Korean Job Discussion Forums

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

I don't mean this in an insulting way, but it was a conclusion that I came to the other day.

There are some simple-looking decisions, ways of doing things, and ways of thinking, and given more thought, they are not good decisions. But I see them every day here.

Here are some examples:

1. Near my place in Bucheon, there was 1 place for chicken feet and it was super successful. It was the only one on the street. Now there are 6 places. Funny enough, the usual rules of oversaturation didn't take effect, and most people stayed loyal to the original place. The other places were all almost empty.

Simple thinking: If it's popular, more is better. There will be enough customers for everyone.

The truth: Totally ignoring any thoughts of oversaturation, loyalty, and quality of product, the majority of those places will go under.

2. If that kid goes to 5 hagwons a week, if I send my kid to 6 or 7 hagwons, (s)he will be smarter.

Simple thinking: More is better when it comes to education.

The truth: Diminishing returns.

3. The ajumma sees the seat and pushes people to get to it.

Simple thinking: The shortest distance between 2 places is a straight line.

The truth: It is difficult to push someone who is bigger that you (everyone is bigger than an ajumma) and someone else grabs the seat first by going AROUND the other people.

Gwangjuboy · Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Location: England

I also wonder sometimes. I went to Giordano to buy a grey T-shirt. They had packs of three containing two white T-shirts and one grey one. They also had a pack containg all white T-shirts. I wanted grey T-shirts but they didn't have a pack containg all grey T-shirts or even a pack containg two grey and one white. On top of this I couldn't buy just one T-shirt whether it be white or grey. I asked the shop assistant whether they could swap them around (the packs could be opened and closed without any problem) but he refused. He told me that there was nothing I could. Frustrated I left and headed to Polham. I got there and encountered exactly the same problem! Now onto classic story number two.

I wanted to buy some chicken from these hof/street vendors. There were about 6 in the same street. I wanted to eat just one piece. I asked for one peice but they told me that I had to buy at least 3 pieces. I told them that I would buy 2 at the very most. They refused and lost my custom. I went to the other outfits and they told me the same thing. I guess they don't like money. I actually counted the chicken and they had 14 peices! Go figure.

Dev · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

I saw a dvd movie vendor in the subway. He was selling dvds at 5 for 10,000 won.

I wanted 3 titles for 6,000 won and he turned my offer down. Confused

Not interested in making money I guess.

Even worse - Last night another vendor was selling dvds at 4 dvds for 10,000 won. From him I wanted 5 titles and offered him 12,500 won. He demended 13,000 won. Now, do you think you're going to get a repeat customer by jacking up your prices when he's already buying some of your stuff? Rolling Eyes

Only in Korea. The Chinese would never do this.

ajgeddes · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Location: Yongsan

Dev · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

billybrobby · Joined: 09 Dec 2004

I went to flea market and this dude was selling North Korean currency as souvenirs. It looked cool so I tried to buy some. There was a 5 won bill and I figured I'd be generous so I offered the guy 10 won for it. And he gets all indignant and says he wants 20,000 won for it. I'm like, "Bro, it says 5 won right on the bill! That's a 400,000% increase? I'm not some chump! No thanks, you SIMPLE-MINDED ASS!"

Corporal · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

There should be a new commercial for something well-being with Daniel Henney asking, "Are you simple?"

ajgeddes · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Location: Yongsan

Dev · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

tophatcat · Joined: 09 Aug 2006 Location: under the hat

ajgeddes wrote: �Haha, are you serious? So, if I go to a clothing store, and they are having a deal with 2 for 1 or buy one get one free, they will give me just one for half the price? No way.�

Well ajgeddes, I have actually bought 1 for half the price, in a 2-for-1 sale, and have most often not had a problem with such deals in North America. And, I like living here in Korea and I don�t have a hatred bone to pick! Haha!

ajgeddes · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Location: Yongsan

I still don't really think it is much to complain about. But, if you want a good example, I have one. Last week I went to Yongsan. As I was browsing the DVD's, there was a guy beside me buying some. He asked how much they were, and the guy said 3,000 won. So, the guy bought 3, or at least he was going to. The guy told him it would cost 10,000 won for 3. Confused

So, the guy just bought 2 for 6,000 and his girlfriend came back about 30 seconds later and bought one.

seoulsucker · Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 8:41 pm Post subject:

I don't really understand the niche marketing/saturation that goes on here. It seems kind of self-defeating to the vendors.

Example...I want to sell some kind of electronics. If I open up my shop outside of the 용산 area, I'm losing because of diminished traffic. If I open up my shop in the 용산 area, I'm surrounded by such heavy competition that my profit margins are razor thin.

Don't get me wrong, it's great for the consumer, but hell on the vendor.

ED209 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006

My old hagwon closed down and moved to cheaper premises cos business was poor. It's now sandwiched between two major chains. Well done wangjangnim.

jdog2050 · Joined: 17 Dec 2006

billybrobby · Joined: 09 Dec 2004