B&Q: UK versus Ireland pricing.

Dinarius

I'm interested in buying two vertical radiators from B&Q (even their Irish price is a lot cheaper than what competitors offer, but that's another story)

This is the radiator>

http://tinyurl.com/mpvfce

As you can see, it's Stg£220 in the UK.

In Liffey Valley, it's €401.

£220 is about €250. So, they're charging over 60% more for the same product in Liffey Valley. That is unbelievable!

Any way around this?

Thanks.

D.

rameire

go live in the uk

anotherlostie

Go to your nearest B&Q in the North. There is one in Newry. And ring them to ensure they have them in stock before you leave.

Head up to either the Belfast or Craigavon stores?

Edit: Or Newry!

dudara

Moved to Rip Off Ireland. Consumer Issues is not the place for discussing sterling / euro price differences.

dudara

rubadub

Dinarius wrote: »

£220 is about €250. So, they're charging over 60% more for the same product in Liffey Valley. That is unbelievable!

(even their Irish price is a lot cheaper than what competitors offer, but that's another story)

Is this thread taking the piss out of similar ones? seriously? WTF is so unbelievable?

It would be unbelievable it they did charge the same price when all the other local competitors are charging a lot more.

Perhaps we need a sticky thread with primary school economics in it, I know 6 year olds with a better grasp of how market supply & demand works than some people here. Maybe Barney the dinosaur could explain it.

nmesisca

rubadub wrote: »

Is this thread taking the piss out of similar ones? seriously? WTF is so unbelievable?

It would be unbelievable it they did charge the same price when all the other local competitors are charging a lot more.

Perhaps we need a sticky thread with primary school economics in it, I know 6 year olds with a better grasp of how market supply & demand works than some people here. Maybe Barney the dinosaur could explain it.

rubadub
it might be economics 101 but 60% plus difference is not fair, full stop.
i dont get it, why do you feel the need to shoot down people that express their point of view? if there is something wrong with the post correct it but otherwise i reaaly dont see your point.

all the best.
N

Dinarius

nmesisca wrote: »

rubadub
it might be economics 101 but 60% plus difference is not fair, full stop.
i dont get it, why do you feel the need to shoot down people that express their point of view? if there is something wrong with the post correct it but otherwise i reaaly dont see your point.

all the best.
N

Indeed. You might expect better from a so called 'moderator'.

That said, in his defence I should have said that B&Q's price for their 'designer' range is cheaper than Irish equivalents.

D.

Ps. Might be of use to someone - been on to Quinn Radiator agents in Dublin (Chadwicks, Arcon and DPL) and prices for very nice rads are extremely competitive. Will almost certainly be buying from one of them.

mcaul

The price is £259 in the UK, but a current promotion is offering 15% off.

Judging by most B&Q prices, the Irish price should be about €330 as they seem to use a 1.3 multiplier for most items the stock. - Maybe this price just hasn't been changed?



btw - £225 would cost you about €265 at current retail bank rates.
£259 would cost €305.

rubadub

nmesisca wrote: »

rubadub
it might be economics 101 but 60% plus difference is not fair, full stop..

Explain why it is not fair? standard reasonable, logical, business practise is not fair or what?

It would be an incredibly ignorant & foolish businessman that did not charge what the market will bear, and in this case they are cheaper.

nmesisca wrote: »

why do you feel the need to shoot down people that express their point of view?

I object to the non stop singling out of UK companies. especially in this case where they are in fact admittedly "a lot cheaper", this should have been moved to "bargain alerts" not "rip-off Ireland". At least for once a poster admitted that the Irish stores were the same price, or in this case more expensive, which further confuses why it was posted in the first place.

Dinarius wrote: »

Indeed. You might expect better from a so called 'moderator'.

I am not a moderator of this forum. I honestly did think your post might have been a joke, since there was a pisstake post a while ago about boxer shorts which was also not OTT and many people took it to be a serious post. Especially the "thats another story" bit, which is the usual taboo sweeping under the carpet in so many threads in this forum, I thought it might have been a subtle dig at others who do it.

