⌛ Epsom Salts

I have been trying to find Epsom salt in Dumaguete for months. I tried every Pharmacy and finally found some at Lee plaza and he wanted p1500 for a 2lb. box. I asked him why it was so exspensive and he said "it was because of the freight". "Wrong answer", Talk about a ripoff. So a friend went to the big city and brought some back for any one that needs some. I talked to the owner of the Lee Pharmacy and told him he could get it from my friend for P250 so he could sell it for much less, he told me to open a store myself and sell it. What arrogance.What is wrong with these store owners that they have to make a fortune on everything they sell.

 

you are correct! thEse stores are overpricing...so where is this 250 epsom salt?

 

Have you Heard of Law of Supply and Demand? if there is plenty of supply it is cheap, but if it is little then its expensive specially if they are the only one supplying it

 

Partly the store owner is correct why wont you open a store and compete with him. then he will realise his price is too high and no one will buy from him

 

I was thinking that as well..might not be a bad idea, give him some competition

 

Why do these stores sell Hebrew National Hotdogs for 700php plus??? Because they can.

All items a forgiener purchases, everything from Homel Chilli to Chips Ahoy cookies have what I call a "forgiener tax". These types of items are speciality items and the average filipino wont buy them or even know what they are.

Its part of the joy of living so far off the beaten path.
Its not transport charges.

As for giving them some competition... I wouldn't want to make a living having a supermarket and the idea of making any business selling only Epsom Salt might be challenging. You did the smart thing, finding an alternative and not paying the TAX!

 

figure you would sell more than epsom salts...doubt importing goods and selling them is an inexpensive proposition...not only is there the added shipping but there are duties to pay on the goods...and I really do not think they are aimed at the expat consumer necessarily, I think Filipinos have an interest in imported goods as well, at least my wife does...lol

 

Oh I agree, these markups are not directed at forgieners its directed at ALL those who buy these 'gormet' items. It just so happens that a large percentage of those customers just happen to be forgieners.

Of course the transport charges did not stand up to your investigation. You found an alternative and saved 1000+php.

The average filipino doesnt know or like our foods. Have you ever seen a filipino try mustards or most of the items we grew up on. Its like me trying balute. (which will never happen)

I am thinking your wife isnt the average filipino. To be married to a smart guy like you, I assume she is above average and her tastes have grown since your marriage. Are these overcharges meant for forgieners only, of course not. But they are directed towards those who buy them... us guys.

 

oh now your laying it on!..its not exactly gourmet, her weaknesses are Snickers bars Smuckers jam and Smirnoff vodka...lol ...oh and real hams which I want to start to produce ourselves. That is my pet interest, producing some of the things here that just get imported

 

Epson Salts, when I lived in Makati the only place I could find epson salts was at Mercury Drugs at Glorieta Mall. It was extremely expensive for such a small amount that would not serve its purpose. I guess it is one of those 'you dont' want to buy here' products.