Rip Off DCU

Suaimhneach

Lads, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, tbh.

The new SU Shop opens tomorrow [Monday] at 12 noon in the Seminar room in the Hub serving crisps, drinks, bars and stuff at cost price!

The boycott of Trispace and DCU Facilities Ltd. officially begins tomorrow too - buy your food in the SU shop, the Helix, the Invent Centre or in any of the shops outside the college campus.

NO MORE RIP-OFF DCU!

Srsly though, DCU prices are a joke. 40c for a cup of hot water. Charging for vinegar. 60c dearer on some items then Eurospar... which is five minutes away.

I heartely endorse this Boycott... and you should too!

rugbug86

i'll do it monday, not promising anything tues cos i will be hungover. altho, shanowen spar after the afterparties...

Anarking

Whats the seminar room?

gizmo

Shanowen Spar for the win! I can come into college with my postparty food and not even have to look at Spar!

The Seminar Room is the one straight ahead of you at the top of the stairs.

rugbug86

just an update - email from Charlene Connolly

SU Pres wrote:

In light of the 'Rip Off DCU' campaign, an SU shop will open today and for the rest of the week from 12 til 3pm in the Venue in the Hub.

The shop will sell convenience foods and drinks such as chocolate,
sweets, crisps, popcorn, fruit and minerals all at COST PRICE.

There will also be a hot water and microwave facility available.

Also, as of this morning, we are advising all students to boycott the Spar shop and all catering facilities on campus apart from the Helix Cafe and Little Bites in the Invent centre beside the library.

All support will be hugely appreciated!


The SU Exec

Personally I think its too late to advertise, but it might just work.

I do however really want to try the new "mezz" - details on dcu homepage. looks brill! pity i cant go to the canteen today

Winters

rugbug86 wrote:

I do however really want to try the new "mezz" - details on dcu homepage. looks brill! pity i cant go to the canteen today

I didnt think it was going to be properly open until the new year. Thought they only had it open for the open days.

public_enemy

90c bottle of Coke. I can't remember stuff being that cheap ever...

Not sure how much I really care about the boycott but I'll always go for the cheaper goods. Now if only they'd start selling hot food and beer...

gizmo

Walked by Spar yesterday and there were loads of people in there. Typical bloody students, too bloody apathetic to even save themselves money. :mad:

rugbug86

gizmo wrote:

Walked by Spar yesterday and there were loads of people in there. Typical bloody students, too bloody apathetic to even save themselves money. :mad:

i believe you were trying to tell me this story last night!!

even in my hangover state i refuse to go to spar on campus. i REALLY want a spicey chicken wrap but I walked out to eurospar instead, just the pure principle.

Crucifix

rugbug86 wrote:

I do however really want to try the new "mezz" - details on dcu homepage. looks brill! pity i cant go to the canteen today

I was up there on the open day. Very nice, but I'd say it'll be constantly packed.

gizmo

Shanowen Spar is even better to be honest. Nicer, fresher and cheaper!

And yep, the Mezz is really nice, pity it ain't opening properly till next semester.

cooker3

Well Spar didn't seem any less packed then normal when I popped in today, so far doesn't to have seemed to have much of an impact.

rugbug86

yea, its shocking really

you not boycotting cooker?

Suaimhneach

Whats this "Mezz" you keep mentioning!

StickyMcGinty

in fairness why arnt there SU reps outside spar with a sign or somthin, bar the emails i havnt heard a thing about it

who relyies on emails to get a protest goin? about as useful as an online petition

Suaimhneach

Lol, I think they tried that... but there are only three full time exec so I'd say its hard to get them all there and runnign the shop at the same time.

robnubis

gizmo wrote:

Shanowen Spar is even better to be honest. Nicer, fresher and cheaper!

And yep, the Mezz is really nice, pity it ain't opening properly till next semester.

Depends what you're buying...

Does anyone have legitimate comparisons of pricing between Shanowen Spar and DCU Spar?

Never saw much problem with DCU Spars prices, given its part of a franchise of shops, that have a similar pricing structure. Boycott all well and good, but in the end its all about choice.

StickyMcGinty

they are expensive but they're all luxery items. health food should be subsidised, leave bars, crisps, soft drinks expensive

cooker3

I am not boycotting Spar.
I was in there today as wanted my sprite refrigerated.
But nothing against SU shop, I shall head up if I want something.

c m

gizmo wrote:

Walked by Spar yesterday and there were loads of people in there. Typical bloody students, too bloody apathetic to even save themselves money. :mad:

we cant all live on crisps and coke

OFDM

Do the SU have planning permission for this?

Suaimhneach

OFDM wrote:

Do the SU have planning permission for this?

Nope... they're waiting to be served with 'get the **** outa here' papers fairly soon. I think they're just making a point.

Also, it doesnt need planning permisson, tehy're just set up with a desk. They do however, need a retailing liscence.

gizmo

Robby, no...just no. There are rather large price differences between Shanowen and campus Spar in many basic items. I could be here all day describing them but I'll leave that to you to find out. Basically the food is nicer, fresher and most importantly cheaper than the campus equivalent so I suggest you take your business elsewhere.

