I fell out with a retailer this morning!

[movsrus]

Vote with your wallet. If you don't like the attitude, selection or price there are many places that offer competition. I don't bother to argue with people if I don't like something- I just move on. Mai pen rai works fine for me and I am off to another shop. Life is too short to get spun up with the nonsense of others.

[puffy]

Thais do not care about return custom, what they take today, they take.

Tomorrow is another day.

Expecting a Thai shopkeeper to treat one better because of the years one has been shopping there is like expecting a bargirl to give a discount because she had an orgasm, or a mama san returning the barfine because the "lady" played away.

Why is it like expecting that?

[bazza40]

A regular breakfast for my Sunday in CM cost 120 baht. The price was increased to 180 baht. Is it still good value? Definitely.

Either you regard the product in question as good value, or you don't. Creating a fuss about it is wasting everyone's time. If it's no longer good value, go elsewhere.

Thais do appreciate repeat custom, in my experience. They don't appreciate some Cheap Charlie giving them a hard time about 100 baht when the decision to increase prices was very likely forced on them by an outside agency, e.g. a landlord hiking the rent.

[willyumiii]

When you chose to live in a tourist town and pretend your life is one long vacation.

you pay the price when the real tourists are in town.

You should relocate to Thailand.

It is just north of there.

[thaiduncankk]

A regular breakfast for my Sunday in CM cost 120 baht. The price was increased to 180 baht. Is it still good value? Definitely.

Either you regard the product in question as good value, or you don't. Creating a fuss about it is wasting everyone's time. If it's no longer good value, go elsewhere.

Thais do appreciate repeat custom, in my experience. They don't appreciate some Cheap Charlie giving them a hard time about 100 baht when the decision to increase prices was very likely forced on them by an outside agency, e.g. a landlord hiking the rent.

That is a big increase, and I imagine, being CM, there is competition around also doing breakfasts.

I am no cheap charlie, but we all like value for money.

In your case, I would look for alternatives that are probably better value.

[luke000]

Thais do not care about return custom, what they take today, they take.

Tomorrow is another day.

Expecting a Thai shopkeeper to treat one better because of the years one has been shopping there is like expecting a bargirl to give a discount because she had an orgasm, or a mama san returning the barfine because the "lady" played away.

Why is it like expecting that?

I was trying to figure out the connection as well

[bazza40]

A regular breakfast for my Sunday in CM cost 120 baht. The price was increased to 180 baht. Is it still good value? Definitely.

Either you regard the product in question as good value, or you don't. Creating a fuss about it is wasting everyone's time. If it's no longer good value, go elsewhere.

Thais do appreciate repeat custom, in my experience. They don't appreciate some Cheap Charlie giving them a hard time about 100 baht when the decision to increase prices was very likely forced on them by an outside agency, e.g. a landlord hiking the rent.

That is a big increase, and I imagine, being CM, there is competition around also doing breakfasts.

I am no cheap charlie, but we all like value for money.

In your case, I would look for alternatives that are probably better value.

I've looked around. However, no-one else seems to know (a) how to do scrambled eggs properly ( that hot breakfasts should be served hot.

Edited February 3, 2016 by bazza40

[luke000]

A regular breakfast for my Sunday in CM cost 120 baht. The price was increased to 180 baht. Is it still good value? Definitely.

Either you regard the product in question as good value, or you don't. Creating a fuss about it is wasting everyone's time. If it's no longer good value, go elsewhere.

Thais do appreciate repeat custom, in my experience. They don't appreciate some Cheap Charlie giving them a hard time about 100 baht when the decision to increase prices was very likely forced on them by an outside agency, e.g. a landlord hiking the rent.

That is a big increase, and I imagine, being CM, there is competition around also doing breakfasts.

I am no cheap charlie, but we all like value for money.

In your case, I would look for alternatives that are probably better value.

I've looked around. However, no-one else seems to know (a) how to do scrambled eggs properly ( that hot breakfasts should be served hot.

The Mad dog bar near Tapae gate does a nice breakfast for 180 baht and you choose how you want your eggs , comes with toast, coffee and orange juice

[luke000]

So the O.P went into a shop to buy something .

He didnt want to pay the cost .

He then repeatedly asked the shop owner to justify the items cost .

He then left the goods on the counter

Walked out , called her crazy and made other disparaging remarks towards her .

The O.P. was rude, obnoxious and arrogant and his behavior was quite unpleasant, to say the least

[jjablonsky]

First you didn't mention what is was you were buying, so who is really to say that the costs for it did not increase. You also did not mention/or are unaware if that was an across the board increase or an increase just for foreign buyers.

