Prices at the Market

RonMexico

Am I the only one who is absolutely gobsmacked at some of the prices at the market these days? Now I do think the whole area is a lot better now and there is a real buzz about the place which is great for the city. But the prices are shocking! There is one stall in particular where I have noticed it most. It is the one with the deli counter that is part of the permanent stalls that have the seating area overhead. I picked up a jar of pesto in there last Saturday - €16 !!! I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was a big jar, about the size of an Uncle Bens jar, but it is still way way overpriced. That stall has ridiculous prices for almost everything.

Other stalls too are in my opinion, very expensive. The cheese stalls are all too expensive and seemingly charge whatever they like for a slice of cheese. The same size slice of cheese can vary in price enormously from one week to the next. Then there is the stall selling fudge and chocolate cake. I was just about to buy some when I noticed one of the cakes crawling with wasps:eek: The person at the stall didn't appear to be one bit bothered. I have gone to the new market the past few weeks now but I bought hardly anything, maybe a hotdog or a coffee and that is about it. I certainly wouldn't buy any food that is uncovered after what I saw there the last time.

Anyway price wise - Do these people not realise that we are in the middle of a recession?

Has anyone else noticed this?

metamorphosis

Iv always found it over priced even before the change. The artisian chocolate bars - nearly 4e for an 80gm 80% bar when i can get a 100gm bar of lindt 90% for 2e in tescos or 125gm bar in lidl for around 1.20e.

Always found the cheeses and some breads and berries in season over the summer very dear too.

xi

I agree,

However it is market and like any other market it is led by demand.

Enough people must be parting with that type of cash or it would not be viable.

Off to Lidl with us then

ccyy123

xi wrote: »

I agree,

However it is market and like any other market it is led by demand.

Enough people must be parting with that type of cash or it would not be viable.

Off to Lidl with us then

Seriously though, how many people actual buy stuff there regularly. OK, we used to go there fairly often, and occasionally we buy the odd jar of honey or some fruits, but mostly just have a gawk. To price their product that high (than market value), there must be some pretty high steady demand for the stuff.

Berty

I think the main issue is with the perceived margin these sellers need to make in order for it to be worthwhile.

A cheese producer for example will not make cheese in the large bulk that companies would therefore they pay more for milk and whatever other products they need as ingredients.

Couple this with the possible fairtrade, organic and market ambience and expect a few extra % for good measure.

I personally dont buy products in the market because of the prices. There is nothing on sale in the market that would draw me in other than good handmade products but at those prices. No thank you.

And on the Recession thing. Lets not continue to shake that stick at anybody or any company trying to make some money, so long as it is fair and ethical.

black & white

There's very good value (IMHO) from O'Driscolls fish merchants, although you have to be there early as they sell out quickly. The coffee I bought from Ponaire (sp ?) was about 2.50 which is the same price as BB's and the Ponair coffee is far superior - at least their Costa Rica blend is anyway.

I do buy some cheese there but it's not for sticking in sangwidges so I don't mind paying a little more. The fudge/chocolate is lovely but as has been said, is a bit expensive for me. It doesn't seem to put people off though as there always seems to be a queue there.

Fruit and veg is good value and seems fresher than in the supermarkets.


The market is not supposed to in competition with Lidl or Dunnes, it's aimed at attracting "foodies" and building a reputation for good food. I spoke to one city centre restaurant owner who tried everything to get in there and was refused because his "brand" wasn't what the market was looking for.

hightower1

black & white wrote: »

it's aimed at attracting "foodies" and building a reputation for good food. I spoke to one city centre restaurant owner who tried everything to get in there and was refused because his "brand" wasn't what the market was looking for.

So Market = food snobs, gottcha.

ccyy123

Well, fair play to them if they are making decent money. As OP said, it has a great atmosphere which is kind of rare nowadays. Obviously their prices have to be higher since their products are not mass produce, but just not affordable enough to the general population at the moment.

langdang

It's more of an experience or a lifestyle choice than a shopping trip I think - like wearing Ralph Lauren rather than Dunnes. (Thats the only way you could justify some of the prices -there's no way you'd be feeding a family out of the place is there?)

The coffee place does have nice ground coffee for sale. Yes, you could get cheaper but I like theirs.

I have no time for cheese sellers who aren't making it - if I want to buy european cheese brought in on a truck then I'll go to Superquinn, Aldi or Tesco.

I'll pay a bit more at the market if I think it is locally produced and it's good.
These guys make good Effin cheese http://www.milkmarketlimerick.ie/default/index.cfm/traders/jod-food-products-old-irish-creamery/ , garlic and herb mmm mmm.

panda100

The market is very expensive when it comes to food. A single cupcake is something like 4.50 which is ludicrous for a big of eggs and flours!

The flowers,plants,clothes and general knick knacks are very good value though so thats what keeps drawing me back.

langdang

panda100 wrote: »

The flowers,plants,clothes and general knick knacks are very good value though so thats what keeps drawing me back.

Ya, I don't know how they can sell second hand angle grinders and fireplace ornaments so cheap???

