METRO Supermarket, Sofia

Metro supermarket is the daddy of wholesalers. Many sites, but with two branches in Sofia and one in Blagoevgrad it’s ideal for those staying in self catering Bansko accommodation.  I just had to have my own Metro card as, whilst a foreign passport will usually gain me entry, entering the store via a UK passport still required form filling — and wasted time. Read on for how I go my METRO card — and how, and whether you should bother, to arrange your own card to gain entry into this most hallowed temple to warehouse shopping.

Why Bother With METRO

You will see on their web site all the good reasons for getting your card and shoping at METRO. But really I find it’s almost impossible to beat their prices. Virtually opposite on Tsarigradski Shosse the are building a new Carrefour. But this looks nealy a year away from completion. METRO’s  wine deal at the moment ebants casavino wine warehouse. Many wines half the price you will find in Bansko. Some need to be bought in half cases for best deals.

My favourite “Black C” , reviewed recently http://banskoblog.com/2009/10/top-bulgarian-wine/ both red and white version, are 5 leva cheaper than most other outlets.

How To Find METRO

Bulgarian Business Centre: picture -- 14th November 2009

The Sofia one, shown above, I visited recently and is located just at the junction of Tsarigradski Shosse and Brussels  Blvd (the Sofia airport road). METRO account for a huge amount of the stock supplied for bars, restaurants and catering businesses. You can see in the photo the impressive new Bulgarian Business Centre (BBC) opposite.

But first, if you are arranging a private transfer, and are just occasionally visiting Bulgaria , you may ask your driver if he has a card before booking. Then ask if,  on the way to Bansko, you can just divert one minute off the E79 into Metro at Blagoevgrad and stock up with your cheap beer, wine, food, inventory, electricals etc.  They all have integral banks — making a handy place to change currency. They are generally open till late. I have to point out Metro’s terms and conditions at metro.bg. But rest assured, they don’t seem to care who you. Plenty of Bulgarian folk stocking up for personal use is in evidence.

METRO Card For Bulgarian Companies

Metro Sign Up Screen Shot -- click here to go straight to English version of web site

What You Need To Bring To METRO To Get Your Card (my comments in italics)

1. To present an original or a notary-certified copy of the following documents:
   • Identification card, issued by the Agency for registration Entries (unified identification code);  (I used my company BULSTAT card)
   • Certificate for LVAT (Law for Value Added Tax) registration (only for persons with a VAT registration);
   • A court decision for the company registration; This is means a Certificate Of Good Standing check out more legal info http://banskoblog.com/2009/11/property-taxes_state-registration/
   • ID card –  I used a PASSPORT
   • Company seal. I took this, but was not required!
2. The presence of a Materially Accountable Person (MAP) or a person, authorized by him/her to represent the company. The proxy does not need to be certified by a notary. I went in person — but you could authorise, via a power of attorney, someone else.

For agricultural producers: Present a license from the municipality and an ID card. For all you farmers!

For Self-Employed Persons

Metro Sign Up Screen Shot -- click here to go to site

Present the following documents:

• Identification card (unified identification code) or a BULSTAT registration;
• Certificate for LVAT registration (only for persons with a VAT registration) – original or a copy, certified by a notary;
• A document for paid social security installments as a self-employed person;
• ID card.

Conclusion

I found this a really simple procedure. Just five  minutes after arriving with all the documents I had my METRO card with photograph. Please comment here on any especially good buys you find in METRO. From TV’s, household items such as mops, racks, heaters, cheap home-ware it all takes some beating on price.

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Why Ikea, Thessaloniki, a two and a half hour drive from Bansko? Greece — another country and another world. Join me on my review of Thassaloniki’s IKEA and its potential value to Bulgaria’s property owners.

I went in April, and the trip made a refreshing change of scenery — along with a welcome boost of warm sunshine. But this article is for Bulgarian property owners, in the main. My review on Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city, and its attractions i’ll save for another time. That said, next to IKEA there’s a huge shopping mall which would be a pleasant trip in its own right.

But first, why go to Ikea in Thessaloniki?

Firstly, because we’ll have to wait until next year, before Sofia gets its own IKEA. And secondly, because IKEA can give you an easy route to designing an attractive apartment or home — for both rental and living in.

So here are the Top 10 Reasons To Go To IKEA, Thessaloniki:

1.  One Stop Shop. You can get achieve a contemporary look in one shop. You can get some similar things for less in Mr Bricolage, Metro and Sofia. But nowhere else can you get all your bathroom, bedroom, living room and kitchen.

2.  Preparation Before Shopping. You can prepare your shop before the trip simply by using IKEA tools and resources online. The web site has loads of ideas. But be warned: you may change your mind when you get there. I was impressed with the huge size and number of displays in this IKEA. Mirrors, hooks, racks and even pictures semm to become essential.

