Shopping in Northern Ireland

unreggd · 24-11-2008 5:57pm

Does it ever really work out cheaper?

I drove to Belfast and back and the journey cost me about 50 euro petrol

So it'd wanna be some heck of a saving to cover that cost too

Tipsy Mac · 24-11-2008 6:01pm

unreggd wrote: »

So it'd wanna be some heck of a saving to cover that cost too

Buying 4 litre bottles of spirits will cover that.

consultech · 24-11-2008 6:03pm

Tipsy Mac wrote: »

Buying 4 litre bottles of spirits will cover that.

Lolz at your name and subsequent method of measuring saving.

lastbuilders · 24-11-2008 6:05pm

Was in Asda in Enniskillen today and saw 15 bottles of miller for 7 sterling or 20 bottles of Coors light for the same. Though it is great deal.

KhanTheMan · 24-11-2008 6:15pm

just heard cowen on the radio saying that vat has nothing to do with it. And that it's purely the exchange rate and he plans to do nothing. The man hasn't a clue. We need an election badly.

DonJose · 24-11-2008 6:24pm

NEWSFLASH : Government respond to UK VAT reductions.

Sofiztikated · 24-11-2008 6:28pm

Excellent.

Me and my better half go "Oop Nort" every month to 6 weeks. The last time we were there, we filled, and I mean filled our trolley, and it cost us €113 after the conversion.

Went into Tesco in Cavan on Saturday, and picked up a few bits, almost a basket load really, and it came to €43, without really trying.

Support Irish goods & services? Why? What have they ever really done for me, apart from take FAR too much money off me?

I'm going to continue to go down and shop. I will pick up bits & pieces down here as always, like the perishables that don't make sense to cross the border for.

Why? I don't get paid mega bucks, I like nice things, selection is better up there...makes sense!

Give me a reason to shop here and I will, I'm a consumer and I'm fickle.

Easy Rider · 24-11-2008 6:28pm

Elections are very, very expensive....not sure if it is a cost we can afford.....but keeping these guys in government may cost more....in the 80's we tried to tax our way out of a recession, which did not work, now we are trying the same thing....

Also there should be a middle income tax band, how is earning over 32 grand even considered high income?

ybbi · 24-11-2008 6:30pm

Cross-border shopping set to rise as British VAT cut confirmed Print
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Share24/11/2008 - 16:15:33
The rate of VAT in the North is set to fall from 17.5% to 15%, British Chancellor Alastair Darling confirmed in today’s Pre-Budget Report.

The tax reduction, set to be introduced on December 1, is likely to further encourage shoppers in the Republic to make to journey North in an effort to save money on their Christmas shopping.

“I … propose to cut VAT from 17.5 to 15% until the end of next year,” said Darling this afternoon. “This VAT reduction will come into effect next Monday on December 1.”

“The reduction in VAT lowers the amount of tax paid on tobacco, alcohol and petrol.”

The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association expressed concern however that the 2.5% decrease in VAT may not have the required impact to get consumers spending again.

Glyn Roberts, NIIRTA Chief Executive said: “The PBR does make some positive proposals for restoring business and consumer confidence as well as stimulating demand and getting people spending more.

“However, I would question how effective an impact the 2.5% reduction in VAT will have on retailers. Most food products are already exempt from VAT and the very small decrease in VAT will result in very small reductions in those products which are covered by VAT.

“Some retailers are already running sales reducing products by upward of 20-30%-a 2.5% decrease would have little real impact in seeing real drop in prices which would encourage consumers to spend more.”

orbital83 · 24-11-2008 7:08pm

Speaking to reporters in Dublin today, the minister said it was important for Ireland the UK to ensure their actions are "in sync" to ensure neither gains a competitive advantage.

Yeah Mr Gormley.
That's why Ireland is raising its corporation tax rate to be equal to the UK rate, so that Ireland stops poaching British business.

Oh wait...

Stick to the CFL bulbs John. Moron.

KhanTheMan · 24-11-2008 7:36pm

John J wrote: »

Yeah Mr Gormley.
That's why Ireland is raising its corporation tax rate to be equal to the UK rate, so that Ireland stops poaching British business.

Oh wait...

Stick to the CFL bulbs John. Moron.

All that Gobsh!te knows how to do is find excuses to increase taxes.

And to think all of my family voted for him. I have spoken nobody who voted green who is going to vote green ever again. Bye bye green party.

DublinWriter · 24-11-2008 7:39pm

gollyitsolly wrote: »

Just read on Breaking news.ie that John Gormley, minister for the enviroment, wants the government to stop the flow of shoppers to the north! What can he realistically do?

I do believe Berlin has a second-hand wall going cheap.

