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Race week overcharging in Galway

  • 01-08-2012 2:34pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,728 ✭✭✭


    Went into the Skeff today for lunch (regular customer), got to the carvery section, then noticed the prices had gone up by €1, so the main meal and a lot of others were €10.95 :rolleyes:

    No thanks, stepped out of the queue, walked right out of there.

    It's only €1 yes, but it's the principle.

    Anybody else witnessed overcharging this week?


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,769 ✭✭✭nuac


    It is only a Euro during Race Week. Skeff had given good value for at least 50 years to my knowledge.

    I presume during Races they have to get in extra staff etc


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,635 ✭✭✭jenno86


    nuac wrote: »
    It is only a Euro during Race Week. Skeff had given good value for at least 50 years to my knowledge.

    I presume during Races they have to get in extra staff etc

    Why do they have extra staff?


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 31,117 ✭✭✭✭snubbleste


    Strongly worded letter to a local freesheet is in order.

    There was a piece on a national radio station this week about hotel prices in Galway comparing this week to another August week. €100+ per night mark-ups were noted. Publicity does wonders for the tourists.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,769 ✭✭✭nuac


    jenno86 wrote: »
    Why do they have extra staff?

    Extra business during Race Week


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 863 ✭✭✭goldenhoarde


    be interesting to see if the price drops back next week or the week after when the races are over

    Mgmt using the races to get a price rise in as people expect higher prices in race week? After 2 weeks a lot of people will view it as normal!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,635 ✭✭✭jenno86


    nuac wrote: »
    Extra business during Race Week

    Exactly


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,673 ✭✭✭s_carnage


    nuac wrote: »
    Extra business during Race Week

    Yes but that means extra profit. They certainly don't need to raise prices because they are busy if anything they should reduce prices as most places clean up during the week


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,728 ✭✭✭Col200sx


    nuac wrote: »
    It is only a Euro during Race Week.

    I know it's "only €1", hence why I said:
    Col200sx wrote: »
    It's only €1 yes, but it's the principle.

    It's bad form ripping off people for race week, they're just trying to make a quick buck.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,436 ✭✭✭c_man


    Good find OP. I hate that type of carry on. I worked in a few Galway pubs/hotels over different Race Weeks and the overcharging was crazy.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 31,117 ✭✭✭✭snubbleste


    OP you've been eating there for the past two years :D
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055981609


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,688 ✭✭✭Nailz


    Col200sx wrote: »
    I know it's "only €1", hence why I said:



    It's bad form ripping off people for race week, they're just trying to make a quick buck.
    Well, if they find the opportunity to make money off Race Week then why not take it? The Skeff is just a business like any other, of course they're going to try to make a quick buck, it's just another fundamental objective, there's nothing wrong with that. It's up to you, the consumer, on whether you want to eat there or not.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,193 ✭✭✭Wompa1


    Nailz wrote: »
    Well, if they find the opportunity to make money off Race Week then why not take it? The Skeff is just a business like any other, of course they're going to try to make a quick buck, it's just another fundamental objective, there's nothing wrong with that. It's up to you, the consumer, on whether you want to eat there or not.

    He did go somewhere else. He's just making everyone else aware so they don't waste their time going in there. Thanks OP!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,247 ✭✭✭Greaney


    Other than hotel rooms which have peaks and troughs, I know that hiking up the price of a pint (drink) for an event is illegal. Does that apply to food too?? A few years ago pubs were busted in Dublin for putting up the price of drink during football matches. I can't find the link to it though:(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,292 ✭✭✭✭Mrs OBumble


    Col200sx wrote: »
    Went into the Skeff today for lunch (regular customer), got to the carvery section, then noticed the prices had gone up by €1, so the main meal and a lot of others were €10.95 :rolleyes:

    No thanks, stepped out of the queue, walked right out of there.

    That's not overcharging.

    Overcharging is if the signs said €10.95 for the food and €2 for the drink, and you got the till and were charged any more than €12.95, despite what the signs say.

