Save money and nerves

Gambrinus · Post by **Gambrinus** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 10:59 am

Intermarché, no doubt has the best selection of foreign products, the worst fruit and the most abysmal management in Portugal.

Spent 30mins in the check-out with 3 registers unmanned. That is almost an insult.

Residents will be able to confirm, that the prices have shot up over the last couple of months. A comparable shopping cart from the winter months cost me almost 15 € more (this was an increase from 45 € to 60 €).
This is daylight robbery and has got to stop!

It is no wonder people feel ripped off when they come on holiday down here.

Suggestion:
The price diference for shopping baskets above 20€ already justifies a trip to AlgarveShopping, the time you spend waiting in Intermarché also justifies a trip to AlgarveShopping or the Modelo in Silves or Portimão.
Leave Intermarché by the side of the road and go shopping where you will not be insulted and robbed!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 12:55 pm

Gambrinus wrote:This is daylight robbery and has got to stop!

It is no wonder people feel ripped off when they come on holiday down here.

Suggestion:
The price diference for shopping baskets above 20€ already justifies a trip to AlgarveShopping, the time you spend waiting in Intermarché also justifies a trip to AlgarveShopping or the Modelo in Silves or Portimão.
Leave Intermarché by the side of the road and go shopping where you will not be insulted and robbed!

I agree gambrinus, some are really trying to make easy money but I think in the long run the will losse their customers and business. I 'd rather have tose small shops arouns the corner back. Nu hustle, low prices and service. I am just 29 but have had it with those supermarket giants. We as customers might expect some quality when we spend 70 to 100 euro's on shopping. Compare it with the jewelry, when we go and pick something worth 100 euro's we would want some service as well right.

THIS has got to stop........!

judge · Post by **judge** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 2:31 pm

100 % spot on !!! Rip off and bad management. even the girls working there complain ! ( and that for 390 euros a month !!!!!)

problem is they have a good selection of food and meat ( Like you say fruit is crap ) and close by.

Why not try the Marrachinho super on the road from Porches to Armação . lots of parking, not too busy, much better service, good quality and also reasonable in prices.

biffa · Post by **biffa** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 2:44 pm

I have always been an advocate of using the small neighbourhood Alisuper type stores on this Forum. We would sure miss 'em if they closed due to the market forces exhibited by Intermarche etc.

Problem is that if you are on your limited two week hols and you don't know the place then Intermarche seems just the job and of course you will shop there.

It was some clever market research that decided on that site, that's for sure.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 3:09 pm

they are not the only baddies..last week friends who come here regularly went to hire a car..the prices were 30% more than last year...this is despite the fact that one petrol staition owner told me their sales are down 40% compared to last year.

i am afraid that is just another example of portuguese economics at work...when business is down put your prices up

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 4:36 pm

Oh stop complaining, most of you (estrangeiros) earn far more than the rest of us. I'm lucky, my monthly wage is 500 euros, but I know people who earn less, if we can survive so can you. Who wants to spend hours in the hot sun driving to Algarve shopping/modelo Silves or Portimão (and no, their prices are not that much cheaper) then round the car park trying to find a space just to save a few centimôs (and that's what it is)? Funny haven't noticed anyone complain about the price of beer or wine going up!!!

Pinkie

Peter Belinfante · Post by **Peter Belinfante** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 5:26 pm

judge wrote:100 % spot on !!! Rip off and bad management. even the girls working there complain ! ( and that for 390 euros a month !!!!!)

problem is they have a good selection of food and meat ( Like you say fruit is crap ) and close by.

Why not try the Marrachinho super on the road from Porches to Armação . lots of parking, not too busy, much better service, good quality and also reasonable in prices.

The good thing I experienced at the Intermarche when I was down there in June was their wine-bargain: A bottle of perfect white wine (Terras d'el Rei; vinho regional Alentejano 2003) for only € 0,85! I bought four boxes of them and left them with my friend (for my next visit) I hope they are still there and untouched!

Intermarche is indeed not the cheapest store for your daily shopping (although their meat is perfect). Lidl in Ferragudo is also an alternative.

