Kanyong home improvement store?

[Beardog]

Does anyone know the story what is going on with Kanyong.

I got back from the states & it looks like they are done with this location at least. has anyone knowledge of a new spot they may be opening up or are they done in Pattaya.

Thanks for any info. Hate to see them go. Less choice & even more of a monopoly in a land of less choices to begin with!

[ThaiBob]

Everything has been stripped from the site so it looks like they are out of business. My last visits there I was not impressed, uncompetitive prices, poor selection and sales and management staff that had a don't care attitude. Not surprised that they couldn't compete.

[bangkokstick]

They are so useless in this world, better close...

[Phil Conners]

I don't agree. I bought tiles for our garden there, better price, quality and design than anywhere else. Also got a new water tank 20% under what home-mart wanted for the exact same tank, as well as other bits. It was a bit run down so probably more a matter of less aggressive marketing and an unremarkable name.

[jbrain]

It was a store which didn't attract people the way it was run, however their main business isn't retail but wholesale.

Many items you buy at homemart and other DIY stores are imported by Kanyong as they are the sole importer for many products.

They are for sure not bankrupt as they are part of the Chonburi Concrete group. ( CCP)

They also have a branch in Chonburi, but I'm not sure if that one still open or not

[Beardog]

Yes it is agreed that they may have been the best at everything but when you communicated with them & I did buy wholesale from them they stood behind the equipment they sold unlike Homepro & homework with the mai pen rai crap. The portion that is exceptional bad for all expats & Thai's is that when competition leaves prices will go up. I use all the major chains when I build houses as they all take turns having a decent price. So when anyone leaves (even Home Pro -which I despise with a passion) It just eats selection away. Try to get Homepro to your house to pull out a water pump service it & install it for just the cost of Numchai's repairs. First 2 responders obviously must be renters.

[roban]

all DIY stores in Pattaya are more or less useless and crappy annoying, if you want more than a screwdriver or waterheater.

I would suggest to check out "HARDWAREHOUSE".

"Western standard", no annoying staff (mistörrrr waterheatörrrr promociaaan).

Quality tools and all kind of stuff you may ever need.

Best DIY store imho.

[blackman]

i liked Kanyong

although it was some years ago, i bought a shell of a house in Bang Saray and bought everything for it from them

they were the closest major store to the project of course but nevertheless i was happy with the service and the prices

i am sorry they have gone

[ThaiBob]

Yes it is agreed that they may have been the best at everything but when you communicated with them & I did buy wholesale from them they stood behind the equipment they sold unlike Homepro & homework with the mai pen rai crap. The portion that is exceptional bad for all expats & Thai's is that when competition leaves prices will go up. I use all the major chains when I build houses as they all take turns having a decent price. So when anyone leaves (even Home Pro -which I despise with a passion) It just eats selection away. Try to get Homepro to your house to pull out a water pump service it & install it for just the cost of Numchai's repairs. First 2 responders obviously must be renters.

Sorry, not a renter. When I was doing my condo build out my contractor and I went to all of them, Homemart, Homepro, Homeworks, Boonthavarn, Kanyong, etc. Kanyong had the poorest selection and prices when compared to the specials and promotions at the other stores, and not to mention staff that had poor English skills and didn't know their product line. I also had a personal gripe when they insisted on not selling or special ordering me a door handle and face plate but insisted I buy the entire door assembly (14,000 baht). Then add the overall presentation of the store (look at Boonthavarn) and I am not surprised they closed.

[Beardog]

Yes it is agreed that they may have been the best at everything but when you communicated with them & I did buy wholesale from them they stood behind the equipment they sold unlike Homepro & homework with the mai pen rai crap. The portion that is exceptional bad for all expats & Thai's is that when competition leaves prices will go up. I use all the major chains when I build houses as they all take turns having a decent price. So when anyone leaves (even Home Pro -which I despise with a passion) It just eats selection away. Try to get Homepro to your house to pull out a water pump service it & install it for just the cost of Numchai's repairs. First 2 responders obviously must be renters.

Sorry, not a renter. When I was doing my condo build out my contractor and I went to all of them, Homemart, Homepro, Homeworks, Boonthavarn, Kanyong, etc. Kanyong had the poorest selection and prices when compared to the specials and promotions at the other stores, and not to mention staff that had poor English skills and didn't know their product line. I also had a personal gripe when they insisted on not selling or special ordering me a door handle and face plate but insisted I buy the entire door assembly (14,000 baht). Then add the overall presentation of the store (look at Boonthavarn) and I am not surprised they closed.