    Or maybe if they were charging €19.95 for the same meal and environment that everyone else in town was charging €10.95 for. (Technically this is price-gourging, but same difference really.)

    What you experienced was prices rising to meet demand. That's called "economics". No different, really, to restaurants giving a discount to get people in on quiet nights in winter.

    It's not a problem - unless they don't tell you about it. They told you, you took your demand elsewhere. That's the market operating as it should.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,635 ✭✭✭jenno86


    JustMary wrote: »
    That's not overcharging.

    Overcharging is if the signs said €10.95 for the food and €2 for the drink, and you got the till and were charged any more than €12.95, despite what the signs say.

    Or maybe if they were charging €19.95 for the same meal and environment that everyone else in town was charging €10.95 for. (Technically this is price-gourging, but same difference really.)

    What you experienced was prices rising to meet demand. That's called "economics". No different, really, to restaurants giving a discount to get people in on quiet nights in winter.

    It's not a problem - unless they don't tell you about it. They told you, you took your demand elsewhere. That's the market operating as it should.

    You're missing the point


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,789 ✭✭✭✭ScumLord


    nuac wrote: »
    Extra business during Race Week
    On economics, it costs less to provide more. If they buy twice as much food they may well get it at a discounted rate meaning they make more profit.

    I'm not against what they did but I think if I was a regular at that establishment and I was going to be charged more because the town was full of gamblers I'd take my business else where. The Skeff is running the risk of losing their regular customers for a quick buck.

    Even if the OP fully intended on going back after the prices go down he may well find somewhere much better during that period and just not want to go back.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,688 ✭✭✭Nailz


    Wompa1 wrote: »
    He did go somewhere else. He's just making everyone else aware so they don't waste their time going in there. Thanks OP!
    I know he did, I never said he didn't. But throwing phrases like "ripping off" and saying it's bad form and all that is nonsense. He done the right thing for him, he didn't want to spend the extra euro so he didn't, it's not the place to be flaming the Skeff or whatever pub during race week because they raised the prices to suit the extra demand, from a business perspective they have done nothing wrong.

    I'm intrigued by the fact that people have to be warned not to go there, as if the €1 differentiates value for money and a rip off for lunch in the Skeff.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28 helloghan


    Nailz wrote: »
    I know he did, I never said he didn't. But throwing phrases like "ripping off" and saying it's bad form and all that is nonsense. He done the right thing for him, he didn't want to spend the extra euro so he didn't, it's not the place to be flaming the Skeff or whatever pub during race week because they raised the prices to suit the extra demand, from a business perspective they have done nothing wrong.

    I'm intrigued by the fact that people have to be warned not to go there, as if the €1 differentiates value for money and a rip off for lunch in the Skeff.

    Exactly. who cares whether it's 9.95 or 10.95? If it makes such a difference I suggest scanning the ground while you're in there, you might find a couple of 10 cents, be worthwhile...

    I can also see the other side of it, being annoyed that the price is put up just for race week though. The more I think about it, the more I think, 'Yeah, I'd walk out too!' but I couldn't tell you why.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,193 ✭✭✭Wompa1


    Nailz wrote: »
    I know he did, I never said he didn't. But throwing phrases like "ripping off" and saying it's bad form and all that is nonsense. He done the right thing for him, he didn't want to spend the extra euro so he didn't, it's not the place to be flaming the Skeff or whatever pub during race week because they raised the prices to suit the extra demand, from a business perspective they have done nothing wrong.

    I'm intrigued by the fact that people have to be warned not to go there, as if the €1 differentiate value for money and a rip off for lunch in the Skeff.

    He's not put off by the price, he's put off by the fact they increased it for the races. It's his opinion and he's sharing it and warning others. In my opinion The Skeff is ripping people off. It's gouging customers to maximize profits for the week. The extra staff they have to put on, would be more than covered by the extra money spent in the place. So where is the justification in raising the prices?

    It's greed at a time when most people can't afford to pay that bit extra. If I was on the dole I'd notice the euro more. If I worked in the city center and went there for a sandwich everyday I'd notice the 5 euro for the week. It's good to know.

