Shopping in the north, worth your while?

Gal44

im heading to enniskillen soon and i want to get most of my christmas presents up there, will i save much or anything... thanks

foggy_lad

Gal44 wrote: »

im heading to enniskillen soon and i want to get most of my christmas presents up there, will i save much or anything... thanks

Leave the kids at hone and bring a van or estate car and a load of £Stg and you will save a lot. Get your money changed before you go as many of the shops can eat away at your savings with their own exchange rates.

dudara

Moved to Northern Ireland Bargain Alerts

dudara

skinny90

are the prices really so expensive that you would do all you xmas shopping in the north??also would you be the same person to blame the government for all the job losses and unemployment rates

Gal44

skinny90 wrote: »

are the prices really so expensive that you would do all you xmas shopping in the north??also would you be the same person to blame the government for all the job losses and unemployment rates

Eh no. and believe me i spend more than enough money on shopping here in the south.

but thanks a million for your very helpful answer to my question..

skinny90

i wasnt addressing it to you it was at foggy...it just annoys me to be honest.im from sligo and the amount of negitivity about job losses how sh*te and how well never recover bla bla bla.
but these same people will happily do all there shopping across the border.fair enough if certain retailers are just being plain greedy then yes shop elsewere but we have to remember there are gonna be costs involved to prices ie wage rates,tax etc

Slozer

I was in Enniskillen about a month ago. I didn't really do any shopping but anything I did buy I found it to be expensive. ie. pints were about the same price, petrol and diesel are more expensive, food was about the same.

Inflation is running high in the UK at the moment so if you shopped in the north last year you will find it more expensive this year.

Also do not get your money changed up there, they will accept euros but you will be ripped off.

gerrykiddy

Lots of things are cheaper but just now and I am delighted to say it Spirits are cheaper in the south. Tesco in Belfast 1l Jameson 25,50 sterling and in my local Tesco in Drogheda E25. Never thought I would see the day but why have we put up with it for so long.

The Assistinator

hi i be in the north a lot most things work out a bit cheaper but foodstuff tends to be slightly cheaper in south unless its the deals your after also clothes are a bit cheaper in the south aswell

RobitTV

VAT in ireland to increase, NI is back on the shopping destination's!!

TheGroove

It depends on the money your spending and on what goods.. Because you're going to be spending 40 euro minimum on petrol up and back so if you're doing a weekly shop it's not really that beneficial! But if you were spending a couple of thousand on christmas then maybe the additional costs would be a lower percentage to the total cost, thus giving you a greater saving...

TheGroove

But I mean there is a convenience aspect as well it takes a lot longer to go up the north, even with the new roads!

Ronin247

Gal44 wrote: »

im heading to enniskillen soon and i want to get most of my christmas presents up there, will i save much or anything... thanks

If I am up North I find the toiletries are waaaaaay cheaper.Go to the Asda or Tesco websites and check out the prices as some things are dearer in the north.
Electrical goods such as Kindle( £89) or digital cameras are cheaper and Asda do a load of 3 for £2 type of deals or things like 3 packets of jelly for £1.

Stores in the south have some very good deals on alcohol as previously mentioned so again.....check before you go.

Princess2011

Anyone that goes up the North shopping is a disgrace. I don't know whether it's a case of lack of intelligence or complete selfishness. If you sit for a minute and think about it, you'll realise that it's just going to come back and bite you in the ass. any money that you spend in the North is gone from our economy forever, (they're not coming back down here to spend it). People are loosing jobs, shops are closing everyday all over the country especially in counties near the border because people like you are spending your money in a different country. This means that councils aren't pulling in rates, governments aren't pulling in their revenues and therefore do not have enough money to pay PUBLIC SERVANTS wages, JOB SEEKERS ALLOWANCE, COLLEGE FEES and PENSIONS. You will be the very ones complaining bout any cuts in the budgets. Whatever cut you get is deserved! So if you're a teacher and you've just found out the teacher/pupil is increasing and you might lose your job, or if you're on the dole and it's going to be decreased by €10 on Tuesday, remember you only have yourself to blame. And a suggestion to those ignorant people-start watching Prime Time, Frontline etc.

skinny90

Princess2011 wrote: »

