I’ll just skip the details and cut to the question:
While shopping today, I almost had a heart attack from the price of a certain item at SuperPharm. Move over, contact lens solution….there’s a new unbelievably overpriced good in town! Any of my friends visiting from the States any time soon?
Who wants to guess what caused me to stand in the aisle and just STARE for five minutes, hoping that one of these items would magically become cheap enough to buy?
And in other news, you’re all invited to Jerusalem’s Comedy Basement Saturday night where I’ll be headlining. You know the drill…9:15 PM, Ben Yehuda 34 under the Mashbir….35 shekels (30 for students, soldiers, seniors) plus a drink. Come on out and have a good time.
Inquiring minds want to know!
Could it be the Vitamin C chewables for $35?
I’m guessing razor blades.
Regardless, I’m coming in early June and would be happy to bring you some of whatever you’re talking about.
How can you leave us in such suspense?!
sunblock
Good job, Anonymous. Sweet fancy Moses, it was over 100 shmek for Dr. Fisher’s, #475 or whatever level I require. I got #15 in hope that they’re all the same anyway. The sun is going to drive me into minus.
Good job, Anonymous. Sweet fancy Moses, it was over 100 shmek for Dr. Fisher’s, #475 or whatever level I require. I got #15 in hope that they’re all the same anyway. The sun is going to drive me into minus.
Superpharm is overpriced. Shop in Alba or other private pharmacies. Also, you may find that your kupat cholim’s drug store has better prices. I go to Le’umit and save.
I’m also coming in June, and if my stepmom doesn’t ask me to bring her all of target, i’ll bring you contact solution, and #60 sunblock…
Rule number 1 in economics is charge the price that the market will bear. Just walking into SuperPharm means that you tend to accidently spill your precious jewels on the floor when you open your wallet.
I’m 100% with Batya, go to a small pharmacy–I’ll walk you around downtown and point them out to you if you want. And the kupat cholim is something I never thought of (Thanks for that!).
But the sad truth about contact solution is that you can’t get it anywhere else. And if you are paying more than 50 shek a bottle, you are way overpaying.
seriously, my husband and I have a six-month supply of razor blades, ibuprofen, facial cream, and, er, breathe-right nasal strips from family visiting from the US… I can’t believe how expensive prices for things like those are here!
I was going to say razor blades but I guess you must have shaved in the 2 years you are here.
Kupat Holim subsidize sunblock so you can try to get some from thier pharmacies.
Hurry up, my friend is leaving tonight, and since he borrowed my suitcase I have the chutzpah to ask him to get you whatever you need.
If he wont make it on time, I’m planning to visit at the end of May so feel free to email me your grocery list: Hilly.nyc@gmail.com
Kupat cholim drugstore, you say???? Interesting….
I have Maccabi….gotta find one in J’lem. Fortunately I haven’t been sick since moving here.
the dr. fisher store on the 2nd floor of the opera tower (tel aviv) usually sells sunscreens 2 for 1, worth checking out.
There used to be a maccabi downtown near the shuk — towards the bottom of agrippas, I think there’s a kikar there now. There was a pharmacy up on the 2nd or 3rd floor.
When in the states, I always buy razor blades, batteries, contact lens solution, kids toys and reese’s mini peanut butter cups.
would it have been mean of me to say “condoms”?
The Revlon foundation I like costs 180 shekel here. In the states its $16.99. I guess I won’t have that great even-toned skin until my mom gets here in June…
I was totally going to say condoms. That’s what my friend had wanted me to bring when I came to Israel–especially non-”normal” sizes apparently are (a) hard to find and (b) absurdly expensive. No wonder Israeli men always thought it would be okay to go without–they might break the bank!
Absolutely the Kupat Cholim pharmacy is cheapest! That’s because they give you discounts when you’re a member. The higher the level of insurance, the bigger the discount.
I have the highest level of insurance at Meuhedet “Bituach C” and it gives me fantastic discounts on just that: SUNBLOCK. I buy the Dr Or brand and use it every day.
We also buy Sensadyne and skin creams there; in fact most of our cosmetic/OTC items I get there. Better than shlepping from America or waiting for the friend/relative pony express.
Balia, I use the same foundation. You can but it on drugstore.co.il for 99NIS and sometimes less. I also buy cosmetics/makeup on ebay.
But guys don’t buy razorblades on ebay. Not unless you want your face cut up.
I should leave the blogosphere and jump into the makeup shidduch business as quickly as possible.
I know everything else is more expensive, but one thing is cheaper…formula. I almost passed out buying a can of formula at wal-mart in January! it’s double the price!!
I wonder if people would carry in stuff for me? I miss crystal light, nd the packages my mom sends of baby clothes cost a fortune to get out of hock, I mean for VAT etc.
Benji, I paid $10 yesterday for a bottle of saline, which is the ONE toiletry I didn’t bring a case of back with me when I went home for Pesach. I cleaned out Costco. Oy gvalt the prices here could choke a kosher cow. Btw, we have a mutual from ATL, Randy C.
Randy’s a great guy! I hope he wears sunscreen.
Benji… I happen to be a Mary Kay Consultant. We have a fantastic sunblock (co-ed – no it won’t turn you pink!!!) SHOULD YOU HAVE A MEANS FOR ME TO GET IT TO YOU (as, legally, I cannot ship it overseas – wink, wink), I can sell it to you at my cost – 50% retail.
Drop me a line, my dear…