€390 a month; in Holland we call it "slavenarbeid!" (slavery!)

Maybe I should take over the management there and change a few things!

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 5:33 pm

its not only 'strangers' Pinkie......
A couple of my Portuguese women friends complain about the place(Intermarche)..not just prices but service too....
On my April hols I believe I visited it just once...and that was for nail varnish...
I much prefer to shop at the small local mercados..either in CVO or Lagoa....and markets too....
we should patronise the small shops..or else,like here in UK ...you start to lose them......My friend had little supermercado in cvo..but had to sell up(lost out cos of Intermarche)
They have one in Lagoa now..but its often very quiet when I visit them......
a worry......

P.S. well noted Peter! (390 euros!)...better go..else Ill be back on my slavery thingy!

Why dont you or Judge apply for job as manager?

Peter Belinfante · Post by **Peter Belinfante** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 5:47 pm

Ellie wrote:P.S. well noted Peter! (390 euros!)...better go..else Ill be back on my slavery thingy!
Why dont you or Judge apply for job as manager?

Hé "Judge", Let's take over the business! I'll stop with politics; leave my wife and kids in Holland and come to CVO. I'll stay in your house. You only have to quit your job! (and you can drag the boxes Terras d'el Rei home

)

cowboy · Post by **cowboy** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 8:12 pm

Peter.......

Do you pay by the bottle or the box? (to drag it home)

Ranger · Post by **Ranger** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 9:09 pm

I know he will correct me if I am wrong, but I think the point Gambrinus was trying to make was how Intermarche can add to the cost of a holiday in Carvoeiro. There is no doubt that on average the tourists salaries will be much higher than the locals, but whether it is slavery or the local rate, is a different subject probably to be argued out with Ellie. My concern would be that when plans are being made for next years holiday, Carvoeiro will be put down as expensive, and another country will be chosen. I am sure the low dollar will be doing enough damage to potential visitors to Portugal, without increasing the cost of the holiday by overcharging. The thing I was always told, people with lots of money did'nt get it by throwing it around.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 10:50 pm

All you say is true Ranger..and I wouldnt argue with that

and it is a real concern...
in a recent hol survey it was show many are deserting Iberia and opting for the cheaper resorts in the new eastern member countries and the States of course....
anyway lets not buy all our goods at Intermarche..but support your smaller local CVO/Lagoa etc shops/markets..and so make your holiday cheaper
unless of course..Peter& Judge take over the management and offer reductions

..boa noite..ellie

cowboy · Post by **cowboy** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 2:57 am

in a recent hol survey it was show many are deserting Iberia and opting for the cheaper resorts in the new eastern member countries

Looks like like the Global Economy has hit the Tourist Industry.

Iberia is being "out sourced" to Eastern Europe.....Lower standards of living, and cheaper prices for hols....and Air Fare is dirt cheap over there.

(Hell, I can't get a one way ticket to NYC from here for the price of a round trip ticket you buy to Faro...).

judge · Post by **judge** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 8:21 am

Me taking over a shop full of booze. got to be kidding !!!dangerous!!
Having Peter living in my house even more unthinkable-he eats and drinks too much.....

Must say though that 20 odd years ago some supermarkets in the village took advantage of being the only ones and their prices where sky high then already because of lack of competition.

Then also the locals had to pay the tourist prices. while in Lisbon things where half as much.

Can´t win them all !!!

Gambrinus · Post by **Gambrinus** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 8:50 am

Imagine this:

If every second tourist visited this forum before coming to Carvoeiro and actually didnt go to Intermarché on account of this fact-based and backed report. How long would it take before Intermarché changes their attitude and starts thinking price/quality relationship?

Pinkie, if you have resigned yourself to surviving on what you have without challenging the established tyranny of some companies, that is fine by me.
I for one believe, that this forum is more than just hot air and sun-stroked tourists babbling about alcohol (no offence Peter

) and that if these situations get propagated there is a realistic chance of actually effecting changes in Carvoeiro.

Don´t let yourselves be pulled into the common lethargy of "somebody else will do something about it"

Save money and nerves

Save money and nerves

Re: Save money and nerves

Intermarche etc