It is kind of jaded to base everything on one house or time frame. I guess you were not in Kanyong when they had an English speaking gentleman that studied in the U.S. for several years. Boonthavarn is quite a bit more expensive on most stuff although I have used them for some plumbing supplies. Home pro as mentioned never knows or ttrains their staff anything about the products . The know absolutely shit all for Silka products. They also can't even call the supplier to inquire about the products.

That being said being in the building trades for 40 years+ The selection & knowledge about products in all the stores suck & are super subpar even comparing to Indonesia & Malaysia & even India trains their staff on what products do. Like all things you have to shop around. They all take turns in giving decent deals, after their stock suffers enough & the shareholders revolt & force them to be a little more cordial.

And building homes are a different horse compared to a Condo build which is typical 30-50 meters & are somewhat regulated (even down to what materials you use inside or outside the condo.

Also I am not sure why they wouldn't order anything for you. I got 3 items from Germany 2 from Australia & 1 from the U.S.I had to pay the duties & taxes but they were more than willing to order anything I asked for. Their best time period was when they had the Man that spoke English. He was good at speaking & business as well as having a pretty broad Knowledge of the supplies within the store.I stayed away from their manager(the bossy female) as she didn't seem to care about Thais or Farang

[jimmybkk]

I liked the Kanyong song. For that reason alone i am sorry to see the store close..

[ThaiBob]

I just don't have a strong feeling one way or the other about this store. Perhaps they will open a new modern store, with all construction and expansion in the region the market may warrant it.

[Pattaya46]

I liked Kanyong...

I agree that the selection inside the shop often was poor, but it was easy and fast to order if you had reference of the product, they had free delivery if you could wait 1 or 2 days, and for all the renovation products I bought for my condo, they were usually 20-25% less expensive than home-work, home-pro, home-mart and other similar shops I know.

Sad.

[balo]

all DIY stores in Pattaya are more or less useless and crappy annoying, if you want more than a screwdriver or waterheater.

I would suggest to check out "HARDWAREHOUSE".

"Western standard", no annoying staff (mistörrrr waterheatörrrr promociaaan).

Quality tools and all kind of stuff you may ever need.

Best DIY store imho.

Can you please give me the location to Hardwarehouse, is it in Pattaya ?

[LennyW]

Surprised Pattaya has not got a Global House they seem to be the best and cheapest.

[johng]

No branches of hardwarehouse in Pattaya

Sriracha branch

http://hardwarehouse.co.th/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=73&Itemid=118

Rayong branch

http://hardwarehouse.co.th/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=73&Itemid=126

[DraxNet]

Does anyone know the story what is going on with Kanyong.

I got back from the states & it looks like they are done with this location at least. has anyone knowledge of a new spot they may be opening up or are they done in Pattaya.

Thanks for any info. Hate to see them go. Less choice & even more of a monopoly in a land of less choices to begin with!

To anyone else interested in Kan Yong and moreover DIY/construction/Home Improvement I can declare a vested interest. I am the GM for Thai Watsadu (part of Central Retail, same company as Tops, Central Mall and Homeworks) who have purchased Kan Yong metal works and their respective sites (including Chon Buri) on November 14th we will be opening the brand new TWD on the old Kan Yong site on Sukhamvit in Pattaya (with Chon Buri opening 3 weeks prior on 22nd October).

For those of you who don't know Thai Watsadu we specialise in all forms of DIY and home improvement functions to both the individual consumer and the large scale contractor am everyone in between. Without being corporate I think we'll bring something in price and range that Pattaya specifically doesn't have.

I myself have an extensive DIY and home improvement experience from the UK, and am primarily running this store in an effort to balance both the the indigenous and farang customer's needs. Rest assured I am working to recruit as many talented and energetic (tough I know :| ) members of staff as I can in order that we can offer this service.

If anyone wants any advance information or just wants a mosey of what we'll be offering PM me and I'll be happy to help.

(Corporate message ends)

"No, I work here and my wife is English. I don't want a pingpong show and I'm *not* Russian."

[Phil Conners]

Thanks for the update, interesting! What is a TWD? ("on November 14th we will be opening the brand new TWD on the old Kan Yong site on Sukhamvit in Pattaya")

[DraxNet]

Thanks for the update, interesting! What is a TWD? ("on November 14th we will be opening the brand new TWD on the old Kan Yong site on Sukhamvit in Pattaya")

Sorry, my bad. TWD = Thai Watsadu. Apologies, I was being captain corporate and getting wrapped in the virtually infinite quantity of acronyms this business uses. (That, or I could blame my iPhone that now does it automatically )

"No, I work here and my wife is English. I don't want a pingpong show and I'm *not* Russian."