Itsdacraic

langdang wrote: »

Ya, I don't know how they can sell second hand angle grinders and fireplace ornaments so cheap???

Never were the words "knick" and "knacks" more appropriate

RonMexico

Yeah I expected things to be more expensive than Dunnes and Tesco but €16 for a jar of Pesto is taking the piss. As for the recession thing - I am just surprised that they are getting enough custom at the moment with prices like that.

bigpink

black & white wrote: »

There's very good value (IMHO) from O'Driscolls fish merchants, although you have to be there early as they sell out quickly. The coffee I bought from Ponaire (sp ?) was about 2.50 which is the same price as BB's and the Ponair coffee is far superior - at least their Costa Rica blend is anyway.

I do buy some cheese there but it's not for sticking in sangwidges so I don't mind paying a little more. The fudge/chocolate is lovely but as has been said, is a bit expensive for me. It doesn't seem to put people off though as there always seems to be a queue there.

Fruit and veg is good value and seems fresher than in the supermarkets.


The market is not supposed to in competition with Lidl or Dunnes, it's aimed at attracting "foodies" and building a reputation for good food. I spoke to one city centre restaurant owner who tried everything to get in there and was refused because his "brand" wasn't what the market was looking for.

What was his brand?

bigpink

panda100 wrote: »

The market is very expensive when it comes to food. A single cupcake is something like 4.50 which is ludicrous for a big of eggs and flours!

The flowers,plants,clothes and general knick knacks are very good value though so thats what keeps drawing me back.

4.50 for a cupcake?Which stall or the coffee shop?

osarusan

Itsdacraic wrote: »

Never were the words "knick" and "knacks" more appropriate

:DI'm in stitches laughing at that:D

black & white

bigpink wrote: »

What was his brand?

If you mean his brand of coffee ? They import and roast coffee themselves.

http://www.ponaire.ie/

metamorphosis

Must get me some Ponaire coffee. I am a bit of a coffee snob so willing to pay a little more for good quality. I uaully give my business to coffee bean website

ccyy123

Well, one of my uncles is also a coffee connoisseur (he claims, anyway) and he's always going on about the "crappy, over commercialized" brands of coffee bean. So, me too will be getting some for him. Does anyone know just how much they are before I actually go in and have a shock?

metamorphosis

ccyy123 wrote: »

Well, one of my uncles is also a coffee connoisseur (he claims, anyway) and he's always going on about the "crappy, over commercialized" brands of coffee bean. So, me too will be getting some for him. Does anyone know just how much they are before I actually go in and have a shock?

Id be far from a coffee connoisseur but know what i like from what i don't. You can order from their website too

black & white

ccyy123 wrote: »

Well, one of my uncles is also a coffee connoisseur (he claims, anyway) and he's always going on about the "crappy, over commercialized" brands of coffee bean. So, me too will be getting some for him. Does anyone know just how much they are before I actually go in and have a shock?

As ULstudent says, you can order from their website. I just had a look and 250g is around a fiver. I've no idea if that's competitive or not TBH.

Berty

black & white wrote: »

As ULstudent says, you can order from their website. I just had a look and 250g is around a fiver. I've no idea if that's competitive or not TBH.

Thats pretty much average. As long as it is actually fresh and ground fresh then thats fairly decent. I need to taste more of the Coffee before I come up with a proper opinion.

His website(Ponaire) talks about "other roasters" from Europe who add sugar compound which is a little disingenuous.

Other coffee imported from roasters in Europe have a sugar compound added.

My Coffee does not have a sugar compound added to it and rivals his Coffee at every step. His quote should say "some"

black & white

What brand is yours Berty ?

Berty

black & white wrote: »

What brand is yours Berty ?

It does not have a brand as such. It's roasted as a quality Coffee as opposed to being a "high street" brand.

http://www.matthewalgie.com

Aidric

Berty wrote: »

His website(Ponaire) talks about "other roasters" from Europe who add sugar compound which is a little disingenuous.



My Coffee does not have a sugar compound added to it and rivals his Coffee at every step. His quote should say "some"

Is it your personal coffee? Doubt it. Now who is being disingenuous?

Berty

Aidric wrote: »

Is it your personal coffee? Doubt it. Now who is being disingenuous?

Of course its not my personally roasted Coffee but that still does not mean that the Coffee I SELL has sugar compound in it.

It's still a little dissapointing to see a local micro roaster knocking products that compete against him like that.

I spoke to Ponaire recently and congratulated them on their awards and on the opening of their Cafe in the Market as it is great to see a Micro Roaster getting ahead but I would never knock somebody elses Coffee.

black & white

Berty wrote: »

Of course its not my personally roasted Coffee but that still does not mean that the Coffee I SELL has sugar compound in it.

It's still a little dissapointing to see a local micro roaster knocking products that compete against him like that.

I spoke to Ponaire recently and congratulated them on their awards and on the opening of their Cafe in the Market as it is great to see a Micro Roaster getting ahead but I would never knock somebody elses Coffee.

Have you customers in Limerick city centre ? If so, let me know and I'll try yours. I go out of the office for a cup most weekday mornings so the more quality choice, the better.