Am I being a cheapskate or are the farmers markets an absolute ripoff?

JackieChang

Was fleeced at the Douglas market yesterday. Got the tiniest falafel wrap I've ever seen for €7.50. I was actually hungrier after I finished it. It just teased my belly. What's more they used raw Tesco value fajita wraps rather than proper flatbread. And the falafel nuggets themselves were tiny. With the amount of middle easterns in Irish society these days I'd be mortified selling these things in case they saw me.

Had a look at the burrito stall too to see what they were selling. Also tiny wraps. I'd call them child's portions. Used to be much bigger and cheaper.

Am I being a cheapskate or is this normal for the farmers markets? Hadn't actually been to one in a while. Used to get sultan kebabs quite often. No sign of sultan there yesterday. Prices in general have increased, which happens I guess. But portion size and quality has decreased.

It hardly costs that much to run a tent for 4 hours that you have to gouge your customers. How is it that actual brick and mortar shops are cheaper where they have to pay ESB, gas, rent, water charges etc? Can't wrap my head around it.

Feel sorry for tourists who happen upon these places after trying out markets in London or mainland Europe.

Anyway, rant over. I just hate being ripped off.

Anybody else care to share their thoughts? Maybe recommend a good value stall?

endacl

A voluntary and discretionary purchase cannot be a ripoff.

JackieChang

endacl wrote: »

A voluntary and discretionary purchase cannot be a ripoff.

It's not as if I saw the tiny wrap and said "oh that's looks tiny I'll buy it".

You pay for the wrap before they even make it and don't see it until about 5 minutes later. I had no idea it would be so small.

Black_Knight

Last I seen, Brendan's burritos were massive! Very tasty too. Though I've never had them at the Douglas market.

I have noticed some poorer quality stalls though. In my mind I feel like they're riding on the cost tails of the better ones.

limnam

JackieChang wrote: »

It's not as if I saw the tiny wrap and said "oh that's looks tiny I'll buy it".

You pay for the wrap before they even make it and don't see it until about 5 minutes later. I had no idea it would be so small.

Did you say anything to them when you eventually did see it?

gozunda

I can categorically confirm that no farmer was involved in said 'falafel' products whatsover ... It's one thing at least we cant be blamed for

Now if you would like some first rate cabbages I'd be yer man ...

JackieChang

limnam wrote: »

Did you say anything to them when you eventually did see it?

Three of us got the wrap, and all three were as tiny as eachother so it wasn't a "manufacturing error" that I could complain about. The gouging was part of their business model. So I just took it on the chin.

What should I have said?

limnam

JackieChang wrote: »

Three of us got the wrap, and all three were as tiny as eachother so it wasn't a "manufacturing error" that I could complain about. The gouging was part of their business model. So I just took it on the chin.

What should I have said?

I'm not suggesting it was, but if people never mention it and keep paying for it. Why would they change the model?

893bet

Supermarkets have set expectations of low prices.

dunleakelleher

JackieChang wrote: »

It hardly costs that much to run a tent for 4 hours

I believe it cost a small fortune to rent a space and there are none available ever.

So the whole idea of the farmers market where he brings his product to you with no overheads is gone.

but yes they are a rip-off

JackieChang

893bet wrote: »

Supermarkets have set expectations of low prices.

I wouldn't be comparing them to supermarkets. Instead I'd compare them to the independent brick and mortar shops that sell the same thing. I know the going rate for falafel wraps, burritos etc. Umi in town use proper flatbread for example and are €2 cheaper, the wraps are bigger, and they have to pay god knows how much rent for a city centre location. And I'm usually disabled for 4 hours after eating a burrito from the independent burrito spots dotted around the city. Which are bigger and cheaper than the markets, and just as tasty. (Had a great one recently in Cavalera just down the road from the market).

It's also other markets around the world that have set my expectations of 'good value' , not low prices per se. I wouldn't mind paying €7.50 if it was more than two bites and wasn't wrapped in raw tesco value fajita dough.

Black_Knight wrote: »

Last I seen, Brendan's burritos were massive! Very tasty too. Though I've never had them at the Douglas market.

To be fair Brendan wasn't working there yesterday. I remember getting a burrito from him last year in the Ballincollig market that was the size of my head. There was a couple of youngsters there doing the burritos which looked very skinny. But then again, why are they €8? Most expensive burritos in town. Also uses less meat, because the beef burritos are a 50/50 rice and mince mix.

JackieChang

dunleakelleher wrote: »

I believe it cost a small fortune to rent a space and there are none available ever.