As for the content of the SU shop I'd say if you looked at what people are actually buying its probably mostly junk food anyway so the argument isnt entirely valid.

And as for the planning permission issue, well afaik all they need is a trading permit but I believe this is waved since they're not making a profit. It was only just said to me today so I have no idea how true this is but the next few days should definitly be interesting.

public_enemy

New Bar was more packed today than I've ever seen it before, so much for the boycott. And the food in there isn't too bad these days, you know.

As for the Spar, the fact is most people have known all along that you can get better prices if you shop around, but yet they still go there. It's not so much a case of being ripped off as it is one of students being perfectly willing to pay the cost. If we were all really that broke then we'd walk the extra 5 minutes regardless of whether there's a boycott.

I do think the SU shop will make a dent on their sales and I'm very impressed that the exec have gone to the trouble of setting it up, but it looks like a lot of hard work for them and I'm afraid I can't see it lasting too long regardless of whether it's shut down by force.

Suaimhneach

I will agree that its a bit of a shame about the NewBar, I was starting to really like it in there myself. A bit of life in it was cool....

I agree that there isnt much use with the SU Shop, but I agree with what they're trying to do, so I'll support them.

gizmo

Well the difference with the NuBar is that most people don't really feel like they're being ripped off in there. With the exception of their €1.50 dashes the place is grand - the food is always nice, well priced and always available, drink varied and well priced also and the new couches and stuff in there make it a nice place to relax in the afternoon. Try and say that about the canteen.

Remember folks, if the SU Shop doesnt have what you want the Shanowen Spar most definitly has. 2mins walk for more selection, nicer food and no queues is definitly worth avoiding the campus Spar for imo!

rugbug86

what are you, the shanowen spar rep?!!

but seriously, i went there yesterday and got chicken wings, wedges and a juicy peachy smoothie for the dailoy special price of €4.99. legend hangover cure.

gizmo

Nope, just informing people of the excellent alternatives out there. Don't forgot Mizzonis are open these days too for Lunch!

rugbug86

gizmo wrote:

Nope, just informing people of the excellent alternatives out there. Don't forgot Mizzonis are open these days too for Lunch!

yea, i'm the mizzoni rep :P

tvr

I am quite impressed that someone has got their act together in regards to the SU shop at least it will make a statement. The DCU restaurant is crap and well overpriced. I will concede that the Spar is very good and well located , however the prices are defo on the high side. The mark up on the hot counter and sandwitches are unreal . They have to be creaming it. By the way dont ever buy tea or coffee from the machines in any store the mark up on tea and coffee is 97%.

Off topic the SU Shop prices although excellent , they dont seem to be at true cost, are they even using a main cash and carry or are they paying themselves a very large hourly wage for running the shop???

Might be able to help them out.

Suaimhneach

They're doing it totally for free!! THese guys are on our side!!

rugbug86

yeah, its totally for free. its a great idea.

i think they should use the rest of the exec/class reps/willing volunteers to help them run the shop tho, open more hours etc. just have one sabat "on duty" at any time. that'd leave the sabats free to get on with the other stuff they have to do.

and people who are going to spar and paying 1.25 for a coke rather than to the venue and get it for .90, fools!! that's a waste of 0.35!! and for cooker who likes his sprite cold, in the 4 years i've been in dcu i've ended up with more warm bottles from spar than cold ones!

CuLT

I haven't been going into the Spar since the boycott*.




*The fact that I haven't been to college for three weeks has ABSOLUTELY NO BEARING on this.

rugbug86

i haven't been to spar either, and i've been in college, and i've been hungover and wanted wedges/chicken wrap but showed incredible will power

tvr

well if they are doing it for free then they are defo paying too much at wholesale.

Amz

I've seen no change in the numbers using the canteen, have been in there the last three days (not eating, but sitting with people) and it seemed as busy as ever.

There were still queues in Spar (had a peek in when walking by).

Why are there so many people ignoring the boycott?

What are the SU doing to promote this campaign other than emails?

I know people who don't check email for days at a time. It seems to be poorly promoted, which is a pity considering it's a valid point they're trying to make. Surely Style Soc ... Sorry the SU could put a team together to do a proper campaign.

:|

i agree, people are too lazy/not bothered to boycott it properly, but besides that one email and one guy with a sign today they haven't advertised it at all

rugbug86

Amz wrote:

Surely Style Soc ... Sorry the SU could put a team together to do a proper campaign.

quote of the day

robnubis

Pffft, i'm sorry but basic items like Coke, are sold at prices that are not that far apart anywhere, most shops would have it priced at 1.25/1.30 per 500ml.

Rolls and **** depends on the place, i dont know where the hell this "fresher" thing is coming from tbh. Just because Shanowne is a new shop doesnt magically make their bread or meat fresher.

If someone could show me something NON-DELI related thats a rip-off....cause i doubt you're gonna get anything shocking other than deli price difference, its all fun to get 90c coke, buts NO SHOP ANYWHERE WILL EVER sell coke at cost price, EVER.

The 2.49 for 2 bottles of coke, is an offer, and wont be around forever.

