Korean Job Discussion Forums

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

You don't REALLY want to know why I'm posting this, but let's say I may or may not have had experience with each one of these points. Rolling Eyes

When you first enter a black market store, don't look around and yell "So this is a black market store."

Don't yell "Where do they get all of this stuff?"

Don't yell "Where did you get this?" at the ajumma working there.

Black market stores don't have names or big flashing neon signs with "Black Market" spelled out in huge red letters. So don't ask for the name of the store.

Don't ask for a business card.

Don't ask for a receipt.

Don't yell, to someone "shopping" with you, "Why do they call this a black market store, anyway?"

There are NO set prices- you can haggle. PLEASE haggle because that just might bring the prices down for everyone else. If you are the sucker who is paying 10,000 won for a bag of Cheesy Poofs without haggling then you are a fool.

Shop at Costco BEFORE you go to a black market store. You'll be glad you did. Wink

sojourner1 · Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 3:04 am Post subject:

The adjummas in the Namdaemun underground market won't budge on asking prices nor will the Red Door adjumma. They wouldn't go down 1,000 won on a 10,000 won can of oatmeal nor a 16,000 won jar of American honey. It seems to be set high prices with no haggling allowed.

It's obvious they get it from AAFES PX on the army or air force bases. Great way to get oatmeal and things like omega 3 fish oil capsules as well as multivitamins, but the prices are amongst the highest in the world.

R-Seoul · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Location: your place

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

I refuse to shop at those places.

In 2008! We still have to rummage around in blackmarket holes-in-the-wall, and pay insane prices!!??

That's what people had to do in the 1950's if they wanted foreign brands!! Nothing has changed.

Global Korea? Yeah, right!!

jiyull · Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Location: Seoul

Can I talk in third person, while I'm there?

blackjack · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: anyang

I just got a massive container of army supply (says on the packet) psyllium husk for 10,000 won felt like that was a good price as you would be paying more than double for the same amount of metamucil in NZ. Works fine, god it's good being regular Laughing

One thing to watch for is the expiry date (first three I looked had had expired)

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

tefain · Joined: 19 Sep 2007 Location: Not too far out there

cdninkorea · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

I don't like the idea of buying things at inflated prices, especially when the retail (on base) price is subsidised by the US taxpayer.

However, there are two things I can't find elsewhere: Western condoms and Purell hand sanitizer (I assure you these things are unrelated Cool

). If anyone can recommend a place to get these I'll happily write off black market shops forever.

willardmusa · Joined: 28 May 2006

CentralCali · Joined: 17 May 2007

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

AAFES is a scam. No argument there. That's coming from an honorably discharged veteran- US Army.

But I shop at black market stores in Korea because I have to in order to purchase things like: Triscuits, Wheat Thins, candy, and other stuff. I'm only dealing with the reality of shopping in Korea.

Anyone else find things at these stores that they can only find at black market stores?

CentralCali · Joined: 17 May 2007

How is it a scam?

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

AAFES is a huge corporation that uses its government "status" to 1) avoid paying taxes, and 2) buy things in bulk and 3) sell to soldiers. Technically that's where AAFES 'mission" should end, but, in reality, there are people in AAFES who pad their salaries by inflating prices to soldiers, and acting ike there's no black market in countries where they have stores. It's not just a "Korea thing." AAFES is well aware that their products are being sold on black markets, and AAFES raises the prices to take advantage of these activities.
AAFES officials have even been arrested and charged with accepting bribes to keep prices artificially inflated.
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=57690&archive=true
Plus, MANY US soldiers know about AAFES and the predatory pricing policies employed by AAFES, and they regularly complain on many discussion boards, and even in print in military newpapers.

http://www.stripes.com/search.asp?searchnow=Y

CentralCali · Joined: 17 May 2007

AAFES isn't acting like there's no black market in Korea. They've assisted both the US and South Korean authorities in investigating the crime, as your own comment shows. It's the customers not paying sales taxes on the merchandise there. That's one of the benefits. Your link under the "many soldiers" comment just goes to the search page. As it is now, it's no more than a FOAF assertion from you.

Again, how is it a scam?