Udon's most expensive bar

Grasshopper wrote:A quality contribution which I am sure all will appreciate, some plain truths (many of them) about marketing and business ownership in Udon. Nice one laphanphon.

I agree with your points about 100% mark-up (or thereabouts) and that selling for upto 80 for a small is perceived as unreasonable by many (including me, I do not see that much value anywhere in Udon).

Fair point on trubrit's resale prices based on wholesale price.

On another note, I am sure that many of the busineses in Udon are of the lifestyle genre, where not much more than basic living standards + a little extra is the primary objective. Not really profit orientated.

Regards.

Wow that was a hasty back pedal. As a qualified accountant and a director of marketing,I do know how to calculate the difference between markup and profitability, and for your information Tesco started life in Exmouth St market in London EC1, with a small market stall and eventually took over the shop they were trading outside of, The Home & Colonial store. How do I know? I lived round the corner from there and regularly shopped there.Any way its good to know you aren't looking to make a fortune from a bar in Udon, and your not really profit orientated, at least you won't be disappointed.

Peddle back yes. I have pulled my head in on the Tesco start-up capital issue, and as a man I am not ashamed or embarrassed to admit that I am wrong about that point. Apologies to Trubrit.

I also like the market as the food is great and the place has a nice buzz about it, being a hive of activity. However, it is possible for a market bar/restaurant to offer highly competitive pricing, considering the low overheads and probable tax benefits they have. Clearly offering food, often a higher profit margin product, could also allow lower pricing for beers in such a business. This is a competitive advantage that the businesses in the market location can lever, which is clearly good for them and their market segment of consumers (no pun intended).

It is true what the late Lord Cohen said about 'pile them high, sell them cheap', however, that as a basic business model and marketing strategy is just not suitable for all businesses all of the time. As a marketing specialist you will also be familiar with the concepts of market segmentation, targeting and positioning. These mould strategy through identifying, choosing and serving different customer groups. The point is some people don't want just cheap beer, they are looking for more than just a 'pile them high, sell them cheap' offering. Some people want 'bells and whistles', some want girls, and some want a beer garden et al. I belief it would erroneous to believe that 'pile them high, sell them cheap' is the best answer to all customers needs in Udon. True maybe some. Furthermore, to provide a more balanced argument, it would the logical (and only!) model to follow if that is what all the customers want, I do not belief this to be the case though.

A point I truly agree with is what you are saying about business considerations regarding marketing and accounting that should be properly addressed at the pre-venture stage. Not during the creation or post start-up phases. Historically, market orientated (lack of customer focus) and accounting misjudgements (in particular undercapitalisation, early dept capitalisation and poor cash flow management), all types of preventable error, have cost many an entrepreneurs wallet

Trubrit, as a gesture of goodwill I would like to offer you a beer.

I dont drink in outdoor bars, its too hot and more than happy to pay whatever the extra is to have air con premises.

U cant compare the retail price of a beer at Tesco / 7/11 to the price in a bar. Retail giants have huge purchasing powers, small bars dont.

I sit on a chair in my air con bar , rest my arm on the bar, listen to the music, perhaps order a bar snack, having consumed 3 beers , I then use the toilet provided. Cant do that in 7/11 etc.... Where did that welcomed free chilled cold refresher towel come from ?? , Its certainly not a freebie provided by San Miguel.

Even the price of ur Tesco beer increases, when u get home and stick it in the fridge to cool it,your fridge costs say 200 baht per month to run ?? , or u add an extra 5 baht for the bag of ice at 7/11 .

wazza wrote:I dont drink in outdoor bars, its too hot and more than happy to pay whatever the extra is to have air con premises.

U cant compare the retail price of a beer at Tesco / 7/11 to the price in a bar. Retail giants have huge purchasing powers, small bars dont.

I sit on a chair in my air con bar , rest my arm on the bar, listen to the music, perhaps order a bar snack, having consumed 3 beers , I then use the toilet provided. Cant do that in 7/11 etc.... Where did that welcomed free chilled cold refresher towel come from ?? , Its certainly not a freebie provided by San Miguel.

Even the price of ur Tesco beer increases, when u get home and stick it in the fridge to cool it,your fridge costs say 200 baht per month to run ?? , or u add an extra 5 baht for the bag of ice at 7/11 .

I agree wazza....
And what with the cost of fuel,,the logistical costs of going to Tesco to get the beer in the first place has to be taken into account, and lets face it you always seem to pick something else up when buying those beers, and its always something that you didn't bargain for.

Grasshopper wrote:Trubrit, as a gesture of goodwill I would like to offer you a beer.

