Keep the Spirit (of Christmas) Irish

Judgement Day

Every year I try to do as much of my Christmas shopping in Ireland as I can but it can be a frustrating, expensive experience and I wonder how other boardsies are planning their purchases. So far, I have ordered my Christmas cards from Vistaprint (UK) - price of special printing far cheaper than anywhere in Ireland - but I will probably buy some local charity ones too. I've bought one present locally (a DVD box set) but expect to do the bulk of my purchasing on Amazon/eBay etc. Even when I try to buy in Ireland I find that prices are way out of line and often customer service sucks.

Last week I tried to purchase a book online from a leading Irish bookseller but due to very poor service on my last attempt, I emailed them to check on its availability. That was last Saturday and by Wednesday I still hadn't received a reply so I emailed one of the company's directors - on Thursday I received an email to say that the book was not in stock despite being listed on their website. Better than my previous attempt where the money was taken from my VISA card and the book wasn't available. That is my last attempt to buy anything from that bookseller.

Anyway, my general rule of thumb is to check out the item in the high street shop (if possible), then eBay and buy it on Amazon. What do you do?

srsly78

I save a fortune by not ordering any christmas cards at all.

Kidchameleon

Tipex out your name on cards and re-use. Save a fortune

Shenshen

Judgement Day wrote: »

Every year I try to do as much of my Christmas shopping in Ireland as I can but it can be a frustrating, expensive experience and I wonder how other boardsies are planning their purchases. So far, I have ordered my Christmas cards from Vistaprint (UK) - price of special printing far cheaper than anywhere in Ireland - but I will probably buy some local charity ones too. I've bought one present locally (a DVD box set) but expect to do the bulk of my purchasing on Amazon/eBay etc. Even when I try to buy in Ireland I find that prices are way out of line and often customer service sucks.

Last week I tried to purchase a book online from a leading Irish bookseller but due to very poor service on my last attempt, I emailed them to check on its availability. That was last Saturday and by Wednesday I still hadn't received a reply so I emailed one of the company's directors - on Thursday I received an email to say that the book was not in stock despite being listed on their website. Better than my previous attempt where the money was taken from my VISA card and the book wasn't available. That is my last attempt to buy anything from that bookseller.

Anyway, my general rule of thumb is to check out the item in the high street shop (if possible), then eBay and buy it on Amazon. What do you do?

If it's for me or the husband, I'll check online then try and find it on the highstreet if possible.

If it's for any of my family, online only. I can post it straight to them, no need to buy it, carry it home, warp it, wrap it again in brown paper, print addresses, carry it out of the house to the post office and pay for it to be shipped.

smash

I make excuses and then buy stuff in the January sales!

Da Shins Kelly

We haven't exchanged presents in our house since the days of Santa, just buy a load of food a drink. Christmas cards - meh. The people I care about don't need a Christmas card to know that, and I wouldn't bother sending cards to people I barely see anyway.

Chuck Stone

I just get smashed for Xmas and those little existential annoyances fade into the mist of alcohol fumes that envelop me.

fishy fishy

I try not to buy Irish - the so called govt we have are doing a great job of fleecing me already - why should I help them rip myself off.

You can get the same items in another country for half the price. I do that.

Judgement Day

Still far from finished on the Christmas front but apart from two jars of must-have Helen Gee brandy butter (homemade in Abbeyleix) I have found myself back purchasing online. Yesterday my eldest son asked for the Lord of the Rings Lego Wii game (€24.85) incl.free delivery on Amazon but I thought that I should at least try to support my local high street shop - in this case Xtravision - €54.99!! Guess where I'll be buying it. If only this were an isolated case.

Just found the game on the Xtravision website for €34.99 - what gives?

Fr_Dougal

The majority of Irish e-commerce sites are 5 years behind their UK counterparts.

Max Power

This "buy local to support local jobs" bollox really annoys me. I will shop wherever I get the best deal and the best customer service, 90% of the time it's online.

The hassle of wading through hoards of people in December, trying to find parking and paying for the fucking pleasure also contribute to me shopping online.

