Do you still buy your booze (and other stuff) up north?

The Scientician

People from the Republic I mean of course. I'm wondering how common that is anymore. A few years ago Newry was like Henry St.

smash

I never bothered, the cost of Petrol made it more expensive.

Humans eh!

I wish.
I can't afford booze, no matter where its on sale!

Captain Darling

Still? I never went up there for it. Geographically for me it wouldnt be the best option.

Is there much of a saving to be made on beer anymore? My local supermarket is practically giving it away now.

Wolfe Tone

Yeah I do a good deal of shopping up there, why not.

Wolfe Tone

Yeah I do a good deal of shopping up there, why not.

KeithAFC

Can't people just buy alcohol in the Republic?

MrJoeSoap

I'd buy bigger things like electronics up there, but drink? Nah.

Captain Darling

Would people not find it more appropriate in these trying times to support the states coffers by buying Irish?

Mena

Captain Darling wrote: »

Would people not find it more appropriate in these trying times to support the states coffers by buying Irish?

Patriotism has never put more money into ones wallet.

Where To

KeithAFC wrote: »

Can't people just buy alcohol in the Republic?

But then who would support the Northern Ireland economy? :pac:

Sleepy

Mena wrote: »

Patriotism has never put more money into ones wallet.

Tell that to the lads that knocked over the Northern Bank

Captain Darling

Mena wrote: »

Patriotism has never put more money into ones wallet.

Ones' wallet is getting such a screwing now, i dont know whether to lube it up or shoot it and put it out of its misery.

Caveman1

If I was going up to by a load of shopping I would obviously get alcohol too but I wouldnt go up just with the intention of buying beer. The deals that tesco are doing is good enough for me

seamus

3 hours of travelling and half a tank of petrol to go up North make most things more expensive than just nipping down the road or buying online.

Miss Olenska

Surely it only ever made sense for people living near the border with NI?

Carter P Fly

Stopped being worthwhile when they increased their VAT

RichieC

Never have, sure the petrol/train cancels out any bargains you're getting anyway.

MrJoeSoap

Miss Olenska wrote: »

Surely it only ever made sense for people living near the border with NI?

JJ Kavanaghs used to run bus loads of people up to Newry from Waterford a couple of years back, and I'm sure it happened in other non-border locations. When the currency was nearly 1:1 it was very beneficial to lots of people, provided you weren't spending the difference on petrol etc...

MrJoeSoap

RichieC wrote: »

Never have, sure the petrol/train cancels out any bargains you're getting anyway.

Not if you're buying petrol up there too

My name is URL

I do the odd time. When I'm feeling particularly stingy I've been known to drive the extra 3 miles in order to save about €4 on an 8 pack of Bulmers Magners

SEPT 23 1989

No heavy tax on the alco-pops up there

gurramok

Prices are now about the same for alcohol and groceries as well as a few electronics items. Throw in petrol costs, currency exchange rate and its not worth it anymore unless you are going up to buy big expensive items.

Forgot to add, they sell Kronenbourg in Newry, a beer thats no longer available down south!

Stinicker

I went to Belfast the last two years in the first week in December for the big Christmas shop, bought various Electronics and stuff, Drink and food was good prices too, now however with the cost of Fuel what had been a fun jaunt up from Kerry is just too expensive, add to that the cost of a hotel and any savings made were offset by the cost of going there.

I didn't make financial sense for me to do it if you add everything together but getting bargains is fun and justifiable when you are up there, had the car litterally packed with about 4 shopping lists from different people for stuff to bring back down.

I am not decided on whether I will do it again this year but it is looking like I won't as the novelty has worn off and all the typical things you'd save on can be got for nearly the same price here now from the likes of Buy-lo and if you watch out for special offers in Tesco and Aldi etc.

Wolfe Tone

Captain Darling wrote: »

Would people not find it more appropriate in these trying times to support the states coffers by buying Irish?

I'm not a partitionist! :P

Captain Darling

Wolfe Tone wrote: »

I'm not a partitionist! :P

Ha ha, no sh1t dude!!

Stinicker

Captain Darling wrote: »

Would people not find it more appropriate in these trying times to support the states coffers by buying Irish?

I would now this year but I will add that one of my main motivating factors to shop in Northern Ireland was to avoid giving the VAT to the Fianna Fail government of the day, now that those scumbags are got rid of I have less problems paying the VAT to the Southern Government. Which is rising to 22% from January so the north will be more attractive again especially for those big purchases like a TV etc.

The Scientician

I was in Belfast with my mate there recently and he was stocking up on booze. We were there anyway for a gig but he filled up a small suitcase. Most standard drink isn't all that much cheaper up there, although it definitely is a few quid but a lot of stuff to make cocktails with, some of it was 1/3 of the price you'd pay in Superquinn here in Dublin.

My name is URL

Costcutters in Forkhill always have some great bargains. They've a great selection of wines too.. better than many supermarkets down here.

amacachi

My name is URL wrote: »

Costcutters in Forkhill always have some great bargains. They've a great selection of wines too.. better than many supermarkets down here.

First and Last is handier for most people.
Lately though the Dunnes here had 24 stella for 15 quid, happy days. When I finally find someone else who likes whiskey and move back to that though I'll definitely be crossing the border for it, good 20-30% saving to be made if ya go to the right place.

wmpdd3

The Scientician wrote: »

I was in Belfast with my mate there recently and he was stocking up on booze. We were there anyway for a gig but he filled up a small suitcase. Most standard drink isn't all that much cheaper up there, although it definitely is a few quid but a lot of stuff to make cocktails with, some of it was 1/3 of the price you'd pay in Superquinn here in Dublin.

.

knird evol

Miss Olenska wrote: »

Surely it only ever made sense for people living near the border with NI?

What other border is there ?