`christmas shopping in the north good or bad idea (60)
Your wages are much higher over there than they are here....the supermarkets obviously take that into consideration when setting their prices....and Im sure transport costs must come into play too. Im thinking Tesco here. 
Crystal29: Your wages are much higher over there than they are here....the supermarkets obviously take that into consideration when setting their prices....and Im sure transport costs must come into play too. Im thinking Tesco here.
You are right there Carole. Treansport, wages, insurance, electricity and most overheads are morse expensive here. But the Euro has been so strong against the pound the last few years that there should have been huge reductions in prices in Tesco and other UK owned supermarkets. We have not seen those reductions at all.
Keeneland: You are right there Carole. Treansport, wages, insurance, electricity and most overheads are morse expensive here. But the Euro has been so strong against the pound the last few years that there should have been huge reductions in prices in Tesco and other UK owned supermarkets. We have not seen those reductions at all.
Yeah and I hear you cant buy online at UK prices any longer either.....so not fair....
But you know something we get ripped off when we come over there too.....open your mouth, let the taxi drivers and barmen hear your accent and they fleece you....human nature or what?? 
Crystal29: Yeah and I hear you cant buy online at UK prices any longer either.....so not fair.... But you know something we get ripped off when we come over there too.....open your mouth, let the taxi drivers and barmen hear your accent and they fleece you....human nature or what??
The place has turned into Rip off Ireland. There was even a TV show called that.
jimbo79: thats an excellent point
i personally would not shop in the 6 counties, there are a few reasons for this, firstly i think of the retail workers who will lose there jobs because thousands are shopping up north, secondly my day out to the 6 counties would cost in the region of 70 euro so im not sure it would be worth my while, thirdly while i don't like that the border exists it does exist and the reality is i live in the 26 counties and if we are to survive this recession then spending my money here is the right thing to do
i personally would not shop in the 6 counties, there are a few reasons for this, firstly i think of the retail workers who will lose there jobs because thousands are shopping up north, secondly my day out to the 6 counties would cost in the region of 70 euro so im not sure it would be worth my while, thirdly while i don't like that the border exists it does exist and the reality is i live in the 26 counties and if we are to survive this recession then spending my money here is the right thing to do
I'llthikyou'llfidupwardsof 11,000 jobs have been lost and the exchequer has lost out in something of the region of 400 million euro..
Thats the cost to the souths economy with cross border shopping...
If we all know theres a saving to be made by crossing the border has anyone ever compared the price difference between lidl /aldi in the south and across the border ?? or are their prices always at rock bottom ..
**note** If anyone from Lidl/Aldi are reading this and wish to send me a bumper hamper for Christmas i will have to decline as it is against all cs policys to accept bribes....i can be reached however off the site and will have no problems then
**note** If anyone from Lidl/Aldi are reading this and wish to send me a bumper hamper for Christmas i will have to decline as it is against all cs policys to accept bribes....i can be reached however off the site and will have no problems then
Phoenix: Sorry folks...typo..
I'll think you find it's upwards of..11,000 jobs lost...
I'll think you find it's upwards of..11,000 jobs lost...
I know its truly awful...and Im gonny get crucified for saying this but its doing the Irish economy no favours at all.....at a time when it needs all the help it can get.....BUT I can understand people who arent working and living on a pittance etc driving north....under the circumstances Id probably do the same.....
One of the things I love most about the Irish people is that they are fiercly proud and protective of Ireland and all things Irish, yet when it comes to money they drive to the UK as it were, to shop 
Im judging no one here..its just my thoughts.john2: i work in supermarket and if ppl start going up north i might be out of a job this time next year.G
ahhh, let all the unemployed including myself spend a fortune in the republic just so john can keep his job in the supermarket.. dont think so!!
if going to the north continues alot more jobs will be lost
Keeneland: Against EU rules to put a toll there. You are laying none of the blame at the governments or supermarkets door. As i said in a earlier post if the government reduced the VAT rate it would help.
Also UK owned supermarkets rip off the public down south. I know this for a fact cause i worked in the buying office of a large one for years!
