Shopping in Northern Ireland

Littleguy

Folks I wouldn't be worrying about traffic or having to return to Newry or anywhere North of the border to bring things back, when the prices are what they are.
I bought a Lexmark X4650 Printer in Argos in Newry last night. £63.61, at current exchange rate, thats a little over €67.
The SAME printer in the SAME shop "Argos" in Dublin is currently €181.
Now can someone please tell me, What the hell is going on ????
I bought all the food and nappies I need for my son for the next 6 weeks, 8 bottles of wine - good wine, 20 bottles of beer, various shaving, shower etc. products and 120 cigarettes.
My total bill for the evening - £195.90 or €207.44 (yesterdays exchange rate).
There are different VAT rates, exchange rates, shop charges etc. and any other argument you would like to put to me, but you would have to be mad to see that there are major, and very serious discrepencies.
I usually go to Sprucefield, where believe it or not, the sainsburys is cheaper again on some items.
What's more is that everyone I have had the pleasure to deal with up there are incredibly helpful and dedicated - even if it's finding you a 6 pack of crisps.
I'm sorry Mr. Cowen for the trouble you find yourself in, I'm sorry for those who are losing their jobs all over the country, but I refuse to spend any more money in this country and I would advise you all to do the same.

ukpoker

ukpoker wrote: »

The new Argos catalogues are out...

We picked up one in Argos at the Square in Tallaght and one in Newry while shopping at Sainsburys for price comparisons...

The back cover tells you all you need to know about rip-off Ireland.

30% difference in prices if you assume £/€ parity (which is getting close again).

Bumpity Bump!!

Our man in Havana

Why are you bumping? Are you an argos shill?

Ronan Raver77

mad m wrote: »

Does anyone know where I can get a Fatboy bean bag up North?

I wouldn't mind getting one of these myself anyone know where to get them for good price up north?? I will be heading up soon need to stock up on magners/bulmers my local Spar is charging 2.69 per can:eek:

DublinWriter

Littleguy wrote: »

What's more is that everyone I have had the pleasure to deal with up there are incredibly helpful and dedicated - even if it's finding you a 6 pack of crisps.

Amen to that Brother. The staff of any Norn Iron shop we go to are always polite, curious and pleasant.

Gozer

Just back from my weekly shop in Asda Downpatrick.
I went through Newry at 2pm.
The town centre was busy but not manic.
It took 10mins to clear Newry not many southern cars about.
Arrived in Asda Downpatrick very quiet only saw one southern reg car in carpark.
Asda have some great deals in their rollback promo e.g.

Kellogs Bran Flakes 500g £1
5 pack Snickers £1

Staff as usual very friendly and helpfull.

Booze has gone up in price but still much cheaper than here
1Ltr Bacardi 17.47 it is 30euro here.

Popped into Argos next door and bought a Kenwood Prospero Kitchen Machine
for £146.39.Price in my local Argos 237.99.??????
The return journey was very quiet only took 5mins to clear Newry noticed more southern cars heading into Newry from the south but not that many.

I have been shopping in the north for years and have no qualms about it,as we in the south have been shafted for years.Until the retailers in the south wake up I will continue to do so.

I live in Meath cost in diesel less than 15 euro.

adox

Picked up my favorite pasta sauces(Llyod Grossman) in Asda in Belfast for £1 a jar yesterday. They cost €2.39 down here. Also Sensodyne toothpaste was £1.39 a tube - €3.39 down here. For those with bad breath I picked up a 750ml botttle of Retardex in Superdrug for £7.68. Its nearly €13 down here.:)

phill106

any suggestions on a bricks and mortar computer store up there, so i can do some research before i buy?
thanks

greenman09

Currys, pc world?

phill106

greenman09 wrote: »

Currys, pc world?

thanks, checking those ones already, any more?

josh59

Gozer wrote: »

Just back from my weekly shop in Asda Downpatrick.
I went through Newry at 2pm.
The town centre was busy but not manic.
It took 10mins to clear Newry not many southern cars about.
Arrived in Asda Downpatrick very quiet only saw one southern reg car in carpark.

How long did it take from Newry to Downpatrick - I know the road quite well but have only travelled it early mornings anytime I did the trip without traffic (going to see the motorbikes racing in Bishopscourt up the road from Downpatrick)

2qk4u

What time does Asda open on a Sunday ? Which is the closest Asda to go to ? My wife wants to go to Enniskillen....

muffler

2qk4u wrote: »

What time does Asda open on a Sunday ?

1 PM - 6 PM

2qk4u wrote: »

Which is the closest Asda to go to ? My wife wants to go to Enniskillen....

If we knew where you lived it would help

Our man in Havana

For the millionth time 1pm to 6pm on a sunday.

