1c and 2c coins trial, the result.

Gosub · 14-03-2014 10:35AM #1

Last year a trial was carried out in Wexford to see if the 1c and 2c coins could be scrapped. The trial showed that 85% of shoppers and 100% of retailers would be in favour of scrapping the coins.

Now, call me an old cynic but, if I was a retailer and I was pricing an item, would I price it at say 42c to be rounded down to 40c, or 43c to be rounded up to 45c? I know that it would be impossible to work out the total bill of a customer and fiddle it that way, but what about items that are mostly single purchase?

If the scheme were to be rolled out nationwide, I'm sure it would all be done in a fair and transparent way... wouldn't it?

Nidgeweasel · 14-03-2014 10:36AM

I don't think I've ever cared less about something in my entire life.

Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance.

elefant · 14-03-2014 10:36AM

Gosub wrote: »

Last year a trial was carried out in Wexford to see if the 1c and 2c coins could be scrapped. The trial showed that 85% of shoppers and 100% of retailers would be in favour of scrapping the coins.

Now, call me an old cynic but, if I was a retailer and I was pricing an item, would I price it at say 42c to be rounded down to 40c, or 43c to be rounded up to 45c? I know that it would be impossible to work out the total bill of a customer and fiddle it that way, but what about items that are mostly single purchase?

If the scheme were to be rolled out nationwide, I'm sure it would all be done in a fair and transparent way... wouldn't it?

Pay by card for the ones that would be rounding up if 2c on a single purchase is that important!

Michael D Not Higgins · 14-03-2014 10:38AM

In Italy when they had the Lira they used to give sweets as change for the tiny amounts.

smcgiff · 14-03-2014 10:38AM

Individual products aren't rounded down (unless you buy just one product)*, it's your entire shopping purchase.

But, when you're at the petrol station, just remember to purchase €50.02. In 2500 fills you'll get a free fill up.

*It might finally get rid of the 99c pricing, as people will realise it actually is €1.

Gosub · 14-03-2014 10:41AM

elefant wrote: »

Pay by card for the ones that would be rounding up if 2c on a single purchase is that important!

I'm not sure you get the gist of the way it works. If you pay by card the rounding-up still happens.

Nidgeweasel · 14-03-2014 10:42AM

Michael D Not Higgins wrote: »

In Italy when they had the Lira they used to give sweets as change for the tiny amounts.

They're feckin' great, the Italians. Sexy sweet giving bastards.

elefant · 14-03-2014 10:42AM

Gosub wrote: »

I'm not sure you get the gist of the way it works. If you pay by card the rounding-up still happens.

This system has been in place in Holland for years, and that's how it works.

dulpit · 14-03-2014 10:42AM

Gosub wrote: »

I'm not sure you get the gist of the way it works. If you pay by card the rounding-up still happens.

I was under the impression that if you pay by card you pay the exact amount, but if you pay by cash it's rounded up/down...

Akrasia · 14-03-2014 10:43AM

smcgiff wrote: »

Individual products aren't rounded down (unless you buy just one product)*, it's your entire shopping purchase.

But, when you're at the petrol station, just remember to purchase €50.02. In 2500 fills you'll get a free fill up.

*It might finally get rid of the 99c pricing, as people will realise it actually is €1.

More likely instead of something costing a fiver, it'll cost 4.95 instead

mfergus · 14-03-2014 10:44AM

It means you get an extra 4 cent petrol. Oh I accidentally put in €40.04...

That reminds me, I'd the stingey thread gone?

mfergus · 14-03-2014 10:45AM

smcgiff wrote: »

But, when you're at the petrol station, just remember to purchase €50.02. In 2500 fills you'll get a free fill up.

I like your thinking but your not using it to the maximum potential. Why not 50.03 or 50.04!

Gosub · 14-03-2014 10:46AM

elefant wrote: »

This system has been in place in Holland for years, and that's how it works.

Maybe they were just using sharp practices in Wexford then. The total was taken from the till and rounded up/down and then you were asked for payment.

Now that you say it, rounding shouldn't be applied to card purchases as no coins are involved.

smcgiff · 14-03-2014 10:46AM

mfergus wrote: »

It means you get an extra 4 cent petrol. Oh I accidentally put in €40.04...

That reminds me, I'd the stingey thread gone?

Then you pay €40.05

BBDBB · 14-03-2014 10:48AM

yep get rid of them but start giving out plastic bags for free

Gosub · 14-03-2014 10:51AM

BBDBB wrote: »

yep get rid of them but start giving out plastic bags for free

No, can't agree with that. I remember the time when every hedge in Dublin (and probably every other city) was clogged with supermarket plastic bags. Largely getting rid of them was a good thing, in my view.

smcgiff · 14-03-2014 10:51AM

BBDBB wrote: »

yep get rid of them but start giving out plastic bags for free

Nah, that was a good idea.

