Shopping in Northern Ireland

parsi

g32 wrote: »

Kildare Outlet Village are a complete rip-off as regards prices. Even during the sales, prices remained high, there were clumbsy offers also.

Only been there the once but the prices did seem competitive. Got a very Ralph Lauren shirt for the young lad's communion for 9.99 . IIRC we got Ralph Lauren pants for him at a similar price (if he wants them at full price he can buy them himself).

g32

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

That equats to £2.50 on every £100 and is not really going to make any difference for zero VAT items like food and childrens clothes. When savings on some items like a bottle of spirits is normally €10 or more it's still worth a trip. Grocery items have got very competitive between here and the north and this is a direct result of people shopping in the north.

If you buy in bulk, its worth the trip up north. Buying clothing, food, spirits in bulk will save you more.

g32

parsi wrote: »

Only been there the once but the prices did seem competitive. Got a very Ralph Lauren shirt for the young lad's communion for 9.99 . IIRC we got Ralph Lauren pants for him at a similar price (if he wants them at full price he can buy them himself).

When I compared the Outlet prices to the internet, they seemed considerably higher. That was against the US Dollar, but I should note the Euro has since taken a fall in value. This was also during the sales in January.

gurramok

Haddockman wrote: »

UK VAT is rising to 20% in January. That will kill off the boom in NI from shopping.

VAT is not rising on alcohol or cigarettes. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/politics/10371590.stm

That said, its really only worth the trip if buying spirits as beer is competitive down here especially on special deals.

Also, another vote of confidence for Banbridge. Have been to both Tesco & Lidl there, not many southern reg cars though but that helps the place been less packed

91011

gurramok wrote: »

VAT is not rising on alcohol or cigarettes. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/politics/10371590.stm

The tax (e.g. excise tax) is not increasing on the old reliables, but VAT is. - There is absolutely no possible way whatsoever that the vat on alcohol & cigs & fuel can be left at 17.5% and every other product that was at 17.5% increase to 20%.

VAT on these products in the UK is at the "standard" rate. the "standard" rate increases to 20%. - No ifs, no buts, its increasing.

If paddy power is taking bets on this, I'll lay every penny I have on it.

91011

g32 wrote: »

When I compared the Outlet prices to the internet, they seemed considerably higher. That was against the US Dollar, but I should note the Euro has since taken a fall in value. This was also during the sales in January.

You compared a store in Kildare with internet prices in USA????:eek::eek::eek:

Did you add in 21% vat? - Did you add in up to 14% european import duties, did you add in shipping charges. - and don't forget vat & duty is added to the shipping charges.

Jeez - maybe ok, compare to NI or UK or even France or other euro contries, but lets not compare to the naked USA price where the sales tax (up to 13.5%) is added at the till on top of the ticket price. - If you are going to compare to USA prices find out the duty rates on the specific item & deduct both this & the vat from the price and then, & only then can you do a proper comparitve cost.

gurramok

91011 wrote: »

The tax (e.g. excise tax) is not increasing on the old reliables, but VAT is. - There is absolutely no possible way whatsoever that the vat on alcohol & cigs & fuel can be left at 17.5% and every other product that was at 17.5% increase to 20%.

VAT on these products in the UK is at the "standard" rate. the "standard" rate increases to 20%. - No ifs, no buts, its increasing.

If paddy power is taking bets on this, I'll lay every penny I have on it.

I see. The BBC did not go into detail on it, it just said 'taxes' but didn't say which taxes!!
But the Guardian have it in detail. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jun/22/budget-2010-key-points

A jump of 2.5% in VAT won't affect the price of spirits much. Again we get ripped off by excess excise on alcohol down here.

91011

gurramok wrote: »

I see. The BBC did not go into detail on it, it just said 'taxes' but didn't say which taxes!!
But the Guardian have it in detail. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jun/22/budget-2010-key-points

A jump of 2.5% in VAT won't affect the price of spirits much. Again we get ripped off by excess excise on alcohol down here.

excluding different special offers, the difference on a standard bottle of spirits comparing both juristiction standard prices will be about €1.50 (or less if sterling continues to strengthen.)

But you can't really say its an excise duty rip-off because then the same claim can be made about petrol & diesel in Northern Ireand where diesel is 30% more expensive than south of the border. (last week the fuel stations on the southern side of donegal/derry boder were crammed with NI plates - must bring a smile to Brian Lenihans face!)

gurramok

91011 wrote: »

excluding different special offers, the difference on a standard bottle of spirits comparing both juristiction standard prices will be about €1.50 (or less if sterling continues to strengthen.)

