Good experiences with bad stuff.

[Thaijack2014]

Hi, now some good news....

I bought my THIRD lawnmower in the nearly three years that I'm living here a month ago. Before I had two electrical lawnmowers. Both completely destroyed by the grass, the stones, the sand and my abuse of the lawnmowers. Mind you, I didn't buy the best quality, but it was mainly the size of the machines why I bought them. They were small and in my garden are a lot of corners, small patches which had to be cut.

But anyway, I went to homepro and decided to buy a gasoline lawnmower. I chose the smallest again, Coming home, I unpacked the machine, inserted oil and fuel and the troubles started. I couldn't get the machine running. Now the guy from homepro was willing to come to my place to help in case of need, but I thought, it is such a simple machine, what could I do wrong?).

Anyway, the problem stayed, I even asked advise here on Thaivisa. But to no avail. Then I talked to a neighbour and we found out, that even though my machine has a choke, it doesn't have a lever for it. Maybe forgotten to attach? Next time I was in homepro, I asked for it. Nope, this machine came without. It was the only one without!

Two days ago: I managed to turn it on, after pulling the rope for at least ten times. When I turned it off to empty the bag... I couldn't get the damned machine working. So I decided to bring it back to the shop and asked them to show me what I did wrong.

We checked and whatever the guy discovered, I don't know, but he asked when we bought the machine. That was nearly a month ago. He offered to change it for another one. Same model without extra payment. Homepro's policy is that you can return articles within two weeks, so I was surprised.

I then bought another model WITH shoke (start and run lever) and tested in in the shop. ONE pull and the engine was running. Now THAT's unexpected good service.

[ezzra]

Got up this morning beside myself and hoping for a ray of sunshine and good news,

and thinking the world is a cruel cruel place... alas... bliss

came upon me when I have come across this OP and his lawnmower story,

thinking that some people has all the luck in the world....what an up

lifting experience, Thank you OP, you have made my day.....

[Thian]

What was the brandname? Where was it made?

[kannot]

Bought a grass cutter you know the spinning metal blade weed whacker from Thai Watsadu, it ran for a whole day then wouldnt, took it back to them they took it apart in the store and started it, took it home it ran for a few hours then woudlnt, took it back they took it apart again and it wouldnt start, they sent it back to manufacturer and they put a new carburettor on, it came back and????wouldnt start, i took it back to the store and they couldnt get it to start, I left it with them saying it was a piece of crap went out and bought a Honda, starts everytime

The last attempt they were cutting wires on it and taping them together in the store, total bodge.

It got chucked in the bin, no refund no apologies for 4 trips and no fix, its a round trip of 70km from me in Pranburi

So I guess thats bad experiences with bad stuff

[autanic]

I have found in Thailand to generally take your time when purchasing and ensure you do not buy cheap crap. You have virtually no rights to refund or exchange and so let the buyer beware. It is nice to hear things are improving in the customer service area, thats always a positive.

Great story OP>

[robblok]

Bought a grass cutter you know the spinning metal blade weed whacker from Thai Watsadu, it ran for a whole day then wouldnt, took it back to them they took it apart in the store and started it, took it home it ran for a few hours then woudlnt, took it back they took it apart again and it wouldnt start, they sent it back to manufacturer and they put a new carburettor on, it came back and????wouldnt start, i took it back to the store and they couldnt get it to start, I left it with them saying it was a piece of crap went out and bought a Honda, starts everytime

The last attempt they were cutting wires on it and taping them together in the store, total bodge.

It got chucked in the bin, no refund no apologies for 4 trips and no fix, its a round trip of 70km from me in Pranburi

So I guess thats bad experiences with bad stuff

Id say you were partially to blame by buying a cheap non brand product and expecting quality.

Not saying the shop is not to blame but sounds a lot like both parties are wrong here. I know I have learned not to buy cheap crap and expect it to perform. Buying cheap is asking for trouble. Back where I came from I did buy cheap occasionally after having done research or when products were tested by consumer organisations and even though being cheap came out with good ratings.

But normally cheap is crap.

[CharlieH]

My Dad once told me "buy cheap, you'll buy twice", never a more true word was spoken.

[robblok]

My Dad once told me "buy cheap, you'll buy twice", never a more true word was spoken.

I would almost say we are related, that is what my dad told me too.

Only problem in Thailand is that a higher price does not always mean better quality. Its easy in some cases as a good brand-name does usually indicate better quality but among the no name stuff higher price does not always mean better quality as prices vary a lot.