The Thai food vendor is probably the toughest to make a living at. That's why you see so many start up today and in two weeks they are gone.

My wife and I also had a Thai restaurant in NY, I really only managed the finances she did most of the day to day operations. When we arrived here she wanted to open a little restaurant here, she gave me a prospective menu, we found a little place to rent for the business (yes it needed some work) so after running the numbers I said OK. I broke things down for here and priced out the menu for her. She insisted that my prices were to high that everyone else around didn't charge that much (we live up north on Khon Kaen) I told her OK charge what you want and I would help for a bit (yes I paid for the first rent, security, food purchases etc...) but told her it had to be self sustaining within four months. 5 months later she closed it. Working from dawn to dusk for minimal profit was not what she had in mind.

The baht against the dollar is not very good right now, the Thai economy is in the crapper, oil prices are again on the increase as OPEC has agreed to slow production, the rate for electric in Thailand has gone up a bit. As a former computer business owner in the US I often avoided trying to increase prices but sometimes due to circumstances beyond your control, to maintain profitability you must. Perhaps she simply could not afford to absorb her increased costs any longer and still maintain profitability.

Your post is far to vague to possibly comment on with any degree of certainty.

[jjablonsky]

If it upset you so much that you posted here then maybe her assessment of you was pretty close to the mark.

Wrong Mr Nesbitt, the OP is right to ask about a 15% increase.

Dear Bass Playing Member;

While it may be OK for him to ask about the increase (politely of course) she certainly does not have to offer an explanation. It's her shop/business. As said many times on this thread her shop/business her prices. Not happy shop elsewhere.

[djayz]

I believe you have every right to ask why the prices have increased dramatically. However, how we speak to one another and the tone we take in such situations, can make a huge difference to the answers we receive and the tone in which we receive them.

Shop around, you may find a less expensive place.

I have the impression that here in Asia "business is business" - socialising doesn't play a role in the day-to-day running of a company.

[bazza40]

I've looked around. However, no-one else seems to know (a) how to do scrambled eggs properly ( that hot breakfasts should be served hot.

The Mad dog bar near Tapae gate does a nice breakfast for 180 baht and you choose how you want your eggs , comes with toast, coffee and orange juice

O'Malley's in the Anusarn Market off ChangKhlan Road does the same, with two small pork sausages and potato fries.

A bar in Chiang Rai used to get my business until they served the breakfast cold, and had obviously cut down from two eggs to one.

[SiSePuede419]

"Was I wrong to question her action and to expect any decent response to explaining why prices of increased by 15%? Has anyone else had any similar experiences to me recently?"

Yes, yes and no.

Its like a scene out of a bad Ayn Rand novel.

The business owner is a noble job creator.

You, the lowly customer are a parasite.

You're stealing the noble business owner's precious time. And body fluids.

555

[JSixpack]

I believe you have every right to ask why the prices have increased dramatically.

In the sense of the question being legally free speech, yes. The shop owner then exercised her right of free speech, too, LOL.

Thais tend find the question "why" useless and bothersome. What is, is. In fact, if many of our members would adopt that attitude as well, then they'd probably be a lot happier in Thailand. The OP's problem w/ the shopkeeper would never have happened.

However, how we speak to one another and the tone we take in such situations, can make a huge difference to the answers we receive and the tone in which we receive them.

Shop around, you may find a less expensive place.

Very, very true.

I have the impression that here in Asia "business is business" - socialising doesn't play a role in the day-to-day running of a company.

Relationships and feelings are extremely important with the right people. Part of that involves face-saving for all concerned.

In this case, the OP didn't understand the boundaries of his relationship w/ that shopkeeper over, say, a plate of khao pat. A number of posters above have made that observation.

[midas]

So the O.P went into a shop to buy something .

He didnt want to pay the cost .

He then repeatedly asked the shop owner to justify the items cost .

He then left the goods on the counter

Walked out , called her crazy and made other disparaging remarks towards her .

The O.P. was rude, obnoxious and arrogant and his behavior was quite unpleasant, to say the least

" Walked out , called her crazy and made other disparaging remarks towards her . "

Where from the original post did you pick that up? he or she (the original poster) wrote

" In fact as I left the shop she said I was crazy. I think it was her hostile reaction more than anything that really surprised me and it seemed obvious that being a return customer over all these past years has meant absolutely nothing."

[luke000]

So the O.P went into a shop to buy something .

He didnt want to pay the cost .

He then repeatedly asked the shop owner to justify the items cost .

