Chile Forum

OK I just had a "Twilight Zone" moment (do do do do do do do etc.) While fooling around looking for info for this thread I Googled, "ollas de hierro chile" on the second page of results I found a sample of a history of mining in Chile and paticularly about TOFO where I was born, (and the company providing lunch in cast iron pots) It is fascinating (to me) and very flattering to the Company, it even mentions my Dad.l WOW

I believe I saw some cast iron cookware at Sodimac(Homecenter). Seemed expensive but will look again next time we're there.

Thanks Laura! This brings to mind another question: Are there any thrift stores in Chile? That may be a place to find some decent, old cast iron. The problem with newer cast iron and enamel cookware, at least here in the states, is that it is usually made in China and often lead based paints are used. Unless of course you get some real quality stuff like the French La Creuset. I actually ordered mine specifically from a manufacturer that swore no lead paints were used. You gotta be picky these days.

Chinese-made "goods" may be the chief economic bane of the present day. Not only are they inferior in quality, they're made with horribly abused labor, so one can't buy the items without both wasting one's money and harming others. Additionally, because an amazing number of people look only at immediate price and not at longterm (or environmental) costs, these cheap goods drive good makers out of business.

I've heard that more than a few Chilean and Argentine companies have been hurt by Chinese manufactures. I wouldn't be surprised (saddened, but not surprised) to learn that some of these companies have actually been driven out of business by these poorly-made things -- it's happened (and continues to happen) in North America and Britain; a sort of Gresham's law, applied to trade goods instead of coin.

Oh yes..I've been boycotting chinese goods for a while now. It gets harder and harder to find non china made items every day. I still can't believe Walmart has managed to infiltrate to Chile. I find that scary . How many Chileans actually shop there?

Thankfully there's no WalMart in Chile.... yet. There is one just across the border in Mendoza, Argentina.

loreleiah wrote:Thanks Laura! This brings to mind another question: Are there any thrift stores in Chile?

The closest thing I've seen to a thrift store is Bio Bio, a huge flea market in downtown Santiago. There are a lot of vendors who sell used items. It's in a few connected warehouses. It's like a maze inside. It's easy to get lost. If they ever had a fire it would be a disaster.

Mark

jalundberg wrote:Thankfully there's no WalMart in Chile.... yet. There is one just across the border in Mendoza, Argentina.

Great! This is a relief. Hopefully those evil bastards won't establish themselves in Chile next.

loreleiah wrote:

jalundberg wrote:Thankfully there's no WalMart in Chile.... yet. There is one just across the border in Mendoza, Argentina.

Great! This is a relief. Hopefully those evil bastards won't establish themselves in Chile next.

Already a lost cause. Has anyone looked at the products at Easy, Jumbo etc. It might as well be Walmart without the name. And how soon one forgets THE CHILE-CHINA FTA already in force for nearly what two years or more? Chileans are cheap (especially if your income has not risen in five years) and will 8 out of 10 times by default buy the cheaper product which guess where it be from?

MarkF wrote:

loreleiah wrote:Thanks Laura! This brings to mind another question: Are there any thrift stores in Chile?

The closest thing I've seen to a thrift store is Bio Bio, a huge flea market in downtown Santiago. There are a lot of vendors who sell used items. It's in a few connected warehouses. It's like a maze inside. It's easy to get lost. If they ever had a fire it would be a disaster.

Mark

A post from the legendary "P" relating to a different item I was searching for but may have relevance here:

topic1469.html#p10308

Bio has a lot of stuff but you can also find the odd item at the local feria which is something like a huge neighborhood garage sale. Lots of used stuff, some new, fruits and vegetables, plastic items, tools-quite a variety.