We went to Metro to buy some wine for my good friends wedding. This is a huge supermarket where people go on the weekend to buy lots of things. The Metro is far away from the city centre, on the way to the airport and most people go there by car or motorbike. You need to be a member to get in, though it seems that everyone in Hanoi is a member! I would suggest that you don't go to this place on the weekend because you will have to wait for hours in the check out queue.
In general, things are a little cheaper than in the city stores but there are also heaps of things that are much more expensive. People think that this is a good place to go but I don't think so for several reasons. The staff are not helpul, preferring to talk to each other rather than answer customer questions. Much of the stock is not in a good condition. There seem to be so many staff hanging around doing nothing, but if you walk near the cashier or right behind there, there are dozens of items that people don't want which are left lying around. No one appears to care about that, even though it may be fish or meat. I don't know why the management doesn't do something? Is doesn't seem like a very profitable way to keep the food and run the business?
It is definitely a busy place with a wide range of things but it is a long way from the city and takes too long to get out.
Wow - I thought Costco on a Sunday afternoon was bad! That place looks seriously crazy!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
I know...wow a Costco in Hanoi!
ReplyDeleteWhen will people learn that convenience dosen't always add up to quality? Good quality working conditions always improves service to customers, and better economic sense for the business. It's Wal-Mart all over again.
ReplyDeletesquish
This is an informative tips. I haven't gone yet to Hanoi but I might be going there this summer. I am currently in the Philippines after a short vacation in HCMC.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Danny
Just like in Malaysia, a hypermarket called MAKRO was created and members only. after that when CarreFour from France open, follows by UK's TESCO, with local GIANTS and Japanese JUSCO now AEON....they scrapped the membership......
ReplyDeleteWhat a mess !
You just described most of the "convenience stores" in the States. I guess that's what they mean by "It's a small world after all"!
ReplyDeleteThanks for passing through my Blog and leaving a comment. Come by anytime.
Love the title of your Blog, by the way. Very funny!
Tom
Happy New Year's and thanks for visiting my blog! Have a good 2006!
ReplyDeleteI guess that "I've got better things to do than help you" attitude I see in retail stores in NJ is worldwide. :\ Oh well - Cheers to the mom and pop stores of the world where they actually do care about the customer!
ReplyDeletew00t!
Happy New Year! And Happy Birthday! Glad you found and liked my blog. Come back again. I know you'll see me here often. And know that I have LOVED my 30s. ;)
ReplyDeleteI don't think most people in America would wait that long in a check out line though it can get bad here. I try to avoid places with long lines.
ReplyDeleteThat almost look like a store here in USA. People give up so much for convenience, so much qaulity. Enjoyed your blog.
ReplyDeleteThat almost look like a store here in USA. People give up so much for convenience, so much qaulity. Enjoyed your blog.
ReplyDeletewell, Im a Hanoian, so I know people don't quite feel the same as most here. The metro was something new in Hanoi, something that we have never had before. Plus, the idea of "members only" attracts people even more. Thus, shopping in Metro is a pride, being a part of that huge line is a pride, and people would gladly do it.
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I was really happy knowing Hanoi has such shopping malls. It's the sign of modernization in Hanoi, and that's what we have been longing for! :)
-nxh
Hi all,
ReplyDeleteI agree with Fellow Traveler but Metro is a place that not attract me at all, I don't want to waste my time do to that- I am a lazy guy.
Thanks everyone for comments and Wish you a very Happy year.
Wow, there is a lot of helpful information in this post!
ReplyDeleteHey, there is so much worthwhile info above!
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons why I like visiting your blog so much is because it has become a daily reference I can use in order to learn new nice stuff. It's like a curiosities box that surprises you over and over again.
ReplyDelete