How do they make money?

[Baa_Mango]

Khmer Black Magik

[Rancid]

As I understand it they (thaiwatsadu/Homepro) etc dont employ most of them, they are employed by the various companies that supply the stock, they get a small salary& commission on sales.

if they are employed by those companies than they should have even more knowledge about the product itself and if they get commission they should try even more to up sell ...but there is the word SHOULD...

and not to forget labor cost aren't that cheap anymore...

This was also my impression, which is why when you've already selected an item and are heading to the cashier, some staff will tell you it is no good and should buy a different brand.

Sometimes they can offer some useful advice but more often it is about sell their brand, that is their employer, not the store.

Mind you the girl at Global today did find the right size drill bits for me...

[JohnnyJazz]

If the people who complain about bad service in DIY stores just spent half of the time they spend whining on ThaiVisa doing some research on internet before going to the store they would have no problem at all. What part of DO IT YOURSELF you don't understand ?

[MJP]

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Paint.

Savagely expensive.

I like thaiwatsadu much better then homepro or homeworks.

You have to know how to shop there. I always avoid the main path where they are all waiting for customers, enter their streets from the back and they won't even notice you.

NEVER speak to the sales, before you know it there are 10 of them around you and they all don't know anything.

If you don't see the product you like then it's mod leo krap, mai mee. They don't have stock somewhere else.

If they approach me i don't say anything at all, just nod to them.

For things like fans better go to the Makro or powerbuy.

And never go to Homepro or Works in the weekend! Best time is late at night when the sales are tired and don't approach custumers. Also never bring your thai wife!

Generally agree with most observations however there are some exceptions. Buying paint in Thai Watsadu Pattaya (and yes MJP I was shocked at the cost ) had some great advice from one of the employees. Also when I went back later for some other stuff she was willing to help me to get help from the other relevant "specialists".

In my experience there are normally a couple of decent staff in every big store but it can be difficult to "unearth" them....

Any expectation of experience from the staff in using most products I think however is probably a tad naïve

That said cheap paint is a false economy.

[Xircal]

I believe there's a thai employment law which states that any given business is required to employ a certain number of staff according to its size even if they're not needed. They're commonly known as 'cushion sitters' since there's nothing for them to do all day except hang around.

[colinneil]

Before my accident i used Global house near our home, staff everywhere chasing me around.

Wanting me buy the most expensive, never leaving me alone, many times i tell go away (in Thai) never worked.

Now it is very different. We have had to build new bedroom/bathroom, below so easier for me in the wheelchair.

When work was in progress, we went to Global house.

Staff see me in wheelchair and disapear.

Need help wife has to go and find some one. We find it so funny the change in attitude.

[Berkshire]

These superstores like Homepro and Global House get most of their sales from B2B....business-to-business. They sell to small/large businesses, hotels, home developers, government, repair/service industry, etc. I would imagine their walk-in retail sales are relatively small compared to their B2B.

[WitawatWatawit]

If the people who complain about bad service in DIY stores just spent half of the time they spend whining on ThaiVisa doing some research on internet before going to the store they would have no problem at all. What part of DO IT YOURSELF you don't understand ?

Now here's someone who has never lifted a left-handed screwdriver in his life. Ain't that easy, sunshine. The day you start doing DIY is the day you will find that out.

When you see a group of sales staff in a cluster, it's often difficult to get one to break off and deal with you, and when one does, sometimes it's the wrong person and they're usually the least proactive. B ut not all the time, as some are very good indeed and will find ways to help even if you don't speak good Thai - but therein lies the rub, finding that rare proactive person.

[joesanunu]

Back in the States, at the Building Superstore the staff would hide. I knew that store better than anyone after some time.

If I needed help, just climbed on of those tall ladders, reaching out for some supplies up on a high shelf. The staff do a 100 yard dash instantly. I guess the insurance company has them scared shitless.

An insiders tip on how to get instant help in the USA.

[Chuckles78]

If the people who complain about bad service in DIY stores just spent half of the time they spend whining on ThaiVisa doing some research on internet before going to the store they would have no problem at all. What part of DO IT YOURSELF you don't understand ?

Good point! I was wondering that myself!

[Crazy chef 1]

If the people who complain about bad service in DIY stores just spent half of the time they spend whining on ThaiVisa doing some research on internet before going to the store they would have no problem at all. What part of DO IT YOURSELF you don't understand ?