Anyone that goes up the North shopping is a disgrace. I don't know whether it's a case of lack of intelligence or complete selfishness. If you sit for a minute and think about it, you'll realise that it's just going to come back and bite you in the ass. any money that you spend in the North is gone from our economy forever, (they're not coming back down here to spend it). People are loosing jobs, shops are closing everyday all over the country especially in counties near the border because people like you are spending your money in a different country. This means that councils aren't pulling in rates, governments aren't pulling in their revenues and therefore do not have enough money to pay PUBLIC SERVANTS wages, JOB SEEKERS ALLOWANCE, COLLEGE FEES and PENSIONS. You will be the very ones complaining bout any cuts in the budgets. Whatever cut you get is deserved! So if you're a teacher and you've just found out the teacher/pupil is increasing and you might lose your job, or if you're on the dole and it's going to be decreased by €10 on Tuesday, remember you only have yourself to blame. And a suggestion to those ignorant people-start watching Prime Time, Frontline etc.

im sure david cameron will pay ye all nice pension
thanks for the post i thought i was the only one with brains:rolleyes: ,it is a disgrace, for a saving of sweet feck people will continue to cross the border because of the perception of getting a bargin.its sad really because as you pointed out the same people will still moan and groan about blamming the government for all our problems.

skinny90

Ronin247 wrote: »

Electrical goods such as Kindle( £89)

thats roughly 103-104 euros, its currently 109.99 in ireland!!

Justin10

If people shop around down down south I think they will notice in the long term it is dearer up the north.
Try online shopping also, can work out very cheap with discount codes and cash back sites like fatcheese.

skinny90

also if you buy gifts or electrical goods you dont want to be going up the border to get stuff sorted

amacachi

Princess2011 wrote: »

Anyone that goes up the North shopping is a disgrace. I don't know whether it's a case of lack of intelligence or complete selfishness. If you sit for a minute and think about it, you'll realise that it's just going to come back and bite you in the ass. any money that you spend in the North is gone from our economy forever, (they're not coming back down here to spend it). People are loosing jobs, shops are closing everyday all over the country especially in counties near the border because people like you are spending your money in a different country. This means that councils aren't pulling in rates, governments aren't pulling in their revenues and therefore do not have enough money to pay PUBLIC SERVANTS wages, JOB SEEKERS ALLOWANCE, COLLEGE FEES and PENSIONS. You will be the very ones complaining bout any cuts in the budgets. Whatever cut you get is deserved! So if you're a teacher and you've just found out the teacher/pupil is increasing and you might lose your job, or if you're on the dole and it's going to be decreased by €10 on Tuesday, remember you only have yourself to blame. And a suggestion to those ignorant people-start watching Prime Time, Frontline etc.

Hope you've not bought anything made outside this country.



Anyway, looks like some items in border areas are getting towards sensible prices. Dunnes/Tesco have enough offers to keep me buying drink here this Christmas rather than crossing the border. That's all they had to do!

theblueirish

If you are going xmas shopping price the things in ROI and you will know if you are getting a bargain.

I do believe most things are cheaper in the north but not everything.

Here is a good Example

Lidl ROI
http://www.lidl.ie/cps/rde/xchg/lidl_ri_ie/hs.xsl/offerdate.htm?offerdate=16001

Lidl NI
http://www.lidl-ni.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/lidl_ni_ie/hs.xsl/offerdate.htm?offerdate=15869

As you can see the camera would work out about €1.60 more buying it in NI but the graphics tablet is almost €15 cheaper to buy in NI.

If you are going, buying groceries, spirits etc you will cover the price of fuel.

Gal44

Thanks to everyone that gave me helpful feedback to my question ( i wasn't looking for a rant on the economy etc etc i suggest you start a new thread about that if you want to discuss that...) as my original post stated i was just interested in finding out would it make a difference to my savings to shop up north. i think some items will work out cheaper some not, i guess it all depends on what your buying.

skinny90

Gal44 wrote: »

Thanks to everyone that gave me helpful feedback to my question ( i wasn't looking for a rant on the economy etc etc i suggest you start a new thread about that if you want to discuss that...) as my original post stated i was just interested in finding out would it make a difference to my savings to shop up north. i think some items will work out cheaper some not, i guess it all depends on what your buying.

No worries I wasnt ranting about what you posted it was more against the responses that u got,ie leave the kids at home and fill the car when ur up there,which gives u the perception that ul save a fortune which is complete and utter nonsense(but unfortunitly too many people are doing it)taken Mr "i got a bargin" advice,as u can see further up with the kindle example,i will say that I did get carried away but as I said before I wasnt having a go at you.if you end up going up plan what u need to get,search the net,compare and then see if its worth the hassle and petrol.

Princess2011

amacachi wrote: »

Hope you've not bought anything made outside this country.

