The UL Bargains Thread

freyners

I decided to start this thread as we get a lot threads on budgeting and where is the cheapest to get x,y and z

Basically this is where you post to inform your fellow UL boardsies of any exceptionally good deals or stuff being sold below RRP going on in the University area, whether it is on food, drink, stationery, toiletries etc etc.

To get the ball rolling aldi last week were doing a good deal on bike gear like lights, gloves, bottle+cages etc. Picked up a set of lights (front and back) for the bike for 7 euro, there was a cheaper set for 4. They work pretty well. Still is a load of stock left in there as of this morning.

CiaranMT

Must go in for that cycling gear myself.

Aldi in general for your regular food shop is by far the best value in Castletroy.

Lidl just doesn't appeal to me and is stocking more and more branded goods which bump up prices.

Dunnes and Superquinn would be more expensive again, but if you're looking to cook meals that are a bit more exotic or require more unusual ingredients, they're always likely to stock what you want.

The offies are all much the same price-wise and will generally have similar deals at any one time. However, Chill in University Court has a great selection of World Beers (chilled too), much better than anything offered by the Fine Wines' branches, from what I've seen.

freyners

CiaranMT wrote:

The offies are all much the same price-wise and will generally have similar deals at any one time. However, Chill in University Court has a great selection of World Beers (chilled too), much better than anything offered by the Fine Wines' branches, from what I've seen.

There can be a massive variation of prices between different offies/shops

24 miller was 25 euro in fine wines two weeks ago yet dunnes were selling 20 for 15 yesterday, same bottles.
that 1.05c per bottle v 75c a bottle to put it in context

happydayz182

dunnes aint really an offie tho!

KealanOCarroll

happydayz182 wrote: »

dunnes aint really an offie tho!

The point of the post is cheap beer though so it still counts

Chris Martin

Frequently going to the Lidl and Superquinn myself,
Can keep you up to date here on any notable offers happening there...
Will take note on next Monday

Daniel S

Chris Martin wrote: »

Frequently going to the Lidl and Superquinn myself,
Can keep you up to date here on any notable offers happening there...
Will take note on next Monday

Change to ALDI/Dunnes if possible, should save you a fair bit. But if your far from it and drive, it'll probably cost the same with petrol.

PROGRAM_IX

I've just this last week tried Nobelaner from Lidl. At €4.49 for ten 250ml bottles, you get the equivalent of five cans for less than a fiver, with the added cool factor of bottles, if you're into that. And it's not bad - to my uneducated palate, at least.

According to my friend, there is a similar deal in Aldi with a different brand name. He recommends either, but Nobelaner is the one I've tried.

freyners

PROGRAM_IX wrote: »

I've just this last week tried Nobelaner from Lidl. At €4.49 for ten 250ml bottles, you get the equivalent of five cans for less than a fiver, with the added cool factor of bottles, if you're into that. And it's not bad - to my uneducated palate, at least.

According to my friend, there is a similar deal in Aldi with a different brand name. He recommends either, but Nobelaner is the one I've tried.

dunnes have starberg, 20 for €8

has revolutionised my college experience that stuff

eoins23456

freyners wrote: »

dunnes have starberg, 20 for €8

has revolutionised my college experience that stuff

is it drinkable? :P

freyners

eoins23456 wrote: »

is it drinkable? :P

define drinkable:p

actually its quite nice when chilled

Chris Martin

Daniel S wrote: »

Change to ALDI/Dunnes if possible, should save you a fair bit. But if your far from it and drive, it'll probably cost the same with petrol.

Too far away and no one in the house has a car
So would have to get bus around to do shopping,
Extra money and too much hassle,
Lidl isn't too bad if you get the right things,
Superquinn is a rip off though for the vast majority of it's produce,
But it's a minute closer to my house than Lidl... :P
Always go to Fine Wines for alcohol though,
Haven't drank in a few weeks though,
Last thing I got there was 7/8 cans of Carlberg for 10 I think...

freyners

Chris Martin wrote: »

Too far away and no one in the house has a car
So would have to get bus around to do shopping,
Extra money and too much hassle,
Lidl isn't too bad if you get the right things,
Superquinn is a rip off though for the vast majority of it's produce,
But it's a minute closer to my house than Lidl... :P
Always go to Fine Wines for alcohol though,
Haven't drank in a few weeks though,
Last thing I got there was 7/8 cans of Carlberg for 10 I think...

theres a bus from the stables to dunnes every monday i think to do the shopping

Chris Martin

Surely Lidl is cheaper than Dunnes
Live in Briarfield so it's a walk out of the way, either way..
Superquinn is expensive though,
It's just too convenient
Centra around the corner as well,
Can get some things pretty cheap in there actually,
And a butchers next door,
Which is also reasonably priced...
Aldi is very good as well though,
Prob cheapest of the lot..