But you can't really say its an excise duty rip-off because then the same claim can be made about petrol & diesel in Northern Ireand where diesel is 30% more expensive than south of the border. (last week the fuel stations on the southern side of donegal/derry boder were crammed with NI plates - must bring a smile to Brian Lenihans face!)

Well, the border stores do tend to have special offers on spirits. I see your point when they do not and the difference in pricing ain't that great. I'll be up there tomorrow(on non-shopping business) and will report on my observations from Newry

Didn't know about the diesel difference having swayed in the Souths favour recently despite the tax hikes in our budget. Is petrol cheaper here or in NI these days?

alastair

hatetherain! wrote: »

Was told by a friend of a friend not to go to Banbridge with a car with southern plates, now I thought he was joking but he said he wasnt?
Surely in this day and age it isnt an issue???

It's not and Banbridge has been well accustomed to southern reg cars for years without any issues. Don't listen to your mate. If you're going to the outlet, you don't even go into Banbridge proper, and half the cars in the carpark there are from across the border. The outlet is pretty good imo, but it depends what you're after.

91011

gurramok wrote: »

Didn't know about the diesel difference having swayed in the Souths favour recently despite the tax hikes in our budget. Is petrol cheaper here or in NI these days?

current average price ireland - from pumps.ie = unleaded 132.9, diesel 124.9

Current average price NI - from petrol prices .com - unleaded €1.52 (£1.226 x current consumer exchange rate of 1.238), Diesel €1.55 (£1.249 x 1.238)

Basically fill up BEFORE you cross the border. - station on newry rd dundalk has unleaded at 1.269 & diesel at 1.179 and a queue of yellow reg cars!

dee_mc

Hi hatetherain!
I'm sure your friend was joking as on any given day at least half the cars in carpark of Banbridge outlet centre have ROI plates, it's a pretty good place to shop- it's about a year since i visited but at that time they had outlets for Marks and Spencer, Clark's, Oasis, Gap, Past Times, a health food store and a few others, should be worth a look! Also Subway and Starbucks if you need to refuel!

gurramok

From my travels, both Newry shopping centres were practically empty. No competion in beer pricing, not worthwhile buying.
What caught my eye was that a 1L Baileys was £14stg, €24.50 in Tesco here so cheaper by 7 euro.

Hasschu

A price difference of 6% to 20% can be sustained for long periods of time. Retailers on both sides of the border are competing for a finite amount of custom. It is a zero sum game with customers factoring in cost, time, wear and tear on the car, snacks for the family when deciding "is it worth it". In god's country our retailers are modifying prices daily keeping in mind that they can get away with charging more. Up north they are also modifying prices daily in an attempt to squeeze as much as they can out of the trade by keeping the customers coming. The UK VAT going to 20% will crimp profit margins leading to higher prices to compensate. Business will decline no doubt.

furiousox

Yes

g32

Hasschu wrote: »

A price difference of 6% to 20% can be sustained for long periods of time.

No it can't. People find other ways such as the internet, and cross border shopping. The real solution is for the prices to be permanently lowered to eliminate this 6-20% difference.

ChuckNorrisgod

how do I ring belfast ?

+353 ?

andyeire

You can dial 0044 then drop first 0. Or drop the 028 and replace it with 048 if dialing from the south and you are ringing a landline. This one is cheapest and it will be classed as a national call so included in most packages /bundles.

ChuckNorrisgod

goes too buy a laptop in belfast.

which asda is the best ?

andyeire

Plenty of small Asda around Belfast so make sure it is big enough to have a good range. There is an Asda Living in BT15 might be worth a shot.

ChuckNorrisgod

walked all around the inner city no asda.

ended up in currys thats the only place I could find that and argus.

got a hp 17 inch laptop

milly4ever

ChuckNorrisgod wrote: »

walked all around the inner city no asda.

ended up in currys thats the only place I could find that and argus.

got a hp 17 inch laptop

you should have checked the store locator beforehand. there are several branches not far from the centre, for example the living store is within walking distance.

Moanin

Anyone up in Sainsburys Newry lately? I'm wondering if it's still worth going up there?I used to go there once monthly but stopped going about 6 months ago or so before they renovated the store.

Thanks

Atlantic Dawn

Moanin wrote: »

Anyone up in Sainsburys Newry lately? I'm wondering if it's still worth going up there?I used to go there once monthly but stopped going about 6 months ago or so before they renovated the store.

