Pound now at 6 month low against Euro !!

davo10

Mods, has skopzz posted on here in a previous avatar?, Skopzz are you also g32?

borderlinemeath

Skopzz wrote: »

I don't just take someone's word without checking it out for myself. I wouldn't be that naieve to doubt there are some potential traders on this forum trying to over-exaggerate things! Given all the complaints I regularly hear about the higher prices down here, I would think there are reasonable savings on most items up in NI. I won't be going to Tesco either. Either Lidl or Asda. But you're right in pointing out it's the offers that really add up. Non-branded goods are also savers. Who needs big luxury brand names anyway? Down here, it's no choice. Doubt anything will change here because it's a monopoly like the DAA.

Skopzz - people are complaining because money is tight with a lot of people for a variety of reasons - wage cuts, job losses, mortgages in negative equity - whatever.

If you had €50 to feed a family for a week and you saw the UK multiples advertising their specials and how much cheaper they are then you would be led to believe that life is rosy on the other side of the fence.

Truth of the matter is that everything these days is a "considered purchase" nobody goes out and spends money before pricing around because of all the hype that was cross border shopping - but really and truly the big savings aren't there any more.

As a previous poster said - you might actually make some money if you purchase a large amount of sterling and wait for the rate to change - I guarantee you would make a bigger amount of money than you think you saved by shopping in the north.

91011

Skopzz wrote: »

I don't just take someone's word without checking it out for myself. I wouldn't be that naieve to doubt there are some potential traders on this forum trying to over-exaggerate things! Given all the complaints I regularly hear about the higher prices down here, I would think there are reasonable savings on most items up in NI. I won't be going to Tesco either. Either Lidl or Asda. But you're right in pointing out it's the offers that really add up. Non-branded goods are also savers. Who needs big luxury brand names anyway? Down here, it's no choice. Doubt anything will change here because it's a monopoly like the DAA.

no need to take my word.

All uk prices can be checked on www.mysupermarket.com

Irish prices can be checked on tesco.ie or your local supermatket.

g32

davo10 wrote: »

Mods, has skopzz posted on here in a previous avatar?, Skopzz are you also g32?

You insignificant retail spammer, you are very amusing...

You pay back with an off topic story as an old good CAKI's mistress you are.


Someone must tell you, Davo, that we economically own you. The money you make by constantly ripping us off is only turning back to us and from us to them in the north. That's the economical circle of life...sometimes it junk-stops some but it won't be the same circle forever.



May be go belly-up. One for you and one as a gift by you to your friend borderlinemeath and Terrontress...so you can happily play together...

g32

gurramok wrote: »

Food prices are indeed the same, I used to shop up north and don't anymore. Only worth going for big branded goods or filling up the car with spirits as beer is the same price too.

No they aren't. I went up to Asda Enniskillen lately and there are still price disparties on almost all grocery items, especially Pizzas, Birds Eye products and definitely alcohol. Some retailers on this forum (with vested interests) always try to lie about this.

Skopzz

borderlinemeath wrote: »

Skopzz - people are complaining because money is tight with a lot of people for a variety of reasons - wage cuts, job losses, mortgages in negative equity - whatever.

If you had €50 to feed a family for a week and you saw the UK multiples advertising their specials and how much cheaper they are then you would be led to believe that life is rosy on the other side of the fence.

Truth of the matter is that everything these days is a "considered purchase" nobody goes out and spends money before pricing around because of all the hype that was cross border shopping - but really and truly the big savings aren't there any more.

As a previous poster said - you might actually make some money if you purchase a large amount of sterling and wait for the rate to change - I guarantee you would make a bigger amount of money than you think you saved by shopping in the north.

I bought a 'reserve' amount of GBP so that I could do future shopping trips during the sales season. I'm also looking into getting my dad's Lexus serviced up there. There is a Toyota depot in Enniskillen, according to yell.com. That's almost certainly a huge saving compared to Toyota Galway. Also, I would have plenty of time to wait while I'm up there.

davo10

g32 wrote: »

You insignificant retail spammer, you are very amusing...

You pay back with an off topic story as an old good CAKI's mistress you are.


Someone must tell you, Davo, that we economically own you. The money you make by constantly ripping us off is only turning back to us and from us to them in the north. That's the economical circle of life...sometimes it junk-stops some but it won't be the same circle forever.



