pattern from Klong 10 so I don't hit it very often.

There's a good Tesco-Lotus at Klong 7.5, much handier since there's a U-turn with a stoplight controlling the traffic at Klong 7, this is the one I hit. Plus, T-L gives some funds back as part of their membership card program. I just received a coupon for baht 255 for a discount next time I'm down there.

There's also a MAKRO on the Klong Luang Road near Klong 1, newly opened just a couple months back. Hit it for Farmhouse hamburger buns, which BigC and T-L seem to no longer carry.

Mac

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Makro is a lot cheaper for meat and nappies. But expensive for electrical items (like Tvs)

Roadside stalls are cheaper for fruit and veg.

Tesco is more expensive for most things but has a larger variety.

Always look in Makro first.

Roadside fruit and veg stalls don't usually stock things like celery, capsicums, lemons etc, and if they do they are a lot more expensive than Makro. I often find the quality and taste better in Makro than roadside stalls.

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Silly question, it's like asking which is the best between France and England; (Simple answer France of course wink.png , at least it's a country on its own)

Big C is French, Tesco English

Big C is Casino and if it was British it will be the equivalent of Sainsbury's because of its market position on gourmet products.

In THL the difference is only reflected by a small selection of organic veggies at Big C (and none at Tesco), a line of casino "gourmet" products. While Tesco has chosen to offer a selection of all over the world imported products.

Electronics same same

Clothes identical

Macro is US bulk buying and has nothing to do with the other 2, in terms of product position

Edited by aneliane
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I still haven't been to Makro! Am I missing out?!

Yup; best fruit and veg' selection of any of the Supermarkets and reasonable prices. Meat there takes a lot of beating too.

I must admit that I've seldom, (if ever), had the urge to beat the meat in any of these big stores. Am I missing out on something good?

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Meat and veg best bought from the fresh market IMO - my choice in BKK is Klong Toey.

Bulk stuff at cheap prices - Makro first choice by far.

Big C and Tesco wider ranging choices, better if you're bringing dependents for clothes shopping, both good value.

Location makes a big difference, not worth going far out of your way unless you do a big shop once a month, say B5,000+ then the savings are worth the inconvenience.

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It depends on the store and what you want. The standard of branches of the same brand can vary greatly.

There is no fresh fruit and veg in any of them as it's all way past it. This is my experience of branches in Bangkok and Chonburi.

I only buy lemons from makro and apples from Tesco, nothing else unless I really can't be arsed to go to the market.

Only buy fruit and veg from a market. Less than half the price and several days to several weeks fresher.

If you are buying in bulk for a business then makro is great for packaged food. Their meat selection is better than supermarkets as well. The range of available meats that is.

I buy meat from the above 3, I can't bring myself to buy it from the market even though every cheap place you eat in Thailand does.

Makro has a lot of things you can't find anywhere else.

A huge bag of rice krispies for about 300B works out numerous times cheaper than buying cereal in a supermarket.

Bulk spices are ridiculously cheap. 1kg of cinnimon sticks for about 110Baht. paprika so cheap as well. It also has many herbs and spices you can't find elsewhere.

Makro are believed to be the cheapest on bulk items, but there are many local wholesalers cheaper or matching them. Booze especially.

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I still haven't been to Makro! Am I missing out?!

And the same for me. That is after living in Thailand for 10 years. The main reason is that the nearest Makro is a couple of hundred plus KMs from home. Locally we make do only with Tesco Lotus, the market size version, which has only been open for the last few years. Due to its size, you have to get there quickly to get all you require. The small shop keepers are always waiting in the wings and snap up any stock that comes in that they can sell on at a profit.

Anyhow, the good news: I have heard that preparation is in hand to build a new Hyper-Market size T. L. We definitely look forward to that.

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I still haven't been to Makro! Am I missing out?!

If you are in to food, I think you are missing out.

I don't know about all Makros, as I have only being to the one in my town Khon Kaen, but they have a large selection of sea food, meat and poultry, vegetables , good bakery, and anything you want to find in food.all at good prices.

Their other departments are good also, but their food dept. is outstanding IMO.

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Macro is US bulk buying and has nothing to do with the other 2, in terms of product position

I'm another casting his vote for Makro. Incidentally, the company was originally Dutch. There were US branches some years ago, but not now. The ownership currently seems to be multinational. I think the European stories are owned by the German Metro group, and the stores in Thailand are owned by Siam-Makro. Makro is also one of the biggest cash and carry chains in the UK.

Edited by citizen33
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Pricewise Tesco, no doubt. But it depends on what you want. And to be honest, it is more pleasent shopping in the Tesco than the other 2. I sometimes find the queues quite long in the Big Cs. At one occasion almost half an hour in the queue. There is one thing why I still go to the Big C, is the yellow lemon that one I can't get in any other shops.

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I would like to thank everyone who has replied to my question.wai.gif

The reason for it is because after being in & out of Thailand for over 20 years, I have never been inside a Makro store. On my next shopping trip I will be giving Makro a try its only about 1K further down the road from the Tesco I usually go to.

I live on a small farm with about 10 other people (all Thais) so buying in bulk is not a problem. The usual fresh fruit & vegs we get for free or very cheap off the other local farmers in the area.

I shall report back on my thoughts about Makro. Once again thank you all for taking the time to reply even the negative ones.tongue.png

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Silly question, it's like asking which is the best between France and England; (Simple answer France of course wink.png , at least it's a country on its own)

Big C is French, Tesco English

Big C is Casino and if it was British it will be the equivalent of Sainsbury's because of its market position on gourmet products.

In THL the difference is only reflected by a small selection of organic veggies at Big C (and none at Tesco), a line of casino "gourmet" products. While Tesco has chosen to offer a selection of all over the world imported products.

Electronics same same

Clothes identical

Macro is US bulk buying and has nothing to do with the other 2, in terms of product position

Silly replywhistling.gif

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Hasn’t this been done to death ... and recently ... coffee1.gif

What is the OP's unique spin that makes this question different?

Not trying to be overtly negative ... but what's new?

Because things change.

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Silly question, it's like asking which is the best between France and England; (Simple answer France of course wink.png , at least it's a country on its own)

Big C is French, Tesco English

Big C is Casino and if it was British it will be the equivalent of Sainsbury's because of its market position on gourmet products.

In THL the difference is only reflected by a small selection of organic veggies at Big C (and none at Tesco), a line of casino "gourmet" products. While Tesco has chosen to offer a selection of all over the world imported products.

Electronics same same

Clothes identical

Macro is US bulk buying and has nothing to do with the other 2, in terms of product position

Silly replywhistling.gif

Absolutely :)

Silly questions require idiotic answers for sure

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Remember you need a member card for Makro. How you get one I don't know as my wife gave me it.

If you don't get one just pretend you can't find yours and the person behind will let you use theirs.

You can get a temporary slip each time you go shopping. Just stop at the customer services desk when you go in and ask for one.

One way to get a permanent card is to get your wife/Thai relative to say you have a small shop and fill in the form - we got a card easily.

Edited by citizen33
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Not trying to be clever .................. really, but I have always considered that these store's, all three, main asset is that they are one stop.

Yet many posters above seem to select various things from each, depending usually on price and perceived quality.

Maybe I'm lazy, but I prefer to get the lot in one go irrespective of which store I visit, usually Tesco which is my nearest.

I wouldn't traipse around to save money as time and petrol used would mitigate against this. For vast differences in quality, yes maybe. But they would have to be significant.

Perhaps I'm just not fussy enough as well as being a lazy so-and-so.

P.S. I hate shopping.

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