Good point! I was wondering that myself!

pointless- even you know exactly what do you want and you even know they have(because you checked their web-site before it you still need to find it,isn't?

[sipi]

As far as hardware goes, I find the smaller "Ma and Pa" shops far more helpful and knowledgeable. We built our entire house with hardware supplied by a corner shop in Phon Cheroen, they went out of their way to help. And their prices were good also.

[Crazy chef 1]

As far as hardware goes, I find the smaller "Ma and Pa" shops far more helpful and knowledgeable. We built our entire house with hardware supplied by a corner shop in Phon Cheroen, they went out of their way to help. And their prices were good also.

and they even sell the "necessary builder supply" stuff between 2 and 5 pm...

[kannot]

If you ever had a business in Thailand, you will know about Thai staff.

Almost impossible to find reliable, ethical help. They hire 10 and hope to get 2 or 3 good ones.

Everywhere....same same...

If only it were 2-3 out of 10.......id say more like 1in 20.......Im still looking 2 years now, come an go at the drop of a hat etc

[Absolut]

I've noticed the same thing at one of the dental clinics I visited in Bangkok.

At one point I counted 5 staff members behind the front counter, none of which were dentists nor dental assistants, I was the only patient in the waiting room.

It took 2 additional staff members to simply take my blood pressure.

You can't help but wonder how little they must be paid to have so many people doing very little all day.

[Crazy chef 1]

I've noticed the same thing at one of the dental clinics I visited in Bangkok.

At one point I counted 5 staff members behind the front counter, none of which were dentists nor dental assistants, I was the only patient in the waiting room.

It took 2 additional staff members to simply take my blood pressure.

You can't help but wonder how little they must be paid to have so many people doing very little all day.

that's the holy grail of Thailand...i dunno...

[AlexRRR]

OP I was just thinking about all this yesterday evening when I was at Central.

I can’t wait for the day when everyone in retailing is using an OSHbot or something similar.

When you ask the average shop assistant for help, so many cannot communicate effectively and they don’t have product knowledge. Look at this video and think about how these problems are overcome with these devices and the cost comparison? I.e. no salaries payable, no sick leave or other employee entitlements or benefits.

I can’t possibly see how pragmatic business leaders can avoid the transition to these kinds of machines sooner or later?

Are you meant to thank the robot once its led you to the item?

[AlexRRR]

Yep Thai sales staff can be stressful, after living in BKK a year once home i jumped down every sales persons throat the moment "they didnt get it" in the first 6 months.

There not trained to handle anything more than the product on the shelf, and yeah the business make money or they wouldnt be in business.

Wasnt that long ago an Aussie department store had many staff and i still can recall someone pumping my fuel, there are reasons why it became self serve and its all due to "costs and compertiton" eventualy the Thai economy will get stronger and this will force change as it did in the west....then they will look at training and knowledge once staff are better trained there worth will increase thats when the numbers will decrease as salarys begin to increase and your staff become targets for your compertition..............might be in our next life time but you can be assured that day will come.

[swissie]

It's "Thainess" folks.

Tourists usually claim that "Thainess" is the best thing to be found on this planet.

- Expats, living here for a number of years, usually see "Thainess" from an entirely different perspective. Comments & descriptions of "Thainess" from those sources would not pass censorship here. So I will leave it at that.

Cheers.

[SiSePuede419]

"Paint. Savagely expensive."

In what country is commercial paint "cheap"? None.

That's why I make my own paint.

Primer = Lime + water. Same as they used in Greece for centuries.

Then I mix up some "milk paint", made from mineral pigments imported from Germany. Not cheap, but way cheaper than ready mix. This gives a flat finish, same used in Colonial America in the 1700's. It ages beautifully, doesn't peel off, just turns to powder slowly and gives a nice "patina". This is for natural materials, I doubt this will work on concrete, in which case you'd be better off buying what we call in Mexico "stucco", which never needs painting.

If I want a shiny, washable finish for interiors, then I bite the bullet and buy ready mix washable finish.

[MJP]

"Paint. Savagely expensive."

In what country is commercial paint "cheap"? None.

That's why I make my own paint.

Primer = Lime + water. Same as they used in Greece for centuries.

Then I mix up some "milk paint", made from mineral pigments imported from Germany. Not cheap, but way cheaper than ready mix. This gives a flat finish, same used in Colonial America in the 1700's. It ages beautifully, doesn't peel off, just turns to powder slowly and gives a nice "patina". This is for natural materials, I doubt this will work on concrete, in which case you'd be better off buying what we call in Mexico "stucco", which never needs painting.

