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Shopping in Northern Ireland

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Comments

  • #3352
    angela59
    Registered Users Posts: 42 ✭angela59


    Moanin wrote: »
    Laser is not accepted outside the Republic of Ireland. Credit Card is the way to go for STG transactions.


    Credit card is certainly accepted up north, have used it myself in Sainsburys and Marks and Spencers in Lisburn early this year unless things have changed? You can also go to a "proper" ATM machine i.e. not one in a garage use laser and withdraw sterling but for every withdrawal you are charged so don't take out a bit every now and again, just one withdrawal or just produce your laser, B & Q don't accept it. My advice is ask at customer service do they accept laser in the shop.

    Angela59


  • #3353
    Chriscl1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 998 ✭✭✭Chriscl1


    Moanin wrote: »
    Laser is not accepted outside the Republic of Ireland. Credit Card is the way to go for STG transactions.

    I always use my laser when in newry or lisburn with no problems


  • #3354
    veryangryman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,600 ✭✭✭veryangryman


    Chriscl1 wrote: »
    I always use my laser when in newry or lisburn with no problems

    +1 ASDA and Tesco Enniskillen

    Lasers can be used. Spread the word


  • #3355
    tregan
    Registered Users Posts: 173 ✭✭tregan


    lasers can be used once they have a maestro logo as that's the payment method they are using iykwim? depends on the bank also as boots take maestro but think only the AIB cards as far as i remember?

    as i'm not a wine buff can anyone recommend a good red and white i could buy when in sainsburys next as we have a christening coming up soon and want to get a few bottles - thanks in advance


  • #3356
    Cicero
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,144 ✭✭✭✭Cicero


    StG/Euro conversion rates this week on my credit card were around .9078

    Simply add 10% to everything you buy this weekend on CC and you'll get a close enough euro amount.

    PS: while I'm here, anyone know of a HIFI /electronics specialist shop - something like Peats place in the North- either Newry, lisburn or Belfast ..something with a good range of specialist audio equipement

    Thanks in advance


  • #3357
    muffler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46,308 ✭✭✭✭muffler


    Cicero wrote: »
    PS: while I'm here, anyone know of a HIFI /electronics specialist shop - something like Peats place in the North- either Newry, lisburn or Belfast ..something with a good range of specialist audio equipement

    Thanks in advance
    Dont know if you would class them as "specialists" or not but what about Richersounds. They have a store in Belfast and also an interaction forum here on boards. 10% discount too for boardsies - read the sticky at the top of the page in the interaction forum.


  • #3358
    Pwezem
    Closed Accounts Posts: 71 ✭✭Pwezem


    Nice one


  • #3359
    anotherlostie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,722 ✭✭✭anotherlostie


    I was in Belfast and Banbridge (Outlet) yesterday; Belfast was quiet but the Outlet was deathly quiet, and it seemed to me that quite a few units had shut since my last visit - it was after 6 and a number of places weren't open late. Still got some good value there, and got a coat in House of Fraser for £190 that was €290 down here.


  • #3360
    angela59
    Registered Users Posts: 42 ✭angela59


    tregan wrote: »
    lasers can be used once they have a maestro logo as that's the payment method they are using iykwim? depends on the bank also as boots take maestro but think only the AIB cards as far as i remember?

    as i'm not a wine buff can anyone recommend a good red and white i could buy when in sainsburys next as we have a christening coming up soon and want to get a few bottles - thanks in advance


    Hi,

    I'd be more au fait with Marks and Spencers Wines, have tried Sainsburys but I genuinely think Marks and Spencers wines are better and at the moment they have 25% off. I will recommend the white Hungarian Pinot Grigio, unfortunately I can't recommend a good red as I don't drink red but the wine buyers for Marks are generally very good and most if not all the wines are good. Hope this is of some help and enjoy the christening!

    Angela59:)


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  • #3361
    Cicero
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,144 ✭✭✭✭Cicero


    tregan wrote: »
    lasers can be used once they have a maestro logo as that's the payment method they are using iykwim? depends on the bank also as boots take maestro but think only the AIB cards as far as i remember?

    as i'm not a wine buff can anyone recommend a good red and white i could buy when in sainsburys next as we have a christening coming up soon and want to get a few bottles - thanks in advance

    For a red, I'd go for a Cotes Du Rhone or a Fleurie -Preference Cotes Du Rhone V Vignes 75cl is currently £5 on their website and I purchased a lovely Fluerie for £6.99 also (currently 7.99) -
    Cotes Du Rhone is a good 'quaffing' wine, i.e. not too heavy or only requires light food- the Fluerie though is even nicer and still suitable, if you want to spend a bit more.

