Thai markets: My observations

[curtklay]

Interesting question. I can't answer from the Thai perspective, but in the US, I would generally walk the rows of sellers, making note of prices, etc. Then do my buying on the walk back, similar to what you noted. It was maddening to buy something at the beginning, only to find a cheaper or better model further down the line. In Thailand, I have found so much duplication, that it usually doesn't pay to wait. Prices don't vary much unless they are trying to screw the farang. Too many times, I have waited to buy while I checked out the other vendors. Then when I decided, could not find the vendor again, or the item was gone. Now, my tactic is just to buy it when I see it.

I think more important than a vendor's position, is the price. Whether it's Thailand or US, consumers have become so price conscious, that the lowest price is the bottom line. In the cluster markets, they all seem to know what each other are selling at, and set similar, if not exact prices. That's why I say, buy it when you see it.

Another odd practice I have have found here; if a vendor doesn't have what you're looking for, he may send you to a competitor who does. That rarely happens in the US. The concept of competition, while of major importance in the US, seems to be viewed quite casually here. I guess it's all part of the Mai Pen Lai attitude, which simply doesn't exist among US merchants. Oh sure, there is some "friendly competition" among some US merchants, but it's on a much different level than Thailand. Too much Mai Pen Lai will get you eaten alive in the US.

[ldnguy]

Interesting question. I can't answer from the Thai perspective, but in the US, I would generally walk the rows of sellers, making note of prices, etc. Then do my buying on the walk back, similar to what you noted. It was maddening to buy something at the beginning, only to find a cheaper or better model further down the line. In Thailand, I have found so much duplication, that it usually doesn't pay to wait. Prices don't vary much unless they are trying to screw the farang. Too many times, I have waited to buy while I checked out the other vendors. Then when I decided, could not find the vendor again, or the item was gone. Now, my tactic is just to buy it when I see it.

I think more important than a vendor's position, is the price. Whether it's Thailand or US, consumers have become so price conscious, that the lowest price is the bottom line. In the cluster markets, they all seem to know what each other are selling at, and set similar, if not exact prices. That's why I say, buy it when you see it.

Another odd practice I have have found here; if a vendor doesn't have what you're looking for, he may send you to a competitor who does. That rarely happens in the US. The concept of competition, while of major importance in the US, seems to be viewed quite casually here. I guess it's all part of the Mai Pen Lai attitude, which simply doesn't exist among US merchants. Oh sure, there is some "friendly competition" among some US merchants, but it's on a much different level than Thailand. Too much Mai Pen Lai will get you eaten alive in the US.

I think sending you to a competitor stall if they don't have what you want is actually good for them. It builds trust and you'll remember their good deed next time. If they don't have what you want it doesn't make much difference to them, so they may as well be helpful. I get the impression that among the less well off in Thailand they tend to look out for each other much more because they know what it's like to be poor, even if they are better off now. It happens in the UK as well, but maybe not as much as here.

[howerde]

Observations can be deceptive, tensions are always beneath the surface(mainly poor folk scratching a living), when it blows, it is big time, the petty jealousy is there alright, as a poster has observed, girl with foreign backer, watch her back. Don't let the smiles fool you.

[Denim]

I guess the point of my post is to highlight how helpful and genuine the people can be with each other, even when a financial loss might be the result.

It's clear that the Thais involved have a clearer appreciation of market dynamics than you do.

Exactly what financial loss are you referring to?

That a particular customer might buy from the neighbouring stall, to their detriment?

Rubbish!

Clusters work!

It is in the interest of retailers for others just like themselves to set up in the immediate vicinity. This increases the size of the pie, and thus each individual slice.

Example: If you live in Bangkok and you want to buy a scanner, or a printer, or a hard drive: where do you go?

Do you think that the retailers in Pantip hate each other because they're direct competitors and a sale to the neighbour is a forgone profit for them?

They don't, because they're smart. They know that a vibrant, efficient market with a whole heap of well presented retailers selling equivalent products attract the punters, to the benefit of all involved, including the customers.

It increases the size of the pie, so that each slice is bigger.

Within Pantip Plaza, it is in each retailer's interest to work with their neighbours to make their area, their floor, their shared products, the most vibrant and most competitive in terms of price and service. This attracts customers, the only factor that is both necessary and sufficient for a successful business.

