711 inconveniently convenient

Imagine this. You're on your way to a very well planned and a much deserved overnight swimming with your friends then you realized you forgot to bring your sun block. You could bum some with your friends but you remembered the last time you went out with the same crowd they too intentionally forgot to bring one because they know you so well that you will have one ready. Hmmm the resort was only 30 minutes away when you see a very convenient sign. Ahhh Such a life saver.

One of the businesses that minutely felt the global recession according to some reviews. 711 has been around for quite some time now. According to their history, the first 711 store was situated at the corner of Kamias Rd and Edsa in Quezon City back in 1982. Almost 28 years later theres a 711 convenience store in every corner. Operating 24 hours a day and 7days a week thats including holidays. Wow.

This type of convenience don't come cheap though! Believe me it doesn't. Cause you could really feel the price difference between 711 and the general merchandise store. Go ask your mommies.

I remember the first time i got my digital camera. I was really excited to try it and since its battery operated. It required two AA batteries. So i immediately ran to the nearest 711 to try and check out how much the energizer lithium costs. It cost 299 and some cents so i said to myself i could buy rechargeable batteries at 300 bucks so i had to wait till morning. Man can you blame me? So the next morning to the mall and due to curiosity i checked how much the energizer lithium cost at ACE. To my surprise it cost 229 and some cents. can you believe that? I know due to the nature of 711s business the tend to raise their prices a bit but that's almost 70 bucks. I don't thinks that's still reasonable.

Just the other day i bought a party pack of ice at 711. It costs 35 pesos and according to its label its approximately 7 kilos. i highly doubt if that is even 5 kilos or more. But due to the urgency of the situation i had no choice. I raised the issue to the one on the cashier and all they hae to say is. "Ganun ba sir? Sige sabihin ko dun sa nagsusupply sa amin.". Hmmm. Here's another one. a 1.5 liter of Coke now costs 50 Pesos. A couple of days ago it was only 38. The only explanation i could see here is the branch is just clearig out its old stock. But 50 pesos for a 1.5 liter softdrinks. This may be the best reason to quit drinking such beverage. Not beacause this may cause diabetes or something.

I have nothing against 711. As a matter of fact I love having them around. Its just that the way i see it their prices are set beyond reason. I dont even know if the DTI are looking on how 711 sets their prices.

Published on: Apr 15, 2009