That is such a unrealistic comment. Of course I buy stuff that isn't made in this country. Over 50% of the products in Irish shops are made in other countries. If we all went with your logic, we wouldn't be able to buy cars, tvs, bananas etc. I buy local, when I can't get an item I need I go to Dublin to get it, I don't think I've ever had to resort to sourcing things online or from another country. I'd rather spend an extra €10 that helps private and public sector people keep their jobs.

As for BlueIrish' comment, I suggest you have a look at the programme that was on TV3 the other night bout buying up north. They did the same list of shopping either side of the border and it worked out €3 more expensive down here and that wasn't even taking petrol into consideration. So that blows your argument out of the water.

For those who think I'm ranting- think of it as an education. Just think if the €400 million that was spent up North last year by Irish people was spent down here we would be facing less cuts on Tues. Hope I've been able to convince at least one person not to cross this border this year.

stimpson

Princess2011 wrote: »

That is such a unrealistic comment. Of course I buy stuff that isn't made in this country. Over 50% of the products in Irish shops are made in other countries. If we all went with your logic, we wouldn't be able to buy cars, tvs, bananas etc. I buy local, when I can't get an item I need I go to Dublin to get it, I don't think I've ever had to resort to sourcing things online or from another country. I'd rather spend an extra €10 that helps private and public sector people keep their jobs.

As for BlueIrish' comment, I suggest you have a look at the programme that was on TV3 the other night bout buying up north. They did the same list of shopping either side of the border and it worked out €3 more expensive down here and that wasn't even taking petrol into consideration. So that blows your argument out of the water.

For those who think I'm ranting- think of it as an education. Just think if the €400 million that was spent up North last year by Irish people was spent down here we would be facing less cuts on Tues. Hope I've been able to convince at least one person not to cross this border this year.

Sorry - but you're ignoring the economic realities. People need to stretch their euro as far as possible. If that means converting to Sterling and shopping in NI, then so be it - that's simple economics. We need more competitive pricing this side of the border - thats the only thing that will get people shopping at home.

While I agree you may not save much on a standard shop, anyone with half a brain won't do a standard shop. I drove to Asda in Belfast last year - €28 in diesel and tolls. I saved twice that much on buying non perishable items in bulk. 10 each of these more than makes up the saving:

Deodorant - €3 vs £1
Toothpaste - €3 vs £1
Toothbrushes €3 vs 2 for £1.50
Shower Gel €3 vs £1

Anything else was icing on the cake. I'm considering going back up again next week as I'm starting to run low on toothpaste.

Princess2011

stimpson wrote: »

Sorry - but you're ignoring the economic realities. People need to stretch their euro as far as possible. If that means converting to Sterling and shopping in NI, then so be it - that's simple economics. We need more competitive pricing this side of the border - thats the only thing that will get people shopping at home.

While I agree you may not save much on a standard shop, anyone with half a brain won't do a standard shop. I drove to Asda in Belfast last year - €28 in diesel and tolls. I saved twice that much on buying non perishable items in bulk. 10 each of these more than makes up the saving:

Deodorant - €3 vs £1
Toothpaste - €3 vs £1
Toothbrushes €3 vs 2 for £1.50
Shower Gel €3 vs £1

Anything else was icing on the cake. I'm considering going back up again next week as I'm starting to run low on toothpaste.

Are you being serious? Economic realities are that it may work out better for you in the short term but in the long term it won't. Because you spent your money up there last year, it's now effecting this years budget. It baffles me how you can't comprehend that. If everyone had that view, ireland would be in a far worse state. Thank God everyone isn't that selfish. Perhaps you should move up there and you'd be able to avail from the lower wages and benefits. Before you go this year, have a look in your local boots or pound shop. I'm sure they have just as good value minus the petrol cost.

stimpson

Princess2011 wrote: »

Are you being serious? Economic realities are that it may work out better for you in the short term but in the long term it won't. Because you spent your money up there last year, it's now effecting this years budget. It baffles me how you can't comprehend that. If everyone had that view, ireland would be in a far worse state. Thank God everyone isn't that selfish. Perhaps you should move up there and you'd be able to avail from the lower wages and benefits. Before you go this year, have a look in your local boots or pound shop. I'm sure they have just as good value minus the petrol cost.

It's this kind of thinking that causes the government to think they can slap 2% onto VAT. Last time they increased VAT by 1% the total VAT take dropped. When they dropped the VAT rate again, the total VAT rate increased. It's human nature to seek the best value for my euro.