May be go belly-up. One for you and one as a gift by you to your friend borderlinemeath and Terrontress...so you can happily play together...

I think you have been watching Star Wars too much, this rant is Yoda-esque

borderlinemeath

g32 wrote: »

You insignificant retail spammer, you are very amusing...

You pay back with an off topic story as an old good CAKI's mistress you are.


Someone must tell you, Davo, that we economically own you. The money you make by constantly ripping us off is only turning back to us and from us to them in the north. That's the economical circle of life...sometimes it junk-stops some but it won't be the same circle forever.



May be go belly-up. One for you and one as a gift by you to your friend borderlinemeath and Terrontress...so you can happily play together...

FREDNISMO

Bought wiper blades up north for £5 each, same wiper blades in south 15 euro its a no brainer as far as im concerned

gurramok

g32 wrote: »

No they aren't. I went up to Asda Enniskillen lately and there are still price disparties on almost all grocery items, especially Pizzas, Birds Eye products and definitely alcohol. Some retailers on this forum (with vested interests) always try to lie about this.

It is in Sainsburys, Newry, where the bulk of cross border trade goes. Jesus man, are you a shill? There is ZERO difference in alcohol bar pricier spirits.

Same price on Birds Eye produce as well.

Explain why Sainsburys has been empty for the last few months then?

Terrontress

g32 wrote: »

You insignificant retail spammer, you are very amusing...

You pay back with an off topic story as an old good CAKI's mistress you are.


Someone must tell you, Davo, that we economically own you. The money you make by constantly ripping us off is only turning back to us and from us to them in the north. That's the economical circle of life...sometimes it junk-stops some but it won't be the same circle forever.



May be go belly-up. One for you and one as a gift by you to your friend borderlinemeath and Terrontress...so you can happily play together...

What are you including me for?

I still think the North is cheaper and the retailers on here will disagree with every single post by a consumer, trying to convince them that black is white.

I won't buy a single thing south of the border unless it cannot be helped. Whether that's a bottle of wine, suit, trolley of shopping or a tv. And I get the car serviced at Isaac Agnews in Belfast. I have never seen good service like it.

Even if costs are identical, there is a much better experience up North where you are not expected to be grateful for giving custom to some rip-off merchant.

The sterling has regained its composure over the Euro. It was 1.12 earlier in the week and has now gone to 1.15. It was previously 1.20.

Now I just have it in my mind that the price is still 1.20, where I was saving money by shopping North, and the drop to 1.15 lets me have the costs of commissions etc for free!

fmcattack

If it's so great why don't you live there?

Terrontress

fmcattack wrote: »

If it's so great why don't you live there?

Fewer jobs which don't pay as well.

As I said in my earlier post, people living close to borders exploit them. Live where pays the best and shop where costs the least. And if the tide turns, which it is yet to, I'll do my shopping south of the border.

91011

FREDNISMO wrote: »

Bought wiper blades up north for £5 each, same wiper blades in south 15 euro its a no brainer as far as im concerned

swings & roundabouts - I priced Bosch Blades in Halfords Newry a few months back at £11.50. Same baldes, same brand same size were €8.50 in Consort on Drumcondra road.

Within NI, you'll find price discrepancies - asda are cheaper than sainsburys on about 1500 items, sainsbury are cheaper than asda on 1000 items but even up north, on a full family shop the price difference between asda & sainsurys will be £2 or £3.

And if you do a similar shop down here, the price difference will be €2 / €3.

Overall there's very little difference bewteen the 2 areas, except in cost of diesel where NI is about 25c more expensive per litre.

If you specifically target special offers, you could save substantially - but again that works both ways. NI residents could buy only special offers in Tesco Dundalk & save a huge amount on Sainsbury's full prices for the same things.

Almost every price of every grocery item is available online for checking - www.mysupermarket.com - best to check and see the prices yourself to see if there are any worthwhile savings. - Remebmber consumer exchange rate for credit / laser cards is currently €1.18 / £1 - so multiply all prices by 1.18 to get to the euro price.


btw - just in case anyone thinks I have vested interest - I have ZERO interests in grocery / convenience retail. I sell specialist products and a substantial part of my business is in NI & UK because I can beat them hands down on their prices!:D

Terrontress

91011 wrote: »

Overall there's very little difference bewteen the 2 areas, except in cost of diesel where NI is about 25c more expensive per litre.

