grocery stores

mcheasley says on Aug 3, 2008, 19:50:

They have some nice grocery stores in Medellin... yes there are prices shown in pesos... there are a few that remind me of super walmarts because they also sell other items besides just food.... the guys in the meat dept are butchers i noticed, cause they actually cut or grind your beef right there on the spot to your specs... had no problems with credit or debit cards...

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deathnova says on Aug 3, 2008, 19:53:

Exito is like a Super Wal Mart but without air conditioning.

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bickerss says on Aug 3, 2008, 21:52:

get the supermarket store card (you apply a the store and receive it there and then) - you will then be eligible for the specials. Ie Carulla has different specials each day (ie fruit and veg Tuesday) and a number of others are available from 8 to 11 (in Carulla). If u dont have the card you dont get the special.

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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turnmeon (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 3, 2008, 22:16:

Gringo Spy says on Aug 3, 2008, 22:37:

http://www.virtualexito.com/inicios.aspx

http://www.carulla.com/TiendaVirtualWeb/jsp/Clientes/indexCliente.jsp

Contrary to what bickerss states you don't need a card to get the "special' prices offered at Carulla. Their sales vary by the day, for example on Saturday their meats go on sale, on Tuesday their liquor goes on sale. I can't remember all the other days but they have days for fruits and vegetables etc. They do have a "Carulla" card but the card only entitles you to stickers on certain items purchased and these stickers, once you have enough of them, can be redeemed for things like plates, wine glasses, small appliances etc.

Hope this helps.

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turnmeon (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 3, 2008, 22:38:

turnmeon (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 3, 2008, 22:41:

deathnova says on Aug 4, 2008, 00:19:

You forgot the picture of the private security slapping his baton in his hand.

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Philly says on Aug 4, 2008, 03:29:

I am sorry, reminds you of a Super Walmart. I DO NO THINK SO

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dwmte7 says on Aug 4, 2008, 03:50:

last time i tried to take a photo in exito, i was escorted to the door...i guess they thought i was a professional comparative shopper.

the best small market that is well equipped/stocked with desirable foreign items is in llano grande, gualanday. somebody take some photos and post them.

lisa zee...where are you when we need you most?

dwmte

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Bill Turley (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 4, 2008, 06:32:

bickerss says on Aug 4, 2008, 06:51:

Comtrary to what gringo spy says, you dco need the card to get the specials at Carulla. They state that they are with the card only.

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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august says on Aug 4, 2008, 07:07:

And Carulla is little tricky about the cards. They´ll have a sign for a discount for cardholders, but it doesn´t say whether they´re talking regular "supercliente" or whatever the next level up is - the silver card - something like "supercliente diamante."

About Colombian grocery stores in general - and all grocery stores I suppose - imported items will be far more expensive than Colombian items. This includes peanut butter. Processed foods are all quite a bit pricer than those that are not. As such, I find it most cost-effective to adopt the Colombian cuisine. That is, no more eating pb & j sandwhich all day, no more processed frozen goods and lots more dishes that begin with raw goods. Ideally, you´ll have someone to cook them for you.

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bickerss says on Aug 4, 2008, 09:42:

Then they have the Confama card specials which, is different again - a workers union type card I think?

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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Mononoke28 says on Aug 4, 2008, 10:26:

I love the Carrefour in Medellín that's closed to Makro. They even have a movie theater in the same complex as well as very nice fast food like Leños. Yum!

Diana

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Gringo Spy says on Aug 4, 2008, 10:28:

bick:

If that's the case I stand corrected. Funny how after shopping exclusively at Carulla for seven months I never noticed the card only savings. I would go on certain days to take advantage of their liquor sales along with their special day for discounted meats and veggies etc. I especially liked the 3 for the price of 2 on many of the wines.

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bickerss says on Aug 4, 2008, 10:35:

I never noticed it until I checked my receipt for a 2 for one beer special and went back to question why they had not given it at the special price; they informed me that you have to have the card, so thats when I signed up. The specials state '''xxxx presentando tarjeta de carulla''.

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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Gringo Spy says on Aug 4, 2008, 10:36:

Ahhh... So not I had the Carulla card I would not have been given the 3 for 2 discount. Makes sense now.

