Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Died By Bear]

[Dodge7]

[nicwr2002]

To be honest, what is the definition of a mom and pop store? When I think of mom and pop stores I think of one unique store owned and operated by the individual. At most, maybe their store did really well and they have two in the same town. When I see those smaller stores here they are still chain(family) stores. Unless you can head to one of the traditional markets (which there are none within a short distance without riding the bus for an hour.

To be honest, outside a bongo truck vendor, I've never seen veggies or fruit cheaper in a smaller store. Milk is at least 1000 won more expensive as well and meat is ridiculous. I don't even consider them mom and pop stores, just bigger and cheaper version of a CU, but more expensive and less convenient than a E-mart. I think the mom and pop stores are "brand" too. Maybe my idea of what a mom and pop store is incorrect.

[dairyairy]

[Steelrails]

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

There's a shop on a side street near where we live. We call it the yucky mart, because before a fairly recent total renovation, it was super grimy. The people who run it live around the corner from us and are really nice. When Typhoon Bolaven was supposed to hit, the cashier's husband (who does stock) carried a 6-pack of water to my apartment's elevator for me. The owner's garden is right near our building, and once, when my husband was walking the dog, the owner was there and pulled up a huge bunch of lettuce and handed it to him.

The place doesn't have a ton of variety, but I buy my bottled water, snacky things, and canola oil there. They also sell individual eggs and milk, so when I don't get a chance to get to the supermarket, it's right down the block, though I do prefer to buy organic eggs and Pasteur milk, which they don't have. Sure, I could save maybe 1-2k won on my oil at Homeplus, but these people are nice, and let me bring my dog into the shop without making me pick him up. They also offer me food and drink fairly often, and I've returned the gesture by bringing western-style snacks that I've made. It's more of a neighborly vibe, and I dig it.

EDIT: They also have Coca Cola in glass bottles for 1,000 won, which my husband loves.

[atwood]

I don't think too many people squawk about paying a bit extra at the mom and pop supers. They are usually convenient and you're paying for that convenience.

But many are dirty so that shopping in them is unpleasant, their product selection is hit and miss and heavily skewed to products for children, they price gouge, and the clerks are glued to the TV.

There are good ones and they make money my running a smart, clean business, not by the government shutting down their competition.

[dairyairy]

steelrails, why should small store owners who care little about quality products and customer service just be handed money? Why should their competition be closed by the government? Do you know who pays for all of this government intervention into the marketplace? We do, as consumers, in higher prices. Don't worry about who is going to pay for your hagwon kiddies. Worry about the money coming out of your pocket to pay for small shops that refuse to moderize and always cost more than other stores.

[Steelrails]

[atwood]

[Steelrails]

The person was advocating supply-side economics in simplistic form. Cheap imported consumer goods are better for the economy and one's own personal finances. Stores like Wal-Mart are representative of that. Barriers to trade and protectionism are always bad. Those stores that are inefficient will be replaced by efficient ones like Wal-Mart and that in theory, the same income earned at mom and pop stores should be transferred to them as they become employees at Wal-Mart.

I say screw it. Pay 10 bucks more per month for less variety and slightly inferior consumer products, much of which gets wasted anyway or is an excess. Gainful employment and small business ownership for your community is preferable to being able to find cheaper low-fat milk provided by a bunch of 4 dollar an hour clerks who won't be able to afford to even have kids to send to the hagwon that employees me.

Gainful employment and ownership, not consumer goods are essential to a good society. Or do you really believe that cheaper milk is going to lead to better prosperity?

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

Lowfat milk sucks anyway.

[dairyairy]

Steelrails, you keep comparing economic conditions in Korea to the USA, and the fact is that in Korea in 2013 the conditions are all anti-consumer, and the government is actively limiting consumer choices to an extreme degree. There's simply no justification for that kind of strangulation of the free market in order to limit consumer choices. The justification for doing it, "helping smaller merchants", is iffy at best, and the consequences are that higher prices are being paid by consumers and consumers are being inconvenienced in extreme ways. All of this is being done in the middle of a Korean recession and worldwide economic depression. Hopefully someone in the new administration will understand basic economics and alleviate the situation.

[nicwr2002]

I'm willing to argue that there aren't really any small businesses, they are really part of huge chains that just look like small businesses.

[cdninkorea]