    For White, Oyster Bay Sauvingon Blanc at £8.99 is pretty much one of the best and most popular white wines and you won't go wrong with it at all (don't get the cheaper Chardonnay as many white wine drinkers prefer the Sauvignon grape, especially at something like a Christening where you may be doing a bit more drinking than eating). Try and avoid any 3 for £10 offers- a lot of the stuff is hit/miss and not very pleasant.


  • #3362
    Cicero
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,144 ✭✭✭✭Cicero


    muffler wrote: »
    Dont know if you would class them as "specialists" or not but what about Richersounds. They have a store in Belfast and also an interaction forum here on boards. 10% discount too for boardsies - read the sticky at the top of the page in the interaction forum.

    Thanks- I will explore them when next up- if anyone else finds a similar shop in Newry or lisburn do please let me know as I may not get to Belfast this side of Christmas


  • #3363
    Cicero
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,144 ✭✭✭✭Cicero


    anotherlostie wrote: »
    I was in Belfast and Banbridge (Outlet) yesterday; Belfast was quiet but the Outlet was deathly quiet, and it seemed to me that quite a few units had shut since my last visit - it was after 6 and a number of places weren't open late. Still got some good value there, and got a coat in House of Fraser for £190 that was €290 down here.

    I was there a few months ago on a Sunday and the place was buzzing- weekdays don't appear to be great for these outlet places (even the Kildare outlet store is a ghost town on a Thursday evening) but weekends are v. busy


  • #3364
    bcirl03
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 484 ✭✭bcirl03


    muffler wrote: »
    Dont know if you would class them as "specialists" or not but what about Richersounds. They have a store in Belfast and also an interaction forum here on boards. 10% discount too for boardsies - read the sticky at the top of the page in the interaction forum.

    Have used Richersounds loads of times and would recommend them 100%.

    The prices are excellent and you can haggle :) also the staff are very knowledgeable which cant be said for the majority of Peats.


  • #3365
    tregan
    Registered Users Posts: 173 ✭✭tregan


    thanks for the wine tips angela59 and cicero - gives me a guide as i don't have a clue, might go up during the week


  • #3366
    appendix
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1 ✭appendix


    Hello all,

    I have never been shopping up the North, and I have been reading pages of links and you all seem to know lots and lots about it... Could anyone tell me for a newbie where the best place to go for a day of shopping Belfast or Newry or any of the other places you have mentioned? We want to go somewhere where there is great value… Could you also let me know which is the best supermarket value wise and if there is anywhere with good deals for clothes, shoes and electronics? I know you probably have this on some page but the 250 pages is a huge trawl… thanks a million


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  • #3367
    ASTRACLUB
    Registered Users Posts: 434 ✭✭ASTRACLUB


    just take M1 towards north and where ever you can stop for shopping in North basically.!!
    thats it!!!


    you can stop over in Newry to startwith (Butter crane for clothing) and Qeys for normal (Sainsbury)

    good Luck


  • #3368
    tregan
    Registered Users Posts: 173 ✭✭tregan


    hi all,

    ended up getting wine in m&s as suggested by angela .. met a lovely assistant there as baby was crying so she got the wine, got carriers, brought to the till and helped me pack it into the buggy! got 12 bottles including 3 port for about £44 so think that was good value - the 25% off six bottles ends this weekend for anyone wanting to avail of it

    went up shopping for an outfit and spent my time in the buttercrane doing that so that's why i didn't have time to go over to the quays and get a bit of grocery shopping done, that'll have to be another day / week!

    appendix, don't have experience of the the follwing shopping centre but heard good reports http://www.the-outlet.co.uk/ there is also http://www.sprucefieldcentre.co.uk/ but there might not be as much there - happy shopping!


  • #3369
    _Kooli_
    Closed Accounts Posts: 347 ✭✭_Kooli_


    Newstalk today were doing a piece on people shopping up North. They said they had been inundated with requests from retailers in the south not to mention any bargains up north - for the sake of the economy.

    Well Brian Lenihan i'll be shopping up North from now on. Why? Because every penny more you have taxed me i must now save. And i dread to think how much public sector workers with their pension levy in addition must have to save by shopping up north now too.

    Ive even opened a UK bank account so i can lock in the exchange rate and shop for years into the future. Well done in your budgets, you idiot.


  • #3370
    felinefeelins
    Closed Accounts Posts: 144 ✭✭felinefeelins


    Kooli
    You must have heard the taniste then also saying by shopping up north we were taking money out of the economy................. etc Yadayada. Singing the same song. Therefore it is our fault the economy is in the state its in..........................