3.  Soft Furnishings. If there’s just one thing owners who wish to rent should do, its to buy soft furnishings for their property. Ikea has a huge range of soft furnishings to soften your property and give it the wow factor. From dining room table cloths, rugs, bed spread covers, duvet covers and fabric light fittings, its a load easier to inject style into your apartment than the often drab and conservative and sometimes over priced furniture packages.

4.  Rental Inventory and Cooking Items. IKEA choice here is immense. A few decent pans, whisks, cooking utensils, tea towels, mugs will impress your guests. Its often the smallest details that make a difference.

5.  Shopping Mall. You can do your other shopping very nearby. There is a huge shopping centre with most of the major store brands and clothes and shoe brands. Some interesting home stores as well are found in the shopping mall as well, Its all well laid out, not busy and with a supermarket too.

6.  Price. Well you know what the price is before you go. And whilst some would say it is overpriced — I would only agree on some products. Comparable quality is what to look for. For really cheap items head for Metro and to some extent Mr Bricolage in Blagoevgrad. For other higher quality items I’ve found it more more expensive in Bulgaria than IKEA.

7.  Lighting. Finding stylish light fittings seems to be a challenge in Bulgaria. The choice and price for IKEA’s lighting alone will make a huge difference to the feel of your apartment. In particular, some well designed ceiling lights, to replace your standard issue fitting, will go a long way to indiviualise your apartment. A stylish apartment will rent easier and command more rental in the long term.

8.  Food. No, not the IKEA meatballs — but the restaurant there was excellent. But a huge range of restaurants, just by the shopping mall nearby. I found the welcome taste of fresh fish and a meze well worth the Greek prices.  A typical meal in Bulgaria is under half the price of Thessaloniki.

9.  The City Of Thassaloniki. Thessaloniki is a destination city in its own right. Greece’s second largest. Stunning quality cafes, bars and restaurants await. A relaxed water front meal, with the sweet smells of the Aegean Sea, is worth the trip alone.

10. Improve Rental Returns. Okay, you certainly don’t have to go to Thessaloniki to make you property look great. But I am confident that a contemporary, fashionable design will help property owners attract clients in the cut throat Bansko rental market. most important, an attractive property will ensure your guests recommend others and will return. Please take a look at part 1 of my article on apartment rental:  http://banskoblog.com/rent-apartment-help/

There’s a bizarre upside to visiting IKEA in Thessaloniki after the town centre — everything is priced in English. If, like me, you’ve struggled your way through cyrillic, the last thing you feel like is deciphering Greek.

An obvious option for owners from abroad, is to fly to Thessaloniki and hire a car — and then drive to Bansko. This provide the fin opportunity of exploring the coastal area of Halkidiki, as well as other areas. For more info on car hire and transfer take a look at this article: http://banskoblog.com/sofia-transfers/.

If you’ve just stumbled upon this site, and wish to check out some excellent Bansko accommodation options then take a look at this:

http://banskoblog.com/bansko-accommodation/

And finally, my over riding impression on Greece. How come they are all living, or seem to be living, like Greek Kings?

The wealth on display is truly breathtaking… a monied feeling approaching Monaco. Its the only way I can describe what I’ve now seen twice in Thessaloniki. The same expensively dressed and groomed look I find in many of the new Greek tourists increasingly enjoying Bansko.

The only explanation of all this money that I can think of, is that it must have been given to them by the EU!

I could see a very healthy agricultural sector with barely a patch of soil unutilised. Are the Greek banks generous? Or are the people just entrepreneurial and hard working?

But one thing really struck me:  There is so much land still uncultivated in Bulgaria — almost everywhere you look.

Bulgaria will receive a huge boost to its economy as it starts to take advantage of investment in agriculture.

Overall I urge Bansko regulars to take a trip to Greece soon. For those in UK pounds then an improving pound will help the costs… with a large beer costing between 5 and 6 euros, you may feel homesick for the 1.5 leva (€0.70) Bulgarian variety!

http://banskoblog.com/bulgarian-wine-beer-best/ for more on one of my favourite topics!

Useful Info On IKEA:

Web site for IKEA Thessaloniki with map: http://www.ikea.gr/stores/?store=4&language=0

IKEA Address:

12th km Thessalonikis – Peraias
57001 Pylaia, Thessaloniki
Customer Service Line:
801 11 22 722
fax: 2310 475 150
e-mail: cs.thessaloniki@Ikea.gr

IKEA Opening hours
Monday – Friday 10.00 – 21.00
Saturday 10.00 – 20.00

What is your experience of furnishing your property?

Have you been to IKEA in Thessaloniki? Please comment below – they are very welcome.

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