But, I'd rather cut off my arm than pay 22 cent for one, and would prefer to walk around town like I just shop lifted my dinner.

thejaguar · 14-03-2014 10:53AM

It's been in place in Australia for years - if I remember correctly the retailers have some obligation to have prices that round up (.99 to 1.00) and some that round down (.97 to .95) in a certain proportion.

I might have made that up though, it was a long time ago that I was over there....

topper75 · 14-03-2014 11:04AM

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

I don't think I've ever cared less about something in my entire life.

Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance.

Important we have your views of course in on this.

PM the OP and explain to them what threads you would like to see in future.

Good riddance to the pointless pocket trash. Was a bad idea to begin with. Here's hoping Brussels, Frankfurt, or wherever will act.

Nidgeweasel · 14-03-2014 11:06AM

topper75 wrote: »

Important we have your views of course in on this.

PM the OP and explain to them what threads you would like to see in future.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rYbSN-sGlI

6 Methyl Morphine ! · 14-03-2014 11:08AM

elefant wrote: »

Pay by card for the ones that would be rounding up if 2c on a single purchase is that important!

+1

smcgiff wrote: »

Individual products aren't rounded down (unless you buy just one product)*, it's your entire shopping purchase.

+1

Gosub wrote: »

I'm not sure you get the gist of the way it works. If you pay by card the rounding-up still happens.

-1

elefant wrote: »

This system has been in place in Holland for years, and that's how it works.

+1

dulpit wrote: »

I was under the impression that if you pay by card you pay the exact amount, but if you pay by cash it's rounded up/down...

+1

The ignorance is mind-boggling. I lived in The Netherlands before and the whole bill is rounded up OR down. If it comes to 40.01 for example, then it is 40.00, if it comes to 40.02, then it's 40.00, 40.03 becomes 40.05 and 40.04 becomes 40.05.

if you pay by card, then prices stay same. Rounding was just done to eliminate the cost of producing 1 c and 2 c coins.

Although in Ireland I can see retailers getting away with rounding up individual items and rounding only up rather tan down too :rolleyes:

Unknown Soldier · 14-03-2014 11:21AM

I can never understand people who constantly pay by card. It's .20 a shot, unless you get your bank fees refunded.

.30 to withdraw a wad of cash.

calfmuscle · 14-03-2014 11:25AM

elefant wrote: »

Pay by card for the ones that would be rounding up if 2c on a single purchase is that important!

Not very clever if your bank charges you 29c per card usage.

syklops · 14-03-2014 11:30AM

Unknown Soldier wrote: »

I can never understand people who constantly pay by card. It's .20 a shot, unless you get your bank fees refunded.

.30 to withdraw a wad of cash.

Who are you banking with?!?

BetterThanThou · 14-03-2014 11:52AM

Unknown Soldier wrote: »

I can never understand people who constantly pay by card. It's .20 a shot, unless you get your bank fees refunded.

.30 to withdraw a wad of cash.

I've never heard of a bank that charges to pay by card, in fact, paying by card is encouraged now from what I've seen.

Khannie · 14-03-2014 12:04PM

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

I don't think I've ever cared less about something in my entire life.

Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance.

Thanks for your helpful contribution. I have a suggestion for the future which may help us all out - If you couldn't care less about a topic, extend that lack of care into not commenting on it.

jester77 · 14-03-2014 12:11PM

Unknown Soldier wrote: »

I can never understand people who constantly pay by card. It's .20 a shot, unless you get your bank fees refunded.

.30 to withdraw a wad of cash.

You need to change banks.

Paying by card is so much easier, no having to queue for ATM, carrying cash and pocket full of change the whole time. Plus it's more secure for everyone. You don't have cash on you and the shop doesn't have cash in the till. And best of all is the transparency. You take €100 out of the ATM and then you can't remember how you spent it. With the card you have all your statements online and can see exactly what you spent it on.

Alun · 14-03-2014 12:15PM

I lived in the Netherlands too, and they were doing this long before the euro came into being. I believe Finland doesn't have 1 and 2c coins either.

But, of course, like many such discussions here, you'll get people who'll come up with all kinds of spurious arguments as to why such a simple thing, that works in many countries all over the world, couldn't possibly work her because we're somehow 'different'. Nonsense, just bring it in and be done with it, end of discussion, it'll all work just fine.

alexlyons · 14-03-2014 12:15PM

Michael D Not Higgins wrote: »

In Italy when they had the Lira they used to give sweets as change for the tiny amounts.

Your giving everyone diabetes, Joe. Its terrible! Think of the children!

14-03-2014 12:23PM

BetterThanThou wrote: »

I've never heard of a bank that charges to pay by card, in fact, paying by card is encouraged now from what I've seen.

BOI and AIB both do it

Nidgeweasel · 14-03-2014 12:37PM

Khannie wrote: »

Thanks for your helpful contribution. I have a suggestion for the future which may help us all out - If you couldn't care less about a topic, extend that lack of care into not commenting on it.

Pass.

1c and 2c coins trial, the result.

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