Thanks

Depends what your buying, always worth checking their website first for special offers.

91011

Moanin wrote: »

Anyone up in Sainsburys Newry lately? I'm wondering if it's still worth going up there?I used to go there once monthly but stopped going about 6 months ago or so before they renovated the store.

Thanks

according to conor pope in Monday pricewatch (irish times) many everyday items were more expensive in sainsburys than his local tesco incl nappies, coffee, & even whiskey & brandy.

obviously certain deals may make it worth your while - last week sainsburys had 25% off any mixed case of wine (offer over) but for general shopping its not worth it anymore.

also generic medicines were available quite cheaply such as paracetamol & ibuprofen - but these can be bought online too and posted here without any problem as they are over the counter items.

ChuckNorrisgod

I was on google maps and seen the living store written down,

but I did walk around all the streets in the city found the two main shopping centres but no sailsburyss.

I did ask a security guard where asda was he said the one in the city centre was closed down.

milly4ever wrote: »

you should have checked the store locator beforehand. there are several branches not far from the centre, for example the living store is within walking distance.

milly4ever

ChuckNorrisgod wrote: »

I was on google maps and seen the living store written down,

but I did walk around all the streets in the city found the two main shopping centres but no sailsburyss.

I did ask a security guard where asda was he said the one in the city centre was closed down.

supermarkets are generally outside the city centre- the only ones that are there are a small dunnes express and a tesco metro.
both sainsburys branches are a drive away from town.
there was never any asda in the city centre.

ChuckNorrisgod

never seen a city centre without a shopping centre.

From my travels have too say if your looking for clothes too buy belfast is the place too be full of sales with 30 percent off.

milly4ever wrote: »

supermarkets are generally outside the city centre- the only ones that are there are a small dunnes express and a tesco metro.
both sainsburys branches are a drive away from town.
there was never any asda in the city centre.

gurramok

The Tesco Metro is quite good for the booze. Its not a huge place as there is a not a huge demand from hordes of shoppers stampeding on the place like in Newry hence prices do be a little lower than Newry.
I've often bought a good few bottles of spirits there as i've found it to be well stocked.

Pinksumo

Nice posting about shopping Centre.

Pinksumo

Hi
Nice Posting about Shopping Centers.

tregan

not as worth it as it used to be but as another poster said check out the sainsbury website for offers as vodka was £11 for 75cl bottle and kenco coffee refills were £2.66 so that's two things i drink so got that - clothes are still working out cheaper though

one thing that i was a bit p*sssed about was they now charge for parking in the buttercrane! and no shop validates your ticket. when we were leaving went to machine and it said £2.50 but it wouldn't accept the final 50p payment even though we tried a few different coins, took out ticket andp ut it in again and it was £3.50! called the "help" button and he said it must have gone into another hour and i explained that i had the ticket in etc etc but he said that was what i had to pay and did i need someone to come down with change! so that was that, at least you can get your parking validated in the quays

grand day out (apart from tired baby) ... wanted eye test in specsavers was my main reason and test itself worked out slightly cheaper £20 versus €30 but the real saving is if you have the buy glasses - as it turned out mine were onlly slightly worse but current glasses will be ok for another while

probably won't be going up again for a long while but it's an idea to make a list of things that are cheaper in the north before you go i.e. do a bit of research

so

The Guvnor

With the new motorway finally bypassing Newry completely it is not much longer to hit Sprucefield which is a better Sainsbury.

I would estimate that from your usual turn off at the cloghue roundabout for Newry then you could well be at the Outlet Centre in about 10 minutes and at Sprucefield in 20-25 minutes. This would be assuming a steady 70-75 MPH on the road which is about the average speed of the cars on this road if not the actual speed limit.

There is no charges for parking in Sprucefield and no requirement for a pound in the trolley's either.

Overall I would have to say the extra drive is not too bad and not a major inconvenience.

g32

The Guvnor wrote: »

This would be assuming a steady 70-75 MPH on the road which is about the average speed of the cars on this road if not the actual speed limit.

Km/h.

Think metric.

bladespin

g32 wrote: »

Km/h.

Think metric.

MPH, the UK still use proper units of measurement

g32

bladespin wrote: »

MPH, the UK still use proper units of measurement

You may want to see a doctor about that party-line hook, line and sinker in your gullet.

Its not a proper unit of measurement.

MPH are an imperial system of measurement, now used by only 4 countries in the entire world. The metric system is used everywhere and is the internationally recognized system.

muffler

Guys, you do realise that you are both pulling this thread completely off topic.

bladespin

g32 wrote: »

You may want to see a doctor about that party-line hook, line and sinker in your gullet.