He then left the goods on the counter

Walked out , called her crazy and made other disparaging remarks towards her .

The O.P. was rude, obnoxious and arrogant and his behavior was quite unpleasant, to say the least

" Walked out , called her crazy and made other disparaging remarks towards her . "

Where from the original post did you pick that up? he or she (the original poster) wrote

" In fact as I left the shop she said I was crazy. I think it was her hostile reaction more than anything that really surprised me and it seemed obvious that being a return customer over all these past years has meant absolutely nothing."

This bit here

"Maybe I got her back up when I said I would return in the low season when there would be very few customers around and see what the price would be then"

[1BADDAT]

I am trying to reconcile the comments in the original post - a 15% price increase with this headline and I'm asking myself what is wrong with this picture ? Sounds very much to me like another example of Thai economics.

Deflationary pressures persist in Thailand

" Thailand's headline consumer price inflation closed 2015 at -0.9% y/y, recording the 12th consecutive month of deflation. Prices are expected to continue to decline at least until the second quarter of 2016 after which inflation will likely pick up moderately to around 1.5% y/y by the end of the year. Meanwhile, core inflation remains in positive territory, at 0.7% y/y in December. "

http://www.econotimes.com/Deflationary-pressures-persist-in-Thailand-138241

as they say...what does this have to do with the price of eggs in China?

[midas]

I am trying to reconcile the comments in the original post - a 15% price increase with this headline and I'm asking myself what is wrong with this picture ? Sounds very much to me like another example of Thai economics.

Deflationary pressures persist in Thailand

" Thailand's headline consumer price inflation closed 2015 at -0.9% y/y, recording the 12th consecutive month of deflation. Prices are expected to continue to decline at least until the second quarter of 2016 after which inflation will likely pick up moderately to around 1.5% y/y by the end of the year. Meanwhile, core inflation remains in positive territory, at 0.7% y/y in December. "

http://www.econotimes.com/Deflationary-pressures-persist-in-Thailand-138241

as they say...what does this have to do with the price of eggs in China?

don’t you find it even a little bit inconsistent that while the media have been furiously writing about the problems of deflation in Thailand that people like the retailer in this case are asking for a 15% increase? It just seems to support the many references to the way Thais increase prices to compensate for lack of customers.

Debt-ridden Thailand being sucked into whirlpool of deflation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Debt-ridden-Thailand-being-sucked-into-whirlpool-o-30261656.html

[Gsxrnz]

The OP implies the price increase is the first in 4 to 5 years that he has been a customer of the business.

I'm assuming it's not a big ticket item as he also implies he is a regular and frequent customer, so I'm guessing we're talking food related.

I'd like the OP to tell us the numbers involved.

I'm gonna laugh my tits off if it's a snack that's gone from something like 60 Baht to 70 Baht, being 15%.

[1BADDAT]

I am trying to reconcile the comments in the original post - a 15% price increase with this headline and I'm asking myself what is wrong with this picture ? Sounds very much to me like another example of Thai economics.

Deflationary pressures persist in Thailand

" Thailand's headline consumer price inflation closed 2015 at -0.9% y/y, recording the 12th consecutive month of deflation. Prices are expected to continue to decline at least until the second quarter of 2016 after which inflation will likely pick up moderately to around 1.5% y/y by the end of the year. Meanwhile, core inflation remains in positive territory, at 0.7% y/y in December. "

http://www.econotimes.com/Deflationary-pressures-persist-in-Thailand-138241

as they say...what does this have to do with the price of eggs in China?

don’t you find it even a little bit inconsistent that while the media have been furiously writing about the problems of deflation in Thailand that people like the retailer in this case are asking for a 15% increase? It just seems to support the many references to the way Thais increase prices to compensate for lack of customers.

Debt-ridden Thailand being sucked into whirlpool of deflation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Debt-ridden-Thailand-being-sucked-into-whirlpool-o-30261656.html

no I don't. The OP never mentioned what he is purchasing so there is no data to support anything. Making generalizations with no supporting data is not a good approach.

I work for an automotive supplier. I am very aware of the world economies (mostly SEA) and how that affects pricing. Material costs can fluctuate greatly depending on where they come from. Using the Thai inflation is not a correct approach to understanding cost of an unknown product.

[Shiver]

I'm having one of those off days where I'm bored with things, so I will speak badly where I would normally edit myself.

I agree completely with your assessment. If it's busy then prices go up, if it's not busy then prices still seem to go up.