Realistically what can he do? Nada, nowt and nothing, or should I say rien considering that the fundamental principle of Europe is the free movement of vodka and Dutch Gold goods and services across state borders.

Of course the ultimate political opportunity now presents itself - vote yes on Lisbon II or we'll pull out of Europe and there'll be no more cheap shopping in Newry for the lot of ye.

KhanTheMan · 24-11-2008 7:46pm

DublinWriter wrote: »

I do believe Berlin has a second-hand wall going cheap.

Realistically what can he do? Nada, nowt and nothing, or should I say rien considering that the fundamental principle of Europe is the free movement of vodka and Dutch Gold goods and services across state borders.

Of course the ultimate political opportunity now presents itself - vote yes on Lisbon II or we'll pull out of Europe and there'll be no more cheap shopping in Newry for the lot of ye.

He can start some major roadworks on the North-bound lane just South of the border

DonJose · 24-11-2008 7:53pm

KhanTheMan wrote: »

He can start some major roadworks on the North-bound lane just South of the border

Good idea, build a new motorway to Newry, that'll stop all north bound traffic

DublinWriter · 24-11-2008 7:55pm

KhanTheMan wrote: »

He can start some major roadworks on the North-bound lane just South of the border

We children of the 80's know where all the 'unapproved' roads are.

Phototoxin · 24-11-2008 8:05pm

Time for a riot folks !

northdubgal · 24-11-2008 8:23pm

I was just reading all those comments on what the governemnt could do to stop us from shopping up the north and it got me thinking...

Can they tax us on the way back through the border? Kinda like the way airport customs stop people returning from America and go thru their cases??

Can you image it, border control, going through all the bags of shopping with a calculator adding up all the bit n pieces to be taxed..

Wouldn't be surprised!

Davy · 24-11-2008 8:24pm

northdubgal wrote: »

I was just reading all those comments on what the governemnt could do to stop us from shopping up the north and it got me thinking...

Can they tax us on the way back through the border? Kinda like the way airport customs stop people returning from America and go thru their cases??

Can you image it, border control, going through all the bags of shopping with a calculator adding up all the bit n pieces to be taxed..

Wouldn't be surprised!

Would be hilarious

24-11-2008 8:28pm

These two quotes from the RTE News website today:

A statement from the IFA quotes Mr Power saying that the trend of people going to Northern Ireland to do their shopping is the ultimate act of patriotic sabotage.

What :eek:, so we are not allowed to go and save ourselves some money with our shopping and look for bargins now, go and cop yourself on I say and lower prices here instead of putting them up, idiots :rolleyes:

'People will have to see that there is much better value in the Republic of Ireland' Mr Cowen said.

Where ???

northdubgal · 24-11-2008 8:29pm

davton wrote: »

Would be hilarious

But can they do that???

robo · 24-11-2008 8:30pm

Oh yeh great resource of customs officials, on the M1 checking all the shopping bags of people wanting to save a few quid, and the drug smugglers coming through the ports and airports hassle free cos all the customs officials are on the M1...:P
Hilarious! I can just see the government do that and all...!
Cos they would never decrease VAT...and sure if they did, would we really see the change in the prices in the shops down here??? I doubt it very much.

Mods - maybe we need to seperate this thread to Bargains found up the north and a discussion on buying up the there?

24-11-2008 8:32pm

robo wrote: »

Mods - maybe we need to seperate this thread to Bargains found up the north and a discussion on buying up the there?

Not a bad idea.

Davexirl · 24-11-2008 8:33pm

Planning on going up this Saturday about 8 or 9 in the morning, what time do the supermarkets or off licenses start selling alcohol?

Our man in Havana · 24-11-2008 8:42pm

8AM

Davexirl · 24-11-2008 8:44pm

Bond-007 wrote: »

8AM

Cheers

kleefarr · 24-11-2008 8:50pm

Right, we've decided that we're going to try it out next week.

We'll mainly be doing Christmas booze shopping and some Christmas present shopping. Now, coming from Kilkenny and sticking to the main routes, is the best place for what we want Sprucefield? So Kilkenny - Dublin - Lisburn. Or is there a better option via the M1/A1 area?

From reading the thread Sainsbury seems to be a good place for value booze. Is there a Tesco or Asda nearby that may offer a slightly better saving, assuming the distance involved?

Our man in Havana · 24-11-2008 9:03pm

You may be better off going Kilkenny-Dublin-Castleblaney(N2)-Keady-Armagh-Banbridge-Lisburn. That way you avoid all the crowds trying to get into Newry.

kleefarr · 24-11-2008 9:07pm

Bond-007 wrote: »

You may be better off going Kilkenny-Dublin-Castleblaney(N2)-Keady-Armagh-Banbridge-Lisburn. That way you avoid all the crowds trying to get into Newry.