Also UK owned supermarkets rip off the public down south. I know this for a fact cause i worked in the buying office of a large one for years!
Thet simply introduced prices comparable to the existing Irish chains. That's all part of a marketing strategy that differs from country to country. The price of a can of coke in an Asian country is a fraction of what it is here.
As it happens, I shop here. I suggest Lidel, Aldi or the 2 Euro shop. I buy my cars in the UK cos even with VRT, they are a fraction of the price.
Also, people from the North have been crossing the border for at least the last 10 years putting plenty cash into the ecconomy in the South so it's swings and roundabouts.
scarwolve: if going to the north continues alot more jobs will be lost
People here are just trying to get by though...scarwolve: if going to the north continues alot more jobs will be lost
well i take it you dont have too many bills to pay?????
irish1978eyes: People here are just trying to get by though...
true true
Godsgift: Thet simply introduced prices comparable to the existing Irish chains. That's all part of a marketing strategy that differs from country to country. The price of a can of coke in an Asian country is a fraction of what it is here.
As it happens, I shop here. I suggest Lidel, Aldi or the 2 Euro shop. I buy my cars in the UK cos even with VRT, they are a fraction of the price.
Also, people from the North have been crossing the border for at least the last 10 years putting plenty cash into the ecconomy in the South so it's swings and roundabouts.
As it happens, I shop here. I suggest Lidel, Aldi or the 2 Euro shop. I buy my cars in the UK cos even with VRT, they are a fraction of the price.
Also, people from the North have been crossing the border for at least the last 10 years putting plenty cash into the ecconomy in the South so it's swings and roundabouts.
Yes, thats exactly what they did. They pretend they are offering the public the best value and lowest prices possible but thats not true. The simple truth is that the UK market is far more important to them and Ireland is very low down the chain. The population of London is bigger than the Republic remember.
just my reason going up there is simple... value for money... when u can buy irish whiskey a hell of a lot cheaper up der than here it says a lot.... people up there say that their vat rate is making a difference, was in harveys normans.. a couch ere and there 800 euros off a difference.... we are a rip off ere..full stop... wages are high because cost of living high here.... this recession is for me de best thing that ever happened.. we need it just simply do put some awareness on what was going on... i hope and pray that the recession is short term, but i do hope people talk with their feet and go north..shops are closing down ere because quiet simply because off crazy rents, from very greedy landlords with over loaned propertys.....im sori if ive offended anyone re jobs... but it is what it is... cars, clothes, food are dropping at amazing rates... and i believe we are hitting in right direction, and with de budget on de way people we need more price wars...
bikki1974: just my reason going up there is simple... value for money... when u can buy irish whiskey a hell of a lot cheaper up der than here it says a lot.... people up there say that their vat rate is making a difference, was in harveys normans.. a couch ere and there 800 euros off a difference.... we are a rip off ere..full stop... wages are high because cost of living high here.... this recession is for me de best thing that ever happened.. we need it just simply do put some awareness on what was going on... i hope and pray that the recession is short term, but i do hope people talk with their feet and go north..shops are closing down ere because quiet simply because off crazy rents, from very greedy landlords with over loaned propertys.....im sori if ive offended anyone re jobs... but it is what it is... cars, clothes, food are dropping at amazing rates... and i believe we are hitting in right direction, and with de budget on de way people we need more price wars...
i would totally agree with you... was in tesco this evening.. 1 litre of vodka in tesco = 30 euro... in the north = 14 pound.. 6 cans of carlsberg in tesco = 10.99 and up north = 2.30.. if you dont go north and your tight with money, your crazy . JMO
Lets all go north for cheap drink, cheap groceries and toiletries
Think everything is cheaper up there, Hate to say this but long live the Queen
Think everything is cheaper up there, Hate to say this but long live the Queen
Trevtherev: Lets all go north for cheap drink, cheap groceries and toiletries
Think everything is cheaper up there, Hate to say this but long live the Queen
Think everything is cheaper up there, Hate to say this but long live the Queen
i ouldnt go that far, but i know what you mean.. 