For the nearest asda see http://www.asda.co.uk

muffler

Bond-007 wrote: »

For the millionth time 1pm to 6pm on a sunday.

For the nearest asda see http://www.asda.co.uk

na na na na na. I beat you

elle150

I bought a FM transmitter for my ipod up in Currys in Newry. I decided I wanted to get the belkin fm transmitter instead. Brought it back (box not even opened) to currys in Liffey valley. The couldn't exchange it for another one because they don't have the system to exchange sterling goods for euro goods.:eek:

A friend of mine bought a laptop up the north aswell. it had a faulty, brought it back to pc world liffey. Again, like my situation they told my friend that she had to go back up the north to pc world where she bought it and get them to sort it out. :eek:

Lesson to be learned: Don't buy electrical goods in Northern Ireland If you want some come back. What seemed to be a bargained at first, turn out to be an expensive mistake for my friend.:(

Our man in Havana

Why would you think that currys in the south would help you? Or PC world?

Your contract is with the shop where you purchased it. Take it back there instead.

If you buy in Northern Ireland you have the full warranty, saying you have no comeback is very wrong.

aloevera

does anyone know how much the playstation4's ar in Currys up north?

Gozer

How long did it take from Newry to Downpatrick - I know the road quite well but have only travelled it early mornings anytime I did the trip without traffic (going to see the motorbikes racing in Bishopscourt up the road from Downpatrick)



35 minutes max.
I was taking it handy and there was some traffic but nothing major.
There was a police speed check coming down the long hill into Castlewellan in the 40mph zone.
Funny enough going to bike races years ago in Bishopscourt was how I also got to know the road.

ChicaWeen

hi does anyone know is there a H&M clothes store in Newry?

tfitzgerald

dont think so ,i think they are in belfast and ballymena but i stand to be corrected .anyway try belfast its a nice spot

ChicaWeen

thanks, ya i suppose belfast has more to offer, just the distance is putting me off. Might head up there though, there is an Ikea up there too and could do with going there.. Was in Dublin today looking at clothes - sterling 12.90.. euro price 19.90..real exchange price 13.27 ... makes no sense to shop down south.

tfitzgerald

yes i know wife saw a coat in debenhams in limerick for £80 or €145 i offered them the 90sterling but they said the were not allowed take it. belfast is only a short trip from dublin on a motorway u would be there be fore you notice it

DonJose

Even Superquinn is shopping up north

http://www.sbpost.ie/post/pages/p/story.aspx-qqqt=IRELAND-qqqm=news-qqqid=39050-qqqx=1.asp

ChicaWeen

The situation is laughable, continuing to charge high prices when people have less money to spend is pointless.. and the government increasing taxes is just adding to the problem,
Brian cowen and buddies chatting over their lunch (paid for by me and you) ..."ya here´s an idea lads we should increase tax on goods and services, increase travel costs and we should continue to receive rediculously high expense costs - its a sure-fire way to over come this economic downturn..now pass the champagne Mary"

ChicaWeen

Yes Ikea is brilliant for affordable redecorating, lived in Spain and furnished whole 2bedroom apartment for less than 900 euro.. thats beds, bedding, tables, chairs, couch, rugs and more.. just hope when (if) it opens in Dublin the savings wont be lost... this is a handy link about opening hours for shopping in Belfast if anyone needs it.. http://www.belfastcentre.com/index.php?Itemid=99&id=70&option=com_content&task=view

eimear1

Yeah, totally agree with you, hope Ikea don't try to get in on the rip-off act when they open in Dublin. I live in Meath and furnished my 2 bed house from top to bottom for approx €1800 this time last year, that includes 2 seat sofa, 2 armchairs, kitchen table & 4 chairs, bed, mattress, lockers (4), desk, office chair, shelving and hall unit, as well as a million and one knick knacks for kitchen and stuff like bedlinen and lamps!I hear delivery is quite reasonable too - but i was lucky i had my dad and his trailer.
My boyfriend is from Belfast so would be up there quite regularly - savings i make on regular grocery shopping (just for me, living alone) seem to at least pay for the petrol (shopping in Sprucefield or asda on Falls rd) and often a lot more to be saved on specials and bulk buys.
One little example - halogen lightbulbs for spotlights (can't remember code at mo) normally approx 10 euro for pack of four down here, £1 each in asda.

parsi

Bond-007 wrote: »

Why would you think that currys in the south would help you? Or PC world?

Your contract is with the shop where you purchased it. Take it back there instead.

Decathlon will allow you to bring stuff back to a French store if you bought it in London, without any problem (I've done it).

Our man in Havana

Good for them. They are not obliged though.

dealhunter

DonJose wrote: »

Even Superquinn is shopping up north

http://www.sbpost.ie/post/pages/p/story.aspx-qqqt=IRELAND-qqqm=news-qqqid=39050-qqqx=1.asp

We featured on the very same page as that article.