    It's also as I said in my opinion gouging. Galway is at a time when it needs to put it's best foot forward. During the Celtic Tiger (IMO) it became less tourist based, service went down the tubes and this kind of gouging started to happen. Now there's a noticeable change, with more focus on tourism but the likes of the hotels, restaurants and pubs like The Skeff that are around the town charging a crazy price will leave a bad taste in the mouth of visitors and in the end hurt the image of Galway as a whole.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,155 ✭✭✭ErnieBert


    If the price reverts to €9.95 next week or the week after, then I'd be annoyed.

    Maybe the price just went up?


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  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 31,117 ✭✭✭✭snubbleste


    ErnieBert wrote: »
    If the price reverts to €9.95 next week or the week after, then I'd be annoyed.
    Maybe the price just went up?
    No, the Skeff put it up for a certain period..they have done so for years.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 62 ✭✭Yardleys Lavender


    Whatever about about putting the price up, we got a chicken shisk (spelling...how do you spell it...I don't know) in an ex Strawberry Fields Kebabary in Cross Street at the weekend, and it was distinctly lacking in the poultry content. I put it down to Race Week Portions.

    I probably wouldn't have felt as bad if they had hiked up the price a bit, but taking away about a third of the content really annoyed me:rolleyes: I felt sort of hard done by...so sad.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,397 ✭✭✭✭ben.schlomo


    Wompa1 wrote: »
    He's not put off by the price, he's put off by the fact they increased it for the races. It's his opinion and he's sharing it and warning others. In my opinion The Skeff is ripping people off. It's gouging customers to maximize profits for the week. The extra staff they have to put on, would be more than covered by the extra money spent in the place. So where is the justification in raising the prices?

    It's greed at a time when most people can't afford to pay that bit extra. If I was on the dole I'd notice the euro more. If I worked in the city center and went there for a sandwich everyday I'd notice the 5 euro for the week. It's good to know.

    It's also as I said in my opinion gouging. Galway is at a time when it needs to put it's best foot forward. During the Celtic Tiger (IMO) it became less tourist based, service went down the tubes and this kind of gouging started to happen. Now there's a noticeable change, with more focus on tourism but the likes of the hotels, restaurants and pubs like The Skeff that are around the town charging a crazy price will leave a bad taste in the mouth of visitors and in the end hurt the image of Galway as a whole.
    If i was on the dole i wouldnt be paying either price for food in a pub id be making my own.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 682 ✭✭✭GalwayGaillimh


    Petrol seems to have mysteriously crept up to 164.9 around town a full 9 cents more expensive than the cheapest in hte country which is in Mullingar at 155.9 , I doubt they are making a loss on it in Mullingar at that price either.

    Si Deus Nobiscum Qui Contra Nos



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,688 ✭✭✭Nailz


    Wompa1 wrote: »
    He's not put off by the price, he's put off by the fact they increased it for the races. It's his opinion and he's sharing it and warning others. In my opinion The Skeff is ripping people off. It's gouging customers to maximize profits for the week. The extra staff they have to put on, would be more than covered by the extra money spent in the place. So where is the justification in raising the prices?

    It's greed at a time when most people can't afford to pay that bit extra. If I was on the dole I'd notice the euro more. If I worked in the city center and went there for a sandwich everyday I'd notice the 5 euro for the week. It's good to know.

    It's also as I said in my opinion gouging. Galway is at a time when it needs to put it's best foot forward. During the Celtic Tiger (IMO) it became less tourist based, service went down the tubes and this kind of gouging started to happen. Now there's a noticeable change, with more focus on tourism but the likes of the hotels, restaurants and pubs like The Skeff that are around the town charging a crazy price will leave a bad taste in the mouth of visitors and in the end hurt the image of Galway as a whole.
    I got all of that. It just gets to me the fact that people attribute ‘greed’ to raising the prices during one of the busiest weeks in the year for Galway. Of course they're trying to squeeze every last bit of profit out of it, that's the main objective of running a business, applying nonsensical consumer priniciples to that is pointless. I'm with the OP in him not buying the lunch because that's his thing, but complaining about it is a different story. Sure, there are under lying factors that might effect the Skeffs business in the future such as demand falling due to higher prices, a decrease in customer loyalty and the possibility of having to pay staff whatever extra they made from charging more — but that's the Skeff's problem.

