Why is everything in Ireland a f*%king ripoff?

Tony EH

I needed a USB stick to move a large file that a client wants pronto. So I headed off down to a place that I knew sold USB keys. I ended up paying €28 for a 32gig USB, which I knew was overpriced, but I needed it anyway and there was no choice.

Just out of interest, I looked on Amazon to check the prices there and find out the UK price in around £12 and Amazon are hocking it for a tenner. The US price is around $18.

Seriously, what is it about this country that makes us a bunch of price gounging C U Next TuesdayS?

Timberrrrrrrr

Because people like you will pay for it instead of choosing to go elsewhere.

Boom_Bap

My velcro stripper trousers are a rip off.

TrustedApple

http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/2459422/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7COffice%2C+PCs+and+phones%7C14418968/c_2/3%7C19780850%7CHard+drives%2C+USBs+and+data+storage%7C14419053/c_3/4%7Ccat_14419053%7CUSB+memory+sticks%7C14419060.htm

Could have went to argos for 15.50 ........

Ruu

You are paying for all the bells and whistles and the friendly customer service if you go into a shop.

TallGlass

It pisses me off when I have to go to the UK to buy things as the price difference is night and day. Much rather by local, but you've got to shop around at the sametime, if the difference is only 4/5€ I would get it here first, save the hassle.

JackieBauer

I'm from Ethiopia. I am dying of starvation. My parents were shot dead.

Stop being so ****ing entitled

The Moldy Gowl

You needed it there and then that's why. Same as every other country.

You could have found it cheaper by searching online but you didn't so will always have to pay more. It's simple really.

intheclouds

They had one in LIDL last week for 9.99.

Tony EH

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

Because people like you will pay for it instead of choosing to go elsewhere.

Sometimes the "choice to go elsewhere" is not there. But hey, don't bother your hole reading the post, whatever you do.

If waiting was an option, I would have gone into town or got it on Amazon.

Tony EH

TrustedApple wrote: »

http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/2459422/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7COffice%2C+PCs+and+phones%7C14418968/c_2/3%7C19780850%7CHard+drives%2C+USBs+and+data+storage%7C14419053/c_3/4%7Ccat_14419053%7CUSB+memory+sticks%7C14419060.htm

Could have went to argos for 15.50 ........

No I couldn't.

There was no time.

Client wanted the file ASAP.

Atlantic Dawn

Most bricks and mortar shops will rip off on items like this, pretty much is the case in any country in the world. LIDL/ALDI specials always a good place to keep an eye. Argos can have deals too.

Timberrrrrrrr

Tony EH wrote: »

Sometimes the "choice to go elsewhere" is not there. But hey, don't bother your hole reading the post, whatever you do.

If waiting was an option, I would have gone into town or got it on Amazon.

Exactly, Go onto Ryanair now and book a flight for next month and it will cost you next to nothing, Go to the Ryanair desk in the airport and buya flight for this afternoon and it will cost you a fortune. Things only seem a ripoff when we HAVE to pay the ridiculous cost due to necessity.

LeinsterDub

Tony EH wrote: »

No I couldn't.

There was no time.

Client wanted the file ASAP.

Much like food in a stadium , they've you over a barrel and know it . You're paying for it's intimidate availability

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Tony EH wrote: »

No I couldn't.

There was no time.

Client wanted the file ASAP.

Such is the price of expediency. I'm sure you'll pay more in a hurry in the UK as well.

keane2097

Tony EH wrote: »

Sometimes the "choice to go elsewhere" is not there. But hey, don't bother your hole reading the post, whatever you do.

If waiting was an option, I would have gone into town or got it on Amazon.

I don't see how your personal inability to buy a particular item in one of the many, many places they are available cheaply makes everything in Ireland a f*%king ripoff.

eamonnq

Sure they are so cheap now you should have a few spare ones lying around just in case you need them.

chops018

I got a 128gb one online a while back for around 30 quid including delivery. I can't remember the exact site but I think I googled cheap USB's and the site came up. It's a 3.0 USB stick too. Very good value and plenty of storage in what can go on a key ring. I don't know why you would spend that much tbh.

A couple of years ago I got two 16gb sticks in Eason's for 7.99 each on sale, so some shops there is value.

Not a chance I would have paid that for a 32gb USB.

Look around, there is much better deals to be had.

eamonnq

chops018 wrote: »

I got a 128gb one online a while back for around 30 quid including delivery. I can't remember the exact site but I think I googled cheap USB's and the site came up. It's a 3.0 USB stick too. Very good value and plenty of storage in what can go on a key ring. I don't know why you would spend that much tbh.

A couple of years ago I got two 16gb sticks in Eason's for 7.99 each on sale, so some shops there is value.

Not a chance I would have paid that for a 32gb USB.

Look around, there is much better deals to be had.

Tony EH wrote: »

No I couldn't.

There was no time.

Client wanted the file ASAP.

There was no time

Del2005

Tony EH wrote: »

No I couldn't.

There was no time.

Client wanted the file ASAP.