When it is something that i feel is important i take my time to research it a bit and with tools i never buy the no name crap. Still a shop has some responsibility when selling crap.

[NoshowJones]

My Dad once told me "buy cheap, you'll buy twice", never a more true word was spoken.

I would almost say we are related, that is what my dad told me too.

Only problem in Thailand is that a higher price does not always mean better quality. Its easy in some cases as a good brand-name does usually indicate better quality but among the no name stuff higher price does not always mean better quality as prices vary a lot.

When it is something that i feel is important i take my time to research it a bit and with tools i never buy the no name crap. Still a shop has some responsibility when selling crap.

In the UK when a shop sells you something, it must be fit for purpose, otherwise you can demand a full refund,

and the shop cannot refer you to the manufacturer.

[kannot]

Bought a grass cutter you know the spinning metal blade weed whacker from Thai Watsadu, it ran for a whole day then wouldnt, took it back to them they took it apart in the store and started it, took it home it ran for a few hours then woudlnt, took it back they took it apart again and it wouldnt start, they sent it back to manufacturer and they put a new carburettor on, it came back and????wouldnt start, i took it back to the store and they couldnt get it to start, I left it with them saying it was a piece of crap went out and bought a Honda, starts everytime

The last attempt they were cutting wires on it and taping them together in the store, total bodge.

It got chucked in the bin, no refund no apologies for 4 trips and no fix, its a round trip of 70km from me in Pranburi

So I guess thats bad experiences with bad stuff

Id say you were partially to blame by buying a cheap non brand product and expecting quality.

Not saying the shop is not to blame but sounds a lot like both parties are wrong here. I know I have learned not to buy cheap crap and expect it to perform. Buying cheap is asking for trouble. Back where I came from I did buy cheap occasionally after having done research or when products were tested by consumer organisations and even though being cheap came out with good ratings.

But normally cheap is crap.

Asked the sales guy which one was ok and he pointed out this one 4k baht Or thereabouts, the store is to blame for selling <deleted>, 1 day old and failed.

[Thian]

Never believe a Thai salesguy/girl. They probably have never ever used the product themselves.

Buy Makita, Honda, Bosch , Karcher and you even don't need warranty.

[robblok]

Never believe a Thai salesguy/girl. They probably have never ever used the product themselves.

Buy Makita, Honda, Bosch , Karcher and you even don't need warranty.

Many of the sales guys / girls are on the payroll of the product they want to sell or get commission. This is why I make my own decisions.

Recently had them try to persuade me to buy some cheaper crap instead of a brand name item too.

It can be hard if you have no knowledge about the product your going to buy.. but like you said just take the big names and you will be good.

[Thian]

Never believe a Thai salesguy/girl. They probably have never ever used the product themselves.

Buy Makita, Honda, Bosch , Karcher and you even don't need warranty.

Many of the sales guys / girls are on the payroll of the product they want to sell or get commission. This is why I make my own decisions.

Recently had them try to persuade me to buy some cheaper crap instead of a brand name item too.

It can be hard if you have no knowledge about the product your going to buy.. but like you said just take the big names and you will be good.

I even don't believe the sales when they say "mai mee", 80% of the time i find it myself somewhere in their department.

I start with saying "hello" to them and from then on i speak english so they leave me alone.

But if i don't know which one to pick i go for the most expensive one or made in Japan/Germany. Never buy made in Thailand because it's cheap quality.

[CharlieH]

Was astounded just yesterday in Tesco Lotus, they were selling Faulty returned goods!! they had labels or written in felt pen on the boxes "doesnt work" (for one reason or another)!!

[Thian]

Was astounded just yesterday in Tesco Lotus, they were selling Faulty returned goods!! they had labels or written in felt pen on the boxes "doesnt work" (for one reason or another)!!

I would sure have a look at the items.

I bought a combi-oven in Homepro which also was faulty according to them. It worked perfect and still does, the personell just didn't know how to use it

I paid a fraction of the newprice of 10.000 and still use it.

[TheCruncher]

Bought a grass cutter you know the spinning metal blade weed whacker from Thai Watsadu, it ran for a whole day then wouldnt, took it back to them they took it apart in the store and started it, took it home it ran for a few hours then woudlnt, took it back they took it apart again and it wouldnt start, they sent it back to manufacturer and they put a new carburettor on, it came back and????wouldnt start, i took it back to the store and they couldnt get it to start, I left it with them saying it was a piece of crap went out and bought a Honda, starts everytime

The last attempt they were cutting wires on it and taping them together in the store, total bodge.