Its not a proper unit of measurement.

MPH are an imperial system of measurement, now used by only 4 countries in the entire world. The metric system is used everywhere and is the internationally recognized system.

Party line??? What on earth are you on about?

I don't care, he's talking about the speed the cars travel along that road in the UK, by all means contact the home office and have them change the units they use because you think they should, they use MPH.(a proper unit of measurement and one the majority still use here).


Point taken Muffler, the PSNI do police the limit on the Newry bypass : for anyone travelling.

Totally agree on Sprucefield, plenty of free parking, easy to find and they've Argos, ToysRus and B&Q there too.

alan85

Sprucefield is definitely an option.

10mins further is the Falls Road. Sainsbury's there have their in-store signage as Gaeilge. There's an ASDA next door and a Lidl I think. Dunnes is around the corner too. Well worth a trip there. I found it felt more southern than Lisburn...

percy212

g32 wrote: »

You may want to see a doctor about that party-line hook, line and sinker in your gullet.

Its not a proper unit of measurement.

MPH are an imperial system of measurement, now used by only 4 countries in the entire world. The metric system is used everywhere and is the internationally recognized system.

Wow. That person was being helpful, and this is the response you give? A person can't even make a joke without getting battered by freaks on boards.

Chris_5339762

I'm off up north to look at some televisions. Thinking of heading to Lisburn after reading some comments on Newry here.

Wheres the best place in Lisburn to go? There doesnt seem to be a Currys there. Any ideas where would stock a pile of TVs?

mcwhirter

Chris_5339762 wrote: »

I'm off up north to look at some televisions. Thinking of heading to Lisburn after reading some comments on Newry here.

Wheres the best place in Lisburn to go? There doesnt seem to be a Currys there. Any ideas where would stock a pile of TVs?

Richer sounds in belfast

rebelreded

Anyone know if it would be worth my while travelling North for baby stuff....Travel system (pram, pushchair, car seat etc)??? And if so, where to go?

muffler

rebelreded wrote: »

Anyone know if it would be worth my while travelling North for baby stuff....Travel system (pram, pushchair, car seat etc)??? And if so, where to go?

A nephew of mine drove from Dublin to Newry last week to get a new baby seat for the car. Well it just wasnt that as he had his wife with him so I take it that they did a bit of shopping for other items also.

But as he is a tight ****er you can be sure that he definitely thought it was worth his while.

Not sure if thats of any help or not but it might do no harm to have a look round a couple of the online store first - Argos for example and then compare.

keano_afc

Still worth going up for baby stuff? We've our first due in 2 months and we're comtemplating another trip up.

Agent_47

Chris_5339762 wrote: »

I'm off up north to look at some televisions. Thinking of heading to Lisburn after reading some comments on Newry here.

Wheres the best place in Lisburn to go? There doesnt seem to be a Currys there. Any ideas where would stock a pile of TVs?

There is a Currys in Sprucefield retail centre just before you come to Lisburn

Wertz

Headed down to sainsbury's Newry this morning since I haven't been down in months and had some £STG to get rid of...certainly nowhere near the savings to be made that there used to be on a lot of stuff. The only good value is on their bogof offers and on their Basics range (stocked up on lots of tinned food) and for snack/junk type food.

Few good offers for LCD tellys and the like too, but meat, fruit/veg, dairy and bread is maybe 20-25% dearer than the republic.
They've also changed the layout of the store (for the better) and of course drink is still good value but I feel a lot of the Irish supermarkets have finally brought down prices to a comparative level and the value of STG has affected the NI prices.

Still a way better selection than your average Tesco and still some good prices to be had, but noithing like 2008-09.

Newbedshop.com - Authorised Merchant

Wertz wrote: »

The only good value is on their bogof offers and on their Basics range (stocked up on lots of tinned food) and for snack/junk type food.

Still a way better selection than your average Tesco and still some good prices to be had, but noithing like 2008-09.

True! My gang love the basics curry sauce.... ONLY 9p!!!!!! Is like your normal chip shop curry sauce!;)

alkev

Agent_47 wrote: »

There is a Currys in Sprucefield retail centre just before you come to Lisburn

At the moment there are two Currys in Sprucefield, one each side of the roundabout. The new one has replaced the PC World store. I was there today and is only half open, it will be very large when fully open.

dubsuperstar

Anyone got any experince in DFS in belfast, was thinking of taking a trip up tomorrow for a new sofa.