And my local Boots charge around the €3 rate for toiletries, because they know about the law of price equilibrium. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_equilibrium As long as people are prepared to pay €3, they won't drop their prices. If people vote with their feet they will be forced to drop their prices to be competitive.

It's people like you who are feeding inflation by paying their inflated prices. More of your money is going to Boots shareholders than is going to the Revenue. I'll do whatever it takes to survive the current situation regardless of misguided appeals to patriotism from people who don't know any better.

Princess2011

stimpson wrote: »

It's this kind of thinking that causes the government to think they can slap 2% onto VAT. Last time they increased VAT by 1% the total VAT take dropped. When they dropped the VAT rate again, the total VAT rate increased. It's human nature to seek the best value for my euro.

And my local Boots charge around the €3 rate for toiletries, because they know about the law of price equilibrium. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_equilibrium As long as people are prepared to pay €3, they won't drop their prices. If people vote with their feet they will be forced to drop their prices to be competitive.

It's people like you who are feeding inflation by paying their inflated prices. More of your money is going to Boots shareholders than is going to the Revenue. I'll do whatever it takes to survive the current situation regardless of misguided appeals to patriotism from people who don't know any better.[/QUOTE

Although money is going back to Boots shareholders, they provide thousands of jobs, pay rents to property owners, pay rates to county councils, pay electricity bills which is all stimulating money in our economy. And the goverment are forced to put the vat rate up. Neither retailers nor consumers like this but if you listened to the news the other night, retailers have said they're going to absorb the vat increase so it won't hurt consumers pockets- not that it would harm you anyway if you're going up the North. And I don't appeal to anyone's patriotism or human nature, I appeal to people's common sense. And don't quote the law of price equilibrium(I did economics in college), prices have never been so low here. As I said before it's all relative, we have higher wages and benefits here. Every retailer is fighting hard for every customer including multinationals.

stimpson

Princess2011 wrote: »

Although money is going back to Boots shareholders, they provide thousands of jobs, pay rents to property owners, pay rates to county councils, pay electricity bills which is all stimulating money in our economy. And the goverment are forced to put the vat rate up.

The government are not forced to put it up. The IMF/EU said they are flexible as long as the sums add up. It's going to raise less tax. The government are fools.

Neither retailers nor consumers like this but if you listened to the news the other night, retailers have said they're going to absorb the vat increase so it won't hurt consumers pockets- not that it would harm you anyway if you're going up the North.

If you believe that then there is no hope for you. It has never happened. Prices get rounded up, not down so it has a disproportionate effect on inflation. Everyone knows that most retailers have been gouging people in the republic for years, why should things be any different this time?

And I don't appeal to anyone's patriotism or human nature, I appeal to people's common sense. And don't quote the law of price equilibrium(I did economics in college), prices have never been so low here.

Don't make me laugh. We had a couple of years of deflation mainly caused by the bursting of the housing bubble, meanwhile the cost of food, clothes and healthcare continued to rise. Price inflation is currently at 2.8% while wages are at a standstill and there was a massive tax hike last year, so in real terms things are much more expensive.

As I said before it's all relative, we have higher wages and benefits here. Every retailer is fighting hard for every customer including multinationals.

We have higher unemployment here too. One reason for that is our lack of competitiveness. Retailers will have to try a lot harder to get my euro.

Princess2011

It's like arguing with a 5 year old who can't seem to grasp any reason. You're coming up with arguments to justify yourself and focusing on trivial things without seeing the bigger picture. Good luck up the north! And good luck on tuesday- I hope your dole is cut- it's too much anyway.

stimpson

Princess2011 wrote: »

It's like arguing with a 5 year old who can't seem to grasp any reason. You're coming up with arguments to justify yourself and focusing on trivial things without seeing the bigger picture. Good luck up the north! And good luck on tuesday- I hope your dole is cut- it's too much anyway.

Sorry for using facts to back up my arguments.

Thanks for your concern, but I hold down a full time job to support my family while my wife is studying for her postgrad. I pay income tax at the top rate too.

Princess2011

Well I hear they're prob going to bring down children's allowance, prob put up post grad fees, your car tax is definately going up(I just paid mine for the full year), as well as the vat and just imagine you helped get yourself get all those cuts from shopping in the North. And when you're driving up north to spend all your money there, think what cuts are instore for you for next christmas. That's karma

stimpson

Princess2011 wrote: »

Well I hear they're prob going to bring down children's allowance, prob put up post grad fees, your car tax is definately going up(I just paid mine for the full year), as well as the vat and just imagine you helped get yourself get all those cuts from shopping in the North. And when you're driving up north to spend all your money there, think what cuts are instore for you for next christmas. That's karma

All of which will make it even more likely that I'll need to save a few pennies next Christmas. Do you see how the system works?