Littleguy

Hey folks. Some more money saving tips.......

www.camskill.co.uk - Tyres, enter the correct details and you will find cheaper tyres anywhere in Ireland or the UK - of the net for that matter. delivered to any door you like within 2 - 3 days.

Jon Exhausts Tyres and Motor factors in newry - 00442830264371 will fit them for you approx. £30.

Total cost of my new 'Hankook' tyres - €234 delivered and fitted.
The cheapest I could find here was €75 per tyre for SAVA - crap.
Before anyone gives out - I did try a few places down here and asked them could they match the prices - I shouldn't have bothered. I was laughed at made to feel like an idiot.

Also - ISAAC AGNEW in Belfast £250 set price for a Service A on a Merc, including a mini valet (wash, hoover, windows & tyres).
Annesley Cloughran €400 - 'there or there abouts' and when asked would I get a wash for that I was asked - 'What would we do that for?'.

Phone hung up - car booked with ISAAC's.....

greenman09

Seems some businesses just dont wanna push the boat out for some custom. Stuff them.

Richard

Littleguy wrote: »

Jon Exhausts Tyres and Motor factors in newry - 00442830264371 will fit them for you approx. £30.

Not that it makes a huge difference, but if you dial 048 30264371 from the Republic it will be treated as a national call in terms of charging. Dialling 0044 costs more from some telcos.

ilovecars

aloevera wrote: »

does anyone know how much the playstation4's ar in Currys up north?

????????????????????????:eek:

consultech

aloevera wrote: »

does anyone know how much the playstation4's ar in Currys up north?

One million future-dollars I believe...

JohnCleary

Guys sorry to be asking a question that i'm sure was answered, I tried searching but to no avail.

I've been in ASDA Enniskillen before the XMas but paid with cash (ATM Outside the door) - But can I just pay with my Laser card? Or do I need Euro cash? Either way, when arriving at the checkout do I need to inform them that i'm paying in Euro?

Suppose the best way to check whether to pay in Euro at ASDA or get Sterling from the ATM is to ring ASDA and the Bank the day before and see who's giving the best rate?

Asda take laser. Tesco and Dunnes don't. Which is annoying.

Our man in Havana

Moonbaby wrote: »

Asda take laser. Tesco and Dunnes don't. Which is annoying.

Do they charge the laser card in Euro or sterling?

Ginny

Asda and Sainsburys charged me in Sterling on the Laser just before Christmas, heading up again this weekend, the savings on household items are scary.

Our man in Havana

It was most likely they accepted your maestro card as laser is a ROI function only.

T-Bird

For some reason Permanent TSB will not work in ASDA. All others do.

DonJose

Was in Asda Enniskillen today and bought a Canon PIXMA iP1900 for £25, I'm not buying printer ink anymore, at this price I'll just buy a new printer.

Our man in Havana

thundermuppet wrote: »

For some reason Permanent TSB will not work in ASDA. All others do.

It is not a maestro card.

josh59

Maybe it's been covered before but has anyone any feedback on shopping for groceries in any of the Dunnes Stores in N.Ireland. Be interested to see how prices compare with the South. I think there is one on the "main" - cant remember the name in Newry

DundalkDuffman

Bond-007 wrote: »

It is not a maestro card.

My PTSB laser card is a year old and has the maestro logo, I haven't had an issue using it up North.
Just another little saving that I came across in the last few days, the wireless adapter for the xbox 360, 89.99 yoyos in Harvey Normans, 49.99 stgs in Gamestop in Newry.

Ronan Raver77

Josh it was posted somewhere on this thread before that Dunnes charges less in NI than the south...Mad isnt it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Scruff

looking at my a/c after being up north at the weekend i notice that the worst exchange rate i got for using my laser card was, surprise surprise, from an irish company. O'briens sandwiches were 1c worse that the worst english retailer. ffs.

Mary28

If you go out the back door of the Buttercrane (the door near the Dunnes clothes shop in Buttercrane) and cross the bridge, walk up the street and take a right there's a Dunnes grocery on that street. It's small but I went there once when Sainsburys was out of baby Formula. Aptimel Easy Digest costs €17.49 in my local Dunnes in Dublin and it cost £7.95 in Dunnes in Newry!!

hamish262001

anywhere to get good quality bed up in the north?
not ikea

dunser

Here my 2 pence, I was up the north for the weekend. I have to say Belfast was Class, Great Shops Great food and Great value. On the way home on sunday morning I stopped into Newry to Sainsburys to see what it was like. It was pure Nuts, The Crowds at 1pm were crazy , they were beating each other for Trollies outside , the q's at the check outs were 6 deep by 1.20pm. So be Warned