A very nice gesture but not necessary as your comments were taken as general and mine were not directed at any particular bar but just as an illustration of what seems to be the prevalent attitude to bars in general by the retiree's of Udon. May I wish you good luck in your venture anyway.

It seems ironic that the title of this forun is 'Udon's most expensive bar', yet the recent topic of primary interest has been Udon's cheapest bar!!

Well Trubrit in relation to your statement above I say 'Audio, video, disco' - The question is does anybody else?

Grasshopper wrote:It seems ironic that the title of this forun is 'Udon's most expensive bar', yet the recent topic of primary interest has been Udon's cheapest bar!!

Well Trubrit in relation to your statement above I say 'Audio, video, disco' - The question is does anybody else?

Naturally the terms 'Most expensive" and "Cheapest" are relative to each other. You cannot talk about one without having an opposite measure to compare it with it. Surely?
Sorry , I do not understand the audio, video, disco reference. If you are trying to imply these are add on benefits you will be providing that the night market does not offer, thereby justifying the higher beer price, I am sorry you are mistaken. The NM has a very large projection screen and several strategically placed plasma screen tv's on which it is possible to watch True satellite programmes, premiership football, rugby and grand prix motor racing in season. Thai news via cable link and of course the ever present kareoke singers and concerts.What it doesn't have I must admit is a disco ( who said thank god?), but it has been known for some of the forum members to get up and attempt a few steps, especially when we get round to the 4th one free stage.

Attempt a few steps to the Hong Narm more like.

trubrit wrote:

Grasshopper wrote:It seems ironic that the title of this forun is 'Udon's most expensive bar', yet the recent topic of primary interest has been Udon's cheapest bar!!

Well Trubrit in relation to your statement above I say 'Audio, video, disco' - The question is does anybody else?

Naturally the terms 'Most expensive" and "Cheapest" are relative to each other. You cannot talk about one without having an opposite measure to compare it with it. Surely?
Sorry , I do not understand the audio, video, disco reference. If you are trying to imply these are add on benefits you will be providing that the night market does not offer, thereby justifying the higher beer price, I am sorry you are mistaken. The NM has a very large projection screen and several strategically placed plasma screen tv's on which it is possible to watch True satellite programmes, premiership football, rugby and grand prix motor racing in season. Thai news via cable link and of course the ever present kareoke singers and concerts.What it doesn't have I must admit is a disco ( who said thank god?), but it has been known for some of the forum members to get up and attempt a few steps, especially when we get round to the 4th one free stage.

Yes, a comparison is useful with the opposite ends of the price continuum, the comment was a statement of mild ironic humour!

I thought that an intelligent comment would appeal to the wit and intelligence of most readers - 'Audio, Video, Disco' is Latin for 'I hear, I see, I learn'. The Latin comment was made in relation to Trubrit's important marketing related statement about a certain segment of the Udon population, and that I understood what he was saying. Trubrit, I was thanking you for your contribution to our local knowledge.

I get the feeling that someone is taking a position solely for the sake of a discussion or argument, advocatus diaboli, AKA devils advocate...

What are the toilets like in the night market, I can't stand smelly, dingy toilets, if I'm in a place like that I'd feel like I'm slumming it. I only went to the night market once, the guy I was with directed me to a long table with fixed bench seats, no back support and tricky to get the legs in and out. Sometimes you gotta pay a little more for your personal comforts. Some people don't care, but none of us are stupid, we know how much bars are profiting, we know our likes and dislikes, we know how far we want our money to stretch each night, we know when we are being ripped off, the problem is not all bar owners know that we know.

By-the-way the seats at The Englishman's Retreat cost 2,500bt each, they were chosen cos when you sit in them you want to take them home with you, and the best reason of all you don't get a sweaty arse on them, rather important don't you think? In about 5 yrs if I'm lucky they will all need replacing now how can I do that if the average customer stays all night drinks 3 beers and I make 14bt per bottle on each, someone please enlighten me.

Glyn ,you hit on the two negatives for me at the NM and make a good point for someone to not go into the bar business in Thailand

toilets are maintained, quite well, some of the best in town, considering there usage. and the wood benches are just ok, unless back problem like myself. which seems to be the general consensus, since lately, we have been using the yellow metal chairs w/back support. so all is good at market.

Never had a problem at the night market in finding a comfortable and clean seat -- outside or in the toilet. I'll be back!

As LA said, "all is good at market."

I was walking down the the new falong road and I stopped in a bar and bought my self a coke and
lady a beer the check was 110 baht my coke was 20 baht that over 3 bucks in USD that a lot of money to pay for a bottle of beer & a coke sorry Glyn I don't agree with you if you make the mistake in opening a bar why should your patrons pay the price ?