On 1/13/2017 at 7:10 AM, overherebc said:

I needed to buy a belt and watched a Thai buy a leather belt in a local market while I was looking at stuff on the stall next to it. He paid 100 baht. After he walked away I picked a belt exactly the same and asked how much? 200 the stall owner said. I handed over 100 and said he only paid 100 so I pay the same and walked off with the belt.

I still use it.

I did the same thing 40 years ago at Sanam Luong, though I didn't buy the fruit or whatever.  I overheard a purchaser.  Then the gal pointed at the stuff I was looking at and said double the price (or more) in English.  I replied in Thai "Why did that guy get the same amount for half the price?"  Priceless.

 

One visit with my two 1/2 Asian young boys, we would just cruise around markets and gawk at toys and trinkets.  It inevitably led to conversations with vendors, at least if they weren't busy.  Then if something was of interest, I'd slip it into the conversation, as though I was just curious about the cost of something.  Gave them a chance to quote a fair price or explain why their goods were better than others.  No hurry or particular desire to buy,  no loss of face.  I tend to deal with street vendors who smile and show interest in the conversation.

 

P.S.:  Full disclosure.  I met my future wife in a small market in Loei.  I don't think she smiled or showed interest.  She hasn't changed a bit. 

 

On that visit with the kids, we went to Wat Pra Gaew or Wat Po, whatever. They wanted to charge me double.  So I stayed outside and found a vendor on the Wat grounds who sold cold beer.  :)

 

1 hour ago, observer90210 said:

never had issues with customs charging exorbitant fees, blocking the goods or thai post not delivering?

Yes many times when i ordered from China mainland by ebay...if they send with the cheapest china mail it will never arrive but the more expensive ways of sending with tracing work very well.

 

When it didn't arrive i always got refunded by paypal, no problem.

 

Customs never had problems, only once i had to pay 20 baht to the mailman for i dunnow whatever reason, it was a package of 10$.

 

Banggood gives excellent service, you can also chat with them 24 hrs, works great. They have english people working there.

14 minutes ago, fruitman said:

Yes many times when i ordered from China mainland by ebay...if they send with the cheapest china mail it will never arrive but the more expensive ways of sending with tracing work very well.

 

When it didn't arrive i always got refunded by paypal, no problem.

 

Customs never had problems, only once i had to pay 20 baht to the mailman for i dunnow whatever reason, it was a package of 10$.

 

Banggood gives excellent service, you can also chat with them 24 hrs, works great. They have english people working there.

And this has to do with what? The premise of the article was a dual pricing system between Thais and foreigners....not your experience with Ebay.

Some inflammatory posts have been removed. 

On 1/13/2017 at 6:47 PM, ezflip said:

Anyone who says that foreigner should pay more since they have more money is basically saying that it is ok to scam people.

 

Since when is it ever ok to scam people? Be it 10 baht or 100 baht or 1000baht... a scam is a scam.

 

Better to walk away and give your business to honest people.

Especially when many middle class and above Thais are much wealthier than many foreign visitors.  It is pure racism.  If the Thais think it is fair then foreign countries should do the same.  Maybe introduce laws to make Thais pay double for air tickets, hotel rooms etc overseas.  After all it sounds like they would not be offended.

On 13/01/2017 at 8:45 PM, Shawn0000 said:

 

Lobby all you like but don't expect support, for one I am happy to pay more to enter tourist attractions, it helps keep the cost down for local people who are on average much less wealthy than me.  Your reaction is ludicrous, you wish to increase the price of medicine for Thai people because you are charged more for a tourist attraction, that is completely irrational selfishness.

It's people like you that fxxk it up for the rest of us, you say it's fine for you to pay more because you are much richer than the locals but then you set the bar for the farang coming behind you who might not be so rich... Just because you can pay 10x doesn't mean you should. 

On 7/2/2017 at 2:30 AM, TMNH said:

And it is ok to have dual pricing? Tell me anyone why this is not discriminatory.. What is so ridiculous is that Thailand wants tourism , yet they discriminate. re: prices. between Thai natives and foreigners. Who in their right mind would travel to a country where they show prejudice? Sorry- not me.

 

why? because we live in socialism, and social policies, where you pay taxes, and you shouldn't provide for outsider that dont contribute same or free prices.

go to Europe where medical services are for free. you still need to pay, because you are not from there,

thai pay taxes and they deserve to have other price

So many of the Thai independent small businesses have lost money from me. I can't be bothered to argue with them or haggle or par the Foreigner tax. I always by my items from big supermarkets or online business instead of market stalls etc when ever I can.

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1 hour ago, juice777 said:

So many of the Thai independent small businesses have lost money from me. I can't be bothered to argue with them or haggle or par the Foreigner tax. I always by my items from big supermarkets or online business instead of market stalls etc when ever I can.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk
 

I would also support local markets more often but since I am charged more than our maid or other locals I have decided to move shopping to large supermarkets... 

 

Overcharged me once, years of profit lost, wonderful thainess at its very best 

 

I've all but stopped going to the local markets because most there think it's ok to over charge.   Stupid idiots lose my business.  I am exhausted screwing with these people about dual pricing.  I hope they all go out of business, they've burned their bridges with me.  

The local mom and pop shop in the village has been good to me and I am happy to keep doing business there.  Good people.  As is the local barber.

those who tip promote dual pricing