Chiang Mai area has 3 Makro's (or is it Makros' ?)

A new one in Mae Rim area Hhghway 107

The super Highway

Hang dong just past the airport and Big C on highway 108

For the last 6 years I have lived near the Hang Dong store and have been very happy with it's selection and Expat import items. Good fish and produce, Nice meat department too.

Yesterday I went to the Super highway store. Much larger, food court, large wine and booze section. It also seemed to cater more to small shops and small food stalls

Next stop Makro Mae Rim

Which do you like best and why ?

Makro's or Makros'.?? = Makro's new store or there are 3 new Makros now....

Anyway, I'm moving into a near empty house soon, and looking for the usual electrical stuff: large fridge, washing machine, microwave, vacuum cleaner, TV.

How does Makro compare to the other stores around town?

Sorry but if I may I want to start with a negative.

Just been to makro today, but only bought 3 small items (cake and bread).

You go to the 10 items or less checkout and there is no where to actually place the items down.

The girl was literally hovering around my arms with the bar code reader....and at the same time asking me for my makro card?

So to delve into my pocket for card and money I had to place my goods on her chair.

Paid the money, picked up my items then she calls me back to stuff the print out receipt in my mouth.

They dont even have any bags for small quantities.

So, yes I like the choice and prices of the goods but getting out can be a nuisance.

Sorry but if I may I want to start with a negative.

Just been to makro today, but only bought 3 small items (cake and bread).

You go to the 10 items or less checkout and there is no where to actually place the items down.

The girl was literally hovering around my arms with the bar code reader....and at the same time asking me for my makro card?

So to delve into my pocket for card and money I had to place my goods on her chair.

Paid the money, picked up my items then she calls me back to stuff the print out receipt in my mouth.

They dont even have any bags for small quantities.

So, yes I like the choice and prices of the goods but getting out can be a nuisance.

I think youre supposed to use a trolly, even if you are only buying a single item. They operate on wholesale principles not like a normal supermarket.

As Postman Pat advises the trolleys are right next to the front door as you walk in.

Put your own bags/boxes in the car boot if your buying a lot of stuff.I'm all for stores that cut down on the amount of plastic bags.

electric stuffs from makro was my nightmare.

i bought water heater,television,microwave . all last only less than year. one of them is only few months.

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Love Makro- when all the small business people in town are stocking up there you know it has the best prices.

Hang Dong is far and away the nicest store and they have a great selection of import items most of which are

in a section just as you enter- on most import itms they are 10- 15% cheaper then Rimping or Tops.

Super Highway store has most everything you might need but the import items are scattered all over so that

makes it difficult unless you are familiar with the layout

Mae Rim store is kind of like a Makro Express in that it has far fewer items and a lot less of the import products

as it really doesn't seem to be designed to deal with the ex-pat customer.

A great mystery when shopping at Makro is when/if you qualify for a premium with your order. We buy a lot of

the same stuff every time but once in a great while the cashier will look at our receipt and smile pointing us to

the premium counter. There we'll get a can of coke or some other token gift which seems to make everyone happy.

Makro's or Makros'.?? = Makro's new store or there are 3 new Makros now....

Anyway, I'm moving into a near empty house soon, and looking for the usual electrical stuff: large fridge, washing machine, microwave, vacuum cleaner, TV.

How does Makro compare to the other stores around town?

Some items are cheap, others are really expensive.

(Do they sell vacuum cleaners in Thailand?)

I didn't think that the Hangdong Store has been around for 6 years. I thought only 3.

As for the check out, ask for a large bag. They cost 11 baht each.

I like shopping at Makro and their prices are good for the things that I buy there.

Who would buy electronics from there? Come on go to a specialist for those things.

Bought several items at Makro once, didn't realise about the bag situation. That was a fun ride home on the motorbike. With no basket. And no underseat storage. And no top box. You get the picture.

Now its car only, and only for certain items.

As for electronics, I'd rather go to Nayom Panich or Siam TV.

The Hang Dong branch carries far more western products as well as the higher priced goods like better imported wines, spirits, cider etc.

I was told that this is due to the Hang Dong area being viewed as having a more affluent customer than Mae Rim.

Hang Dong is very good compared to other Makro's and the competition. Their bakery may be small but the bread (cobs/baguettes) are excellent compared with Isaan and Southern stores.

Not much we can't find in Makro, but as in the West, one must visit the others to get all preferred grocery items. Meat quality in HD Makro is v.good and vegetables good, depends on turnover.

Super H'way not so good, IMHO.

electric stuffs from makro was my nightmare.

i bought water heater,television,microwave . all last only less than year. one of them is only few months.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect App

Not the place to buy a Samsung GT-19300 eh?

Seems like many male expats don't shop for fresh food - meats and vegetables. Perhaps they buy at the deli at the supermarkets. Poor me! I have always been going with my wife for shopping in the supermarkets and the fresh markets for decades. Oh, she doesn't know how to drive!

We shop at Makro quite often and they seem to have good and fresh pork and chicken etc. We shopped once at the Makro on the superhighway since it's near our CM home. I think it's a very good place. We bought a plaa tuptim and boiled it in our electric pan (that's what we had then) and threw in veggies and tofu. The fish was fresh! Makro on the superhighway is one place we will be visitng often when we move up there since it's not too far from home!