[balo]

Great news. I will be one of your first customers when you open your Sukhumvit branch in November.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[thainet]

Actually TWD opened a branch in Rayong earlier this year and I've used it a lot.

Not the flashest store ie: concrete floors, large tiered shelving, but a huge amount of good priced merchandise for the DIY guy (or his workers).

Staff are fine and quite knowledgeable, but needed more cashiers the times I've been there, (not really on topic, but the paint saleslady the first time I went there was probably a 10.5 outa 10 --subsequently I purchased 20 litres in small containers just to be next to her).

I think it will do well in Pattaya as the concept seems good--prices aern't much cheaper than elsewhere, but very competitive.

Be good to have an alternative to Homepro and Homeworks.

Cheers..Tnet

[DraxNet]

Actually TWD opened a branch in Rayong earlier this year and I've used it a lot.

Not the flashest store ie: concrete floors, large tiered shelving, but a huge amount of good priced merchandise for the DIY guy (or his workers).

Staff are fine and quite knowledgeable, but needed more cashiers the times I've been there, (not really on topic, but the paint saleslady the first time I went there was probably a 10.5 outa 10 --subsequently I purchased 20 litres in small containers just to be next to her).

I think it will do well in Pattaya as the concept seems good--prices aern't much cheaper than elsewhere, but very competitive.

Be good to have an alternative to Homepro and Homeworks.

Cheers..Tnet

Actually, I'm working in Rayong at the moment until Pattaya is opened. I'd be intrigued to know if you've noticed an improvement/change in merchandising and stock depth in the last 2 months? I'm working hard to coach the guys about relevance to looking after the customer long term as well as short term (a novelty it seems to the Thais!) I do agree with you with regards to the cashiers and I apologise to you for that. I've instructed them to maintain a minimum of 2 permanently open but they're not great yet at identifying waiting customers; still, baby steps and all that, we will get there in the end.

Hopefully you will see a difference in Pattaya to look less like a department store and more like a proper shop (ie lower ceilings, better merchandising and dedicated knowledgable staff for each department section.) it will also (if bloody local government officials can be erm....'persuaded') have full air conditioning. It's lay out will be different as it's across 2 buildings on each 2 floors separating construction from domestic. The below pictures at the earliest stages show you how already it's looks quite different from the Rayong (and all the other) Thai Watsadu branches. Although I can't get round the concrete floors I'm afraid; 30,000sq m just can't be tiled in budget!

If you ever want to drop by Rayong for a chat or have any feedback for me just ask for the farang working there; I'm the only one of 3 in the company and the other 2 are head office in Bangkok so I'm fairly easy to track down!

"No, I work here and my wife is English. I don't want a pingpong show and I'm *not* Russian."

[fakename]

I hope you pay the staff enough, so they dont have to follow me around, and when I tell them I dont need any help, they go and hide behind the shelves, but still watching me. I stopped going to Kan Yong store, just for that reason.

[DraxNet]

I hope you pay the staff enough, so they dont have to follow me around, and when I tell them I dont need any help, they go and hide behind the shelves, but still watching me. I stopped going to Kan Yong store, just for that reason.

Lol, that's not so much their wages as their culture that dictates that behaviour. The Thais believe in retail that to be attentive is to be helpful. Unfortunately what they define as 'attentive' we interpret as 'harassment'. No fear, it's all part of the learning curve we have all embarked upon so I promise to do my best to strike a balance in the store!

"No, I work here and my wife is English. I don't want a pingpong show and I'm *not* Russian."

[Soutpeel]

Does anyone know the story what is going on with Kanyong.

I got back from the states & it looks like they are done with this location at least. has anyone knowledge of a new spot they may be opening up or are they done in Pattaya.

Thanks for any info. Hate to see them go. Less choice & even more of a monopoly in a land of less choices to begin with!

To anyone else interested in Kan Yong and moreover DIY/construction/Home Improvement I can declare a vested interest. I am the GM for Thai Watsadu (part of Central Retail, same company as Tops, Central Mall and Homeworks) who have purchased Kan Yong metal works and their respective sites (including Chon Buri) on November 14th we will be opening the brand new TWD on the old Kan Yong site on Sukhamvit in Pattaya (with Chon Buri opening 3 weeks prior on 22nd October).

For those of you who don't know Thai Watsadu we specialise in all forms of DIY and home improvement functions to both the individual consumer and the large scale contractor am everyone in between. Without being corporate I think we'll bring something in price and range that Pattaya specifically doesn't have.

