proce difference in the north comapred to south

thegreatiam

Ive heard it is a little cheaper shopping in the north.
In the next 6 months we need to buy some reasonable big ticket items, furniture, tv and a good quality hoover.

Next month we are going for a day trip from Dublin to Belfast.
Would it be worth buying the items there or is the difference negligible? We are in no rush to get the stuff, but if it is worth it we will buy it when we are up there.

Ive no idea of prices in the north compared to down south.

The_Conductor

To be honest- you'll do better online than in brick and mortar stores. There is damn all difference in price on shop prices (esp. when you factor in transporting them home again)- it really isn't worth it.

Check online.

thegreatiam

online was only one option, considering buying up north cos we are already driving up there, so the cost of bringing them back is non existent.

dixiefly

For furniture try House of Murphy on Warrenpoint road out of Newry, great selection and good quality / value.

sandin

There used to be, but now in many cases its cheaper in the south.
Currys in letterkenny is their busiest in the country due to customers coming from Derry.
B&Q is about 7% cheaper in south as they seem to be using a 1.13 exchange rate.

Also, there is so much to see / do in northern Ireland, that wasting it trying to save a pound of shopping is a shame.

As a frequent visitor up there (family) the only reason I would do a bit of shopping is to get some more unusual stuff that is not available down here.

There's always some exceptions like debenhams - but they were always overpriced, even in the UK.

fasttalkerchat

Supermarkets arent as dear as they used to be in the south and most electrical and furniture stores are trying to match the NI price already. Its worth checking ASDA direct for things you can get sent to a store to pick up. We got a 30L bin for a fiver!

Eoghan41

The pound is also quite strong against the euro atm so after you factor in transport and FX costs, there is probably no difference in price

The_Conductor

Eoghan41 wrote: »

The pound is also quite strong against the euro atm so after you factor in transport and FX costs, there is probably no difference in price

Not really- we're just under 85p sterling- pretty reasonable.
It all depends on where you do your exchange and what rate you get.
The Euro is actually quite strong against sterling- and we've gained a few cent against the dollar in the past week too (1€ = US$1.374 = 84.67p Sterling)

Eoghan41

The_Conductor wrote: »

Not really- we're just under 85p sterling- pretty reasonable.
It all depends on where you do your exchange and what rate you get.
The Euro is actually quite strong against sterling- and we've gained a few cent against the dollar in the past week too (1€ = US$1.374 = 84.67p Sterling)

Hit a nine month low vs GBP this week, I'd personally call that pretty weak. USD is in shambles recently for obvious reasons so EUR is strong vs USD but EUR had been as high as 87.5p earlier in the year until all the positive UK data started coming out.

thegreatiam

... Trip up north was 4 months ago. But thanks.

The_Conductor

Some shops still give you 90p coversion rates etc- it does pay to shop around. Main reason for shopping- is greater selection of brands/choices in the likes of Sainsburys- or ridiculously lowly priced medications in any of the pharmacies (most take regular Irish prescriptions). If you have to pay for your medication (aka don't have a medical card)- going up to use the pharmacies alone, is worth the visit.

Capt'n Midnight

If you get your TV via an aerial or ever plan to then watch out for the TV , if it's saorview approved then no bother, if's freeview HD then probably OK but check

If you use UPC/SKY/Satellite/Saorview box (€28 in Aldi) then no need to worry.

Check the warranty too - will you have to lug it over the boarder if something goes wrong.

liamo22

DO you guys know where is the best place to change money? Would it be in Dublin or should I wait untill I am up there? (Newry)

munchkin_utd

liamo22 wrote: »

DO you guys know where is the best place to change money? Would it be in Dublin or should I wait untill I am up there? (Newry)

taking it from the cash machine up there is as cheap, or just pay by card.
You just have to be aware of what charges are on what, and if there is a fee then if theres a minimum charge
(which caught me out in England paying the minumum standard €2 in fees on buying a cup of coffee by card trying to save my sterling cash!)

soap1978

do the post office not do a good deal?

thegreatiam

soap1978 wrote: »

do the post office not do a good deal?

Ive found that the card rate tends to be the best rate. Withdrawing straight from the ATM or paying by card.

I think it's cos you get the rate of the day, whereas if you purchase a currency you get an adjusted rate or commission on top.

Plus its more convenient than having to estimate how much you need.

For an advanced traveler tip, you often get very good exchange deals in casinos. This is because they usually are happy to let you by a t a good price on the chance that you'll lose it all. Just avoid the tables on the way out. Ive done this a few times in london when ive been stuck with euro notes.

(the last time was a few years ago and most of the shops were doing €100 =£70. I was able to get a much higher price in the casino. £75 or £80 iirc)