Cabaal

Dinarius wrote: »

Indeed. You might expect better from a so called 'moderator'.

Mod or not mod he's just a normal user in this forum as he doesn't mod it.
The fact he's a mod in another forum (same as me) has nothing to do with what he chooses to post.

In fairness Dinarius you'd expect people to better understand basic economics and supply and demand, its not rocket science after all.

300ml

I go to Northern Ireland to shop frequently. The prices that we pay here, in the republic, are shocking. If you have to make a large purchase, it is worth your while taking a trip up there. Even taking into account a possible overnight stay at a hotel and the exchange rate, its still cheaper.:mad:

trad

Was buying a toilet cistern replacement float valve in B&Q on Sunday €28. Didn't buy and bought same item in Ross's at Hanlons Corner for €19.80. So it pays to shop around.


Two blokes meet each other in Ardee.


1st bloke " Is there a B&Q in Balbriggan?"

2nd bloke "I don't know but there's 2 D's in Dundalk."

monkeypants

I've nothing to say about the rest of the thread, but this...

trad wrote: »

1st bloke " Is there a B&Q in Balbriggan?"

2nd bloke "I don't know but there's 2 D's in Dundalk."

beolight

you can reserve products online on bq uk website for collection

bcirl03

Who cares about economic lessons - buy it up north - only place I shop as I don't give the Irish retailers a cent if I can help it.

shakakhan

dont people understand that the cost of doing business is alot higher in the republic than the north. we get paid more than our northern counterparts, insurance, utilities and transport costs are far higher for companies in Ireland, and it may not be major but the 6.5% difference in tax still needs to be taken into account. so when people make a comparison can we all please take these factors into account please.

polyfusion

About a year ago, my Mum bought a downlighter in a B&Q up in Belfast which had been reduced in price, and decided she didn't want it, and gave it to me to bring back to a B&Q in Dublin. Had the receipt, the B&Q store in Dublin accepted it back, and we ended up getting about €10 profit from something I think was about €25 in the store in Dublin.

Someone could make a nice profit buying a few rads up north and bringing them down south.

Aly9

Check out a site called dealhunter.ie They offer a great service for buying up North. I used them recently & saved a lot of money on a greenhouse from B&Q..

Pacing Mule

shakakhan wrote: »

dont people understand that the cost of doing business is alot higher in the republic than the north. we get paid more than our northern counterparts, insurance, utilities and transport costs are far higher for companies in Ireland, and it may not be major but the 6.5% difference in tax still needs to be taken into account. so when people make a comparison can we all please take these factors into account please.

And let's not forget the property prices here have led to massive rent / mortgage payments in comparison with the north for the same square foot size of store.

doolox

I don't think businesses would take extra costs into account in dealing with their suppliers, why should ordinary consumers?
If it is legal to go shop in the North for cheaper goods you'd be a fool not to.
We are all the time lectured about the free market economy and competition etc. and then people are labelled as ~"traitor" if they shop where the goods are cheapest.
The business establishment and government can't have it both ways.

Jaga

Bought a complete bathroom suite in B&Q Newry for just under 70% less than Athlone branch........saleslady did not feel obliged to tut and mutter as her colleague in Athlone....delivery FREE because order value greater than GBP400.00.......Athlone branch quoted €50 for delivery just eighteen miles from where I live!

bmaxi

I was in B&Q Tallaght today and this
http://nextday.diy.com/app/jsp/product/productPage.jsp?productId=77556 was €206. No special offer for Paddy.

rubadub

doolox wrote: »

I don't think businesses would take extra costs into account in dealing with their suppliers, why should ordinary consumers?

You're completely missing the point. People are saying before shouting RIPOFF take the extra costs into account. In many cases the online sellers and northern shops could be making far higher margins.

doolox wrote: »

If it is legal to go shop in the North for cheaper goods you'd be a fool not to.