Princess2011

Well it's the 'which comes first, the chicken or the egg' debate. However some of us are more intelligent to figure this one out.

stimpson

Princess2011 wrote: »

Well it's the 'which comes first, the chicken or the egg' debate. However some of us are more intelligent to figure this one out.

Look, if it gives you a nice warm cosy feeling that you're keeping the economy going, then that's super. But I can't afford warm cosy feelings this Christmas so don't pretend that it somehow makes you more intelligent or morally superior.

Times are tough and I'll do what it takes to ensure my family are provided for. No amount of empty platitudes from you are going to put turkey on the table or ensure that Santy comes, however saving a few bob in Asda or on Amazon might just make the difference. Fair play to anyone who has the sense to do the same.

Monife

Princess2011 wrote: »

It's like arguing with a 5 year old who can't seem to grasp any reason. You're coming up with arguments to justify yourself and focusing on trivial things without seeing the bigger picture. Good luck up the north! And good luck on tuesday- I hope your dole is cut- it's too much anyway.

I think it is you who is arguing like a 5 year old with Stimpson. He has backed up his arguments with proper facts. Your argument is some ol patriotic sh*te. People need to cut costs wherever possible now. Some people don't have enough money to buy their kids the christmas presents they want. If it means they save a few euro up north and get to have a happy christmas, who cares. You are living in narnia if you think just because people spend a few quid up north, that they personally are causing job losses. It is the Government and the Banks (for sucking the money out of the state coffers) who have caused all the job losses.

You should do your research and back up your statements before you enter into a debate. Your posts are painful to read.

Princess2011

Monife wrote: »

I think it is you who is arguing like a 5 year old with Stimpson. He has backed up his arguments with proper facts. Your argument is some ol patriotic sh*te. People need to cut costs wherever possible now. Some people don't have enough money to buy their kids the christmas presents they want. If it means they save a few euro up north and get to have a happy christmas, who cares. You are living in narnia if you think just because people spend a few quid up north, that they personally are causing job losses. It is the Government and the Banks (for sucking the money out of the state coffers) who have caused all the job losses.

You should do your research and back up your statements before you enter into a debate. Your posts are painful to read.

You are seriously disillusioned. If I google stuff as well I can present you with facts. FYI you can't use wikipedia as fact either. I have never once mentioned anything about being patriotic. Maybe you should read my comments again and something will sink in. You say a few euro, as I said in one of my last comments, it's over €400 that could be pumped back into our economy and that would roughly be the equivailent of 13500 jobs at a salary of €30,000. And again have a look at that programme on TV3 and see there is no saving to be made.

maximoose

Princess2011 wrote: »

Maybe you should read my comments again

I wouldn't wish that on anyone, you're talking absolute f*cking nonsense.

amacachi

Princess2011 wrote: »

That is such a unrealistic comment. Of course I buy stuff that isn't made in this country. Over 50% of the products in Irish shops are made in other countries. If we all went with your logic, we wouldn't be able to buy cars, tvs, bananas etc. I buy local, when I can't get an item I need I go to Dublin to get it, I don't think I've ever had to resort to sourcing things online or from another country. I'd rather spend an extra €10 that helps private and public sector people keep their jobs.

As for BlueIrish' comment, I suggest you have a look at the programme that was on TV3 the other night bout buying up north. They did the same list of shopping either side of the border and it worked out €3 more expensive down here and that wasn't even taking petrol into consideration. So that blows your argument out of the water.

For those who think I'm ranting- think of it as an education. Just think if the €400 million that was spent up North last year by Irish people was spent down here we would be facing less cuts on Tues. Hope I've been able to convince at least one person not to cross this border this year.

I care about me. I don't give two fcuks about companies that have somehow been able to cut prices by 20% over the last few years. When something is cheaper here I'll buy it here. It's called competition and it's wonderful sometimes.

Davy

Back on topic. Can't be civil don't post!

stimpson

Princess2011 wrote: »

You are seriously disillusioned. If I google stuff as well I can present you with facts. FYI you can't use wikipedia as fact either. I have never once mentioned anything about being patriotic. Maybe you should read my comments again and something will sink in. You say a few euro, as I said in one of my last comments, it's over €400 that could be pumped back into our economy and that would roughly be the equivailent of 13500 jobs at a salary of €30,000. And again have a look at that programme on TV3 and see there is no saving to be made.