If I want a shiny, washable finish for interiors, then I bite the bullet and buy ready mix washable finish.

Mexico stucco! That's a crackingly good idea.

I tried a matte finish once for interiors and within a week it was decorated with little hand prints. Now a ghastly sheen finish, but child durable.

[mitsubishi]

you know top charoen optician; have shops everywhere, blue and white branding always seem to have short skirted female staff sitting in the window and hardly ever any customers.

i often wondered how they made any money and suspected they may be a front for money laundering.

i was dating a thai lawyer last year and mentioned this to her, she said they had been investigated for exactly these activities but cleared.

i still dont know how they make any money...

Super-wealthy Thais basically patron many big businesses from the top-down. That's how a lot of these stores are too. They build the place and business as a gesture and it helps keep people paid in wages and raises the area's prosperity. They can afford to spend the money and waste it because they have even wealthier people by throwing money down the line into these projects.

If you tried to do the same thing as a farang you would lose. You could not maintain the momentum like they can and get away with it.

An apartment complex I was living in year had a Chinese owner who not only made money on the apartment block but had a massive hardware store he ran with his family helping. That's just a small scale example. They juggle it and basically one feeds the other. Over the decades and family line that's one way how they make the $$$$$$ to reach the top.

[Crazy chef 1]

you know top charoen optician; have shops everywhere, blue and white branding always seem to have short skirted female staff sitting in the window and hardly ever any customers.

i often wondered how they made any money and suspected they may be a front for money laundering.

i was dating a thai lawyer last year and mentioned this to her, she said they had been investigated for exactly these activities but cleared.

i still dont know how they make any money...

Super-wealthy Thais basically patron many big businesses from the top-down. That's how a lot of these stores are too. They build the place and business as a gesture and it helps keep people paid in wages and raises the area's prosperity. They can afford to spend the money and waste it because they have even wealthier people by throwing money down the line into these projects.

If you tried to do the same thing as a farang you would lose. You could not maintain the momentum like they can and get away with it.

An apartment complex I was living in year had a Chinese owner who not only made money on the apartment block but had a massive hardware store he ran with his family helping. That's just a small scale example. They juggle it and basically one feeds the other. Over the decades and family line that's one way how they make the $$$$$$ to reach the top.

I think that's summ it up...

[Stan42]

Overpriced goods. I recently bought a "NOT" lamp from Ikea for around 300 thb. It came without light bulbs so I went to Homepro to buy some. There I saw the exact same lamp for 3'500 thb.

[Crazy chef 1]

...and the bulbs were 3200... Just kidding

[plachon]

you know top charoen optician; have shops everywhere, blue and white branding always seem to have short skirted female staff sitting in the window and hardly ever any customers.

i often wondered how they made any money and suspected they may be a front for money laundering.

i was dating a thai lawyer last year and mentioned this to her, she said they had been investigated for exactly these activities but cleared.

i still dont know how they make any money...

I bought glasses from top charoen in Phon Charoen. They charged a fortune but I needed them. Their price was comparable if not more expensive than farangland. And it wasn't a case of "hit the farang", my Thai wife was with me and prices were marked.

I am guessing if they sell 1 pair a week they have made their money.

The marked prices are purely notional in Thai opticians. Most Thais normally know this, so I am afraid your wife was not savvy enough to realise this. I have often bought marked price glasses at a half or less of the marked price, after some bargaining. But when farangs do pay the marked prices, then it makes their day and shows the pricing strategy is worth it..... You probably paid double what the average Somchai would have paid for same pair.

[sipi]

you know top charoen optician; have shops everywhere, blue and white branding always seem to have short skirted female staff sitting in the window and hardly ever any customers.

i often wondered how they made any money and suspected they may be a front for money laundering.

i was dating a thai lawyer last year and mentioned this to her, she said they had been investigated for exactly these activities but cleared.

i still dont know how they make any money...

I bought glasses from top charoen in Phon Charoen. They charged a fortune but I needed them. Their price was comparable if not more expensive than farangland. And it wasn't a case of "hit the farang", my Thai wife was with me and prices were marked.

I am guessing if they sell 1 pair a week they have made their money.

The marked prices are purely notional in Thai opticians. Most Thais normally know this, so I am afraid your wife was not savvy enough to realise this. I have often bought marked price glasses at a half or less of the marked price, after some bargaining. But when farangs do pay the marked prices, then it makes their day and shows the pricing strategy is worth it..... You probably paid double what the average Somchai would have paid for same pair.