  • #3371
    Keith C
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,121 ✭✭✭Keith C


    all good for shopping up north if your buying loads but bear in mind the shops in ROI will havesome good deals, e.g my local eurospar is selling large tins of rose for €4.99 till sunday. So lets try keep some money in our own economy :)


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  • #3372
    mailburner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,925 ✭✭✭✭mailburner


    good stuff!
    ill buy my sweets down here so and my
    beer and spirits up north
    still recall paying £14.56 for a one litre bottle of teachers
    in asda last dec
    that same bottle was 32.99 euro in dunnes briarhill


  • #3373
    Plentyofice
    Registered Users Posts: 135 ✭✭Plentyofice


    Hi

    Is there much of a difference in toy shopping up north. There's a Smyths in Naas and one in Newry. I know the value of the Sterling is good for me at the moment but are the toys also in general cheaper up there ? thanks


  • #3374
    eimear1
    Registered Users Posts: 196 ✭✭eimear1


    Plentyofice wrote: »
    Hi

    Is there much of a difference in toy shopping up north. There's a Smyths in Naas and one in Newry. I know the value of the Sterling is good for me at the moment but are the toys also in general cheaper up there ? thanks

    Haven't a clue re toys but just have look at both websites for what your looking for, with calculator in hand, and you should be able to compare easily enough, just remember to factor in the cost of getting to Newry
    E


  • #3375
    felinefeelins
    Closed Accounts Posts: 144 ✭✭felinefeelins


    Guys.

    Quick question. The exchange rate goes up in Asda @ 8.30 am, is this just Saturday's or is it a daily thing ( same question re Tesco) I normally am heading through the till at 8.30 on a saturday, but with the rate going up n down so much need to know if its worth trying a weekday if rate is good

    Thanks in advance


  • #3376
    Eemia
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 365 ✭✭Eemia


    Hey guys just want to thank ye for all the info ye gave me when i asked for it! Went up last Saturday got in Newry for 10.10 so didn't hit much traffic.
    Went to The Quays, Buttercrane, The outlet, Lisburn and the place just outside Newry with Homebase etc! Got some bargains and thanks again.

    Turned out a shop not far from Newry, a bike shop to be exact had a sale on and happened to get a flyer in a newspaper and they had massive reductions and great help there so was really worth the trip for the OH.

    Thanks again.

    Eemia


  • #3377
    RayCon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,873 ✭✭✭RayCon


    Finally got around to visiting The Outlet - didn't think much of it until we hit the Nike Store - got my son Air Max 95 BW's for £20 !!! (He's in adults sizes .. eg. 7) The average price for them down here (if you're not fussy about colour and they happen to be on sale is €75) ... the newer "colours" :rolleyes: are €127.50 :eek:

    Lots of other bargains too ... like last years lomg sleeve Arsenal Jersey or Inter Milan Jersey's £13 ...

    Nike Cortez Mens (€75 down here - £30 up there)


  • #3378
    thebiglad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,651 ✭✭✭thebiglad


    Plentyofice wrote: »
    Hi

    Is there much of a difference in toy shopping up north. There's a Smyths in Naas and one in Newry. I know the value of the Sterling is good for me at the moment but are the toys also in general cheaper up there ? thanks
    It's easy, check out their .ie & .co.uk websites and compare the products you want, if you are buying a few things then definitely worth the trip.

    There is a Toys R Us in Lisburn if you want to go another 20 minutes for different selection, also don't forget the supermarkets - right now Sainsburys are selling all toys at 50% off (website is out of stock for everything but may be in luck in their store - Lisburn again. That sale ends Saturday so if interested probably need to be there early!

    Good luck


  • #3379
    jessryan01
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2 ✭jessryan01


    k guys im living in limerick is it really that cheap up the north ive not been so i dont know. i would have to drive up. book a hotel and change to sterling are you seriously telling me its going to be way cheaper to do that?


  • #3380
    thebiglad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,651 ✭✭✭thebiglad


    jessryan01 wrote: »
    k guys im living in limerick is it really that cheap up the north ive not been so i dont know. i would have to drive up. book a hotel and change to sterling are you seriously telling me its going to be way cheaper to do that?

    It all comes down to how much you are going to spend. If you top up your trip with alcohol then you can really max out the saving.

    If you are buying all of your gifts or large electrical items then probably yes!

    At worst you will break even and have a weekend break with the money you saved.


  • #3381
    veryangryman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,600 ✭✭✭veryangryman


    thebiglad wrote: »
    It all comes down to how much you are going to spend. If you top up your trip with alcohol then you can really max out the saving.