So the whole idea of the farmers market where he brings his product to you with no overheads is gone.

but yes they are a rip-off

The system is fecked then. Who do they pay this small fortune to?

Actually I just remembered, I had a very excellent value farmer's market meal from an Ethiopian lady. She's in Mahon and Midleton. Savage food and great value (not low price but that doesn't matter. It's good value. Portion size, taste etc. matches the price)

limnam

JackieChang wrote: »

The system is fecked then. Who do they pay this small fortune to?

Actually I just remembered, I had a very excellent value farmer's market meal from an Ethiopian lady. She's in Mahon and Midleton. Savage food and great value (not low price but that doesn't matter. It's good value. Portion size, taste etc. matches the price)

Had her food in Midleton. One of the best meals I've had at a market.


There's a Caribbean chicken/rice stall in Ballincollig last few months that's a really good portion for the price too..

dory

There used be a guy selling paté. He was the only person I felt wasn't a rip off. These days it's just very overpriced wraps. I don't bother going to the Douglas one any more, used be my go to place when I'd a hangover.

JackieChang

limnam wrote: »

There's a Caribbean chicken/rice stall in Ballincollig last few months that's a really good portion for the price too..

Must check that out on Wednesday. I'm only 10 mins away in work.

By the way, the star of this thread: €7.50 child's portion wrap I got yesterday, with raw tesco value fajita bread, attached below. And I don't have big hands. Light as a feather, held it with a few fingers.

Click them for a bigger image. Second one you can see how raw the dough is. Am I overreacting?

Hogzy

Is that from rocketman? Iv been there a tonne of times and iv never ever had anything that small from them.

giggs76

JackieChang wrote: »

Must check that out on Wednesday. I'm only 10 mins away in work.

By the way, the star of this thread: €7.50 child's portion wrap I got yesterday, with raw tesco value fajita bread, attached below. And I don't have big hands. Light as a feather, held it with a few fingers.

Click them for a bigger image. Second one you can see how raw the dough is. Am I overreacting?

Absolute rip off you wouldn't give that to a child, i'll spread the word and lets all spread the word, maybe when there business starts slowing they won't be so greedy.

But at the end of day it's typical ireland

airy fairy

I never go to Farmers markets anymore.
Overpriced dinners, or bits of dinners, like wraps and the likes for over inflated prices.
Same goes for their 'organic' fruit and veg, their gluten free baking ,(coming from kitchen with no certification), their artisan breads....
Cam you tell that they all irritate me?!
Go into m&s rather than the market next time.

the beer revolu

Wraps are cooked and ready to eat.
Why do you keep going on about "raw" dough?

Yes, looks small and poor value.

JackieChang

the beer revolu wrote: »

Wraps are cooked and ready to eat.
Why do you keep going on about "raw" dough?

You're supposed to cook them for a few minutes first. Oven or microwave. The bread was dry and raw that's all.

ongarboy

I never go near farmers market because I always find them over priced and being honest, I am not that discerning when it comes to organic, artisan, free range, fair trade, corn fed, hand foraged etc etc. However, as some people are really into all of those things and can spot/taste the difference, I'd expect that a premium price would need to be paid as they are more expensive to produce than the generic variety.

Saying that OP, this was a definite opportunity for you to raise it directly with the stall vendor (even just to make an observation on the size of the portions and to query the brand of the wraps). Too many people vent/rant online but it's meaningless and a little bit keyboard warrior-ish if you are not making the vendor/proprietor etc aware.

the beer revolu

JackieChang wrote: »

You're supposed to cook them for a few minutes first. Oven or microwave. The bread was dry and raw that's all.

No. They are ready to eat.
That can be warmed, of course, but insisting that a cooked product is raw is just daft.

kingtut

So you knew the price before you placed the order but didn't realise it would be a tiny portion until you got it ... that part is fair enough.

What I don't get is that you didn't seem to have said anything to the stall owner! If you weren't happy with what you were given why didn't you complain or ask for a refund?

fonecrusher1

Based on the pics he got ripped off. 100% agree with him. If it was 3 or 4 euro fair enough but 7.50 for that is insane. Nothing cheapskate about it.

In all honesty I couldn't have walked away from that and not said anything. I wouldn't ask for a refund for food that has been prepared and handed to me but I'd definitely give my feedback and make sure I never went near them again. Joke.

Blaizes

No you’re not being a cheapskate more like those guys are chancers selling substandard food at ott prices.

