Bring in the new

Hard to believe it is less than three weeks since we took ownership of our new abode. With basic tiling substantially complete last week, and our contractor moving off to another job for a few days; our energies have been directed towards buying all the bits and pieces that we need for the new bathrooms and kitchen.

Here is something I learned: You can pick one of many companies that display kitchen and bathroom equipment, and none of them have anything in stock. Fancy washbasins? Have to order. Shower units and bathroom bits? Have to order. Faucets? Have to order. Any bloody thing on display? Have to order. The only exception was a toilet; so now I have a new shitter sitting in my car port, waiting for the bathroom to be tiled with tiles that are…on order.

The other item that was available ex-stock was a new fridge. She who must be obeyed was convinced she needed a big enough fridge in which to store a month of food for ten adolescents; so a monster Samsung was identified. We took a tape measure down to the store to measure it up; because it has to fit within our new kitchen. Measurements were taken and we asked the Samsung salesman how much space we needed to allow for ventilation at the back. “This model has ventilation on the side, so you have to leave 5cm on each side; but the back can be fitted against the wall”. Armed with this information, we supplied the necessary measurements to our kitchen builder.

Today the fridge arrived. Given the effort required to roll it up to the house, I am guessing it weighs around eighty kilos. Once unwrapped, we opened the instruction manual where it clearly told us that the fridge requires no ventilation at the sides, but 5cm clearance at the back; plus clearance at the top. I called the kitchen contractor, “I have good news and bad news. The good news is that the fridge has arrived. The bad news….”

Once the kitchen faucet arrives (on order), I am taking it down to Home Pro and inserting it into the Samsung salesman.

Comments 🔗

2014-07-19 | Chang Noi says

Yes it are all just showrooms and for ordering things they charge you a lot of profit (and it takes weeks). I once needed to buy furniture and went to Index where said furniture could be ordered and it would be delivered 6 weeks later. No way! You charge ridicules prices and do not even take the effort of having 1 central stock in Thailand? So I went to Koncept, a bit less quality, cheaper and delivery within 2 hours.

2014-07-19 | Barry says

This actually shows how fragile businesses in Thailand are. They can’t afford to hold any stock. As for expecting you would receive correct information about the fridge - well you weren’t, were you. Really. Come on.

2014-07-20 | Chang Noi says

No the businesses in Thailand is not fragile, the owners are kinkouw Thai/Chinese and figured out that not having stock will made them an extra 100 Thai baht. And they rather be super super super filthy rich as filthy rich. All this of course works only when you have a monopoly and do not have to give a hoot about customers, but those days are starting to fade away … especially if ever the Asean market is implemented.

2014-07-20 | Spike says

I agree, nothing fragile about the businesses. By not holding stock they manage working capital, whilst still being able to display a massive range of products at a reasonable price. It’s good to be able to actually see the wide choice available; but knowing that when you choose you will have to wait a week for it.

My wife has worked for one of the largest businesses in Thailand and it was very efficiently run; and extremely cost conscious.

2014-07-21 | ChristianPFC says

I have a fridge (made by Panasonic, bought in Bangkok) that has heat exchangers on the side, but the container for water from defrosting is on the back. If you want to defrost your fridge, make sure you can access the container.

2014-07-23 | ChristianPFC says

I have a similar problem in restaurants. Once place I frequent has rice with pineapple on the menu, but not available, several times, it will soon be a running gag.

Drinks as well. Happened recently in two places. My first choice was peppermint-soda, sorry have not. My second choice was cold ginger tea, sorry have not. This might sound exotic, but as an anti alcoholic my choice is limited to fruit juices, tea and soft drinks (I can drink water for free at home, I rarely drink water when I go out). For a change from usual orange juice or pineapple juice, I often chose the most exotic item on the drink menu, to be told it’s not available.