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Aug 4, 2008, 10:47:

"Exito is like a Super Wal Mart but without air conditioning."

Maybe in Bogota, but in hot cities, they most definitely have A/C. On top of that, many of the Exitos I've visited are cleaner than a lot of the WalMarts I've seen in the US.

BTW, there are several Carulla supermarkets in nicer areas of major cities that are open 24 hours a day.

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bickerss says on Aug 4, 2008, 10:53:

my only complaint is the milk packaging - those floppy1 lt plastic bags suck!!!

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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Gringo Spy says on Aug 4, 2008, 10:57:

And they don't last near as long as they do here in the US, they spoil much faster for some reason.

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Aug 4, 2008, 10:58:

Yep. I hate the bags of milk. Those damn things are a mess waiting to happen.

Besides, milk bags only belong on women ;)

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Mononoke28 says on Aug 4, 2008, 11:19:

That's the one complaint my mom makes every time we are in Colombia "Estas bolsitas tan pendejitas". She gets all riled up about it. We put them in a pitcher but the milk still spills over, they suck.

Diana

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Aug 4, 2008, 11:25:

The best thing to do is to dump them in a bottle. Regardless, they are still a pain in the ass.

Another thing to avoid is water in a bag. For some reason, it always tastes like dirt(literally). It must be something about the bags because the same brand of water doesn't taste like that when it is in a bottle.

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bickerss says on Aug 4, 2008, 11:26:

and dont get me started on the yoghurt in a plastic bag - at least they also have the plastic bottle versions I guess!!!

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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Gringo Spy says on Aug 4, 2008, 11:36:

In Medello I drink the water straight out of the tap.

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Lipper says on Aug 4, 2008, 11:47:

Can I assume that wine, beer, vodka, rum, aguardiente are all sold at the Grocery Store?

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Tinto (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Aug 4, 2008, 11:53:

The alcohol assumption is correct. There are no "state stores" (owned by the government or operated under a government concession) or blue laws that I'm aware of. You can buy whatever you want, pretty much wherever you want 24/7.

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august says on Aug 4, 2008, 11:55:

Yes, but for liquor, not always at the best price.

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Bill Turley (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 4, 2008, 12:01:

turnmeon (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 4, 2008, 13:28:

Lipper says on Aug 4, 2008, 15:02:

sure sure turnmeon ------ we all know that is you in the jeans and gray t-shirt looking like you just found the prize in a box of Cracker Jacks! ha ha ha ha

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turnmeon (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 4, 2008, 16:02:

Tinto (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Aug 4, 2008, 16:20:

Big boxes are an eyesore wherever they're located, but do Exito and Carrefour have to make them worse with that hideous bright yellow? That's some serious architectural pollution.

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Lcacique says on Aug 4, 2008, 16:45:

tinto, they are displaying their Colombian pride with their choice in colors.

I hope Exito doesn't fold with the arrival of Wal-Mart.

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

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Lon7 says on Aug 4, 2008, 17:02:

Does Wal-Mart have store locations yet?

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Tinto (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Aug 4, 2008, 17:04:

I hadn't thought about the (color of the) flag angle, maybe I should edit my post before Simon accuses me of being a Colombia hater and a bigot. Haha.

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Lon7 says on Aug 4, 2008, 18:36:

Are Nacho Cheese Doritos out of the question?

I hope the answer is yes! The snack food aisle and soft drink aisle in the US is just full of poison.

I can only imagine that the food is much healthier that is offered?

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Lcacique says on Aug 4, 2008, 21:29:

Tinto...I think you are right to be concerned. Any negative comments about the three colors found on the flag are easily turned into declarations of hate for Colombia. I have learned to stay away from being critical of any shades of either yellow, blue or red or of any objects that contain either of those colors. Such statements are easily (mis)interpreted as unpatriotic. Be careful.

Lon7: There is plenty of crap food offered in the grocery stores, but I don't recall Nacho Cheese Doritos as being big sellers. Colombians prefer flavored potato chips (i.e. Lemon, Mayonnaise, Chicken). I do not know if Wal-Mart has opened a store in Colombia yet...If not, it is on the horizon. I have read several articles where the company has expressed such an interest and Colombia's doors are swinging open.

