Thread: Daily Moan

  1. #6851
    The Fool on the Hill bowie's Avatar
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    Just another all too familiar shopping experience in the wonderful world of Thai consumerism. Old DVD player died. Purchased at Big C Patts, 5-6 years ago. Checked website. Local Big C in Nonthaburi, has eight models of DVD players for sale. So, simplistic, if I buy the same model I just have to swap it out, the video cable and power cord are the same so a simple swap out of the box. Lucky me, the model is one of the in-stock models.

    Off to Big C. Ask attendant for DVD players. "We don't sell DVD players." Uhm, but according to your website you sell them and you have this model in stock. "Oh, you mean DVD players." Yes, I do. "Well, the girl who sells them is on her break." Now, there are four, maybe five attendants in their Big C logo'ed shirts milling about smartly playing with their smart phones. Ahh, not to worry here comes the Boss man.

    I need this model of DVD player. OK - let me check - Out Of Stock. Well your website says you have it in stock. He checks again, no out of stock - let me check out back. Ten minutes later he returns - nope Out of Stock - website is wrong.

    Meanwhile the girl who sells DVD players returns from her break. So, we are handed off to the girl who sell DVD players.

    We only have this model in stock and for sale. OK. I'll take one. Opens the box to check that everything is there. You, everything is there but the front flap that covers the disk tray is broke. Opens a second box, all is good, everything is there and the front cover flap for the disk tray is OK.

    OK, successful procurement - off to home. Choke Dee - Good luck, only had to route the new power cable. The old HDMI cable was long enough and the new DVD player had HDMI output. Note, a HDMI cable was not included with the DVD player and the sales clerk didn't mention you might need one.

    Good to go = power up. DVD tray opens, insert disk push play, tray closes, five seconds later tray opens, fifteen seconds later tray closes, unit goes into a cycle of every 30 seconds or so it opens, then 30 seconds or so it closes - rinse and repeat. Changing disk, manipulating controls, unplug and wait, same thing. Me "every farking time, more Thai shit for sale" you all know the rants.

    So pack everything up. Back to Big C. The girl who sells DVD Players has left for the day. Come back tomorrow. No, that ain't gonna happen, get the boss guy over here. He's already on his way, I saw him from afar heading over here. Face it, I'm a rare commodity in Nonthaburi and an opportunity to practice his poor english speaking skills. For the record, I can't understand him at all - he is talking into his smart phone and displaying the english language gibberish to me. We actually carried on in Thai - mine is passable, but he was happy because he though it was his english skills that saved the day.

    Yet, the day wasn't saved. I bought the last DVD layer they had. It will take them 3-4 days to get a new replacement model shipped in from Bangkok, you know, Bangkok, the large metropolis all of 10 kilometers away. So, to please me he packed up the DVD player with the broken cover flap - kind of like collateral. Saying, you can use it to watch DVDs.

    They will call when the new DVD player arrives.

    Just another wasted day trying to get something done in the Big Mango. I am so glad I'm a retiree and no longer have to sandwich a full day out of my work schedule to accomplish a one hour task in the Big Mango.

    So, for those of you who have had the onerous pleasure of shopping in Thailand - this rants for you
    Last edited by bowie; 03-06-2020 at 08:00 AM. Reason: typos

  2. #6852
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    ...*cough*...technology and Big C shouldn't be used in the same sentence...try going upmarket...

  3. #6853
    The Fool on the Hill bowie's Avatar
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    ^ Naw, they're just the seller of the box. It doesn't matter, the top end purchases, Sony TV's, Electrolux Refrigerators, etc. High cost stuff I have success with. The cheap ass consumer junk aimed at low end Thai consumers is Junk - a big shit sandwich for the Thais who will smile and say my pen rai.

    They accept it with a smile...

    But, I do agree -beware Big C

  4. #6854
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    @nampriktoot - I remember following Bettyboo's house build at the time. Since he was abroad during the build, I remember he did a lot of head-scratching and face-palming. I expect it'll be the same for you, so store up on patience!

  5. #6855
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bowie View Post
    for those of you who have had the onerous pleasure of shopping in Thailand
    Anything electrical always confirm it works prior to accepting it. Anything in a cardboard box, fridges, washing machines .... take out and inspect for dents, scratches and internal damage/missing drawers, shelves etc.

    Saves a frustrating return journey, worldwide.

  6. #6856
    . Neverna's Avatar
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    ^ Agreed. Usually staff will open the box and try it in store for you before you pay for it. That has been my experience anyway.

  7. #6857
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    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post
    I expect it'll be the same for you, so store up on patience!
    Katie, its the boss's build and i am thankfully just a spectator, albeit i want to make sure it goes well for her. You are right though in as much as i couldn't do a build without being there - it would wind me up more than Nids Mrs's TV breaking down for a week (sorry Nid).

    I am a bit of a picture straightener so the Thai Mai pen rai (nevermind) attitude would get my eye twitching more than Clouseau's boss's (Lom) on the pink panther.


  8. #6858
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by tomcat View Post
    ...*cough*...technology and Big C shouldn't be used in the same sentence...try going upmarket...
    I agree. Big C is good for houseware and that's it. Same with Tesco. Powerbuy is manageable. Online ordering the best. My wife asks me if I want to go to Big C or Tesco. I politely decline. It ends up being a rice and oil cost comparison trip and I always gotta carry the crap.