    If you are buying all of your gifts or large electrical items then probably yes!

    At worst you will break even and have a weekend break with the money you saved.

    +1

    And who says you need to stay over? 3 and half hour drive - get up early. The supermarkets are 24 hour in Enniskillen. Bring some mates who also want alcohol etc - share the cost of petrol between ye


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  • #3382
    Dooish
    Registered Users Posts: 89 ✭✭Dooish


    felinefeelins wrote: »
    Guys.

    Quick question. The exchange rate goes up in Asda @ 8.30 am, is this just Saturday's or is it a daily thing ( same question re Tesco) I normally am heading through the till at 8.30 on a saturday, but with the rate going up n down so much need to know if its worth trying a weekday if rate is good

    Thanks in advance


    the euro rate changes every saturday for the following full week.


  • #3383
    muffler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46,308 ✭✭✭✭muffler


    Dooish wrote: »
    the euro rate changes every saturday for the following full week.
    Afaik it changes daily. Im open to correction on this though.


  • #3384
    ozypozy
    Registered Users Posts: 93 ✭✭ozypozy


    We're heading to Newry on Saturday but want to do some clothes shopping as well as food shoppng in Sainsburys.
    I'd rather get clothes shopping done first and maybe head to Sainsbury's in Sprucefield rather than going into the one in Newry late morning. Is Sprucefield as mad as Newry is by 11am? I've heard Sprucefield is bigger and has much more stock, also more parking......any advice!


  • #3385
    alanjob
    Closed Accounts Posts: 41 ✭alanjob


    Ozy, was in sprucefield today and it was grand. I'd say it was abit busier than usual as they had 50% off all toys but shelves well stocked (unlike newry)


  • #3386
    ozypozy
    Registered Users Posts: 93 ✭✭ozypozy


    alanjob wrote: »
    Ozy, was in sprucefield today and it was grand. I'd say it was abit busier than usual as they had 50% off all toys but shelves well stocked (unlike newry)

    cool, thanks for that. We'll head to Sprucefield so!


  • #3387
    mmcm888
    Closed Accounts Posts: 31 ✭mmcm888


    veryangryman wrote: »
    +1

    ...... The supermarkets are 24 hour in Enniskillen....

    Not Quite... Asda/Tesco in Enniskillen are closed on Sunday mornings .. Don't open until about 13:00. Big sign saying 24 hours etc. Small print on small sign gives opening hours. Check online to be 100% sure in the runup to xmas.

    m.


  • #3388
    In_tuition
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,242 ✭✭✭In_tuition


    Sainsburys petrol station at The Kennedy Centre are no longer accepting € for petrol.


  • #3389
    eimear1
    Registered Users Posts: 196 ✭✭eimear1


    mmcm888 wrote: »
    Not Quite... Asda/Tesco in Enniskillen are closed on Sunday mornings .. Don't open until about 13:00. Big sign saying 24 hours etc. Small print on small sign gives opening hours. Check online to be 100% sure in the runup to xmas.

    m.

    NI trading laws very strict on sundays, even if they can trade 24hours the rest of the week they are restricted for sundays, so they are as close to 24hrs as they will get in NI


  • #3390
    Cicero
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,144 ✭✭✭✭Cicero


    ozypozy wrote: »
    We're heading to Newry on Saturday but want to do some clothes shopping as well as food shoppng in Sainsburys.
    I'd rather get clothes shopping done first and maybe head to Sainsbury's in Sprucefield rather than going into the one in Newry late morning. Is Sprucefield as mad as Newry is by 11am? I've heard Sprucefield is bigger and has much more stock, also more parking......any advice!

    Personally, I always aim for grocery shopping first- all other shopping later, purely on the basis (especially on a Saturday) that the later you leave it, the less choice and the more crowds. 11am in Lisburn will be quite busy though you will get parking- from ure post, it sounds like you will clothes shop in Newry and grocery shop in Lisburn? I'd advise arrive early (8-8.30 am) and complete grocery first- then sit back and enjoy the rest of the shopping trip- it would certainly be a better use of time


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  • #3391
    Dooish
    Registered Users Posts: 89 ✭✭Dooish


    muffler wrote: »
    Afaik it changes daily. Im open to correction on this though.


    trust me its weekly, new rate every sat morning


  • #3392
    felinefeelins
    Closed Accounts Posts: 144 ✭✭felinefeelins


    Dooish.

    The reason I asked the question was I normally go up on a sat and am hitting the tills when the exchange rate is going up, but...........there's always a but. Was up on a Monday morn ( bh down here) and they were putting up a new exchange rate in Asda.


