Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Yesterday at Lemar, just outside Girne on the Karakum road. At the freezer we were looking at the whole ducks they have on display, they were priced at 29tl, we got one. When we got to the checkout my husband asked just to be sure how much they were. The cashier told us they were 31tl. When we said the price was marked at 29tl, she just shrugged her shoulders. We had to insist she get someone to go and check the price, one of the other workers went to have a look, we were waiting for ages and in the end my husband went looking for him. He was talking to someone. I think he was hoping we would have given up and paid the price of 31tl. Anyway we did pay it, but my husband told them that he was warning them, they have to control the pricing of goods. I know a lot of you would probably not have bought it and walked out but I could not resist it. I will always check the prices of frozen goods from now on as it is usually very difficult to find the price of different foods the way the supermarket mark them.

In the UK a shop is not obligied to sell you a product. If you get to till and price is different you can say you are not prepared to pay but similarly the shop keep has the right to say he does not wish to sell to you.

Of course mistakes happen and customer service is always a good thing to keep right to ensure customers return. An example of that here is Ileli in Alsancak, a family run enterprise that prides itself on goo service.

I think using the term "warning them" is rather a waste of time particularly when you are talking to "workers" quite frankly that person will have shut down and ignored you, I would have. Remember that priceing is done by the supplier not by Lemar staff so has nothing to do with them. If you really want to make a statement then go to the top and talk to the owners not the poorly paid workers.

Family run enterprises always seem to give better service (though not necessarily lower prices and a better variety of goods) than a chain. Even if you are not served by a member of the family, the staff seem to be more motivated and stay longer so one gets to know them. I suppose it applies anywhere but particularly here - one of the reasons regret the increasing development and "Westernisation" of the country. Usually it seems to me worthwhile being loyal to the tried and tested even if it means a TL or two extra on some items, or missing out on an unusual item.

I went to the new Tempo this morning - one item I wanted wasnt priced at all, and for another I couldnt find a member of staff who spoke English or would make the effort to understand my (admittely poor) Turkish. Gave up in disgust and went to Supreme (which I knew I could find an English speaker if necessary) and a very helpful member of staff managed to communicate in a mixture of two languages and even pointed out an alternative at a special offer. Two other things on my list (which had been full or unpriced at Tempo) were also on offer!!!! A shame because I have always found the "old" Tempo in Girne very helpful, but I think the family still work there.

I agree with "Cyprus is home" - if you feel it necessary to complain (and personally I wouldnt for 2TL unless it kept happening) no point in going on at staff. Demand to see the manager ("patron" pronounced as in French with the emphasis on the first syllable means "boss") who is paid to take the flak and should be able to do something about it.

I have been using Lemar since they first opened. Over the years, we have had the same experience that items are shon on the shelf as one price but at the till they are totally different.
I have challenged the management on their out of date pricing but was met with a very negative attitude. Basically if you don't like it, then go and shop somewhere else. Up until recently there was not much competition. Now you can take your trade elsewhere, The large Erulku supermarket on the way to Ercan offers very competative prices, although it has not, as yet set its target firmly on the Ex-pat community.

A lot of supermarkets out here now have a bar code scanner available for use by customers (if you can find it) and although it does not completely solve the problem at least if you have any doubt about the price of an item you can check prior to paying for it.

I mainly stick to Erdener and Supreme and the old Tempo if I am in town. They are convenient, I have used them for years, I know the people and get excellent service 9 times out of l0. If I want to check a price I ask them, and they will happily put it back if I decide its too expensive. I try others occasionally to make sure I am not missing something but always revert to the old favourites.

My main complaint about all the Supermarkets is that they will insist on either pushing things through too fast and/or packing the bags themselves, and I end up with bleach in the butter.......I like to pack in the order I unpack and particularly with frozen foods sepatate so they can go straight in the freezer, but I cant get it over.

We have also used the large supermarket near to Ercan. Called in on the off chance and found it to have an excellent variety of goods and at great prices. Little to far to travel but worth a look if you are passing.

Glad they have not yet targeted the ex pat community!

Erulku have no need to target foreigners, they are busy all day every day with people from Lefkosa.
There is some signage in English. Also they now have attached the very good Ca Cao restaurant.

Keep up the good work Erulku Supermarket.

I like Eruklu too & they regularly do a free gift offer. Last time I went it was a free handwash for each 50tl spent.

I like to use the scanner if unsure on price. One of my favourite supermarkets has the scanner it is next to 1001 over the mountain back way to Famagusta. Great little place.