Guest Astrrro Posted January 15, 2009 Posted January 15, 2009 Just wondering which the Pattaya expats prefer? I tend to shop a bit more at Friendship because it's open till 2:30 AM. I also get the impression that if you are buying specialty food such as meat or cheese Friendship may be the better option for quality. But it seems that in general the prices of branded items are lower at Tops especially if you have their discount card. Since I have lots of time but little money, I'll often check out the prices in both places and save some baht. Quote
Gaybutton Posted January 15, 2009 Posted January 15, 2009 Why are you singling out only those two grocery stores? There is also Food Mart, Foodland, Big-C, Lotus, Best, Carrefour, and Villa Market. Both Foodland and Villa Market are open 24 hours a day as well as the small Lotus just off Sukhumvit at the location of the Bangkok Bank, just north of Central Road (Pattaya Klang). Every one of these stores carry some items you don't find elsewhere. Some are more expensive than other stores and some are less expensive. Usually the price difference is negligible. Then, of course, you have the Thai open air markets. Do you ever shop at those? Often the quality is better than you find in grocery stores and they'll have items you can't find in grocery stores at all. Quote
Guest Astrrro Posted January 15, 2009 Posted January 15, 2009 The reason I singled out these two is because they're both within walking distance so of the greatest interest to me. But, yes, I think a better question is what's the best supermarket? What I buy tends to be soap, toilet paper, toothpaste, mouthwash, mostly non-food items. Can these be bought cheaper at open air markets? Quote
PattayaMale Posted January 15, 2009 Posted January 15, 2009 I believe that Big-C has good buys and specials on toiletries, and toilet paper and paper towels, etc. They also have many specials on these kind of items in bulk. If you compare Tops at Tuk Com (same area as Friendship), to Friendship I think the vegetables are better at Tops.The meat and frozen food is better at Friendship I believe. Tops has good meat too, but Friendship is my preference. Now that just compares those 2. The list of other things like salmon is good at Carrefour. Pork and Beef is really good at Best. Villa has many great products but they come at a price. If you are ever around Sunee Plaza stop in and talk to Eric at Up2U. He is very knowledgeable about where to find some of the best at good prices. Quote
Gaybutton Posted January 15, 2009 Posted January 15, 2009 I think a better question is what's the best supermarket? That's in the eye of the beholder. You don't really believe you're going to get people to agree on a question like that, do you? You wrote, "What I buy tends to be soap, toilet paper, toothpaste, mouthwash, mostly non-food items. Can these be bought cheaper at open air markets?" The answer is it depends on the brands you're looking for. Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted January 15, 2009 Posted January 15, 2009 Just wondering which the Pattaya expats prefer? I don't like Tops at all. The "service" there is the worst of all the markets for me. I was at the meat counter and bought some ground pork which was too lean for me as I wanted to make some sausage. I decided to buy some pork belly for the added fat needed. The "butcher" refused to grind it for me. He was not busy, just standing around waiting for customers. Between the two I like Friendship, but overall, I like Villa Market and Carrefour. They both will deliver with a minimum purchase and Villa is open 24 hours and will deliver 24 hours. The staff, especially the Customer Service woman, Tata, are friendly and helpful. Quote
Gaybutton Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 I like Villa Market and Carrefour. They both will deliver with a minimum purchase If I remember correctly, the delivery minimum is 1000 baht. Quote
Guest shockdevil Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 I shopped mostly at TOPS Market (at Tukcom) because it was in the same soi where my apartment was located. I have one of their SPOT discount cards and sometimes get pretty good deals on beverages and toiletries. I recently started shopping at Friendship Market and found the prices to be fairly reasonable and the store a bit more sensibly organized. I also enjoy the late hours at which they operate. I don’t recall them having a discount card but if they do I will certainly get one. The best deals I have gotten have been at Carrefour and Big-C. Unless you have a car or motorbike, these places may not be much of an option. Villa Market seemed to have some of the great brands I miss but of course they come at a hefty price. However, I think that any import from the USA will be a bit pricy regardless of the store. Example: I was going to buy a can of Campbell’s Chunky Soup but refused to pay almost 200 THB per can for what I usually buy at home for 42 THB ($1.25) per can. Other familiar items have price disparities similar to this. My friends stay in the same apartment complex as I and they like shopping at TOPS because of the walking distance convenience. I think if they had motorbikes or were not scared of the motorbike taxis, they would do their main grocery shopping elsewhere. Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 If I remember correctly, the delivery minimum is 1000 baht. Minimum at Carrefour is 1000 baht; at Villa Market it is 2000 baht. Quote
Gaybutton Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 I think if they had motorbikes or were not scared of the motorbike taxis, they would do their main grocery shopping elsewhere. What's wrong with hiring a baht bus? They'll pay about 150 baht or so, but they would be able to shop where they like. Quote
Guest shockdevil Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 What's wrong with hiring a baht bus? They'll pay about 150 baht or so, but they would be able to shop where they like. I will let them know about the baht bus option. However, they will more than likely shop within walking distance of their condo because it convenient and less hassle. Besides, I am just happy that they are getting out and finding their way around their new neighborhood away from home. Maybe next year they will do more exploring, possibly using the baht bus and/or other forms of local transport. Quote
Guest Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 I like Villa Market and Carrefour. They both will deliver with a minimum purchase and Villa is open 24 hours and will deliver 24 hours. The staff, especially the Customer Service woman, Tata, are friendly and helpful. Villa Market is also my preferred place to shop. On holidays when no liquor is sold, they will always sell and deliver it to you immediately. Their choice of meat and "western" items is not to be beat in Pattaya. IMHO Quote
Guest buckeroo2 Posted January 17, 2009 Posted January 17, 2009 If I remember correctly, the delivery minimum is 1000 baht. A sign posted on the registers at Villa says that the 2,000 baht is needed for free delivery. I have never used their delivery service - just relaying what is posted on their registers. Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted January 17, 2009 Posted January 17, 2009 A sign posted on the registers at Villa says that the 2,000 baht is needed for free delivery. I have never used their delivery service - just relaying what is posted on their registers. Per my post #9, Villa's minimum is 2000 baht. I use their service regularly. Of course, I tip the boy when he delivers, usually 40 baht. Quote
