Comments on: Marketman’s 12-item Produce Basket – The Findings!

By: aravis

aravis — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 13:23:38 +0000

I shop regularly at Hi-Top Supermarket in Quezon Avenue where groceries are often cheaper. I’ve noticed that produce prices are usually more expensive than at the nearby SM Hypermart so if I have time (and if I can still walk the two blocks plus MRT/overpass with all my groceries), I shop for groceries at Hi-Top and go to SM for fresh produce. Prices at the small Centris Hypermart seem to be dearer than at the SM Megamall grocery, however.

I also noticed that prices at the small Robinson’s grocery in Berkeley Square, Commonwealth were higher than the bigger Robinson’s grocery in Pioneer.

Since I only shop for myself and therefore at small quantities, I sometimes settle for the more expensive option as long as the price difference isn’t too much.

By: Blaise

Blaise — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 04:22:55 +0000

This has nothing to do with produce in this post, but I have just realized recently the disparity of prices in our books as well. Just over the long weekend I looked for the book “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” paperback edition at Powerbooks, and it’s priced at PhP335. This is in Alabang Town Center. Good thing I followed my gut and didn’t buy it yet because when I walked over to National Bookstore, also in the same mall, the same book is priced at only PhP299. PhP36 difference.

I left ATC already, still haven’t gotten the book, and on the way home, I decided that I really wanted to so I stopped by National Bookstore in Southmall, and while the price is the same with their branch in ATC, the one in Southmall is on sale and so I just got the book for PhP 239.60! Yes, it felt like I struck a deal!! :)

By: Utoy

Utoy — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 20:20:03 +0000

I have to stand straight with my chest out and a salute of gratitude to you, marketman. I knew that this may sound commercially inclined but you deserved to be compensated for the works you’ve done. For what it’s worth, I wish i was a rich man so i can put writing like this in a place or media that is most accessible to filipinos. Too bad, computer are utilized nowadays in philippines mostly by youngsters facebooking/twittering, etc. Not that it’s bad but topic like this deserve more attention and should be brought to the doorsteps/mailboxes of filipinos.

I wish you a pleasant writing and more motivation to continue.

Mabuhay ka, kabayan.

By: Lennie

Lennie — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 07:15:41 +0000

Hi MM,
I’m a convert! Just did my grocery and meat shopping yesterday at the Robinson’s Hypermart along the West Service Road (beside Zuellig), and spent a whopping 4,300 just for two weeks…and that didn’t include the basketful of pretty expensive boxed cereals my kids prefer for breakfast! The amount I spent was just for an average 1/3 to 1/2 kg per meal of beef, chicken, and pork, all good for about 22 meals for a family of 5, as well as recados like tomato sauce and veggies. I don’t much like the meats at SM Bicutan as they come across as bilasa (sorry, no offense meant), which is why I buy at Robinson’s instead. But now that I know about the much cheaper prices at FTI Taguig, I’m going to make the effort to do my shopping there! Thank you, MM! You’re truly a lifesaver for coming up with this, what a wake-up call! From your previous posts I understand that you’ve been able to buy fresh milk (do they have gatas ng kalabaw there?) and organic eggs as well as duck eggs at FTI Taguig too, for your leche flan which I’m certainly going to have a shot at making. Would appreciate if you would share with me (just PM me nalang) the names of your FTI “suki,” so I can look for them next time I do my shopping. BTW, I was also intrigued by your post on ZUBOCHON and luckily, my husband is out on one of his trips to Cebu…will have him bring some home to try it out. Thanks again!

By: Walter

Walter — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 06:56:12 +0000

Thanks for this post, MM. Although I am a bit surprised not to find Balintawak and Commonwealth Markets and Cherry Fooderama on the list.

By: reggie rullan

reggie rullan — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 15:54:58 +0000

hi.

my zubuchon arrived and i have defrosted it in the ref and will oven heat it for breakfast! will eat it on its own first before it will end up in a paella.

pls email when you are back in manila. i have assembled a team to do the survey.will set a specific day we will all do this and will ensure correct units per item to get comparative pricing.

thanks! will await your email.

By: Eileen

Eileen — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 15:06:35 +0000

Hi MM, I hope you can do a post/survey also regarding top grocery items (not just fruits and vegetables). I noticed that the price differential can be huge as well based on my experience on SM Makati and Landmark.

By: reggie rullan

reggie rullan — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 08:29:37 +0000

hi again marketman.

i have spoken to my editor and she loves the idea of having your survey results published in a national daily in the lifestyle food section.i also told her we can make a new survey of the other groceries that were not covered.this article would really serve the public.

went to the dti market price posts and they only post market prices.plus the links to the posts are dead :(

may i email you?

love the look of that citrus moroccan salad :) it my next salad experiment.im asking for my sister to look for argan oil in seattle.

also thanks to you i am now aware of zubochon and will have some flown in by saturday. can’t wait!

thanks,
reggie

By: tipat

tipat — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 02:12:31 +0000

Thank you for the very informative post MM and everyone who helped you out. I agree that the government and media should do this more actively. I hope you’ll have the patience to do this again, perhaps on a regular basis??? Or maybe some people in the group would like to come together and make this a regular thing — FB perhaps?

By: Ychika

Ychika — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 12:18:12 +0000

It’s the first time I am going to comment here, I’ve been a lurker for some time already! But I just want to say thank you, MM! I learned a lot, and I shared this to my Mom and Dad :D You helped us realize how much money we could save if we go to the market instead! Thank you :)