Not that much at all. According to the AA, the average price, in Sterling, south of the border is £1.0981 whereas they say that the supermarket average in the UK is £1.191 so a difference of about 9 pence, around 11c.

A substantial difference but not enough to prevent you from sticking a tenner in the tank.

Source:

http://www.theaa.com/onlinenews/allaboutcars/fuel/2010/october2010.pdf

91011

Terrontress wrote: »

Not that much at all. According to the AA, the average price, in Sterling, south of the border is £1.0981 whereas they say that the supermarket average in the UK is £1.191 so a difference of about 9 pence, around 11c.

A substantial difference but not enough to prevent you from sticking a tenner in the tank.

Source:

http://www.theaa.com/onlinenews/allaboutcars/fuel/2010/october2010.pdf

AA always seem to have figures out of date.


As with everything I prefer todays prices for comparisons.

I also prefer to compare averages or like with like. - So comparing UK supermarket average with IRL nation average is incorrect.

Based on petrolprices.com today's average price in Newry is £1.229 (€1.44)

Price on M1 service areas from pumps.ie = €1.219

Of course we have tolls & vrt - so it probably ends up similar overall

Pacing Mule

Terrontress wrote: »

Fewer jobs which don't pay as well.

Which is one of the main reasons the prices are lower up there.

Terrontress

Pageant Messiah wrote: »

Which is one of the main reasons the prices are lower up there.

Of course. And I am grateful for it as it means I can get my shopping for less.

91011

Pageant Messiah wrote: »

Which is one of the main reasons the prices are lower up there.

But prices aren't lower up North anymore on general goods, or if they are its a minor difference.

On labour intensive items, such as restaurants, car servicing etc the price difference has fallen substantially and on car servicing a decent local mechanic will be as good or better than main dealers.

example for vehicales I have which were serviced last month - basic service terios - €70.20, basic service ford transit €91.45, full service toyota landcruiser €162.80
Maybe they could be done slightly cheaper up nirth, but would the garage up north collect them from my door and return them later the same day?

DubDani

91011 wrote: »

Price on M1 service areas from pumps.ie = €1.219

That price is out of date for at least 10 days. This morning it was 1.248

91011

DubDani wrote: »

That price is out of date for at least 10 days. This morning it was 1.248

gone up in newry too to 124.9p stg (€1.47)

rickyjb

Skopzz wrote: »

It would be advisable to get your sterling as soon as possible in case the rate unexpectedly goes back up. AIB appear to offer one of the best exchange rates, and I will be buying there tomorrow.

Just on this, I recently visited Belfast and used my debit card to buy stuff instead of taking out cash. In the same day I was charged four different exchange rates by AIB ranging from 0.88 to 0.83, it went from 0.86 to 0.83 in less than an hour!! (I'm getting this info from my bank statement by the way).

The sums of money involved were relatively small but it still puzzles me as to how they can charge seemingly random exchange rates when the actual currency markets show no such fluctuation (price was pretty stable at around 0.88-0.89 all that date).

I've been meaning to ring them to enquire but maybe someone here knows something about this, am I missing something here??

Terrontress

rickyjb wrote: »

Just on this, I recently visited Belfast and used my debit card to buy stuff instead of taking out cash. In the same day I was charged four different exchange rates by AIB ranging from 0.88 to 0.83, it went from 0.86 to 0.83 in less than an hour!! (I'm getting this info from my bank statement by the way).

The sums of money involved were relatively small but it still puzzles me as to how they can charge seemingly random exchange rates when the actual currency markets show no such fluctuation (price was pretty stable at around 0.88-0.89 all that date).

I've been meaning to ring them to enquire but maybe someone here knows something about this, am I missing something here??

I believe that there are different rates based on the cost of the product. Also, there is a minimum commission. Were the higher rates charged on lower value items?

rickyjb

Terrontress wrote: »

I believe that there are different rates based on the cost of the product. Also, there is a minimum commission. Were the higher rates charged on lower value items?

Yes the highest rate was for something that was only around a tenner i think so that must be it. Thanks!:)

Still very misleading though when they quote a direct exchange rate...