Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hagwonnewbie]

Seems like the prices on foreign products haven't really gone up yet. A bottle of Hoegaarden beer is still 2200 won at Lotte Mart and Home Plus. That's the same price it was over a year ago.

How long can this last given the current exchange rate?

Do you think I should consider stocking up on the foreign products I want now?

[bassexpander]

They've gone up. What's really odd, however (perhaps not) is that the Korean products made here have gone up to equal the change in the exchange rate.

As I've mentioned a few times, notebook computers are a good example of this. Especially Samsung and LG computers.

[moosehead]

I paid 12,000 won for oatmeal the other day where I usually pay 10,000.

2400 for nonfat milk use to cost 2200

I don't mind things going up it's just the arbitrary way it's done - oh I think we should just tack on an extra X thousand won - because their profit margin is shrinking and all that - to hell with the fact the won will probably change again - !! do you think they will lower it later? f*ck no!!

ridiculous

[wylies99]

OP, I'm not sure where you shop, but prices have increased a great deal.

[Easter Clark]

[bede777]

They already have. Try to order a book from What the book and you will see the they have gone up about the same as the currency. My neighborhood pizza place is up 1,000 won. Wait for people to go through there stock and then it will be everywhere.

[hagwonnewbie]

Well, there is inflation on local foods because of the rise in the prices of commodities. Almost all groceries have inflated between 5 and 20 percent in the last year. It doesn't surprise me that things on an army base would have already reflected the current exchange rate. Of course a place that directly import specialty items like English books would increase its prices, but I'm wondering about the big chains.

When do you think foreign beer, liquor and food will increase relative to the new currency rate?

It looks like 1500 won the dollar may be the new standard, so I think we can expect to pay about 35% more for the same stuff we bought 6 months ago. I'm thinking it will hit right after the new year...

[Xuanzang]

I`ve noticed restaurants whiting out old prices and charging abit more. Korean ones.

[JFuller317]

[harryh]

A lot of electronic prices have gone up. Once retailers run out of existing stock, new imported stock is obviously more expensive due to the exchange rate.

I bought some Audio Technica headphones at 285,000 won, but now are 325,000 won on enuri today. They are imported from Japan.

I bought a receiver for 480,000 a few weeks ago, and now it's listed at 710,000.

Whilst browsing the shopping sites recently, I have seen American, German and Chinese electronics at higher than ever prices.

I would imagine that many computer parts would have increased in price buy now.

With regards to food. Most imported Tesco products seem to have increased in price.

[Mr-Dokdo]

Tuesday, at 10:30AM.

[pest2]

Here in Australia, the AU dollar is down to .63 on the US Dollar; roughly similar to the won I guess. Prices just started going up a bit on electronics, bike stuff, etc..

Keep in mind, however, alot of currencies are falling to the US dollar.. not just the won. So, the impact on prices wont be as great as if the won was dropping relative to every currency...

[bassexpander]

I have noticed that you can now get a FAR better deal purchasing a new DELL computer from a shop in Yongsan than from Dell itself. This is because they likely purchased the computer from Dell before this big won fiasco that happened. You can save as much as 200,000 won on a model with similar specs. Won't last long, though, as they will sell out of that pre-won drop stock soon.