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

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pedro (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 4, 2008, 22:46:

mcheasley says on Aug 5, 2008, 07:49:

So when WalMart does open in Colombia, they wont need to worry about the U.S. FTA not in place since everything they sell is from China....

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poco says on Aug 5, 2008, 08:31:

Philly says: I am sorry, reminds you of a Super Walmart. I DO NO THINK SO
________________________

Ha,,, what an ignorant statement. I've always thought Exitos were like Super Walmarts,, and guess what,,, we've got someone posting pictures to prove it. Yep,, right down the the crappy service.

Air conditioning,, another ignorant statement. Again,, someone posting that it's not true,, and of course it’s NOT.

The Exito at Chipichapa in Cali is Air Conditioned,, the new Home Center across from Chipichapa is air conditioned,, hell lots of small stores are air conditioned. EVERY Exito I’ve been in is air conditioned and that includes, Cali, Tulua, and Pereira.

Who said,, "Do you think Colombia is like Africa",,, now that's funny.

Oh,, no one saying much about prices ????

Prices are a LOT higher in Colombia,, I'd say a minimum of 30% for most items. Tools,, maybe double (or more) the price listed ebay. A aerosol can of shaving gel,,,, I noticed 14,000 pesos in two stores,,, the same can,, only BIGGER was $2.00 USD in the U.S.,, hummmm 2 dollars vrs. about $7.50 in Colombia,, yep,, a great deal.

What ever happened to the group that said a person could live like a KING on One Thousand U.S. dollars a month in Colombia ?

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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Lcacique says on Aug 5, 2008, 11:29:

poco: august made a very clear point about prices:

"About Colombian grocery stores in general - and all grocery stores I suppose - imported items will be far more expensive than Colombian items."

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

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pobrecito says on Aug 5, 2008, 13:10:

For some items you must buy imported items if you want to eat well: for example "pasta".
The colombian ones look like mashed potatoes once cooked.

De que vale la vida si cuando la tenemos parece muerta. La vida es para sentirla, para vibrar, para luchar, para combatir. Eso justifica nuestro paso por la tierra........Jaime Pardo Leal

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Mononoke28 says on Aug 5, 2008, 13:33:

Oh yeah, pasta in Colombia is hooooorrible!

Diana

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Lcacique says on Aug 5, 2008, 14:54:

A friend told me she wanted to make Lasagna for me. I think she probably thought I was growing tired of Colombian dishes (if so, she was wrong) or she simply wanted to demonstrate that she could cook more "exotic" dishes. Anyway, I told her that would be fine (I love Italian food...actually, that is misleading...I love food). Her Lasagna did use Lasagna noodles, however, it used chicken and mustard. To be honest, it wasn't terrible...but it was a shock.

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

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poco says on Aug 5, 2008, 14:58:

Lcacique Quote: poco: august made a very clear point about prices:

"About Colombian grocery stores in general - and all grocery stores I suppose - imported items will be far more expensive than Colombian items."
========================

Sometimes I wonder if you've ever been in Colombia.

It really does NOT matter if the item is imported,,, or NOT.

I'd guess,, that in most cases,, the Colombian equivalent costs MORE or does not exist.

For instance bread,, you understand that a loaf of bread is made in Colombia ? So tell me,, why does it cost MORE money for sliced bread. Not only MORE money,, but the Colombian equal can be of crappy quality (read,, hard) and smaller.

For instance,, I can purchase a loaf of wheat bread,, a BIG, nice, soft, fresh loaf for,, 99 cents. No way I've seen anything but small, not very appealing white loaves for maybe 2100 pesos, most are 2,800 plus.

The answer you quoted makes one think a person can purchase a Colombian equal for less,, well,, that is not normally correct.

I can keep this up,, the prices in Colombia suck,, if they have equals,, the quality is inferior. Oh,, BTW. Colombia has LOTS of Chinese cheap stuff,, and yes,, cheap chinese crap costs more in Colombia.

I blame this on a combination of taxes and the stupidity of the democratic congress for pass the FTA,, what a bunch of idiots they are,,, creating a problem and then what ? coming up with our salvation ?

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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Lcacique says on Aug 5, 2008, 15:13:

Yes, I have been to Colombia (or are you wondering if august has been to Colombia). And, yes, many things are more expensive. However, there are others that are cheaper. But I am not a miser nor did I spend much time thinking to myself, "God, I bet I could get this cheaper at good ole' Wal-Mart or on ebay."