I myself have an extensive DIY and home improvement experience from the UK, and am primarily running this store in an effort to balance both the the indigenous and farang customer's needs. Rest assured I am working to recruit as many talented and energetic (tough I know :| ) members of staff as I can in order that we can offer this service.

If anyone wants any advance information or just wants a mosey of what we'll be offering PM me and I'll be happy to help.

(Corporate message ends)

"No, I work here and my wife is English. I don't want a pingpong show and I'm *not* Russian."

If you can provide decent customer service, you will be onto a winner....although I dont buy lots of DIY stuff, I do have on-going stuff in the house and am always buying various bits of cr*p...

One assumes if I go and have a look at what ya got and have any issues can contact you TV or do you have another email address you can PM to me ?

[ThaiBob]

I can't envision TWD competing price wise with Homeworks since it is the same corporation. I like the Makro concept no frills, no tile floors and let's hope there is no Powerbuy inside the new TWD.

[DraxNet]

Does anyone know the story what is going on with Kanyong.

I got back from the states & it looks like they are done with this location at least. has anyone knowledge of a new spot they may be opening up or are they done in Pattaya.

Thanks for any info. Hate to see them go. Less choice & even more of a monopoly in a land of less choices to begin with!

To anyone else interested in Kan Yong and moreover DIY/construction/Home Improvement I can declare a vested interest. I am the GM for Thai Watsadu (part of Central Retail, same company as Tops, Central Mall and Homeworks) who have purchased Kan Yong metal works and their respective sites (including Chon Buri) on November 14th we will be opening the brand new TWD on the old Kan Yong site on Sukhamvit in Pattaya (with Chon Buri opening 3 weeks prior on 22nd October).

For those of you who don't know Thai Watsadu we specialise in all forms of DIY and home improvement functions to both the individual consumer and the large scale contractor am everyone in between. Without being corporate I think we'll bring something in price and range that Pattaya specifically doesn't have.

I myself have an extensive DIY and home improvement experience from the UK, and am primarily running this store in an effort to balance both the the indigenous and farang customer's needs. Rest assured I am working to recruit as many talented and energetic (tough I know :| ) members of staff as I can in order that we can offer this service.

If anyone wants any advance information or just wants a mosey of what we'll be offering PM me and I'll be happy to help.

(Corporate message ends)

"No, I work here and my wife is English. I don't want a pingpong show and I'm *not* Russian."

If you can provide decent customer service, you will be onto a winner....although I dont buy lots of DIY stuff, I do have on-going stuff in the house and am always buying various bits of cr*p...

One assumes if I go and have a look at what ya got and have any issues can contact you TV or do you have another email address you can PM to me ?

For some reason TV server is not activation PM's for me. Mai bpen rai; my mobile is [snip]. (Text me if I don't answer and I will back when free; I don't share the Thai's random habit of answering my phone when I'm in the middle of talking to someone else!)

I'm happy for you to share this with any friends and colleagues who you may think it will be of interest to. (My number will also be displayed on the entrance board in the store as well for those who need it)

The customer service angle will be difficult to nail straight away because the Thai's don't grasp the same concepts and priorities. That said, give us time and we will get there. Any issues or anything you need let me know though please as I want to make sure we get this right for everyone in Pattaya and I'm here for the long haul!

Cheers

Toby.

Email: [snip]

"No, I work here and my wife is English. I don't want a pingpong show and I'm *not* Russian."

[DraxNet]

I can't envision TWD competing price wise with Homeworks since it is the same corporation. I like the Makro concept no frills, no tile floors and let's hope there is no Powerbuy inside the new TWD.

True, but centrally we buy in bulk (exactly the same as Kingfisher does with B&Q and Castorama). We price match anyone and yes, there are many times that the same thing is more expensive in Homeworks than in Thai Watsadu. It happens all the time in other provinces where they are near each other, primarily because they often serve a different customer base. But then Tops is often cheaper than Robinsons who are in turn cheaper than Central Food Mall; the product is the same and they all come from the same Central Retail Corporation as Thai Watsadu and Homeworks but you pay the difference for the ambience and selection.

[DraxNet]

.....and let's hope there is no Powerbuy inside the new TWD.

Lol, and no there isn't.

[ThaiBob]

.....and let's hope there is no Powerbuy inside the new TWD.

Lol, and no there isn't.

I appreciate you getting engaged in these discussions and your comments. It shows somebody is listening and cares. Look forward to the new TWD. Will the Central #1 card work there or will TWD have its own card?