So your sums are 1,000,0000 people spending 400 each is 400,000,000. Divided by 30,000 is 13,500.

So you think the entire purchase price goes to paying wages? Are you sure you studied economics?

maxer68

TV3 programme showed no savings to be made

Pat Kenny programme showed no savings to be made (and many items MUCH cheaper in south)

Newstalk shows no overall saving to be made.

My own trips up there (business & family) every few weeks for last couple fo year, continue to say there are no savings to be had.

Comparisons on websites on a range of 40 popular items shows no savings to eb made in NI.


Go for a day out, go for an experience, go for variety and a change in scene, go for the lights of belfast, go for the atmosphere.

But if you think you are going to save money as well, you are very mistaken. But Belfast at Christmas is very unique and is well worth a visit for its day out value rather than pricing value.

Monife

maxer68 wrote: »

TV3 programme showed no savings to be made

Pat Kenny programme showed no savings to be made (and many items MUCH cheaper in south)

Newstalk shows no overall saving to be made.

My own trips up there (business & family) every few weeks for last couple fo year, continue to say there are no savings to be had.

Comparisons on websites on a range of 40 popular items shows no savings to eb made in NI.


Go for a day out, go for an experience, go for variety and a change in scene, go for the lights of belfast, go for the atmosphere.

But if you think you are going to save money as well, you are very mistaken. But Belfast at Christmas is very unique and is well worth a visit for its day out value rather than pricing value.

Incorrect. There are savings to be made, you just have to look hard enough. And great savings they are if you are buying a good bit of the same catagory of product. For example, designer makeup in Debenhams here is approximately 10-20 euro dearer than the Debenhams up North. Same goes for perfumes/aftershave.

HMV up North is also WAY cheaper than down here. You need to do your research before/if you go, and then you will make a reasonable saving. If a few people go up and chip in for petrol, you're onto a winner.

maxer68

maxer68 wrote: »

TV3 programme showed no savings to be made

The program was wrong and a half ass job done of it, go to Asda for a start, Sainsburys is the dearest store up north.

Regards to Elmo Price that was talked about on the program, here in the south it's €59.99 which she was correct with:

http://www.toys.ie/Sesame-Street-Lets-Rock-Elmo-!110547-prd.aspx?qwSessionID=1bebe5ea-ff57-4bba-9078-287f38e486ff

Up north in the same store it’s £39.99/€46.72, not €57.

http://www.smythstoys.com/sesame-street-171sc/sesame-street-lets-rock-elmo-110547itm.aspx?qwSessionID=e010abe6-79a6-4a15-bf20-0997e8fc04f2

A €13.27 saving, not the €2 saving the woman stated on the program.

Monife

hellboy99 wrote: »

The program was wrong and a half ass job done of it, go to Asda for a start, Sainsburys is the dearest store up north.

Regards to Elmo Price that was talked about on the program, here in the south it's €59.99 which she was correct with:

http://www.toys.ie/Sesame-Street-Lets-Rock-Elmo-!110547-prd.aspx?qwSessionID=1bebe5ea-ff57-4bba-9078-287f38e486ff

Up north in the same store it’s £39.99/€46.72, not €57.

http://www.smythstoys.com/sesame-street-171sc/sesame-street-lets-rock-elmo-110547itm.aspx?qwSessionID=e010abe6-79a6-4a15-bf20-0997e8fc04f2

A €13.27 saving, not the €2 saving the woman stated on the program.

A good few people on boards have said that show was a farce and was to make the North look bad as a lot of their advertising and funds are received from Southern businesses. Hidden agendas.

maxer68

hellboy99 wrote: »

The program was wrong and a half ass job done of it, go to Asda for a start, Sainsburys is the dearest store up north.

Regards to Elmo Price that was talked about on the program, here in the south it's €59.99 which she was correct with:

http://www.toys.ie/Sesame-Street-Lets-Rock-Elmo-!110547-prd.aspx?qwSessionID=1bebe5ea-ff57-4bba-9078-287f38e486ff

Up north in the same store it’s £39.99/€46.72, not €57.

http://www.smythstoys.com/sesame-street-171sc/sesame-street-lets-rock-elmo-110547itm.aspx?qwSessionID=e010abe6-79a6-4a15-bf20-0997e8fc04f2

A €13.27 saving, not the €2 saving the woman stated on the program.