It got chucked in the bin, no refund no apologies for 4 trips and no fix, its a round trip of 70km from me in Pranburi

So I guess thats bad experiences with bad stuff

Id say you were partially to blame by buying a cheap non brand product and expecting quality.

Not saying the shop is not to blame but sounds a lot like both parties are wrong here. I know I have learned not to buy cheap crap and expect it to perform. Buying cheap is asking for trouble. Back where I came from I did buy cheap occasionally after having done research or when products were tested by consumer organisations and even though being cheap came out with good ratings.

But normally cheap is crap.

Asked the sales guy which one was ok and he pointed out this one 4k baht Or thereabouts, the store is to blame for selling <deleted>, 1 day old and failed.

The problem with Thaiwatsadu is that even the highest quality item they have in store is still crap.

[steven100]

I bought a ' cheap chainsaw ' last year .... it works but it has been into town into the mechanics twice , also always difficult to start , ten or fifteen goes ... choke in, choke out , pump fuel , .... bla bla bla

It's made in china so what can I expect .......... I shoulda paid more and bought a stihl

[northernphil]

Just about on topic , I have a Black and Decker strimmer that I bought in Hua-Hin about 7 years ago. No chance of getting the right cord for it up here but there are a few fishing tackle shops , I bought a 25 yard coil of the strongest fishing line , does the grass a treat.

[menzies233]

Never believe a Thai salesguy/girl. They probably have never ever used the product themselves.

Buy Makita, Honda, Bosch , Karcher and you even don't need warranty.

Many of the sales guys / girls are on the payroll of the product they want to sell or get commission. This is why I make my own decisions.

Recently had them try to persuade me to buy some cheaper crap instead of a brand name item too.

It can be hard if you have no knowledge about the product your going to buy.. but like you said just take the big names and you will be good.

I even don't believe the sales when they say "mai mee", 80% of the time i find it myself somewhere in their department.

I start with saying "hello" to them and from then on i speak english so they leave me alone.

But if i don't know which one to pick i go for the most expensive one or made in Japan/Germany. Never buy made in Thailand because it's cheap quality.

Well, this is Thailand, absolutely nothing goes to waste! Someone will fix it or find a use for it and probably make a few Baht for their efforts.

[Mudcrab]

My Dad once told me "buy cheap, you'll buy twice", never a more true word was spoken.

I would almost say we are related, that is what my dad told me too.

Only problem in Thailand is that a higher price does not always mean better quality. Its easy in some cases as a good brand-name does usually indicate better quality but among the no name stuff higher price does not always mean better quality as prices vary a lot.

When it is something that i feel is important i take my time to research it a bit and with tools i never buy the no name crap. Still a shop has some responsibility when selling crap.

In the UK when a shop sells you something, it must be fit for purpose, otherwise you can demand a full refund,

and the shop cannot refer you to the manufacturer.

I'll be sure to quote you next time I'm in Global House.

[Krataiboy]

Why on earth would anyone other than a masochist want to grow a lawn Thailand? It's about as easy as getting hairs to sprout on a billiard ball - and about as pointless, I reckon.

Waving goodbye to this boring chore was one of the perks of moving to Thailand, where most sane expats settle for a tiled or concreted patio, graced by a few tubs of green stuff which are a breeze to maintain.

I'm guessing ThaiJack is from the UK, where spending the summer coaxing a recalcitrant mower into life and sweating your guts out over a patch of boring greensward outside your house is almost as much of a national perversion is wasting Sunday mornings cleaning The Car.

I am reminded of a former Surrey neighbour of mine who would wheel his beloved mothballed mower out of the garage almost as soon as the winter snows had retreated. My lawn-loathing mates and I used to call him the first cuckoo of Spring (though only behind his perspiring, aching back, of course).

I never dreamed he would have soulmates in the LOS.

[Thian]

I have the same problem with the lawnmower wire but i bought it from another brand and wind it on the mill myself, works good.

Bought a Karcher pressurecleaner last month in Watsadu for 2500 baht, works good.

They don't have the latest models there for powertools but i don't care much.

Watsadu is my favorit shop, the sales never annoy me there. From homepro i can get a very bad mood.

[Mudcrab]

Why on earth would anyone other than a masochist want to grow a lawn Thailand? It's about as easy as getting hairs to sprout on a billiard ball - and about as pointless, I reckon.

Waving goodbye to this boring chore was one of the perks of moving to Thailand, where most sane expats settle for a tiled or concreted patio, graced by a few tubs of green stuff which are a breeze to maintain.

