Korean Job Discussion Forums

TexasPete · Joined: 24 May 2006 Location: Koreatown

So i went to Costco for the first time in a month or two the other day and noticed something crappy--many of the prices of things there have postively skyrocketed.

Twelve pack of condensed Campbell's mushroom soup was ~12,000--now i'ts 20,000

Big jug of Maple Syrup was 26,000--now it's 38,000

Starbucks 2.5 pound coffee pack was 25,000--now it's 40,000

Certain cereals were priced 25% or more up from the last time i saw them

Tillamook cheese is up 20% or more

Two pack of Prego spaghetti sauce was 9,000 and now it's closer to 13 or 14,000

I know the Won has tanked, but prices for foriegn goods have remained relatively stable at any other big box retailer. It's not eeven worth it really to go to Costco anymore--especially if you live within visiting distance to Itaewon and Hannam.

Thiuda · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 6:30 pm Post subject: Re: Costco Prices: Way Up!

sojourner1 · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 6:41 pm Post subject:

Yep, big time inflation is happening here while at home it's big time deflation, but many stores are going out of business. Not sure how increasing prices will continue to be supported. Might be coming time for us to tighten our belts, literally speaking.

Bigfeet · Joined: 29 May 2008 Location: Grrrrr.....

This is what you get with a weaker won. If you want to keep costs down, you'll have to live more like the locals.

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

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

Has the price of twigs and leaves gone up too?

I was considering another membership at Costco. Maybe not.

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

I wounder why when there is a economic crisis prices are still going up. I was just in the Philippines and they were almost totaly empty in our hotel and they put their rates up 20% the second week I was there.

It's like there is less customers so they try to charge to the ones the get to keep profits up.

expat2001 · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

Pink Freud · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: Daegu

Salmon went from 17,900 to 26,000. Chicken from 10,000 to 16,000.

Cereal from 8,900 to 14,000.

Two 500g boxes of muesli for 26,000!

Evil or Very Mad

justin moffatt · Joined: 29 Aug 2006

Maybe I have a crystal ball . . . Laughing

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=143343&highlight=

sojourner1 · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 5:45 am Post subject:

Everything is also going up on Gmarket as it's sellers are dependent on Costco. I noticed when the won started tanking after August, prices began to creep up often by as much as 30% to 40%. When you look at it, you also notice the won is about 30% to 40% weaker on any given day than it was before September. The weak won is a reasonable explanation why inflation is hitting Korea. The strong dollar with significantly decreasing demand in America explains why deflation is rocking in the free world which is said to be terrible for macro economic health, but beneficial to consumers.

DCJames · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

Why the HELL do you stay in this country????

traxxe · Joined: 21 Feb 2007

Kimsmith · Joined: 26 May 2008 Location: The holographic Universe

It's down to the exchange rate. But there is still some stuff worth getting, and it is cheaper than paying the mark-up at Hannam.

Trevor · Joined: 16 Nov 2005

Every time I catch up with an old friend in the U.S., they tell me that they are unemployed. Most have families to feed. If you think it sucks that Costco's is on the rise, remember that you could be trying to feed a family in New Jersey with the grimmest job prospects since the 1930's. Crying or Very sad

Swallow hard, pay the difference, and be thankful you have the luxury to make the choice.