There are a couple of establishments where I've had the futile position of suggesting that just because someone tips 200 baht once a year (eg. Cobra Gold on R&R), does not trump a regular customer tipping 20-30 baht every day per year. On other occasions I've banned myself quietly for being ripped off (examples of that are paying 380 baht for 1 large Leo, and another time and place being stupid enough to buy staff drinks trying to be nice, and getting charged nearly double everything. When I pointed it out, they came down in price maybe 25%, and my standard approach is to say "give me the real price and it'll be history and I'll continue to patronise the establishment, or I'll pay your full asking price and never come back". I don't think they factor how much they make from me for repeat custom, and you can guess their face saving decision. 10 years of tips on top of profit is a sliver more than a measly 200 or so baht.

[midas]

I am trying to reconcile the comments in the original post - a 15% price increase with this headline and I'm asking myself what is wrong with this picture ? Sounds very much to me like another example of Thai economics.

Deflationary pressures persist in Thailand

" Thailand's headline consumer price inflation closed 2015 at -0.9% y/y, recording the 12th consecutive month of deflation. Prices are expected to continue to decline at least until the second quarter of 2016 after which inflation will likely pick up moderately to around 1.5% y/y by the end of the year. Meanwhile, core inflation remains in positive territory, at 0.7% y/y in December. "

http://www.econotimes.com/Deflationary-pressures-persist-in-Thailand-138241

as they say...what does this have to do with the price of eggs in China?

don’t you find it even a little bit inconsistent that while the media have been furiously writing about the problems of deflation in Thailand that people like the retailer in this case are asking for a 15% increase? It just seems to support the many references to the way Thais increase prices to compensate for lack of customers.

Debt-ridden Thailand being sucked into whirlpool of deflation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Debt-ridden-Thailand-being-sucked-into-whirlpool-o-30261656.html

no I don't. The OP never mentioned what he is purchasing so there is no data to support anything. Making generalizations with no supporting data is not a good approach.

I work for an automotive supplier. I am very aware of the world economies (mostly SEA) and how that affects pricing. Material costs can fluctuate greatly depending on where they come from. Using the Thai inflation is not a correct approach to understanding cost of an unknown product.

Haven't you heard ...............deflation worries have now become GLOBAL ?

[sipi]

Does this spell the end of the 99baht breakfast?

[Jingthing]

Does this spell the end of the 99baht breakfast?

Not if you don't mind 1/2 an egg.

Edited February 3, 2016 by Jingthing

[LarryLEB]

One typical example of pricing in a supermarket in Pattaya:

• One tinned food product was priced at 95Baht for many months.
• Two months ago, the shelf had a red "SPECIAL" sticker on it, pricing the same product at 124Baht (the sticker did not show the original 95Baht price).
• Today, I noticed they replaced that sticker with another red "SPECIAL" sticker that shows the original price at 135Baht and a reduced price of 124Baht.

I never did purchase after the increase from 95; found the same product at another supermarket for 95.

[SiSePuede419]

"my standard approach is to say "give me the real price and it'll be history and I'll continue to patronise the establishment"

Thai (thinking): What? This Farang wants a discount AND is threatening to keep coming back?

555

Edited February 3, 2016 by SiSePuede419

[SiSePuede419]

One typical example of pricing in a supermarket in Pattaya:

• One tinned food product was priced at 95Baht for many months.
• Two months ago, the shelf had a red "SPECIAL" sticker on it, pricing the same product at 124Baht (the sticker did not show the original 95Baht price).
• Today, I noticed they replaced that sticker with another red "SPECIAL" sticker that shows the original price at 135Baht and a reduced price of 124Baht.

I never did purchase after the increase from 95; found the same product at another supermarket for 95.

If you're a pirate stuck on a ship making a roun-the-world journey, nothing wrong with eating canned food.

I think I see your problem, 555

[Straight8]

I'd say you were naive, rather than wrong. Most westerners fail to recognize the fact that Thais are not raised or educated with the same western economic consumer rules and policies as we were. They simply do not think in the same terms. That's no more "wrong" for them than is the fact that most of them eat very spicy food, and don't like most western food. This is a different culture. It has now adopted many things from western culture; but it remains different in many ways. Business practices is just one of those ways.

They never have and by the look of it they never will, so what the OP experienced and his expectation, well let's say if he has been here long enough, then this would be something that he should have let fly over his head, smile, do a 180 while the shop owner is still talking and get the eff outta there. Do not waste another breath.

Simple as that. You are dealing with very narrow minded and tunnel visioned people. Nothing aint gonna change the outcome.

[Ace of Pop]

I can't remember what I paid last time ,so life's easy.