  9. #6859
    I'm in Jail

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    We've got an AJ make DVD player (the one with picture of some aged chinky on the front of the box pointing his finger at you with that i'm making millions smirk). It that's been on hols all over Thailand, 8 years old and never missed a beat - cost 800THB or there abouts.

  10. #6860
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by NamPikToot View Post
    i couldn't do a build without being there -
    Let me add in that we had our house built while we were living in the states and it went off without any problems. It can be done comfortably with a good general contractor. If one chooses to go quick and fast using a make shift crew you get what you pay for as the saying goes.

  11. #6861
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    ^ not all go the same way Japper, the industry i'm in you don't want to just let people get on with it - i suppose i'm just conditioned to keep an eye on things.

  12. #6862
    Thailand Expat jabir's Avatar
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    Wifey called from the other end to say she's at the checkout, I had no impulse shit so walked out to meet her at the car.

    I didn't buy anything, so what, shouldn't feel that every camera is watching and have that innocent look like see my hands are empty when walking out of a store without buying anything!

    That fat security lady at Tesco always gives me a look, like it's compulsory to buy stuff otherwise you don't leave.

    If this is what normal's going to be like, let's stay on lockdown.

  13. #6863
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by NamPikToot View Post
    ^ not all go the same way Japper, the industry i'm in you don't want to just let people get on with it - i suppose i'm just conditioned to keep an eye on things.
    Yeah. I get it. As I said, all depends on your general contractor. That clearly can make it an easy project or long sleepless night one. For the few extra bucks, I slept like a baby.... It's kind of like staying in a shack resort to save a few bucks and you find the bedding is dirty, the AC hasn't been serviced in years, the WiFi sucks and the food is bad versus a few bucks more for all of that to be something you do not worry about..

  14. #6864
    I am not a cat
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    ^^I have nearly completely moved to on line shopping. Can get next day delivery from Tops. Ordered some stuff on Lazada two days ago - half of it (small stuff) arrived today. Rest (bigger stuff) in a few days. Ikea delivery around 3 days, Powerbuy 5 days or so. Paleo Robbie think around 3 working days.

  15. #6865
    Thailand Expat jabir's Avatar
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    I tried online a few times with Tesco couple of years ago, never got my full order, always some substitute that I didn't want. But good thing about online is it's cheaper, otherwise the cart can end up with all types of stuff that's going to die in the back of a cupboard; wifey usually has a moderating effect, but only if I can steer here around the cosmetics dept.

    Macro is easier, we have our routes and know where to meet up for inventory before the checkout.

  16. #6866
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by nidhogg View Post
    ^^I have nearly completely moved to on line shopping. Can get next day delivery from Tops. Ordered some stuff on Lazada two days ago - half of it (small stuff) arrived today. Rest (bigger stuff) in a few days. Ikea delivery around 3 days, Powerbuy 5 days or so. Paleo Robbie think around 3 working days.
    Same here Nid, No real reason to drive around looking for it. Lazada has a great return policy albeit I have not returned much. I usually get my stuff in 2 to 3 days. Tops the same and can even get booze. My wife orders gardening stuff from a few sites off FB. We do all banking online. I guess the downside is you stop going anywhere and your only excitement for the day is when the delivery guy rings the bell and we open the gate......

  17. #6867
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    ^ the death of the highstreet

  18. #6868
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    Quote Originally Posted by NamPikToot View Post
    the death of the highstreet
    Fuck the high street and paying premium prices due to their rent and you fuckin shoplifters

  19. #6869
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    ^ the death of shoplifting

  20. #6870
    Thailand Expat jabir's Avatar
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    Bullet in the head, that would be acceptable, much better than a slow brain erosion.

    So I'm sitting outside minding my own business with a fag, wifey comes out, says it's going to rain and starts cleaning a couple of leaves from the pool. Boring day but not boring enough to cross swords, I remark that the pool guys were here earlier, and the water was sparkling this morning but now it looks dirty. She says yes that's because they cleaned it. I look up for that bullet but sadly it still isn't time, say no they didn't because it's dirtier now than before, and get that farang-know-nothing look with, quote, "yes I tell you the water ok but only looks dirty because they cleaned it."

    Or something blunt and hard to the back of head will do.

  21. #6871
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    ^ the death of shoplifting

    But the birth of the Porch Pirate.

  22. #6872
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    Marriage.

    Yep, that's it.

    Years of moans encapsulated by one single word.

  23. #6873
    Thailand Expat armstrong's Avatar
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    I bought a ukulele and it's nowhere near as easy as youtube claims it to be

  24. #6874
    . Neverna's Avatar
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    ^ It will be easier if you put the beer down first.
    Last edited by Neverna; 04-06-2020 at 10:34 AM.

  25. #6875
    RIP
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    At the start of lockdown I had great ambitions!

    Kids are gonna be taught to pass all their exams.

    House is gonna be fixed and all those odd jobs done.

    I'm gonna get super fit.

    3 months later...

    Kids have forgotten how to read and write.

    The house is a bomb site.

    I've turned into a vodka jelly

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