Cheese Princess

It's a nice idea to try to buy locally but the price is usually the barrier. There are some good local businesses online now as well though and I found a great jewellery one where I bought a bracelet this morning and it has already been shipped.

RidleyRider

I don't think I've moved to get Christmas presents this year?

Edit; I have... wait nope haven't.

UCDVet

Why stop there? Why not take it one step further....

I only use technology that was developed by the Irish. I refuse to buy an iPhone or iPod or Xbox360 or PS3 - since the Irish didn't make them. I can't tell you how many medical treatments I've refused since they weren't developed by the Irish. Most protocols on the internet weren't developed by the Irish, so I don't use them either.

It's really hard for me to find cars or even bicycles to ride, but I'm okay with that. It's obviously better. I mean, why would I want to support dirty outsiders? Everyone knows Irish people are the best people.

It's us against them, and let's not forget it. I know an Indian fellow who decided to open a Subway franchise in Ireland. That's down-right criminal to me. Why would we let non-Irish people come here and open businesses? I can't support that. Ignoring the fact that brown people commit more crimes per capita than Irish; surely we can all agree that Irish people should have top priority in Ireland.

strobe

UCDVet wrote: »

Why stop there? Why not take it one step further....

I only use technology that was developed by the Irish. I refuse to buy an iPhone or iPod or Xbox360 or PS3 - since the Irish didn't make them. I can't tell you how many medical treatments I've refused since they weren't developed by the Irish. Most protocols on the internet weren't developed by the Irish, so I don't use them either.

It's really hard for me to find cars or even bicycles to ride, but I'm okay with that. It's obviously better. I mean, why would I want to support dirty outsiders? Everyone knows Irish people are the best people.

It's us against them, and let's not forget it. I know an Indian fellow who decided to open a Subway franchise in Ireland. That's down-right criminal to me. Why would we let non-Irish people come here and open businesses? I can't support that. Ignoring the fact that brown people commit more crimes per capita than Irish; surely we can all agree that Irish people should have top priority in Ireland.

What the **** are you on about? Are you having some kind of stroke? Mash the keyboard with your palm if you require medical assistance.

Max Power

UCDVet wrote: »

Why stop there? Why not take it one step further....

I only use technology that was developed by the Irish. I refuse to buy an iPhone or iPod or Xbox360 or PS3 - since the Irish didn't make them. I can't tell you how many medical treatments I've refused since they weren't developed by the Irish. Most protocols on the internet weren't developed by the Irish, so I don't use them either.

It's really hard for me to find cars or even bicycles to ride, but I'm okay with that. It's obviously better. I mean, why would I want to support dirty outsiders? Everyone knows Irish people are the best people.

It's us against them, and let's not forget it. I know an Indian fellow who decided to open a Subway franchise in Ireland. That's down-right criminal to me. Why would we let non-Irish people come here and open businesses? I can't support that. Ignoring the fact that brown people commit more crimes per capita than Irish; surely we can all agree that Irish people should have top priority in Ireland.

I wouldn't like to be a brown dog coming to you for help.

HondaSami

I still prefer to go to the shops and see what im buying, rarely shop on line. I buy Irish when its practical but its not always possible or cheaper.

bodhrandude

Well they should keep the originals original, that Irish remake I heard on the radio of Slades Merry Xmas Everybody is absolutely awful, I tried to Google the cover version but cannot find any mention of it, it had uilleann pipes in it too. Do not tamper with the Slade classic.

tomboylady

The idea behind it is great, and it would be nice to always support the local sellers but the price is usually the deciding factor. I try to buy one or two presents every year from small local Christmas markets, but the rest is wherever I find what I like. If I see something I want to buy but it's €20 less expensive in a non-Irish setting, then guess what, I'm going to go for the cheaper option.

Judgement Day

bodhrandude wrote: »

Well they should keep the originals original, that Irish remake I heard on the radio of Slades Merry Xmas Everybody is absolutely awful, I tried to Google the cover version but cannot find any mention of it, it had uilleann pipes in it too. Do not tamper with the Slade classic.

Oh God, that rubbish by Slade and Wizzard's equally woeful contribution are two of the worst things about Christmas. Give me "The 12 days of Christmas" by Frank Kelly anytime.