  • #3393
    Dooish
    Registered Users Posts: 89 ✭✭Dooish


    felinefeelins wrote: »
    Dooish.

    The reason I asked the question was I normally go up on a sat and am hitting the tills when the exchange rate is going up, but...........there's always a but. Was up on a Monday morn ( bh down here) and they were putting up a new exchange rate in Asda.

    probably changing the pos, btw i work there


  • #3394
    Realtine
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 391 ✭✭Realtine


    hi, we're thinking of maybe taking our first trip up north in a couple of weeks or so I'm particularly after a laptop (nothing too tech - it's for my daughter) and maybe a PS3 - where's the best place to go....and is it easy to get around bearing in mind that even though I'm a good driver I get a little nervous driving around towns I don't know - think - a lot of shouting in the car....!


  • #3395
    Danny-B
    Closed Accounts Posts: 35 ✭Danny-B


    You usually get a decent laptop deal in Tesco, but if you went to Lisburn you could look around PC World, and the like.


  • #3396
    DublinWriter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,559 ✭✭✭DublinWriter


    Realtine wrote: »
    hi, we're thinking of maybe taking our first trip up north in a couple of weeks
    Avoid Newry at the weekends - it's a complete zoo between now and Christmas.


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  • #3397
    In_tuition
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,242 ✭✭✭In_tuition


    DublinWriter wrote: »
    Avoid Newry at the weekends - it's a complete zoo between now and Christmas.

    Agree to some extent with what DublinWriter says but I wouldn't avoid it cause there is great bargains to be had.

    Was in Sainburys in the Kennedy Centre on Saturday to do my weekly shop and on returning to the ROI via Newry, the place was absolute mayhem but as said it's worth it if you are saving a few hundred €

    You are best going onwards to Belfast, it's only 30 minutes extra and the road is grand, it's one straight road the entire way until you hit Sprucefield and turn onto the M1.


  • #3398
    Aly9
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11 ✭Aly9


    I use to travel up myself but found it quite time consuming and a bit of a pain really - a neighbour of mine recently put me on to this crowd called dealhunter.ie
    Basically they will get all your shopping delivered to you and are very reasonable with their rates. I get Asda groceries every couple of weeks but have also got stuff from Argos and B&Q...im actually telling my mates especially coming up to xmas.


  • #3399
    CrazyChick18
    Registered Users Posts: 333 ✭✭CrazyChick18


    Realtine wrote: »
    hi, we're thinking of maybe taking our first trip up north in a couple of weeks or so I'm particularly after a laptop (nothing too tech - it's for my daughter) and maybe a PS3 - where's the best place to go....and is it easy to get around bearing in mind that even though I'm a good driver I get a little nervous driving around towns I don't know - think - a lot of shouting in the car....!

    was up there a few weeks ago in enniskillen currys and tesco really had gud prices on there electrical stuff and also argos have really good sales would be worth checking them out to!


  • #3400
    muffler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46,308 ✭✭✭✭muffler


    CrazyChick18 wrote: »
    and also argos have really good sales would be worth checking them out to!
    With the current exchange rate you would find that Argos in NI are typically around 15% cheaper than here and thats paying by euro too. They always have in-store offers and most weeks they will have a "sale" on a particular range of goods.

    Im lucky in this regard as there are 2 Argos stores within about 15 minutes drive from where I live - one in Letterkenny and the other in Strabane. Not too difficult to guess which one I use the most ;)


  • #3401
    Amanda7148
    Registered Users Posts: 34 ✭Amanda7148


    DublinWriter wrote: »
    Avoid Newry at the weekends - it's a complete zoo between now and Christmas.

    I went up to Newry the Sunday before last, and I was wondering if I was in the right place! We sailed through Newry, straight past the Sainsbury's and went through to Kilkeel to the Asda there. It was a rainy day, but I could not believe my luck. I parked in Asda at 12:50 and when it opened at 1pm there were 5 of us in the queue! Now granted, Kilkeel is a small store and probably not the main place people go, but I was amazed at how easy it was!

    From reading the other posts, I would say this must have been a fluke?

    I havent read all the posts, so what I am going to say is probably a repeat, but I will say it anyway! Lovely little chemist opposite the Asda in Kilkeel, offering straight £/€ if you pay in cash. Lovely gift items. Sooo cheap!

    And Savers in Newry. I nearly wet myself (not really) over the prices.

    As for the drink in Asda, well 15 bottles of Miller and 12 Smirnoff Ices €19.00. Enough said!


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