StickyMcGinty

eh... that crappy shop just up from shanowen sells coke at 90cent a bottle as long as i've been going to it!

i still think that a drop in price in rolls, health food (juice, smoothie etc.) and that is fair, but askin a university to drop prices on luxury items is rediculous, buy a carton of milk over coke if your p1ssed off payin the extra

cooker3

rugbug86 wrote:

and for cooker who likes his sprite cold, in the 4 years i've been in dcu i've ended up with more warm bottles from spar than cold ones!

You really should just get the bottles at the back of the fridge, always cold!

Also, lol @ amz and style soc comment

gizmo

CuLT wrote:

I haven't been going into the Spar since the boycott*.

I've been in there once but only to drag a mate out of there.

Amz wrote:

Surely Style Soc ... Sorry the SU could put a team together to do a proper campaign.

Don't even think about it...:rolleyes:

Once again Robby, people seem to have missed the point. Sure most other shops may sell it at those prices but most other shops aren't owned by universities, are designed to cater almost exclusively for students, shouldnt be there to make super-bloody-normal profits and pay sfa in terms of bills given their lack of rent etc.. see where we're coming from?

As for non-deli items check your email today with some prices from Shanowen Spar, sure some are deals but theres different deals every couple of weeks so theres always some new to try. Then of course theres the standard chicken wings, wedges and a smoothie for €4.99. Try getting it at THAT price in campus Spar.

Oh and its €2.29 for the 2x2ltr of coke and you also get 2 lurvly coke glasses!

ste.zero

http://BoycottDCU.bebo.com

^join and show your support^

Suaimhneach

They are campaigning, there are posters up. But if the SU Exec are WORKING at the shop during lunch, how can they CAMPAIGN at the same time? Its up to us to spread the word as much as it is them.

Personally, I texted, beboed, Redbrick-topiced and emailed my class list... I also started this thread. If half of you did the same or even similar, and then maybe others would too... then we'd have a bigger boycott. Word of mouth [or emails of the internet] are a powerful thing my freinds.

ALSO, if anyone had been to the shop you'd all know the bottles are kept in buckets of ice [from teh Bar I'd imagine] so they're probably colder than tehy would be being from a fridge in spar!

public_enemy

ste.zero wrote:

http://BoycottDCU.bebo.com

^join and show your support^

hahahahaha. Brilliant

rugbug86

Jesjes wrote:

They are campaigning, there are posters up. But if the SU Exec are WORKING at the shop during lunch, how can they CAMPAIGN at the same time? Its up to us to spread the word as much as it is them.

Personally, I texted, beboed, Redbrick-topiced and emailed my class list... I also started this thread. If half of you did the same or even similar, and then maybe others would too... then we'd have a bigger boycott. Word of mouth [or emails of the internet] are a powerful thing my freinds.

ALSO, if anyone had been to the shop you'd all know the bottles are kept in buckets of ice [from teh Bar I'd imagine] so they're probably colder than tehy would be being from a fridge in spar!

i haven't made it to the shop yet, but i equally haven't been to spar, the canteen or any where on campus (even tho i was STARVING today and hadn't time to leave cos i had a presentation)

robnubis

VinnyL wrote:

eh... that crappy shop just up from shanowen sells coke at 90cent a bottle as long as i've been going to it!

i still think that a drop in price in rolls, health food (juice, smoothie etc.) and that is fair, but askin a university to drop prices on luxury items is rediculous, buy a carton of milk over coke if your p1ssed off payin the extra

No, they dont.

StickyMcGinty

robnubis wrote:

No, they dont.

i walked by there every mornin when i was livin on the ballymun road last year, and yes everytime i bought a bottle of coke i got change out of a euro. that clear enough for you?

rugbug86

yea, they do sell for less than a euro and have done for ages.

they also sell millions. yum.

Suaimhneach

Well lads, hot off the press... now is your chance to do something!

Due to the fact that DCU Students' Union opinion was reported
unexpectedly in the Evening Herald today, we were put in the position
where we had to release a statement explaining our stance to all media
outlets this evening.

We have decided to go ahead with a picket tomorrow starting outside Spar
at 11am. Placards and other picketing essentials will be available there
so no need to worry about arriving empty handed - though if you did
bring your own it'd be great!

This is your chance to let your voice be heard so please come out and
support!

Free chips will be available and the now infamous SU shop, 'The
Lunchbox' will be open from 12 noon 'til 4pm selling loads of extra bits
including pot noodle, microwavable pasta etc.

PLEASE COME OUT AND SUPPORT AND GET ALL YOUR MATES TO COME TOO! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH AND REMEMBER IF PRICES CHANGE IT'LL BE TO YOUR BENEFIT AND BECAUSE OF YOU!!!


The Students' Union Exec

I'll definitely be there!

cognos

Jesjes wrote:

Well lads, hot off the press... now is your chance to do something!



I'll definitely be there!

Too far!! I've stopped going to spar and will continue not going whilst we're being ripped off but theres no way I'd support a picket. People should be allowed to decide if they are happy paying what they're paying in there and they shouldn't be intimidated into not going in.