Everything bought in panic at the last minute will be a rip off. I was recently looking for a USB stick and was amazed at how cheap they are now in shops, but I had the advantage of having time to research instead of panic buying.

smash

Tony EH wrote: »

No I couldn't.

There was no time.

Client wanted the file ASAP.

Ever heard of dropbox?

chops018

eamonnq wrote: »

There was no time

Didn't see that.

Ah well, I'm still happy with my 128gb USB for under 30 quid including delivery.

kyeev

If you ever tried to fit out a house with a new: bed, mattress, fridge, sofa, table and chairs and a TV, you'd know Ireland was a rip off.
I agree with you OP.

B.A._Baracus

I say give TonyEH a break.
He is right because Ireland can be, and let's be honest alot of times is, a rip off.

There are some great alternatives like Aldi, Lidl, Dealz etc out there. So you do have to shop around for things. But when it comes to a service especially do expect to be ripped off.

For example, my hot water tap in the bath is currently air-locked. Should I be lazy and not do it myself i'll be expected to pay anywhere around 60-80. For 5-10 minutes work and that will even be a price from a local plumber.

eamonnq

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

Should I be lazy and not do it myself i'll be expected to pay anywhere around 60-80. For 5-10 minutes work and that will even be a price from a local plumber.

Ah, but you have to allow for the 'overheads' involved in getting someone to do it for you, the call-out fee has to cover the time it takes him to get to you and make it worth his while.

Insurance, diesel, tools, workwear, expertise all cost money.

Gyalist

If small traders were in a position to employ high-priced tax advisers to enable them to take advantage of the tax avoidance schemes available to the large multiples, there would be lower high street prices.

traprunner

Tony EH wrote: »

No I couldn't.

There was no time.

Client wanted the file ASAP.

What's the problem? Can't you claim it against tax or something businessy then?

Arbiter of Good Taste

Everything is Ireland is more expensive, because the costs of doing business is so high.

It always amazes me that people don't get that increasing the minimum wage has a knock on effect on prices for everything.

Effects

Tony EH wrote: »

I looked on Amazon to check the prices there and find out the UK price in around £12 and Amazon are hocking it for a tenner. The US price is around $18.

Seriously, what is it about this country that makes us a bunch of price gounging C U Next TuesdayS?

Amazon treat their staff badly. There's your savings.

AndyBoBandy

I bought a Sandisk 32GB flash drive for £8.15 today on Amazon,

I guess if we need something urgently, we'll pay more for it, but if I have time, I will always shop around for the best deal.

If however, it is Valentines day, and she'll be home from work in 10 minutes, and Tesco want €20 for some flowers, I guess Tesco will win!

the groutch

Economies of scale.

Example:

Small Irish retailer buys in a few hundred for X price, larger retailer a thousand for a bit cheaper.

UK retailer has a target market ten times the size of Ireland, so buys in twenty thousand, cutting a deal direct with a manufacturer to get them for half the price the Irish retailers paid.

fret_wimp2

Because they are lazy as sin and will take the quickest path to thier desired outcome regardless of cost.
In your case you wanted a USB key, rather than shop around ot get the best deal you bought the first one you came across and just grumbled as you handed over the money.

Until the majority of people vote with their feet and take their money where they get the most value, the country will be full of people willing to take money from fools.


FYI - I got a 64GB usb 3.0 key in Argos last week for 22 quid. There was a 32gb USB 3.0 one there for 14 quid. Found it after 30 seconds of googling. Im sure I could have gotten a USB 2.0 one even cheaper, or if i spent a few minutes more i possibly could have shaved off a few euro, but 22 quid for 64Gb of USB 3.0 & argos just round the corner, was acceptable to me.

Arbiter of Good Taste

Gyalist wrote: »

If small traders were in a position to employ high-priced tax advisers to enable them to take advantage of the tax avoidance schemes available to the large multiples, there would be lower high street prices.

Sigh......

Small traders have to cover their costs - costs BEFORE TAXES - before they can even make a profit subject to tax. If those costs are high, there is very little to be taxed

Small traders do not need complicated tax structures, they need to make a decent profit. That is separate from tax.

namloc1980

Could have used Google Drive or similar services for free and faster. There's always options.

murpho999

namloc1980 wrote: »

Could have used Google Drive or similar services for free and faster. There's always options.

Exactly, I use this all the time. Haven't used a USB stick in years. Just no need for them.

kneemos

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

I bought a Sandisk 32GB flash drive for £8.15 today on Amazon,

I guess if we need something urgently, we'll pay more for it, but if I have time, I will always shop around for the best deal.

If however, it is Valentines day, and she'll be home from work in 10 minutes, and Tesco want €20 for some flowers, I guess Tesco will win!

€20 delivered.As are most of them that I checked.
€28 wasn't bad if you're talking online over brick and mortar.

desertcircus

Tony EH wrote: »

I needed a USB stick to move a large file that a client wants pronto. So I headed off down to a place that I knew sold USB keys. I ended up paying €28 for a 32gig USB, which I knew was overpriced, but I needed it anyway and there was no choice.