I would say if the cost is cheaper "to GET the goods", then do so. Treking up to the north to buy 2 crates of beer or bag of toilet rolls is often a false economy.

collegemum

rubadub wrote: »

I would say if the cost is cheaper "to GET the goods", then do so. Treking up to the north to buy 2 crates of beer or bag of toilet rolls is often a false economy.

Thats a bit extreme:rolleyes: Is "treking" 1 hour up north a false economy when i can save over €200 in a days shopping??
I study economics and i fully understand the free market and that's why i choose to go north every month and end up with a lot more in my pocket.
Are YOU aware that economics is also about incentives??? People posting about "shocking" differences are enlightening us hence reducing our search costs

rubadub

collegemum wrote: »

Thats a bit extreme:rolleyes: Is "treking" 1 hour up north a false economy when i can save over €200 in a days shopping??

No it is not, did you miss the bit where I said

rubadub wrote: »

I would say if the cost is cheaper "to GET the goods", then do so.

I am saying work it out. But many people do fool themselves about the amazing savings they made, this is what I warn about. e.g. a lad in work went up north and got beers he had never heard of before, they are rarely on offer here, even if you can find them. Now he is not particular about his beers, and will get whatever is going for €1 a bottle in the supermarket, and there are always €1 beers or cheaper nowadays. So he comes back paying maybe say 70cent a bottle up north, but finds it for €2.70 in an off licence. So he tells himself he saved €2 per bottle, but is deluding himself since he would not have paid over a euro here!

People posting about "shocking" differences are enlightening us hence reducing our search costs

There are 3 forums you might be interested in, where 90%+ of these threads belong.
Bargain Alerts
Northern Ireland Bargain Alerts
Ranting & Raving

dolalu

bmaxi wrote: »

I was in B&Q Tallaght today and this
http://nextday.diy.com/app/jsp/product/productPage.jsp?productId=77556 was €206. No special offer for Paddy.

Great deal for Paddy....B&Q Ireland does not necessarily follow the exact same promotional calendar as the UK...the product that you allude to is currently €61.80 in Irish stores only. £79.98 in UK today

michaeltp

I work in admin for a road haulage company we charge min 1K for every uk retailers truck who delivers to irish stores this is on top of ferry and higher pay charges in ireland expect things to cost more! the unions did a great job getting us all pay rises, end result everything more expensive and job losses unions are great !!!!!!

borderlinemeath

bcirl03 wrote: »

Who cares about economic lessons - buy it up north - only place I shop as I don't give the Irish retailers a cent if I can help it.

What a nasty generalist statement. If business was so good and we're all making so much profit do you think that shopping centres, high sts and retail parks would be half empty with units closed down?

Most Irish retailers are hanging by a thread as they have cut costs to try and keep doors open and prices down only for the likes of yourself to turn your nose up and try and help your local economy.

Do not tar all Irish retailers with the same brush please.

Yag reuoY

borderlinemeath wrote: »

What a nasty generalist statement. If business was so good and we're all making so much profit do you think that shopping centres, high sts and retail parks would be half empty with units closed down?

Most Irish retailers are hanging by a thread as they have cut costs to try and keep doors open and prices down only for the likes of yourself to turn your nose up and try and help your local economy.

Do not tar all Irish retailers with the same brush please.

Not enough Irish retailers are following your example I'm afraid.

The disparity in UK prices is still far too high to justify, even when higher operational costs are taken into account.

It really is just a matter of greed -- simple as that.

Shape up or ship out! :mad:

91011

Yag reuoY wrote: »

Not enough Irish retailers are following your example I'm afraid.

The disparity in UK prices is still far too high to justify, even when higher operational costs are taken into account.

It really is just a matter of greed -- simple as that.

Shape up or ship out! :mad:

you'll actually find it's British retailers that continue to have exhorbinant pricing in their Irish stores. e.g. Debenhams, Argos, Wallis, Monsoon, Homebase, Dune, to name just a few.