    As for things like that leaving a bad taste in the mouth for visitors, I'm sure most of them understand why the prices are up, all they have to do is look around; more people = increased propensity for people to consume. The visitors (should) know what they're in for during race week, the majority will be prepared for it. And having been to other towns and cities internationally during a big local event, the prices in Galway are on the better end of the price scale. You should see the prices in Dublin on a normal day...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,236 ✭✭✭✭thesandeman


    I've not really been in The Skeff since we went in to play the video games down the back circa 1980 but seriously 1 EURO?? Didn't see you complementing them when they were doing specials during the quiet months or when they were giving out free stuff during their food festival thing a month or so ago.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28 helloghan


    Update: My friend works in the skeff, says if you are a regular you get charged the normal 9.95. So if the OP had just waited in line, all this could have been avoided...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,193 ✭✭✭Wompa1


    If i was on the dole i wouldnt be paying either price for food in a pub id be making my own.

    Hey, I've never been on the dole. I assume it's not out of the realms of possibility that some people go out for lunch once a week. If you get sniped at for saying people on the dole shouldn't be going on nights out, I would think it's equally offensive to suggest they shouldn't be eating out once a week.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,398 ✭✭✭inisboffin


    helloghan wrote: »
    Update: My friend works in the skeff, says if you are a regular you get charged the normal 9.95. So if the OP had just waited in line, all this could have been avoided...

    So there's no new staff taken on, anyone serving would have recognised a regular? :p
    There's a hole in the bucket...


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,193 ✭✭✭Wompa1


    Nailz wrote: »
    I got all of that. It just gets to me the fact that people attribute ‘greed’ to raising the prices during one of the busiest weeks in the year for Galway. Of course they're trying to squeeze every last bit of profit out of it, that's the main objective of running a business, applying nonsensical consumer priniciples to that is pointless. I'm with the OP in him not buying the lunch because that's his thing, but complaining about it is a different story. Sure, there are under lying factors that might effect the Skeffs business in the future such as demand falling due to higher prices, a decrease in customer loyalty and the possibility of having to pay staff whatever extra they made from charging more — but that's the Skeff's problem.

    As for things like that leaving a bad taste in the mouth for visitors, I'm sure most of them understand why the prices are up, all they have to do is look around; more people = increased propensity for people to consume. The visitors (should) know what they're in for during race week, the majority will be prepared for it. And having been to other towns and cities internationally during a big local event, the prices in Galway are on the better end of the price scale. You should see the prices in Dublin on a normal day...

    All true, though comparing to Dublin is a bit of a stretch. The OP isn't the only one that's given out about the price increases. It was in local news leading up to the week. I worked in the city for years during race week, we had more people on and it was busier but the prices were not bumped up to capitalize on it. It's greed. Places were doing it when times were good and they are still doing it. So message from this is anybody who happens upon this when researching their trip to Galway this week. Avoid The Skeff, they are overcharging you.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,443 ✭✭✭fergiesfolly


    Nailz wrote: »
    I got all of that. It just gets to me the fact that people attribute ‘greed’ to raising the prices during one of the busiest weeks in the year for Galway. Of course they're trying to squeeze every last bit of profit out of it, that's the main objective of running a business, applying nonsensical consumer priniciples to that is pointless. I'm with the OP in him not buying the lunch because that's his thing, but complaining about it is a different story. Sure, there are under lying factors that might effect the Skeffs business in the future such as demand falling due to higher prices, a decrease in customer loyalty and the possibility of having to pay staff whatever extra they made from charging more — but that's the Skeff's problem.