I would agree with the above poster who suggested you complain. In general ripping people off seems to be an Irish thing and businesses know people are too quiet and won’t complain. Maybe ask the price first in future as well. Still disgraceful though.

MarkY91

JackieChang wrote: »

Must check that out on Wednesday. I'm only 10 mins away in work.

By the way, the star of this thread: €7.50 child's portion wrap I got yesterday, with raw tesco value fajita bread, attached below. And I don't have big hands. Light as a feather, held it with a few fingers.

Click them for a bigger image. Second one you can see how raw the dough is. Am I overreacting?

Wouldn't pay €4 for that ****e. Nevermind €7.50. well and truly ripped off.

Naos

dunleakelleher wrote: »

I believe it cost a small fortune to rent a space and there are none available ever.

How much does it cost to rent a space?

fonecrusher1

Correct me if I'm wrong here but should you not be asked for money after the food has been prepared & presented to you?

G Shock

Welcome to Ireland!
Everyone is just out to gouge as much as they can from your wallet.

limnam

Naos wrote: »

How much does it cost to rent a space?

I know it was brought up as a point but it's fairly irrelevant.


The cost of the rent.


The cost of the food



etc


It's all irrelevant.

run_Forrest_run

if you want wraps head over to Wilton on a Tuesday, Gally's Kitchen, OK not cheap (€8 for a beef burrito I believe) but they are very big and taste amazing.
I've wandered around the Douglas one before, very little signs of value for money.

Naos

limnam wrote: »

I know it was brought up as a point but it's fairly irrelevant.


The cost of the rent.


The cost of the food



etc


It's all irrelevant.

How exactly is it irrelevant? It is a direct factor in the cost of the falafel.

JackieChang

fonecrusher1 wrote: »

In all honesty I couldn't have walked away from that and not said anything. I wouldn't ask for a refund for food that has been prepared and handed to me but I'd definitely give my feedback and make sure I never went near them again. Joke.

It's just one of those things where you say feck it, I should have went back and said something. But they're wrapped in paper, then put in thicker paper bag, you can't see them when you get them. We carried them off to find somewhere to sit as the place was packed, and by the time we found a spot and everything was unwrapped we were just so starving we said feck it.

If I got it uncovered just in his bare hands I probably would have asked them to fill it up a bit more. I go to Umi fairly often because I bloody love falafels and always ask for more fillings if I think the pittas are a bit light.

fonecrusher1

JackieChang wrote: »

It's just one of those things where you say feck it, I should have went back and said something. But they're wrapped in paper, then put in thicker paper bag, you can't see them when you get them. We carried them off to find somewhere to sit as the place was packed, and by the time we found a spot everything was unwrapped we were just so starving we said feck it.

If I got it uncovered just in his bare hands I probably would have asked them to fill it up a bit more. I go to Umi fairly often because I bloody love falafels and always ask for more fillings if I think the pittas are a bit light.

Ah sure fair enough. At least you know not to go back to them.

You'd get a KC's creole for that!!!

JackieChang

the beer revolu wrote: »

No. They are ready to eat.
That can be warmed, of course, but insisting that a cooked product is raw is just daft.

I called them raw because it was like eating dry raw dough.

It's not that they can be warmed - they're supposed to be warmed. I actually put them on a frying pan with a bit of oil before using them. The packages recommend the oven or microwave. I know Brendans burritos puts them on the pan too with a bit of oil and it's yummy. The lads at Sultan's kebab do the same.

With my wrap they were straight out the packet. Dry and ... raw!

Why don't you stop being daft and get out of this thread if you've nothing useful to contribute? I'm enjoying reading the responses here and you're ruining it.

JackieChang

limnam wrote: »

I know it was brought up as a point but it's fairly irrelevant.


The cost of the rent.


The cost of the food



etc


It's all irrelevant.

I'm curious about the cost too, would just like to know. Why is it irrelevant?

Roger Hassenforder

I do love a jerimiad where a person knows they were well and truly ripped off, having paid their hard earned money to be bitterly dissapointed.

Other than not patronizing the stall again, or a strongly worded letter, there isnt much you can do but take it on the chin OP, sorry for your loss.
Its the helplessness that grates most. I cant imagine them giving your money back unless you caused an absolute scene, which we Irish are reluctant to do.


Theres the odd genuine potted apple chutney or head of cabbage salesman (*nods) , but I always thought "farmers markets" was a euphemism for hucksters ripping off the hopeful and the gullible. I just think of Dinny. Plus, isnt one of the Allens involved in running them?

dhaughton99

Wtf is a falafel?