B&Q, Next, Halfords and some others have changed pricing dramitically are are at about 1.25 - 1.30 exchange, but in the case of Halfords & B & Q, your local motor factors / local hardware store (irish owned) will still beat them hands down even when comparing against their UK prices.

DIY mad

The answer to this is really simple so please pay no attanetion to rubadubs garbage ranting
1) B&Q are ripping people of in the ROI as are the vast majority of irish companies and tradesmen
2) B&Q products however are great so just go to Newry and pay proper prices as you would in the mainland UK

Thats it - happy DIY ing

rubadub

DIY mad wrote: »

no attanetion to rubadubs garbage ranting

Which bits in particular did you think are rubbish? Are people to avoid this bit (posted for a third time)

rubadub wrote: »

I would say if the cost is cheaper "to GET the goods", then do so.

91011

DIY mad wrote: »

The answer to this is really simple so please pay no attanetion to rubadubs garbage ranting
1) B&Q are ripping people of in the ROI as are the vast majority of irish companies and tradesmen
2) B&Q products however are great so just go to Newry and pay proper prices as you would in the mainland UK

Thats it - happy DIY ing

B&Q prices in Newry & mainland UK are close enough to their prices here. Its just that B&Q are quite expensive for many items any way (especially very small items) - whether its NI, UK or here.

A decent locally owned hardware stoire will nearly always be cheaper than the so called giants.

parsi

I was shocked today in B&Q Limerick.

I walked in and they had piles of items for €1 - sockets, adaptors, cables ties, hacksaws etc.

They were all for €1 but were marked as £1 for our friends across the border.

Haggis The Dog

parsi wrote: »

I was shocked today in B&Q Limerick.

I walked in and they had piles of items for €1 - sockets, adaptors, cables ties, hacksaws etc.

They were all for €1 but were marked as £1 for our friends across the border.

Saw that in liffey valley as well, got some handy bits from it as well...

scout353

Recently I went to B&Q in Waterford to purchase a TV wall mount. I had checked it on their website and it was £17.98. When I went into the store, it was priced at €52.75!!!!

After complaining I was told that it was incorrectly priced on the display but scanned at the correct price of €28 at the checkout - why you would still take it to the checkout after seeing it nearly double!

Even taking the sterling and VAT differntial the item was still over 33% dearer in the Irish store compared to the UK store. Now that's a rip off!!!

91011

Here's a classic example of a little shopping around

Headlamp bulb for jeep (one with black arm coming out)

Halfords Own Brand - €14.10

Soutside Motor Factors Hellas Brand - €7

Shop with your local Irish owned store and save 50%

coylemj

Yes I agree, the assumption on the part of most punters that the big boys are cheaper than the local shops is played upon by the likes of Woodies, B & Q, Halfords etc., that's why they're so successful.

Most local shops which are family operated are usually paying no rent because they own the premises, they have relatively cheap labour in the form of family members behind the counter and therefore have much lower overheads than the multiples, they are definitely worth checking out every time.

Vitamin C

rubadub wrote: »

Is this thread taking the piss out of similar ones? seriously? WTF is so unbelievable?

It would be unbelievable it they did charge the same price when all the other local competitors are charging a lot more.

Perhaps we need a sticky thread with primary school economics in it, I know 6 year olds with a better grasp of how market supply & demand works than some people here. Maybe Barney the dinosaur could explain it.

<SNIP> like you are the reason boards.ie has become and unapproachable forum. <SNIP>

dudara

Vitamin C infracted for foul & abusive language

Macy0161

rubadub wrote: »

You're completely missing the point. People are saying before shouting RIPOFF take the extra costs into account. In many cases the online sellers and northern shops could be making far higher margins.

The problem is we simply don't know margins, as the UK multiples won't publish ROI Figures. We've leaks though that do show UK multiples taking significantly higher margins in ROI compared to UK.