    As for things like that leaving a bad taste in the mouth for visitors, I'm sure most of them understand why the prices are up, all they have to do is look around; more people = increased propensity for people to consume. The visitors (should) know what they're in for during race week, the majority will be prepared for it. And having been to other towns and cities internationally during a big local event, the prices in Galway are on the better end of the price scale. You should see the prices in Dublin on a normal day...
    If I'm a visitor to a town and I KNOW I'm getting screwed in a bar/ restaurant or where ever, I'm out of there. And I'm not going back. And I'll make it clear to to owner/manager as to why. Nobody should expect to get ripped off and nobody should accept it when it does.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,061 ✭✭✭✭John_Rambo


    Wompa1 wrote: »
    All true, though comparing to Dublin is a bit of a stretch..

    True, much better value to be got in Dublin, I guess it's down to harsh competition. I found Galway to be very very expensive during the VOR.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,688 ✭✭✭Nailz


    Wompa1 wrote: »
    All true, though comparing to Dublin is a bit of a stretch. The OP isn't the only one that's given out about the price increases. It was in local news leading up to the week. I worked in the city for years during race week, we had more people on and it was busier but the prices were not bumped up to capitalize on it. It's greed. Places were doing it when times were good and they are still doing it. So message from this is anybody who happens upon this when researching their trip to Galway this week. Avoid The Skeff, they are overcharging you.
    Although they're not overcharging you, they're charging you what the sign says, overcharging you would be walking up to the counter with a tray of food in your hand thinking it's going to be €11.95 and then charging you a euro extra, they're charging as advertised as far as I know from the OP, which is fair. I would have a problem if it didn't say it when the customers walked in.

    I understand why your place of work charged the same as ever during previous races, keep the demand up, it's consistent, less confusing and it keeps its regulars in mind. In fact, if I was manager at the Skeff I would have done the same, but they felt that they could capitalise further by increasing the price, that's purely within reason. I can't see how it's greed, if that's greed then all means of profit-orientated business is greed, it's absurd to think that way particularly the week that is in it. It's like me applying greed to maintaining its original prices as it's turning over more due to increased demand; both methods are still fighting to reach the same goal.

    I believe the greed principle is largely assigned to "the times that are in it" phenomenon, the fact that they don't actually have a gun pointed to your head forcing you to go in and pay €1 extra for a lunch in the Skeff throws that principle out the window. If you don't want to pay it, if you can't pay it, if you're economising and the euro makes a difference to you; then don't buy it, and the OP didn't. I have little care for who or how many people and media outlets whinge about the prices, some folks just love to have something to complain about. Although it could just be considered news...
    If I'm a visitor to a town and I KNOW I'm getting screwed in a bar/ restaurant or where ever, I'm out of there. And I'm not going back. And I'll make it clear to to owner/manager as to why. Nobody should expect to get ripped off and nobody should accept it when it does.
    Did you look at the prices before you went in and got "screwed" in this hypothetical situation? Then why the feck did you buy it? If you didn't then it's your own fault, and poor consumership too. Or do you just walk into random pubs and complain to the manager without buying anything?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,456 ✭✭✭fishy fishy


    fair play to the OP.

    There are plenty of extra people in town having lunch for them to make a profit - why take from their regulars also (who happen to keep the place afloat when the tourists are gone) If the OP had five lunches in the week, that would be a fiver extra he is paying for the week. How many other "regulars" are they fleecing with their "euro" extra for the same food.

    Keep walking OP and I for one will not darken the door of the Skeff from now on.


    Keep it real, people and stop biting the hand that feeds you for the rest of the year (pardon the pun)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,728 ✭✭✭Col200sx


    First things first, this is not a vendetta against the Skeff. Not at all. If it was, "the Skeff" name would have been in the thread title ;)

    I like the food, like the place, the staff are sound, general good atmosphere there. If it was any other business, I would've done the same.

    This thread was intended to find out establishments that were increasing prices during race week.

    JustMary wrote: »
    That's not overcharging.

    Overcharging is if the signs said €10.95 for the food and €2 for the drink, and you got the till and were charged any more than €12.95, despite what the signs say.

    Or maybe if they were charging €19.95 for the same meal and environment that everyone else in town was charging €10.95 for. (Technically this is price-gourging, but same difference really.)