Even if going during the week?

24-11-2008 9:11pm

kleefarr wrote: »

Even if going during the week?

It's pretty much mad all week, I would do as Bond-007 says to be honest.

DonJose · 24-11-2008 9:12pm

kleefarr wrote: »

From reading the thread Sainsbury seems to be a good place for value booze. Is there a Tesco or Asda nearby that may offer a slightly better saving, assuming the distance involved?

You are better off getting the booze in Asda. 1lt Smirnoff was £13 in Asda and £14 in Sainsburys. Sainsburys have a special on 1lt of Baileys for £10 but it ends tomorrow, it costs £13 in Asda. Asda also have 3 bottles of wine for £10 and 2 bottles of 70cl Absolut for £18. With the bargains in Asda you'll find yourself going in and out with trolleys full. I filled up a trolley full of booze, emptied it into my car, then returned for a trolley full of groceries. Also when in Asda look out for the MULTI-BUY stickers, you can get 3 for the price of 2 on a lot of items. Sainsburys do have some good bargains but overall Asda is cheaper. I was in Enniskillen and the Asda carpark was full of Irish reg cars, when I finished shopping I drove across the road to Tesco and it was empty and my car was the only Irish reg car, so don't bother with Tesco.

Furp · 24-11-2008 9:27pm

Just remember for the last few years that the governess has been sending out the message to shop around and get the best prices, well guess what we found the best prices and they just happen to be in the North.

There used to be a website encouraging shopping around but I can't remember which one it is.

robo · 24-11-2008 9:31pm

I was going to Belfast on Friday around 11am and the traffic on the road into Newry, before the roundabout was fine. Now I am not sure how bad it was after you go under the bridge after the roundabout. However, you may have had issues getting parking in the car park.

I went to Sprucefield Sainsburys instead and had food in the restaurant - a good sized all day brunch was about 4.70 GBP. It was very nice indeed!

DonJose · 24-11-2008 9:33pm

Anybody who buys Christmas booze in the south is basically p!ssing their money away

Harveys Bristol Cream Sherry 1 Ltr

Asda North - £6.70 / €7.85
Tesco Republic - €16.95

So you can buy 2 bottles in the north for the price of 1 bottle in the republic and still have change left over, thats madness :eek:

DonJose · 24-11-2008 9:34pm

robo wrote: »

I went to Sprucefield Sainsburys instead and had food in the restaurant - a good sized all day brunch was about 4.70 GBP. It was very nice indeed!

When was the last time you had a nice meal in Tesco

PADDYPOKER · 24-11-2008 9:46pm

Asda and then Sainsburys for the major groceries.
For the non food items I'd go to Aldi & Lidl.
Booze and Wines anywhere should be fine and as pointed out before, remember the 3 for 2 specials in most places.
Paddy Power Bookies are giving odds on how much retail sales will fall
Dec 08 against Dec 07 and between 4% & 6% is favourite!
If the Bookies think that, wonder how long it will be before the shops down here have to start bringing their prices down to levels that make it worthwhile to stay shopping in ROI.
Don't forget the price of petrol has fallen back to around €1 a litre so the cost of driving up has also fallen.
98FM were doing a piece about it this evening and the female presenter mentioned something about a coach firm that was bringing people up for €1 return :eek:
Presume it's a shopping centre up North that is subsidising it but anybody know anything more about this?
Also noticed some shops are removing the GBP part of the price tags (M&S)
so that shoppers can't see the price differences.
The sooner the shops down here start noticing people are going in their droves up North the better.
Then we may start getting some value and not having to travel into the North for it.
If the ROI shops don't start doing it, it's going to be a very quiet Christmas for them.

okidoki987 · 24-11-2008 9:52pm

Heard traffic last weekend was mental in/out of Newry.
Dread what it will be like from next weekend onwards.

andyeire · 24-11-2008 9:52pm

northdubgal wrote: »

But can they do that???

No they can't

Dman001 · 24-11-2008 9:53pm

Are the likes of Zavvi or HMV any cheaper up North. I want to pick up a few Blu Ray Discs for cheap.

24-11-2008 9:53pm

PADDYPOKER wrote: »

Also noticed some shops are removing the GBP part of the price tags (M&S)
so that shoppers can't see the price differences.

Dunnes have been at that too, they must think we're stupid.

PADDYPOKER wrote: »

If the ROI shops don't start doing it, it's going to be a very quiet Christmas for them.

It's already quiet for them and serves them right.

brettmirl · 24-11-2008 9:56pm

It wasn't quiet at the shopping centres I was at over the weekend. Blanchardstown was VERY busy on Saturday...