Hogzy

dhaughton99 wrote: »

Wtf is a falafel?

Google it, its quicker than posting asking the question.

corks finest

JackieChang wrote:

Was fleeced at the Douglas market yesterday. Got the tiniest falafel wrap I've ever seen for €7.50. I was actually hungrier after I finished it. It just teased my belly. What's more they used raw Tesco value fajita wraps rather than proper flatbread. And the falafel nuggets themselves were tiny. With the amount of middle easterns in Irish society these days I'd be mortified selling these things in case they saw me.

You're not being mean - greatest hoax since Orson Welles told us that aliens have landed- yummy mummies just lovvvve the place, paying top dollar for stuff you get in Tesco 1 minutes walk away for up to half the price

Mardyke

I'd say most of these people have never seen a farm in their lives.

I find these markets are usually ruined by all the vans parked on pavements and shoddy stalls. The one on the main street in Douglas looks an awful state.

corks finest

limnam wrote:

I'm not suggesting it was, but if people never mention it and keep paying for it. Why would they change the model?

Vote with yere feet boys- don't return

limnam

Naos wrote: »

How exactly is it irrelevant? It is a direct factor in the cost of the falafel.

It has a direct factor in the cost to the vendor. It has no correlation with what the vendor is charging.

e.g There's no rule if it costs x to produce it can only be charged at y.

If the rent in ballincollig is less than say Douglas. Burrito man doesn't charge less in Ballincollig.

People seem to think if something is cheap to produce it shouldn't be expensive.

So if the answer is douglas is 50e a day more than somewhere. but the price is the same

why is it relevant?

limnam

JackieChang wrote: »

I'm curious about the cost too, would just like to know. Why is it irrelevant?

If it turns out its actually very cheap.

And has a friend working somewhere he gets massively discounted ingredients.

Is it relevant? does it matter?

Would you open your mouth then?

whisky_galore

corks finest wrote: »

Vote with yere feet boys- don't return

Wouldn't bother with them. Just a bunch of spoofers riding the wave of food wankery.

A borderline racket.

_Brian

Nobody seems able to have a steady sustainable business model in Ireland any more.
Business seems to just set up, gouge out as much short term profit as possible and then close.

This includes commercial rents etc.

Nice cafe close to us closing this week because the rent is just being hiked up and up all the time. Previous tenant had same problem with same landlord, get them let them establish and then gouge them for rent, they leave, no rent for 6-12 months and then next sucker comes along and same process.

It’s like the overall countries trend of boom and bust, were destined to repeat this over and over. The expensive flaffel op is talking about is just a symptom of the Irish business condition.

spillcoe

The fish stall is pretty good value as is the farmer selling the veg but the rest are pretty overpriced alright.

Haven't gone to the falafel place but the mexican place that is usually there do a good size wrap.

whisky_galore

_Brian wrote: »

Nobody seems able to have a steady sustainable business model in Ireland any more.
Business seems to just set up, gouge out as much short term profit as possible and then close.

This includes commercial rents etc.

Nice cafe close to us closing this week because the rent is just being hiked up and up all the time. Previous tenant had same problem with same landlord, get them let them establish and then gouge them for rent, they leave, no rent for 6-12 months and then next sucker comes along and same process.

It’s like the overall countries trend of boom and bust, were destined to repeat this over and over. The expensive flaffel op is talking about is just a symptom of the Irish business condition.

A grain of truth there. It's high up and low down and the reason why people will sue at the drop of a hat if there's a smell of easy money. Instant money/short term gratification, no thought of long term consequences.

the beer revolu

JackieChang wrote: »

Why don't you stop being daft and get out of this thread if you've nothing useful to contribute?

Well, I would but....

https://images.app.goo.gl/vkBrdGQWUKELELf57

Ludo

G Shock wrote: »

Welcome to Ireland!
Everyone is just out to gouge as much as they can from your wallet.

Coz that only happens in Ireland...:rolleyes:

Tom44

Why are they called "farmers markets " when the vast, vast, majority have nothing to do with farming ?
Open market, would be more authentic.

Find the farmer competition starts tomorrow.


Farmers' market
Market featuring foods sold directly by farmers to consumers A farmers' market is a physical retail marketplace intended to sell foods directly by farmers to consumers. Farmers' markets may be indoors or outdoors and typically consi

"Farmers' market" on @Wikipedia: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farmers%27_market?wprov=sfta1