Just out of interest, I looked on Amazon to check the prices there and find out the UK price in around £12 and Amazon are hocking it for a tenner. The US price is around $18.

Seriously, what is it about this country that makes us a bunch of price gounging C U Next TuesdayS?

Why on earth would you compare your local shop to Amazon? It's a completely meaningless comparison. And there are plenty of bricks-and-mortar stores in Ireland that offer them much cheaper. Your complaint is with the single specific shop that sold you one specific product, not Ireland in general.

everlast75

Gyalist wrote: »

If small traders were in a position to employ high-priced tax advisers to enable them to take advantage of the tax avoidance schemes available to the large multiples, there would be lower high street prices.

kneemos wrote: »

€20 delivered.As are most of them that I checked.
€28 wasn't bad if you're talking online over brick and mortar.

Plus the convenience of being able to stroll back into the shop in case of any problems with the product, plus funding local business etc etc

B.A._Baracus

eamonnq wrote: »

Ah, but you have to allow for the 'overheads' involved in getting someone to do it for you, the call-out fee has to cover the time it takes him to get to you and make it worth his while.

Insurance, diesel, tools, workwear, expertise all cost money.

I knew I would get the text book answer. Which also feels like the justifying answer.

Because lets be very realistic on this one. If I didn't know how to fix it I would have to call a local plumber and do you think that plumber is going to declare that small little job to the taxman? He wouldn't even dream of it.

But he'll still quote me the going rip-off rate.

ScumLord

Tony EH wrote: »

Just out of interest, I looked on Amazon to check the prices there and find out the UK price in around £12 and Amazon are hocking it for a tenner. The US price is around $18.

Did you compare like for like? Was the USB fob on Amazon the exact same make and model? What was the price once you included shipping? That's if Amazon would even ship that particular electrical item to Ireland, they can be a bit picky. The one you saw in the shop could have been a decent one and the one on Amazon could fall apart after a few days of use. Cheap things like that you tend to just buy a new one and then you've ended up paying more for your cheap electrical item than you would have paid for the decent one.

Often once you add in shipping the online price on one item comes up pretty close to the shop street price. Which just encourages you to buy a few more things to make the shipping more economical.

Bottom line is if you want it now you pay a premium. If you live on a tiny island, you pay a premium.

Tony EH

Crystal Fat Nest wrote: »

Such is the price of expediency. I'm sure you'll pay more in a hurry in the UK as well.

£12 retail in the UK for the same thing. €28 here.

Tony EH

smash wrote: »

Ever heard of dropbox?

I have, but the client hasn't.

As I said, the client wanted the files there and then.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

Tony EH

eamonnq wrote: »

There was no time

At least someone understood the OP.

:pac:

ohnonotgmail

Tony EH wrote: »

£12 retail in the UK for the same thing. €28 here.

£12 retail where though? you had the option of buying it here for a much lower price in argos hut you didnt have the time. All very well saying that you can buy it for £12 in the UK but its no good if you are in a hurry like you were and have to buy locally. Your comparisons with the UK and online are meaningless given the hurry you were in.

Tony EH

Effects wrote: »

Amazon treat their staff badly. There's your savings.

It's still £12 retail as opposed to £8 or £9 on Amazon.

As opposed to €28 here.

That's €28.

KwackerJack

Because we pay for it!!

If we actually started to shop around we would eventually see prices decrease and the competition would be savage!

Tony EH

fret_wimp2 wrote: »

Because they are lazy as sin and will take the quickest path to thier desired outcome regardless of cost.
In your case you wanted a USB key, rather than shop around ot get the best deal you bought the first one you came across and just grumbled as you handed over the money.

Until the majority of people vote with their feet and take their money where they get the most value, the country will be full of people willing to take money from fools.


FYI - I got a 64GB usb 3.0 key in Argos last week for 22 quid. There was a 32gb USB 3.0 one there for 14 quid. Found it after 30 seconds of googling. Im sure I could have gotten a USB 2.0 one even cheaper, or if i spent a few minutes more i possibly could have shaved off a few euro, but 22 quid for 64Gb of USB 3.0 & argos just round the corner, was acceptable to me.

oh FFS...

I'll write one more time in bold.


THE CLIENT WANTED THE FILES THERE AND THEN. I HAD NO TIME TO "SHOP AROUND".

IF THERE WAS TIME, I WOULDN'T HAVE PAID €28.



The point is not whether I should have "shopped around", it's why are we such a rip off nation?

kneemos

Tony EH wrote: »

It's still £12 retail as opposed to £8 or £9 on Amazon.

As opposed to €28 here.

That's €28.

About a tenner cheaper after exchange rates,and you're comparing a shop with online.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

talking_walnut

Arbiter of Good Taste wrote: »

It always amazes me that people don't get that increasing the minimum wage has a knock on effect on prices for everything.

I could be wrong but I don't think that's ever been proven. Outside of textbook conjecture.

Anybody got any research to show this?