She's savvy. Phon Charoen isn't exactly a large town. She has known the girl since school. We got them at the right price. Everyone knows what top charoen are like.

[joesanunu]

you know top charoen optician; have shops everywhere, blue and white branding always seem to have short skirted female staff sitting in the window and hardly ever any customers.

i often wondered how they made any money and suspected they may be a front for money laundering.

i was dating a thai lawyer last year and mentioned this to her, she said they had been investigated for exactly these activities but cleared.

i still dont know how they make any money...

I bought glasses from top charoen in Phon Charoen. They charged a fortune but I needed them. Their price was comparable if not more expensive than farangland. And it wasn't a case of "hit the farang", my Thai wife was with me and prices were marked.

I am guessing if they sell 1 pair a week they have made their money.

The marked prices are purely notional in Thai opticians. Most Thais normally know this, so I am afraid your wife was not savvy enough to realise this. I have often bought marked price glasses at a half or less of the marked price, after some bargaining. But when farangs do pay the marked prices, then it makes their day and shows the pricing strategy is worth it..... You probably paid double what the average Somchai would have paid for same pair.

She's savvy. Phon Charoen isn't exactly a large town. She has known the girl since school. We got them at the right price. Everyone knows what top charoen are like.

I always wondered about that Top Chaeron place with all those pretties.

Do you get a boom boom with those expensive eye glasses I wonder?

[Thian]

If you go to Homepro on a tuesday there's a big chance that there is no sales at all for some brandnames. Then the sales have a day off and nobody else is allowed to hell you.

One day (after we bought a new house) i went to Homepro to buy 3 airconditioners, washingmachine,fridge, waterheaters, kitchenstove and so on and brought a big pack of cash. I wanted to get discount if i bought all products there the same day and get them delivered. That wasn't possible and the staff even started pulling my arms to get them to their branddepartment. It was obvious they get a bonus if they sell the brand they work for.

Then an english speaking helper showed up and also he couln't help me since the discount couldn't be arranged when i bought different brands. I only wanted the aircon from Daikin, for the rest i didn't have preferences.

Then i found out that even in the big department store malls you can get discount. If you go to the Daikin seller and just say: hello, do i get discount (in thai) then he flips the pricetags and there is a 10% lower price written on the it. Then if you ask them how to get more discount they will show you the discount you get when you use creditcards or discountcoupons or whatever they have.

But in Homepro none of the personell works for homepro, they all work for the brand they are selling which rented a space under the homepro roof. If you have a homepro creditcard you will get discount on everything. That's how homepro makes profit, they only rent out the space and don't care what happens there. If i bring my wife there in the weekend they will all jump on her like flee's and it's very annoying.

When i go there alone and don't speak to them at all or answer them with "hello" when they approach me with the sawasdee krab then they leave me alone. Also many of them disappear when they see me coming, perfect

[sipi]

you know top charoen optician; have shops everywhere, blue and white branding always seem to have short skirted female staff sitting in the window and hardly ever any customers.

i often wondered how they made any money and suspected they may be a front for money laundering.

i was dating a thai lawyer last year and mentioned this to her, she said they had been investigated for exactly these activities but cleared.

i still dont know how they make any money...

I bought glasses from top charoen in Phon Charoen. They charged a fortune but I needed them. Their price was comparable if not more expensive than farangland. And it wasn't a case of "hit the farang", my Thai wife was with me and prices were marked.

I am guessing if they sell 1 pair a week they have made their money.

The marked prices are purely notional in Thai opticians. Most Thais normally know this, so I am afraid your wife was not savvy enough to realise this. I have often bought marked price glasses at a half or less of the marked price, after some bargaining. But when farangs do pay the marked prices, then it makes their day and shows the pricing strategy is worth it..... You probably paid double what the average Somchai would have paid for same pair.

Sorry for replying twice but I was in a bit of a hurry earlier.

Thank you so much for letting us know about your experiences with top charoen. We normally get about 15% off, never 50% or more.

There are a lot of forums out there (3 or 4 on tripadvisor alone) where posters are reporting that it is cheaper to buy glasses from companies like specsaver in Australia. I will let them know that I have been informed that they can get them for less than half price. I assume that discount is across the complete range ie Ray Ban, Percy, Prada, Hoya etc.

Terrific news. Thanks again.