That's hardly a representative sample you are showing and also you seem to be a little short on explanation.

The rrp is €89.99 & £79.99, but this seems to be a price war product, so retailers are now selling it at a loss to garner pubicity. At the time of the TV3 Programme, this was £49.99 / €59.99 but further reduction by another retailer in NI has meant smyths have dropped the NI price by a further £10 to price match.

So wow - you'll save €13 on possibly the most annoying toy out this christmas, but purely becasue its a local special offer. At the normal retail price, it would have been cheaper to buy south, just lake many other toys & games - but sure the begrudgers will only point to the ever diminishing number of special offers to compare north and south.

For normal shopping, THERE IS NO SAVING! - But if you want a good day out, places like Belfast & Derry are great places to go.

BTW - just for everyone to be very clear. The minimum rate of exchange you need to use is 1.185 (excluding any exchange commission)
so £10 - €11.85, £20 = €23.70 etc £39.99 = €47.38
Or to include commission, probably safer & easier to use 1.20.

stimpson

maxer68 wrote: »

For normal shopping, THERE IS NO SAVING! - But if you want a good day out, places like Belfast & Derry are great places to go.

As I was saying before, there are big savings to be made if buying non perishables in bulk. A quick look on tesco.ie VS asda.co.uk gives us these:

Radox mens showergel - €2.79 vs 3 for £3
L'oreal men expert anto persperant €3.35 vs £1.50
Colgate toothpaste 100ml - 2 for €5.50 vs 2 for £3
Colgate toothbrush - €3.09 vs 2 for £3
Head and shoulders 500ml - €5.59 vs £3.50


For Drugs I'm not even going to try and find an Irish price:

ASDA ibuprofen caps 16s - 28p
ASDA paracetamol tabs 16s - 15p
ASDA aspirin 300mg 16's - 19p

Frozen food
McCain home chips - €2.65 vs £1
Jamie Oliver fish cakes - €2.69 vs 2 for £3
Birds eye 1/4 pounders - 1.98 vs €3.49

maxer68

stimpson wrote: »

As I was saying before, there are big savings to be made if buying non perishables in bulk. A quick look on tesco.ie VS asda.co.uk gives us these:

Radox mens showergel - €2.79 vs 3 for £3
L'oreal men expert anto persperant €3.35 vs £1.50
Colgate toothpaste 100ml - 2 for €5.50 vs 2 for £3
Colgate toothbrush - €3.09 vs 2 for £3
Head and shoulders 500ml - €5.59 vs £3.50


For Drugs I'm not even going to try and find an Irish price:

ASDA ibuprofen caps 16s - 28p
ASDA paracetamol tabs 16s - 15p
ASDA aspirin 300mg 16's - 19p

Frozen food
McCain home chips - €2.65 vs £1
Jamie Oliver fish cakes - €2.69 vs 2 for £3
Birds eye 1/4 pounders - 1.98 vs €3.49

but you are comparing TEMPORARY special offers with noraml retail prices.

A minor sitch of brand or type and you can get - lager bag oven chips for €1.29, 1/4pounders for half price etc etc.

Comparing a temporary special offer with normal pricing is bad economics - I can then list 20 / 30 tesco / dunnes offfers taht ASDA have a full rpice and then shout Tesco in soputh is 20% cheaper than tesco in north.

L'oreal Mens deo - 2 for €3 in Hickeys, €1.50 in euro 2, 2 for €3 in local pharmacy too. Colgate tootpaste - €1.50 in euro 2, 2 for €2 in local discount store in newbridge, head and shoulders (crap imo) but a small switch to timotei (crap also) and you'll have your shampoo for €2

Special offer comparison is stupid and bears no resemblance to a NORMAL family shop.


For a normal shop that includes bread, veg, fresh meat, chilled good, fruit, cereals, tinned product, toiletries etc etc, there is no discernaible saving either side of the border. - and if you think there is, then you've rose tinted specs on.

Monife

maxer68 wrote: »

but you are comparing TEMPORARY special offers with noraml retail prices.

A minor sitch of brand or type and you can get - lager bag oven chips for €1.29, 1/4pounders for half price etc etc.

Comparing a temporary special offer with normal pricing is bad economics - I can then list 20 / 30 tesco / dunnes offfers taht ASDA have a full rpice and then shout Tesco in soputh is 20% cheaper than tesco in north.