Bread? I never even thought to buy it while I was in Colombia.

I'll let someone else try to decipher this nonsense: "I blame this on a combination of taxes and the stupidity of the democratic congress for pass the FTA,, what a bunch of idiots they are,,, creating a problem and then what ? coming up with our salvation ?"

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

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poco says on Aug 5, 2008, 19:38:

Lcacique Quote: God, I bet I could get this cheaper at good ole' Wal-Mart or on ebay."
===========

You should think that way. If you did,, you'd realize what a really crappy system is created with HIGH TAXES and a Socialized system with very little income to support them.

Even ice cream is twice as expensive,, more than twice as expensive. Sad,, I remember going to a Dairy Queen in the U.S. when I was a kid to get an ice cream sunday,, maybe a hot fudge sundae.

Ice cream is NOT something most people in Colombia can afford because it is expensive.



The U.S. ice cream shown (1.75 liters per carton) costs 1 dollar each,, the cereal,, $2.20 per carton.

A 3.00 liter of ice cream 15,000 pesos or $8.50 where I am in Colombia and I can only get vanilla,, they might have had strawberry. The cereal,, maybe $4.50 per box for lesser quality.

So,, 3 plus liters of ice cream (great flavor) two large boxes of granola cereal for LESS than a 3 liter carton of ice cream in Colombia. This sucks and is indicative of the entire Colombian system.


Let me help you decipher,,, NO FTA = High Prices. High prices = no demand. No demand,, no jobs providing/transporting/selling goods,, a down ward spiral. Plus,, add HIGH TAXES,, IVA,, of 16% and you've got a problem.

This is a picture of what it looks like in Dubai. Imagine a place with nothing but SAND. Yet,, it looks like they will be the financial center of Europe. Million dollar homes everywhere,, a huge boom in real estate, companies from all over the world moving to Dubai and guess what,, no property taxes and a low tax rate. Lots of work,, more jobs than there are natives to fill them.

Colombia has a lot more to offer than Dubai but look at the price Colombia has paid for their socialized system. Colombia is POOR, POOR, POOR and it looks like they will remain POOR in the near future.

Palm Jumeirah - Dubai (this is one of the islands Dubai built off their coast)

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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dwmte7 says on Aug 5, 2008, 21:02:

chicken and mustard lasagna? you need to have a talk with that girl.

dwmte

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Tinto (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Aug 5, 2008, 21:09:

Poco, Where do you get Dreyer's for $1 for a 1.75 quart/liter container? Is that a close-out price? Normal retail on what used to be a half gallon (bastards!) of a decent brand like Dreyer's is about $5.69.

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turnmeon (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 5, 2008, 22:06:

poco says on Aug 5, 2008, 22:12:

Quote: Poco, Where do you get Dreyer's for $1 for a 1.75 quart/liter container? Is that a close-out price? Normal retail on what used to be a half gallon (bastards!) of a decent brand like Dreyer's is about $5.69.
=======

Ha, Ha,, someone noticed,, yes it is a special,, not exactly a close out but that is the advantage of being in the U.S. The prices are still a lot less in the store,, but,, only poco buys for this low price.

Not having a job not only prepares me for the future Obama unemployment crisis but I've also learned where the get'n places are located.

Here is the ticket,, guess where I bought them ??


Oh,, gosh,, guess what,, I had a picture of the Colombian Gillette gel shaving lotion.. I was wrong about the 14,000 pesos,, 15,400 pesos or,, about $8.50 vrs $2.00,, gee,, $6.50 MORE in Colombia,, what a deal !!!!!



No free trade,, well,, heck,, I guess Colombians,, especially the poorer Colombians don't really need shaving cream,, a quality shaving cream,, no,,they don't need any jobs either,, the government knows what's good for them,, the U.S. congress,, yes they have the answer,, some suffering is in order,, water is just great.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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Lcacique says on Aug 5, 2008, 23:28:

poco: Colombia has a socialized system? Maybe a mixed system, but socialized?

Only vanilla ice cream...where are you living?