Togepi

Whereabouts would I find a shop with a decent selection of backpacks or schoolbags for college? Either in the city or within walking distance of UL - the likes of Lifestyle Sports, Elverys, etc, or an actual bag shop.

freyners

Togepi wrote: »

Whereabouts would I find a shop with a decent selection of backpacks or schoolbags for college? Either in the city or within walking distance of UL - the likes of Lifestyle Sports, Elverys, etc, or an actual bag shop.

theres an elverys out by parkway, in the shopping area beside tk maxx, there also is another sports shop beside superquinn

PROGRAM_IX

There used to be a 'Bag Shop' franchise in the Crescent a few years ago. Very good deals during the sales - the bag I've used for all of college to hold my laptop and books is from there, it was a tenner in 2008.

Any thoughts on similar shops?

Chris Martin

Champion Sports beside Superquinn is long gone,
About this time last year,
I picked mine up at Lifestyle, just down from bus stop going back to college,
If you're willing to splash out on a decent bag,
I'd definitely recommend a large Jansport one.
Loads of room,
Lots of pockets,
Think it's a 20 year guarantee or something,
Class bag.

freyners

aldi have decent earphones (the earbud type ones) for a fiver at the moment, X beat i think they are called. Decent enough

far better than the ones in O'Mahoneys at any rate, WTF was i thinking:mad:

Jester252

freyners wrote: »

aldi have decent earphones (the earbud type ones) for a fiver at the moment, X beat i think they are called. Decent enough

far better than the ones in O'Mahoneys at any rate, WTF was i thinking:mad:

The O'Mahoneys ones are worst then the free ones they give for open top bus tours. Got them when I forgot my head phone, tried them and throw them into the bin

KealanOCarroll

Chris Martin wrote: »

Champion Sports beside Superquinn is long gone,
Think it's a 20 year guarantee or something,
Class bag.

You lose the tags though...

Then either a zip goes or one of the little plastic strap adjusters :mad:

Chris Martin

KealanOCarroll wrote: »

You lose the tags though...

Then either a zip goes or one of the little plastic strap adjusters :mad:

Will have my receipt laminated!
Zip has caught a few times for me actually but nothing more..
Yet...

freyners

where would be the best place to get a decent pair of earphones around hear, can spend about 20, ear hooks on the a plus:D

Daniel S

freyners wrote: »

where would be the best place to get a decent pair of earphones around hear, can spend about 20, ear hooks on the a plus:D

TK Maxx can be very good or very bad, depends. I've had good ones from RRP €30 down to €8 and bad ones from RRP €60 down to €20...

J_E

freyners wrote: »

where would be the best place to get a decent pair of earphones around hear, can spend about 20, ear hooks on the a plus:D

Honestly you're best buying online. Argos have some decent pairs. I don't know if there are any 'good' hardware places selling audio stuff.

Chris Martin

Get most of my earphones from Argos,
Have a JVC set now that are working great and seem to be sturdy enough,
Cost 32ish though,
There's always something on offer there and you can definitely pick up a pair in there for 20 or less,
HMV as well often have reduced earphones,
Some extortional, others at a nice price,
I'd have a look in both anyway before making up your mind,
Provided you haven't already...

freyners

Chris Martin wrote: »

Get most of my earphones from Argos,
Have a JVC set now that are working great and seem to be sturdy enough,
Cost 32ish though,
There's always something on offer there and you can definitely pick up a pair in there for 20 or less,
HMV as well often have reduced earphones,
Some extortional, others at a nice price,
I'd have a look in both anyway before making up your mind,
Provided you haven't already...

ill probably go into town tomorrow for a pair, as long as they are in ear and have hooks for jogging im easy

Chris Martin

http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/9293258/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CHome+entertainment+and+sat+nav%7C14419512/c_2/3%7C19780826%7CHeadphones+and+earphones%7C14419643/c_3/4%7Ccat_14419643%7CIn-ear+headphones%7C14419650.htm

Just checked online then there's A LOT LESS available than there was a few months back, must be switching stock, earphones here are on offer, €27, and there are two left in Argos at Cruises Street at the mo, but are likely to go soon.
Check HMV too though, can't check what they have online,
But they had a nice selection went I went in two weeks ago.

There's also the Currys across from Centra, but I can see there being expensive, and I know for a fact the CompuB place besides Brown Thomas is expensive, might be able to pick up a set on offer in Tesco too,
Depends how long you're willing to look for :P

wnolan1992

Curry's might give you discount if you ask nicely in their Talk To forum thread....

freyners

Chris Martin wrote:

Depends how long you're willing to look for :P

not long, how am i supposed to study without earphones to watch all the youtube videos:p

Chris Martin

freyners wrote: »

not long, how am i supposed to study without earphones to watch all the youtube videos:p

Must be intense videos if the hooks over the ears are a necessity :P
I use Argos for convinience,
So easy to go in,
Look at computer screens,
Drag through selections,
Write down number,
Wait 3 minutes,
Done..
Doesn't actually look as convinient when I put it into steps but it is really :P
I'd advise soley going there if HMV wasn't a well-placed stones throw away :P

Best of luck with your earphone hunting
I'd love to be able to recommend a decent set but mine usually break within the month,
The set I've got now are approaching the month mark but seem to be alright,
However they're not on sale there anymore,
And they lack an ear hook

When sitting down at a computer though I much prefer the big puffy over the ear ones, might just be preference though..

Happy hunting!