And on Sunday, there were queues waiting to get into the car parks at the Pavillions in Swords.

So while there might be a lot of people heading up North, the majority still seem to be shopping locally.

Davexirl · 24-11-2008 10:00pm

okidoki987 wrote: »

Heard traffic last weekend was mental in/out of Newry.
Dread what it will be like from next weekend onwards.

What time was this at??? I am planning leaving from Leixlip about 8 or 9 Saturday morning so would traffic be bad that hour of the morning???

DonJose · 24-11-2008 10:14pm

Davexirl wrote: »

What time was this at??? I am planning leaving from Leixlip about 8 or 9 Saturday morning so would traffic be bad that hour of the morning???

I'd give Newry a miss on the weekends this close to Xmas, drive an extra 30 minutes to either Armagh or Banbridge or further on to Lisburn, the shops won't be as packed.

DonJose · 24-11-2008 10:15pm

mick_irl wrote: »

So while there might be a lot of people heading up North, the majority still seem to be shopping locally.

If only they knew the savings up north

DubDani · 24-11-2008 10:49pm

I am living in newry, and I can only give one recommendation...

Try to not go into Newry after 8 am on Saturday. Last Saturday the Tailback at 8.30 am already went back to the roundabout off the motorway. From there it would probably another 45 minutes (at least) to get to the Quays (Sainsbury).

Just go further to Banbridge or Lisburn. You will probably reach it quicker then Sainsbury in Newry, it is bigger, has better choice and is far less busy, and a much more relaxed shopping experience.

muincav · 24-11-2008 10:56pm

PADDYPOKER wrote: »

Asda and then Sainsburys for the major groceries.
For the non food items I'd go to Aldi & Lidl.
Booze and Wines anywhere should be fine and as pointed out before, remember the 3 for 2 specials in most places.
Paddy Power Bookies are giving odds on how much retail sales will fall
Dec 08 against Dec 07 and between 4% & 6% is favourite!
If the Bookies think that, wonder how long it will be before the shops down here have to start bringing their prices down to levels that make it worthwhile to stay shopping in ROI.
Don't forget the price of petrol has fallen back to around €1 a litre so the cost of driving up has also fallen.
98FM were doing a piece about it this evening and the female presenter mentioned something about a coach firm that was bringing people up for €1 return :eek:
Presume it's a shopping centre up North that is subsidising it but anybody know anything more about this?
Also noticed some shops are removing the GBP part of the price tags (M&S)
so that shoppers can't see the price differences.
The sooner the shops down here start noticing people are going in their droves up North the better.
Then we may start getting some value and not having to travel into the North for it.
If the ROI shops don't start doing it, it's going to be a very quiet Christmas for them.

There is and has been for quite some time a Free Bus from Monaghan to Rushmere shopping centre in Craigavon...
The local(cavan/monaghan) radio station Dj is telling people to shop local but yet their station is running adds for this bus and for shopping in Enniskillen, Armagh and Newry!!!!!!
Happy shopping all

Our man in Havana · 24-11-2008 11:02pm

I wonder how long it will take the govt to ban adverts for cross border shopping on radio and TV?

kleefarr · 24-11-2008 11:10pm

Right, if it's going to be ASDA then it looks like it'll be Kilkeel. According to the ASDA website, it's the closest, but looks like a hell of a drive. Is there a car ferry across Carlingford Lough?

smashey · 24-11-2008 11:16pm

kleefarr wrote: »

Right, if it's going to be ASDA then it looks like it'll be Kilkeel. According to the ASDA website, it's the closest, but looks like a hell of a drive. Is there a car ferry across Carlingford Lough?

Curiosity got me there and I looked at the AA's route planner. Kilkenny to Kilkeel is 156 miles while Kilkenny to Enniskillen is 150 miles. You would have better roads as far as Newry but with traffic, Enniskillen might not be a bad bet.

brettmirl · 24-11-2008 11:17pm

Looked it up for you on the AA Route planner. No mention of a ferry, but you are looking at approx 3hr 20mins each way.

EDIT - Smashey...we are so TWINS!

robo · 24-11-2008 11:17pm

Bond-007 wrote: »

I wonder how long it will take the govt to ban adverts for cross border shopping on radio and TV?

Well I think that RTE got a wrap on the knuckles cos I was listening to Liveline the other day and heard Joe Duffy tell listeners that with the traffic jams going into Newry, he wouldn't advise people to go up there...sure wasn't it him who publicised a few months ago the bus that brought people up for free!!! RTE being state run...they shouldn't bite the hand that feeds them :rolleyes:

Shopping in Northern Ireland

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