Pickpocket at Super Lake

I just wish Super Lake would carry Durkee's Sandwich & Salad Sauce. It's the secret to my chicken salad which always gets rave reviews. I printed out a picture of the jar, took it in to Pancho & the supplier was there. I'd have it in a week, says he. A year later, it's still not. I have to bribe people to bring me a jar.

Like Spin Blend mayo, we have it shipped in.

Trailrunner wrote:Apples and oranges, Bob! You can't compare corporate mega-supermarkets to a mom and pop grocery store.

In terms of super-stores, I'll take Mega too but I haven't been to Chaduri (I can not spell or pronounce this name) ever.

And in terms of grocery/speciality/mom and pop stores I have to say Super Lake hands-down. I've lived in several different parts of this country and I've never seen the likes of SL anywhere else. One of the reasons I live here, actually!

I think we're just talking about different food tastes and choices. Bob, where does your wife like to buy food? When she goes out to buy food for dinner, where does she go? Maybe you are the cook in the family?

I am the cook and we primarily shop at WalMart or the tianguis. We don't shop at SL other than for some one off specialty thing such as Chili powder. The last time I was in there was over a year ago. I stand by my opinion that SL is a rip off on many things. I don't care if it is import, there are items that are still being marked up 400% when it arrives here plain and simple. You people can shop there all you like. I won't.

I also still stand by my comments that Pancho could rid the lot of those kids anytime he chooses. He simply chooses not to. I will no longer sympathize with those that complain yet continue to patronize the place.

So far, I think you're the only one complaining. . .just sayin'.

CBob, which items at SuperLake are marked up 400% and where do you get that information?

Trailrunner wrote:So far, I think you're the only one complaining. . .just sayin'.

I haven't complained at all. I just don't patronize the place for the reasons I have stated. I was just trying to offer a solution for those who want something done about the apparent band of kids that terrorize the parking lot. I could care less about the place otherwise and in fact now I could care less about those kids too. Carry on and happy shopping.

OMG someone said "Twizzlers" and now I can't stop thinking about them.

brigitte wrote:Chedraui is not that great either, of course it varies according to areas but forget them
when it comes to specialty items.

Chedraui is nothing to write home about.

CanuckBob wrote:





I also still stand by my comments that Pancho could rid the lot of those kids anytime he chooses. He simply chooses not to. 

He could get rid of those kids in a New York minute,they wouldn't be tolerated in Guadalajara.

I'm coming over to take your blood pressure.

Bottom line,  don't complain about panhandling,  crappy parking if your happy with Pancho, his store ,his prices...
Continue on.. but others are and will post thier thoughts and will.. so deal with it. .

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Where do you live??? I forget, but I know it's not here! LOLOLOL

Great thread, you should see my emails. Lots of laughs.

If you will note, the people complaining and the people defending are actually two different groups of people! Several of us even made a point of saying we had never been hassled or stolen from at SuperLake. Now we get lectured about where to shop by someone who doesn't even live in Mexico!
Besides, if I want to complain about something at SuperLake and still shop there, I can do that too. You don't have to read it but I still can write it.

Lady Otter Latté wrote:CBob, which items at SuperLake are marked up 400% and where do you get that information?

Well let's start with a can of Bush's Beans that sell at Walmart NOB for about $1.00. At SL they are around $5. I'm sure SL isn't buying product at full retail (but let's say he does) and he doesn't pay duties on products made within the USA. He would pay 16% IVA plus shipping. His landed cost would be approx. $1.25.

There are countless other items that are priced similarly and some that are probably marked up even more. I'm not faulting SL or suggesting they should do otherwise. I guess supply and demand dictates.......

And since SL sells in pesos they are going to have to raise their prices about 30% if they want to maintain those margins on the imported items. While that won't affect his US customers since the USD is trading so high I imagine that it will affect his Canadian customer count. Hopefully the US expats can support him for a while.

CanuckBob wrote:

Lady Otter Latté wrote:CBob, which items at SuperLake are marked up 400% and where do you get that information?

Well let's start with a can of Bush's Beans that sell at Walmart NOB for about $1.00. At SL they are around $5. I'm sure SL isn't buying product at full retail (but let's say he does) and he doesn't pay duties on products made within the USA. He would pay 16% IVA plus shipping. His landed cost would be approx. $1.25.

There are countless other items that are priced similarly and some that are probably marked up even more. I'm not faulting SL or suggesting they should do otherwise. I guess supply and demand dictates.......

And then, there's the consideration that some people move to a foreign country but just can't get used to the fact that things are different on many levels, including the food available at the "regular" stores.  They want U.S. food.  Thus, the demand. Pancho is a smart businessman and provides the supply.  Furthermore, the customers know what happens to the prices between the Costco delivery truck arrival and the shelf, but they've willing to pay the toll.   Now, if some of them would just be more polite to the help and some of the others would stop trying to shoplift and if the kids harassing folks would beat it, all would be perfect.

I think telling us how much Bush's Beans sell for at Walmart in Mexico would be a better comparison.
Pancho has proven himself to be an astute businessman in touch with his market. He has survived here for a long time by knowing his customers. I am sure he will survive this too. Unless, he gets tired of dealing with cranky expats and closes the store to do something else.

They don't sell Bush's Beans at WalMart in Mexico. We are discussing all the items that he imports directly from the US because they are not available domestically.....

If Pancho was in touch with his market he would get rid of the kids. You don't find them at WalMart, Soriana's or Toritos. Any idea why not? I have a few.

Well, then. Apparently those people who MUST have Bush's Beans are willing to pay whatever they cost and can afford it. If they did not the price would come down or the beans would no longer be available.

Please share your ideas, Bob. It might help unravel the mystery.

Umm, you know. . .I haven't mentioned this before but I haven't seen the kids for a few weeks. If you don't go there, how do you know anything about what is going on there? So, what are the 'few ideas' you have?

Also, the imported foods arrive in several ways: Some come often from Costco, SL imports some, many/if not most items are brought in by Juan Muro's import and distribution company Abastos Gourmet, and others are brought in by other distributors. I wouldn't want Juan's business for anything! So many hassles, maintaining reefer trucks, licenses, paying import duties, probable mordida payments, bla bla bla. Most times I'm hanging out with Juan in the store Pancho is yelling at him about his prices.

So, CB, tell us what else you know about the import gourmet food business. . .

Actually I have bought imports at SL cheaper than at Walmart. It pays to look at the prices . I only buy items there I cannot find somewhere else so price comparaison is irrelevant. Sometimes he has French cheeses I cannot find other places. peanut oil whic I always cook with and cannot find easily or on a consistent basis in other places and so . I do not buy canned food so I cannot speak about that.

Trailrunner wrote:So, CB, tell us what else you know about the import gourmet food business. . .

I have a degree in transportation logistics. I was in retail and distribution for 30 years. We imported product from all over the world. I know a little bit about the subject.

Trailrunner wrote:Umm, you know. . .I haven't mentioned this before but I haven't seen the kids for a few weeks. If you don't go there, how do you know anything about what is going on there? So, what are the 'few ideas' you have?

Why speculate? Since you appear to be tight with Pancho why don't you simply ask him where the kids went and/or why he lets them in his parking lot while the other markets do not.

"If Pancho was in touch with his market he would get rid of the kids. You don't find them at WalMart, Soriana's or Toritos. Any idea why not? I have a few." -- CBob

I do not understand why you would raise an interesting point, say you have ideas about the answer and then refuse to say what those ideas are.

Because I'm done with the subject on here now. You'll have to spring for coffee if you want to hear any more of my ideas.

I don't want to hear them THAT bad.  

Jajaja......I didn't think so......