The people in the market you speak of clearly have the critical thinking processes to work this out.

You and others here clearly don't...

Absolute rubbish from someone who clearly has never been to a Thai market but nonetheless has an opinion about something he has no direct experience of. Perhaps when you've been here a little while you might learn something worth sharing.

What the OP is referring to is a typical Thai market. What you are referring to is a specialist market like Pantip or Klong Thom where ' birds of a feather ' do indeed flock together.

However, in a typical Thai market where there are all sorts of vendors, some old hands , some new, the whole post about a bigger pie is just a lot of claptrap.

My wife also sells clothes at several different markets, mostly government ministries. Surprisingly, Thai people are also human beings and it is only natural that if they have to spend all day next to each other, new friendships arise that have absolutely zero to do with market ergonomics. If they like each other , they help each other ...............nothing to to with pies or cakes etc.

I'm glad the OP and his wife are enjoying themselves. Personally, I drop the wife off , help her set up, then let her get on with it.

She enjoys meeting other women and I have to say, like the OP , they are a great crowd , ( mostly ) Most of them work two markets a day , one in the morning one in the evening. They have to....just to make ends meet since it seems their husbands don't have work or they are divorced.

Unfortunately, since the Bangkok protests and political mayhem, consumer confidence in Bangkok has been hit hard and absolutely everyone we know without exception is feeling the pinch with sales dropping from between 20 - 30 pieces a day to less than 10, often less than 5. Luckily, my own business is doing well but I really feel for a lot of the vendors who are really facing hard times.

thanks Suthep and Prayuth...................bringing misery to the many while you play politics.

[Denim]

I guess the point of my post is to highlight how helpful and genuine the people can be with each other, even when a financial loss might be the result.

It's clear that the Thais involved have a clearer appreciation of market dynamics than you do.

Exactly what financial loss are you referring to?

That a particular customer might buy from the neighbouring stall, to their detriment?

Rubbish!

Clusters work!

It is in the interest of retailers for others just like themselves to set up in the immediate vicinity. This increases the size of the pie, and thus each individual slice.

Example: If you live in Bangkok and you want to buy a scanner, or a printer, or a hard drive: where do you go?

Do you think that the retailers in Pantip hate each other because they're direct competitors and a sale to the neighbour is a forgone profit for them?

They don't, because they're smart. They know that a vibrant, efficient market with a whole heap of well presented retailers selling equivalent products attract the punters, to the benefit of all involved, including the customers.

It increases the size of the pie, so that each slice is bigger.

Within Pantip Plaza, it is in each retailer's interest to work with their neighbours to make their area, their floor, their shared products, the most vibrant and most competitive in terms of price and service. This attracts customers, the only factor that is both necessary and sufficient for a successful business.

The people in the market you speak of clearly have the critical thinking processes to work this out.

You and others here clearly don't...

Absolute rubbish from someone who clearly has never been to a Thai market but nonetheless has an opinion about something he has no direct experience of. Perhaps when you've been here a little while you might learn something worth sharing.

What the OP is referring to is a typical Thai market. What you are referring to is a specialist market like Pantip or Klong Thom where ' birds of a feather ' do indeed flock together.

However, in a typical Thai market where there are all sorts of vendors, some old hands , some new, the whole post about a bigger pie is just a lot of claptrap.

My wife also sells clothes at several different markets, mostly government ministries. Surprisingly, Thai people are also human beings and it is only natural that if they have to spend all day next to each other, new friendships arise that have absolutely zero to do with market ergonomics. If they like each other , they help each other ...............nothing to to with pies or cakes etc.

I'm glad the OP and his wife are enjoying themselves. Personally, I drop the wife off , help her set up, then let her get on with it.

She enjoys meeting other women and I have to say, like the OP , they are a great crowd , ( mostly ) Most of them work two markets a day , one in the morning one in the evening. They have to....just to make ends meet since it seems their husbands don't have work or they are divorced.

Unfortunately, since the Bangkok protests and political mayhem, consumer confidence in Bangkok has been hit hard and absolutely everyone we know without exception is feeling the pinch with sales dropping from between 20 - 30 pieces a day to less than 10, often less than 5. Luckily, my own business is doing well but I really feel for a lot of the vendors who are really facing hard times.

thanks Suthep and Prayuth...................bringing misery to the many while you play politics.