L'oreal Mens deo - 2 for €3 in Hickeys, €1.50 in euro 2, 2 for €3 in local pharmacy too. Colgate tootpaste - €1.50 in euro 2, 2 for €2 in local discount store in newbridge, head and shoulders (crap imo) but a small switch to timotei (crap also) and you'll have your shampoo for €2

Special offer comparison is stupid and bears no resemblance to a NORMAL family shop.

For a normal shop that includes bread, veg, fresh meat, chilled good, fruit, cereals, tinned product, toiletries etc etc, there is no discernaible saving either side of the border. - and if you think there is, then you've rose tinted specs on.

But you wouldn't be heading up North for a "normal" family shop. The trick to make the savings is to avail of the offers on non-perishable goods and to buy electrics/dvd's/make-up/perfume/aftershave.

stimpson

maxer68 wrote: »

but you are comparing TEMPORARY special offers with noraml retail prices.

A minor sitch of brand or type and you can get - lager bag oven chips for €1.29, 1/4pounders for half price etc etc.

Comparing a temporary special offer with normal pricing is bad economics - I can then list 20 / 30 tesco / dunnes offfers taht ASDA have a full rpice and then shout Tesco in soputh is 20% cheaper than tesco in north.

If you swich brands in ASDA you can make even bigger savings. I purposely compared like for like. ASDA own brand is good quality and much cheaper And they're not all special offers. If you can do the same on Tesco.ie then please do. Make sure you are comparing like for like.

L'oreal Mens deo - 2 for €3 in Hickeys, €1.50 in euro 2, 2 for €3 in local pharmacy too. Colgate tootpaste - €1.50 in euro 2, 2 for €2 in local discount store in newbridge, head and shoulders (crap imo) but a small switch to timotei (crap also) and you'll have your shampoo for €2

I use the L'oreal expert deodorant and I've never seen it that cheap. It's normally 3.50. I'd bet the toothpaste is smaller tubes. And Timotei are £1 in ASDA.

Special offer comparison is stupid and bears no resemblance to a NORMAL family shop.

It's perfectly reasonable to include them if they are available at that price. Do you go into Tescos and ignore the special offers? Like I said, if you are making savings Then stock up on non perishable stuff - especially on the specials.

For a normal shop that includes bread, veg, fresh meat, chilled good, fruit, cereals, tinned product, toiletries etc etc, there is no discernaible saving either side of the border. - and if you think there is, then you've rose tinted specs on.

Its not about doing a normal shop - it's about saving money. There is a reason I didn't include many of those things, but there are serious savings to be made on toiletries.

borderlinemeath

stimpson wrote: »

If you swich brands in ASDA you can make even bigger savings. I purposely compared like for like. ASDA own brand is good quality and much cheaper And they're not all special offers. If you can do the same on Tesco.ie then please do. Make sure you are comparing like for like.



I use the L'oreal expert deodorant and I've never seen it that cheap. It's normally 3.50. I'd bet the toothpaste is smaller tubes. And Timotei are £1 in ASDA.



It's perfectly reasonable to include them if they are available at that price. Do you go into Tescos and ignore the special offers? Like I said, if you are making savings Then stock up on non perishable stuff - especially on the specials.



Its not about doing a normal shop - it's about saving money. There is a reason I didn't include many of those things, but there are serious savings to be made on toiletries.

So what is the point of buying nothing but non perishables and toiletries? Hardly a typical shopping basket. Spending more than you need to stock up on a years supply of shower gel and then feel the pinch when you need to buy meat,veg, milk, bread etc. There's plenty of offers year round in all the supermarkets in the south. Great offers if you're near a "buylo" outlet on plenty of items like shower gels, washing powders, household cleaners etc.

People have this 2% VAT increase blown out of all proportion. Don't forget the extra 2% will be added onto the fuel you're going to use to get to the North.

stimpson

borderlinemeath wrote: »

So what is the point of buying nothing but non perishables and toiletries? Hardly a typical shopping basket. Spending more than you need to stock up on a years supply of shower gel and then feel the pinch when you need to buy meat,veg, milk, bread etc. There's plenty of offers year round in all the supermarkets in the south. Great offers if you're near a "buylo" outlet on plenty of items like shower gels, washing powders, household cleaners etc.

People have this 2% VAT increase blown out of all proportion. Don't forget the extra 2% will be added onto the fuel you're going to use to get to the North.

Ill say it again. Its not about doing a typical shop, it's about saving money. I'm less likely to feel the pinch during the year if I don't have to buy toothpaste and deodorant.

Things are substantially cheaper already. The 2% is the icing on the cake.