As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words:
I agree. After seeing stained jog bras on sale for nearly $30, I was wondering whether it was worth the risk to shop at the Mega on La Transistmica in Panama City, Panama.
I mean, who wants to get home, having paid full price, only to realize that the item they bought has a defect? A single item wasn't about to deter me, but a quick walk around the store proved that the clothing items weren't the only defective ones. A wobbly aluminum table, the top not much larger than a standard bar serving tray, was also on offer for full price (at about $60, way expensive for Panama. You can get sturdy tables that size at Dorians in Albrook Mall for half as much...even less sometimes.)
The children's art supplies were similarly overpriced (and in disarray) and the frozen items (here's where you have to be very careful) were wet, a sure indication the freezers aren't kept up to temp.
I had stopped at Mega because in the past I'd gotten good deals on Neutrogena spray sunblocks and a couple different body lotions and facial washes I couldn't always find elsewhere. But this time I found the prices all pretty high, with the exception of a mother of pearl-based body lotion that came with a soap bar for under $4. On prices I'm not sure Mega spells savings anymore, though I didn't do a thorough Panama Secret Shopper price check and comparison.
What really scared me away, though, was the staff. With the exception of the "cajera" (the young girl at the register, who was pleasant), everyone I encountered in the aisles was either gloomy or apathetic. No one greeted me, or moved when I tried to get by, or offered help when I knocked over a bunch of shampoo bottles and had to put down my purse and kneel to pick them up (two men were stocking a shelf in the same aisle).
Your Panama Shopper likes to test personal reactions by asking for help with a please and a thank you (here I got a half-hearted "it's over there," with a vague wave to the back of the store. When an employee gives me specific directions or walks me to an item I am always duly impressed. Afraid it didn't happen in Mega.)
Your Panama Secret Shopper also likes smiling at people and making eye contact when saying "permiso" or "excuse me" (a smile back is a given, a "como no" or "go right ahead" gets a thumbs up). No reaction from the staff here, who didn't smile and who didn't even move out of the way when I said "excuse me please" in Spanish ("permiso, por favor" for you beginners)...there were large pallets in the way in most aisles, too. I know from my days in retail that when and how to re-stock shelves without inconveniencing customers is a tough issue. Really, there's no good time. But chain stores have policies about this that at least show they're aware and trying to minimize impact. At Mega it seems there was no thought or consideration to the matter at all. I would be a little afraid to visit with small kids.
Oh, and I've never seen more than one register open here...though it's always pretty empty so I have never had to wait in a long line. Not sure I will ever go back to this one. Panama Secret Shopper rates it a 2 on a scale of 1-5.
1= poor
2= lacking
3- ok
4- good
5= excellent
I agree. After seeing stained jog bras on sale for nearly $30, I was wondering whether it was worth the risk to shop at the Mega on La Transistmica in Panama City, Panama.
I mean, who wants to get home, having paid full price, only to realize that the item they bought has a defect? A single item wasn't about to deter me, but a quick walk around the store proved that the clothing items weren't the only defective ones. A wobbly aluminum table, the top not much larger than a standard bar serving tray, was also on offer for full price (at about $60, way expensive for Panama. You can get sturdy tables that size at Dorians in Albrook Mall for half as much...even less sometimes.)
The children's art supplies were similarly overpriced (and in disarray) and the frozen items (here's where you have to be very careful) were wet, a sure indication the freezers aren't kept up to temp.
I had stopped at Mega because in the past I'd gotten good deals on Neutrogena spray sunblocks and a couple different body lotions and facial washes I couldn't always find elsewhere. But this time I found the prices all pretty high, with the exception of a mother of pearl-based body lotion that came with a soap bar for under $4. On prices I'm not sure Mega spells savings anymore, though I didn't do a thorough Panama Secret Shopper price check and comparison.
What really scared me away, though, was the staff. With the exception of the "cajera" (the young girl at the register, who was pleasant), everyone I encountered in the aisles was either gloomy or apathetic. No one greeted me, or moved when I tried to get by, or offered help when I knocked over a bunch of shampoo bottles and had to put down my purse and kneel to pick them up (two men were stocking a shelf in the same aisle).
Your Panama Shopper likes to test personal reactions by asking for help with a please and a thank you (here I got a half-hearted "it's over there," with a vague wave to the back of the store. When an employee gives me specific directions or walks me to an item I am always duly impressed. Afraid it didn't happen in Mega.)
Your Panama Secret Shopper also likes smiling at people and making eye contact when saying "permiso" or "excuse me" (a smile back is a given, a "como no" or "go right ahead" gets a thumbs up). No reaction from the staff here, who didn't smile and who didn't even move out of the way when I said "excuse me please" in Spanish ("permiso, por favor" for you beginners)...there were large pallets in the way in most aisles, too. I know from my days in retail that when and how to re-stock shelves without inconveniencing customers is a tough issue. Really, there's no good time. But chain stores have policies about this that at least show they're aware and trying to minimize impact. At Mega it seems there was no thought or consideration to the matter at all. I would be a little afraid to visit with small kids.
Oh, and I've never seen more than one register open here...though it's always pretty empty so I have never had to wait in a long line. Not sure I will ever go back to this one. Panama Secret Shopper rates it a 2 on a scale of 1-5.
1= poor
2= lacking
3- ok
4- good
5= excellent
Thank you so much for sharing this review. It can be a great help for shoppers (not only in Panama but also around the world) who want to enjoy great value for their money.
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