    What you experienced was prices rising to meet demand. That's called "economics". No different, really, to restaurants giving a discount to get people in on quiet nights in winter.

    It's not a problem - unless they don't tell you about it. They told you, you took your demand elsewhere. That's the market operating as it should.

    Fair enough Mary, I see your point. It was advertised at the higher prices, so that's not overcharging. When I saw the inflated prices, I left.

    If anything, my description could've been better. Instead of overcharging, maybe I should've named this thread: "Race week price increasing in Galway"
    helloghan wrote: »
    Exactly. who cares whether it's 9.95 or 10.95? If it makes such a difference I suggest scanning the ground while you're in there, you might find a couple of 10 cents, be worthwhile...

    I can also see the other side of it, being annoyed that the price is put up just for race week though. The more I think about it, the more I think, 'Yeah, I'd walk out too!' but I couldn't tell you why.

    :rolleyes: My original post says:
    Col200sx wrote: »
    It's only €1 yes, but it's the principle

    I've not really been in The Skeff since we went in to play the video games down the back circa 1980 but seriously 1 EURO?? Didn't see you complementing them when they were doing specials during the quiet months or when they were giving out free stuff during their food festival thing a month or so ago.

    I didn't know they did free specials in the quiet months, or they gave out free stuff during the food festival. How could I compeliment something I knew nothing about :confused:
    helloghan wrote: »
    Update: My friend works in the skeff, says if you are a regular you get charged the normal 9.95. So if the OP had just waited in line, all this could have been avoided...

    So should I have: queued up, ordered my food, got to the till and even though I'd seen the price increase, assume I'd get a discount?

    Don't think so.


    FINALLY. If I paid the inflated price, said nothing, then came on here giving out stink about it, I'd be slated by everyone.

    I did the right thing and voted with my feet.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,688 ✭✭✭Nailz


    I'd like to make it known that I do think that you have done what's right for you, Col, and I think that's cool. And of course you're not on a vendetta against the Skeff, nor do you intend to single it out, in fact I'm no less annoyed at your post but instead of the reaction the business is getting for attempting to maximise it's short term profit when the opportunity came about. I empathise with the fact that it is affecting a regular, such as yourself, it happens often here back where I come from when there is such events going on (I go to college in Galway) and it usual ends up with the price of drink and food being inflated too.

    To most people, including yourself I'm assuming, that is disloyal to their regular customers, but really it is just consistent with the businesses' economic interests. Over race week there is bound to be greater demand, therefore there is going to be a shift in the short-term demand and supply curve, this being an aspect of neoclassical economics (sorry about this) meaning the price is to rise in order to maintain a typical level of supply for their customers without the need to take on other factors, such as bringing in more employees to work extra shifts. So I'm sympathetic to their means of doing business, if the business was to charge the old price to who they would deem as 'regulars' and another for race-goers and tourists, that's where I'd start to have a problem with it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,209 ✭✭✭✭JohnCleary


    €6.20 for a pint bottle of Bulmers in the Radisson last night.

    Normally i'd have just walked away, but I got caught in a round and it was my turn so couldn't exactly vote with my feet.

    Tell ya one thing, the schneaky naggin wasn't long coming out after that pint was consumed :pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 374 ✭✭dantbyhid


    helloghan wrote: »
    Update: My friend works in the skeff, says if you are a regular you get charged the normal 9.95. So if the OP had just waited in line, all this could have been avoided...

    I actually don't know what to say to that. Been looking at my computer screen in disbelief for the last 10 mins. If I was a non-regular and saw someone in front of me getting the exact same meal for less than what I was paying for it I'd be pretty pissed off. :(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,292 ✭✭✭✭Mrs OBumble


    dantbyhid wrote: »
    I actually don't know what to say to that. Been looking at my computer screen in disbelief for the last 10 mins. If I was a non-regular and saw someone in front of me getting the exact same meal for less than what I was paying for it I'd be pretty pissed off. :(

    I see old people get exactly the same <<whatever>> as I get while paying less all the time. And kids. And people with loyalty cards / staff discount cards / coupons.