I'm guessing ThaiJack is from the UK, where spending the summer coaxing a recalcitrant mower into life and sweating your guts out over a patch of boring greensward outside your house is almost as much of a national perversion is wasting Sunday mornings cleaning The Car.

I am reminded of a former Surrey neighbour of mine who would wheel his beloved mothballed mower out of the garage almost as soon as the winter snows had retreated. My lawn-loathing mates and I used to call him the first cuckoo of Spring (though only behind his perspiring, aching back, of course).

I never dreamed he would have soulmates in the LOS.

Why on earth would anyone other than a masochist want to grow a lawn Thailand?

Not everyone has come from a cold miserable place...some of us are actually from the tropics originally and quite like lawns and gardens.

You like the concrete...I like grass under my bare feet.

[ozyjon]

Next time your lawnmower is finished replace the grass with

Japanese grass, you will never need to mow, or like my family

did, buy a buffalo.

[NoshowJones]

My Dad once told me "buy cheap, you'll buy twice", never a more true word was spoken.

I would almost say we are related, that is what my dad told me too.

Only problem in Thailand is that a higher price does not always mean better quality. Its easy in some cases as a good brand-name does usually indicate better quality but among the no name stuff higher price does not always mean better quality as prices vary a lot.

When it is something that i feel is important i take my time to research it a bit and with tools i never buy the no name crap. Still a shop has some responsibility when selling crap.

In the UK when a shop sells you something, it must be fit for purpose, otherwise you can demand a full refund,

and the shop cannot refer you to the manufacturer.

I'll be sure to quote you next time I'm in Global House.

Yes OK, who is Global House? what I have said is true though, anyone from the UK want to back me up on this?

[Ulic]

Always get a Honda.

[steven100]

Why on earth would anyone other than a masochist want to grow a lawn Thailand? It's about as easy as getting hairs to sprout on a billiard ball - and about as pointless, I reckon.

Waving goodbye to this boring chore was one of the perks of moving to Thailand, where most sane expats settle for a tiled or concreted patio, graced by a few tubs of green stuff which are a breeze to maintain.

I'm guessing ThaiJack is from the UK, where spending the summer coaxing a recalcitrant mower into life and sweating your guts out over a patch of boring greensward outside your house is almost as much of a national perversion is wasting Sunday mornings cleaning The Car.

I am reminded of a former Surrey neighbour of mine who would wheel his beloved mothballed mower out of the garage almost as soon as the winter snows had retreated. My lawn-loathing mates and I used to call him the first cuckoo of Spring (though only behind his perspiring, aching back, of course).

I never dreamed he would have soulmates in the LOS.

I fancy sitting on soft grass and not concrete ..... besides, a garden looks alot better than concrete

[Gecko123]

My Dad once told me "buy cheap, you'll buy twice", never a more true word was spoken.

The saddest part is that low income Thais are often victimized the most because they can't afford to buy higher quality stuff.

[chiang mai]

I would almost say we are related, that is what my dad told me too.

Only problem in Thailand is that a higher price does not always mean better quality. Its easy in some cases as a good brand-name does usually indicate better quality but among the no name stuff higher price does not always mean better quality as prices vary a lot.

When it is something that i feel is important i take my time to research it a bit and with tools i never buy the no name crap. Still a shop has some responsibility when selling crap.

In the UK when a shop sells you something, it must be fit for purpose, otherwise you can demand a full refund,

and the shop cannot refer you to the manufacturer.

I'll be sure to quote you next time I'm in Global House.

Yes OK, who is Global House? what I have said is true though, anyone from the UK want to back me up on this?

You don't really live in Thailand do you, question is have you actually been to Thailand in the past five years because Global House stores have virtually saturated the country!

That being said, the UK consumer laws have absolutely zip to do with purchases made in Thailand.

[soalbundy]

My Dad once told me "buy cheap, you'll buy twice", never a more true word was spoken.

I would almost say we are related, that is what my dad told me too.

Only problem in Thailand is that a higher price does not always mean better quality. Its easy in some cases as a good brand-name does usually indicate better quality but among the no name stuff higher price does not always mean better quality as prices vary a lot.

When it is something that i feel is important i take my time to research it a bit and with tools i never buy the no name crap. Still a shop has some responsibility when selling crap.

In the UK when a shop sells you something, it must be fit for purpose, otherwise you can demand a full refund,

and the shop cannot refer you to the manufacturer.

I'm not so sure about that. I bought some condoms there and when i told them that they all bend in the middle when being used they wouldn't replace them.