"They Suddenly Started Packing When I Asked the Price"... Shocking Reaction from the Vendor When I Said "I'm Not Buying"

"How much is the fish?" No answer, just started preparing it
"When I said I wasn't buying, they glared at me as if to kill"

There was a claim that simply asking the price at a traditional market led to being forced into a 'push sale,' such as having fish immediately prepared. Screenshot from the YouTube channel 'Honjahya'

Recently, as controversies over unkind service and overcharging continue to arise at traditional markets across the country, a YouTuber has come forward claiming to have been virtually forced into a 'push sale' at a traditional market in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, simply for asking about prices, such as having fish immediately prepared without consent.

Another incident at a traditional market... "I asked the price, and they packed it without a word. When I said I wouldn't buy it, they yelled at me."

YouTuber 'Honjahya' recently shared an experience in a video titled "The Reason I Don't Want to Go to Traditional Markets These Days," describing a visit to the market early in the morning. In the video, the YouTuber said, "When I asked the price of shrimp, the merchant started packing them into a bag without even responding." The YouTuber continued, "When I said it was too expensive and that I would look around more, the merchant glared at me as if to kill and shouted, 'Why did you make me pack it?'"

The YouTuber expressed, "Beyond cheap and fresh, I hit a reality check," as they left the market. Screenshot from the YouTube channel 'Honjahya'.

A similar incident was repeated at a neighboring stall. The YouTuber said, "I only asked about the price of gizzard shad and never said I would buy it, but the merchant immediately took the fish out of the water and started preparing it." The YouTuber added, "Because of the previous experience, I just bought it, afraid they might yell at me again." As the YouTuber left the market, they commented, "Beyond cheap and fresh, I hit a reality check," referring to a moment of emptiness and disappointment.

"It happened to me too"... Growing public sympathy

The video quickly went viral after its release, surpassing 4.4 million views. Online, many people expressed similar experiences, saying, "I've been through the same thing." Criticism poured in, with comments such as, "It's not that young people are avoiding traditional markets; it's that the markets are driving customers away themselves," "Only those who want to be taken advantage of should go," "This is why young people go to big supermarkets instead," and "When they lose customers, they'll just complain again." There were also numerous comments pointing out chronic issues in traditional markets, including overcharging, rigged scales, selling spoiled products, and forcing cash payments.

Ongoing controversies over unkind service, overcharging, and push sales

YouTuber "Strange Snack Shop" expressed frustration over experiencing rude treatment from some merchants at Gwangjang Market in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Screenshot from the YouTube channel "Strange Snack Shop"

Recently, traditional markets in Korea have been plagued by controversies over unkind service, overcharging, and push sales. Previously, at Gwangjang Market in Jongno-gu, Seoul, a YouTuber sparked controversy by revealing that after ordering 8,000-won sundae (Korean blood sausage), the merchant arbitrarily mixed in meat and charged a higher price. The YouTuber's video also showed merchants sighing or yelling at customers, creating an atmosphere that seemed threatening and fueling criticism.

The stall in question explained to a media outlet, "The customer asked for the meat to be mixed in, so we did," and added, "People make mistakes at work sometimes, don't they? Even if it's upsetting, there's nothing that can be done." However, after an internal investigation, the merchants' association imposed a 10-day suspension on the stall.