Keeneland: Against EU rules to put a toll there. You are laying none of the blame at the governments or supermarkets door. As i said in a earlier post if the government reduced the VAT rate it would help.
A huge amount of what is sold in supermarkets (namely food) is not rated for VAT nor are children's clothes so reducing VAT rates won't make much difference; the UK Government reduced VAT in 2008 to stimulate sales and overall UK sales and VAT returns went down; the UK VAT rate is rising again in 2010 to 17.5%.
The single greatest measure to reduce cross border trade is for a swing in the exchange rate as this is the big thing that makes UK prices as tempting as they are. By all means, there is other issues as well but it's currently exchange. I am sure that Crystal will testify that she is being clobbered when she visits here these days compared to a few years ago. Back as late as in 2007 the exodus was from the North to Irish fuel pumps and fresh produce; as Godsgift says, it will be probably be back again in a few years.
Losty: A huge amount of what is sold in supermarkets (namely food) is not rated for VAT nor are children's clothes so reducing VAT rates won't make much difference; the UK Government reduced VAT in 2008 to stimulate sales and overall UK sales and VAT returns went down; the UK VAT rate is rising again in 2010 to 17.5%.
The single greatest measure to reduce cross border trade is for a swing in the exchange rate as this is the big thing that makes UK prices as tempting as they are. By all means, there is other issues as well but it's currently exchange. I am sure that Crystal will testify that she is being clobbered when she visits here these days compared to a few years ago. Back as late as in 2007 the exodus was from the North to Irish fuel pumps and fresh produce; as Godsgift says, it will be probably be back again in a few years.
The single greatest measure to reduce cross border trade is for a swing in the exchange rate as this is the big thing that makes UK prices as tempting as they are. By all means, there is other issues as well but it's currently exchange. I am sure that Crystal will testify that she is being clobbered when she visits here these days compared to a few years ago. Back as late as in 2007 the exodus was from the North to Irish fuel pumps and fresh produce; as Godsgift says, it will be probably be back again in a few years.
To say lowering the VAT rate won't help retailers in the South is just a silly statement. Most people if you ask them don't travel up North for normal groceries. They travel up for presents, alcohol, electrical items, furniture items ect. Of course the weak pound is one cause but it's not the only cause.
Retail Ireland has said that new CSO retail sales figures show the sector remains under serious pressure.
The group called for a major reduction in excise duty and VAT from November 1, in advance of the busy Christmas shopping period.
Retail Ireland Director Torlach Denihan said: “The value of core retail sales, excluding car, fuel and bar sales, was down -9.7% in August, whereas sales volumes were down -4%, showing how prices have been cut across the board. In other words, consumers got more for their money.
"Food sales are still in negative territory compared to last year, as are virtually all other categories of goods. There is some slowdown in the colossal declines in sales volumes in furniture, lighting and hardware experienced in recent months.
"The continued weakness of sterling poses a major threat to the retail sector in the run up to Christmas. We estimate that cross-border shopping costs the Exchequer €430m and that it is too late to wait until budget day to tackle this."
The group wants the Government reduce the excise levels on alcohol by 20% and reducing VAT to 18% to stimulate retail sales
Keeneland: To say lowering the VAT rate won't help retailers in the South is just a silly statement. Most people if you ask them don't travel up North for normal groceries. They travel up for presents, alcohol, electrical items, furniture items ect. Of course the weak pound is one cause but it's not the only cause.Retail Ireland has said that new CSO retail sales figures show the sector remains under serious pressure.
The group called for a major reduction in excise duty and VAT from November 1, in advance of the busy Christmas shopping period.
Retail Ireland Director Torlach Denihan said: “The value of core retail sales, excluding car, fuel and bar sales, was down -9.7% in August, whereas sales volumes were down -4%, showing how prices have been cut across the board. In other words, consumers got more for their money.
"Food sales are still in negative territory compared to last year, as are virtually all other categories of goods. There is some slowdown in the colossal declines in sales volumes in furniture, lighting and hardware experienced in recent months.
"The continued weakness of sterling poses a major threat to the retail sector in the run up to Christmas. We estimate that cross-border shopping costs the Exchequer €430m and that it is too late to wait until budget day to tackle this."