Mimo's and Crepes and Waffles seem to do pretty well as expensive as they are. And nearly everywhere I went, the cheap street vendors seemed to be doing alright. Shit, don't they even put ice cream on their fruit salads? But I agree, many Colombians cannot afford it. Many Colombians have trouble covering their basic needs; therefore, it is not a surprise that ice cream would be a luxury item for some.


Here's a quote for you, poco:

"Developing countries have been lectured about how government subsidies and protectionism distort prices and impede growth. But all too often there is a hollow ring to these exhortations. As developing countries do take steps to open their economies and expand their exports, in too many sectors they find themselves confronting significant trade barriers—leaving them, in effect, with neither aid nor trade. They quickly run up against dumping duties, when no economist would say they are really engaged in dumping, or they face protected or restricted markets in their areas of natural comparative advantage, like agriculture or textiles.

In these circumstances, it is not surprising that critics of liberalization within the developing world quickly raise cries of hypocrisy. Developing countries often face great pressure to liberalize quickly. When they raise concerns about job loss, they receive the doctrinaire reply that markets create jobs, and that the resources released from the protected sector can be redeployed productively elsewhere. But all too often, the jobs do not appear quickly enough for those who have been displaced; and all too often, the displaced workers have no resources to buffer themselves, nor is there a public safety net to catch them as they fall. These are genuine concerns. What are developing countries to make of the rhetoric in favor of rapid liberalization, when rich countries—countries with full employment and strong safety nets—argue that they need to impose protective measures to help those adversely affected by trade? Or when rich countries play down the political pressures within developing countries—insisting that their polities 'face up to the hard choices'—but at the same time excuse their own trade barriers and agricultural subsidies by citing 'political pressures'?

Let me be clear: there is no doubt in my mind that trade liberalization will be of benefit to the developing countries, and to the world more generally. But trade liberalization must be balanced, and it must reflect the concerns of the developing world. It must be balanced in agenda, process, and outcomes. It must take in not only those sectors in which developed countries have a comparative advantage, like financial services, but also those in which developing countries have a special interest, like agriculture and construction services. It must not only include intellectual property protections of interest to the developed countries, but also address issues of current or potential concern for developing countries, such as property rights for knowledge embedded in traditional medicines, or the pricing of pharmaceuticals in developing-country markets.

Trade liberalization must take into account the marked disadvantage that developing countries have in participating meaningfully in negotiations. For instance, as the new World Development Report points out, 19 of the 42 African WTO members have no trade representative at WTO headquarters in Geneva. In contrast, the average number of trade officials from OECD countries is just under seven.

In approaching the upcoming negotiations, moreover, we must look at them not in isolation, but in a historical context. We need to address suspicions born of a legacy of past power imbalances.

Moreover, we must recognize the differences in circumstances between developed and developing countries, differences to which I have already alluded. We know that developing countries face greater volatility, that opening to trade in fact contributes to that volatility, that developing countries have weak or non-existent safety nets, and that high unemployment is a persistent problem in many if not most developing countries. The developed and less developed countries play on a playing field that is not level. Thus, provisions that look fair on the surface may have very different and unequal consequences for the developed and less developed countries. Accordingly, the power imbalances at the bargaining table are exacerbated by the imbalance of consequences.

There are other dimensions relating to inequality of outcomes that I will discuss later in my talk, but there is one that I want to mention upfront. Standard economic analysis argues that trade liberalization — even unilateral opening of markets — benefits a country. In this view, job loss in one sector will be offset by job creation in another, and the new jobs will be higher-productivity than the old. It is this movement from low- to high-productivity jobs that represents the gain from the national perspective, and explains why, in principle, everyone can be made better off as a result of liberalization. This economic logic requires markets to be working well, however, and in many countries, underdevelopment is an inherent reflection of poorly functioning markets. Thus new jobs are not created, or not created automatically. Moving workers from a low-productivity sector to unemployment does not — let me repeat, does not — increase output. A variety of factors contribute to the failure of jobs to be created, from government regulations, to rigidities in labor markets, to lack of access to capital. But whatever the causes, they have to be addressed simultaneously if we are to make a convincing case for trade liberalization."

Now poco, before you lay into what is written here...Understand that it is from a Nobel Prize winning economist and former chief economist of the World Bank. I, like him, do not view FTAs as being simple black and white issues.

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

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