    But so long as the price I'm charged is no more than the advertised price, I get over it.

    (Except in places like Woodies, where the goods are expensive, so the oldness-discount may be quite large. In that case, I've been know to take a friendly older person along to carry out the transaction for me.)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,773 ✭✭✭connemara man


    dantbyhid wrote: »
    I actually don't know what to say to that. Been looking at my computer screen in disbelief for the last 10 mins. If I was a non-regular and saw someone in front of me getting the exact same meal for less than what I was paying for it I'd be pretty pissed off. :(

    A lot of towns i visited while travelling had a locals discount card type of system as a lot of the food and drink would be priced at tourists so slightly higher than normal the locals would then get a cheaper price on the food and drink. Didn't bother me and I was broke at the time


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 374 ✭✭dantbyhid


    Having a discount/loyalty card is a bit different in all fairness.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28 helloghan


    It happens all the time, what's the difference between giving a regular a slight difference on price, and a bartender serving a regular before someone else?

    Do you get annoyed when bars give out free drinks at Christmas to regulars?


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,940 ✭✭✭BhoscaCapall


    nuac wrote: »
    It is only a Euro during Race Week. Skeff had given good value for at least 50 years to my knowledge.

    I presume during Races they have to get in extra staff etc

    I presume during Race week they make a fúcking ton of money.

    There is absolutely no excuse and it's sad that anyone would feel the need to make one for them.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28 helloghan


    I presume during Race week they make a fúcking ton of money.

    There is absolutely no excuse and it's sad that anyone would feel the need to make one for them.

    Yes they make a ton of money during race week, but the money they make during the summer has to balance out for all the months where they will lose money.

    Revenue is very different from profit. What would you say if they needed this race week to go really well money wise to make a profit for the year?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,193 ✭✭✭Wompa1


    helloghan wrote: »
    Yes they make a ton of money during race week, but the money they make during the summer has to balance out for all the months where they will lose money.

    Revenue is very different from profit. What would you say if they needed this race week to go really well money wise to make a profit for the year?

    If they are losing money at any stage of the year that's pretty bad management. If they aren't very busy then have less staff on, change things to suit their income...if they operate the way you suggest they are taking a huge gamble every summer


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,292 ✭✭✭✭Mrs OBumble


    Wompa1 wrote: »
    If they are losing money at any stage of the year that's pretty bad management. If they aren't very busy then have less staff on, change things to suit their income...if they operate the way you suggest they are taking a huge gamble every summer

    Most businesses here operate that way.

    Some operating costs can be varied to suit busy-ness. But rent, rate, electricity etc don't quite work that way.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,940 ✭✭✭BhoscaCapall


    You are having a laugh if you think places like the Skeff run at a loss for the other 51 weeks of the year.

    It's like people actually have a desire to get taken for mugs.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28 helloghan


    You are having a laugh if you think places like the Skeff run at a loss for the other 51 weeks of the year.

    It's like people actually have a desire to get taken for mugs.

    What are you basing your assumptions on? If you've been a bar owner or manager, or have worked in the skeff and have seen the balance sheets, please let us know and we can end the debate.

    I'm not saying its a loss for the other 51 weeks of the year, but certain months during the business year you are going to lose money. Thats why if you ever open a store, you need money for the months where you wont cover expenditure (Heat, rent, rates etc.)

    I'm pretty much playing the devils advocate here, but let's remember we're talking about a price change of one euro here. Me saying they need that to turn a profit is silly, just like anyone saying they're stealing and thieving over one euro is silly. It's a business, and if you ran one you'd do the exact same.

    There's a lot of people who depend on the place to make a living. It would fiscally irresponsible of management to not make as much profit as they can, within reason. Raising the price of lunch for one euro, for one week, is totally reasonable.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,940 ✭✭✭BhoscaCapall


    Being eternally bent over will lead to back pains in later life.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28 helloghan


    Being eternally bent over will lead to back pains in later life.

    I'll take that as zero experience in a bar or as a business owner then. Thanks for letting us all know.


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