The group wants the Government reduce the excise levels on alcohol by 20% and reducing VAT to 18% to stimulate retail sales
The group called for a major reduction in excise duty and VAT from November 1, in advance of the busy Christmas shopping period.
Retail Ireland Director Torlach Denihan said: “The value of core retail sales, excluding car, fuel and bar sales, was down -9.7% in August, whereas sales volumes were down -4%, showing how prices have been cut across the board. In other words, consumers got more for their money.
"Food sales are still in negative territory compared to last year, as are virtually all other categories of goods. There is some slowdown in the colossal declines in sales volumes in furniture, lighting and hardware experienced in recent months.
"The continued weakness of sterling poses a major threat to the retail sector in the run up to Christmas. We estimate that cross-border shopping costs the Exchequer €430m and that it is too late to wait until budget day to tackle this."
The group wants the Government reduce the excise levels on alcohol by 20% and reducing VAT to 18% to stimulate retail sales
It will help a little, I agree with you but it will not be the retail saviour that people make it out to be and it won't stop the retail exodus. This can and only will end when the exchange rate fluctuates back to 2002-3-4 levels or if VAT/Excise is slashed or until the day when we as people no longer have the mindset of UK=Cheaper.
I am not castigating anybody for going across for the shopping at all); I don't do it as I can't justify the time and hidden costs involved (Fuel, tolls, meals out when there and the overspending!
) and I rather shop at home and keep our shops going (and get nicer fresh produce to boot) but I jolly well understand why people do it and I respect them for it.Was up in Newry yesterday and I have to say apart from the drink I dont think the bargains are as good as they used to be Im talking about food and groceries, in a few cases things were dearer. Maybe the shops down here are starting to lower their prices.
ladylumps: Was up in Newry yesterday and I have to say apart from the drink I dont think the bargains are as good as they used to be Im talking about food and groceries, in a few cases things were dearer. Maybe the shops down here are starting to lower their prices.
I would guess too that the shops in the North would be gradually increasing the prices too since the demand has increased.
ladylumps: Was up in Newry yesterday and I have to say apart from the drink I dont think the bargains are as good as they used to be Im talking about food and groceries, in a few cases things were dearer. Maybe the shops down here are starting to lower their prices.
i must say tesco here in mayo have drastically dropped there prices
Godsgift: I would guess too that the shops in the North would be gradually increasing the prices too since the demand has increased.
Yeah now the drink was good value a litre of smirnoff vodka £15 or a litre of baileys all the flavours £10 but I would normally buy nibbley things but found no great savings there really.
ladylumps: Yeah now the drink was good value a litre of smirnoff vodka £15 or a litre of baileys all the flavours £10 but I would normally buy nibbley things but found no great savings there really.
agreed drink is for nothing.. i got a litre of smirnoff for 14 pound in enniskillen and 15 bottles of bed was 7 quid...
robpacciani: i must say tesco here in mayo have drastically dropped there prices
yeah same all over the place I think. I always check the Sainsburys website for the prices before I go up but I will be getting more stuff down here than I did up North and alot of people yesterday were the same. I was looking at things yesterday to be told the price down here was cheaper in Tescos or Dunnes.
ladylumps: yeah same all over the place I think. I always check the Sainsburys website for the prices before I go up but I will be getting more stuff down here than I did up North and alot of people yesterday were the same. I was looking at things yesterday to be told the price down here was cheaper in Tescos or Dunnes.
well personally i dont find dunnes cheap at all in cmparison to tesco..
youve got it so right losty and on the downside all that money goin north is just bad for the southern economy
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Well then it's up to the government to reduce the VAT rate and make it possible for normal families to buy as much with their Euro down South as they can get North of the border.
Also i worked in a large supermarkets buying office for years and their price were 30% dearer in the south than up North even though they paid the same price for the product. If they were being fair the only difference would be about 4%. So the Supermarket chains have a duty to stop ripping off people in the Republic just cause they can.
Think we have got to the stage of every man for himslef in these times we are going through. Sad but that's where we are.