Sterling vs Euro price discussions

N

newirishman

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After some quick looks around this forum I found at least 5 threads discussing the Euro<>Sterling rate with the main goal to highlight how we are all being ripped off.

The most ridiculous stories are the ones where yet another punter wants to pay the Sterling price in a country where the Euro is legal tender.

If you think a shirt is a rip-off because it says £25 but Euro 39 (or whatever) but it should be Euro 29 because of todays/yesterdays/lastweeks exchange rate then just don't buy it!

The main point is: Are people annoyed because they think Euro 39 for this shirt would be too much or just because of the Sterling price? If I would be in retail I would raise my (Euro) prices by at least 15% and print a Sterling price reflecting a 0.96 Exchange rate (or something like that) and probably raise a big campaign on top of this...

(NB: I honestly don't understand all the hassle. People in this country were more than happy to get ripped off (and rip off) their fellow countrymen in various areas over the last ten years (property springs into mind) - and nobody seemed to have given a damn.
Now, as times are changing there is loads of whinging about Dual currency price tags not matching?)
 
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GOOD POINT but if we all lie down then the rip off will continue. By highlighting the discrepancies it might encourage people to vote with their feet. With money tight we need as much value for money as possible. However I notice prices going up a classic in recession. Sell less but still rake it in. My pet hate is water. 2litre evian uk 79pence, here at last look in dunnes 1 euro 79 cent. Pick that one out.

n
 
Anyone know if vat rates and business costs, staff wages etc are the same here as they are in the U.K so a like for like comparison can be made other than a straight sterling to euro conversion?

If someone said it costs on average X% more here than there then it can be factored into shoppers maths to see whether they are indeed being ripped off.
 
car said:
Anyone know if vat rates and business costs, staff wages etc are the same here as they are in the U.K so a like for like comparison can be made other than a straight sterling to euro conversion?

If someone said it costs on average X% more here than there then it can be factored into shoppers maths to see whether they are indeed being ripped off.
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Heard on the radio today that some group did a study on it and found that costs are 6% higher in ROI. doesn't really explain the 30% - 40% (and more) increase on goods here.
 
As far as I'm concerned, retailers can charge what they like, I have the choice of not buying what they're selling and I exercise that choice and right extensively. I do get annoyed with the sterling/euro price tags showing a higher than exchange rate "mark up" on the euro price but again, I have the choice to go elsewhere.

We won't make huge changes to the world of commerce but if we can help people make informed decisions and choices I'm all for highlighting the discrepancies. As I said in my opening line, as far as I'm concerned they can charge what they like, it doesn't mean I will buy.

Noah....2 litres water 39cents in Tesco..it's not Evian and it's not as cheap as "up North" but it's the cheapest I've found so far...and before anyone starts, I can't drink my tap water because it's not fit for drinking at the mo.
 
NOAH said:
My pet hate is water. 2litre evian uk 79pence, here at last look in dunnes 1 euro 79 cent. Pick that one out.
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This isn't the thread to quote "buy Irish" but a quick point.
That's a big price difference alright but we import bottled water from France into Ireland?? :confused:
Never quite got that.

Anyway.......loads of other brands out there and most cheaper then 1.79

Tesco sell 2l of sparkling water for 65c, maybe you'll find cheaper
That'd be what I get
 
Bubbly Scot said:
As far as I'm concerned, retailers can charge what they like, I have the choice of not buying what they're selling and I exercise that choice and right extensively. I do get annoyed with the sterling/euro price tags showing a higher than exchange rate "mark up" on the euro price but again, I have the choice to go elsewhere.
So what is to stop anyone paying in Sterling? Even with the % charged by the banks, you would still have a bargain.
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Simeon said:
So what is to stop anyone paying in Sterling?
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Euro is the legal tender here. I'd say you knew this already
Sterling certainly isn't

You can certainly ask the shop assistants but don't expect many to accept it.
 
DavyJones said:
Heard on the radio today that some group did a study on it and found that costs are 6% higher in ROI.
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Thats only the vat rate - 21.5% here versus 15% up Noth and in the rest of the UK.

Wages / insurance / overheads / transportation + distribution / accountancy fees / cars + motoring costs etc are much cheaper in most of the UK than in Ireland. eg UK minimum wage is only about 6 euro per hour ....

As Gay Byrne used to say, we wanted our independence and now we must pay for it.
 
The link explains " In comparing Dublin and Belfast, the study found that while operating costs in Dublin were on average 25% higher than Belfast. " However, this is only operating costs. Any shop will tell you it costs a lot more to transport a box of manufactured goods - ( not to mention pay the sterling bank exchange rate commissions ) from Britain to Ireland than within Britain.

There is vat on most consumer items. Basic foodstuffs ( not luxury foodstuffs ) do not attract vat. Childrens clothing do not attract vat. ASAIK everything else does, from adult clothing, even protective clothing, tools, electronic items, toys, white goods eg fridges, , adult shoes, lifejackets, safety equipment, you name it.

Our minimum wage is much higher than the UK, This feeds through in to costs of everything.
 
Was in a Disney store this week in the Uk where goods could be purchased in both Sterling and Euro. The prices in euro were all double and then some....now that is Premier league style rip off !!!
 
legs-akimbo said:
Was in a Disney store this week in the Uk where goods could be purchased in both Sterling and Euro. The prices in euro were all double and then some....now that is Premier league style rip off !!!
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Now that's just ridiculous. Surely they were taking the p*ss (or is this a joke of some sort?).

I recently paid a subscription where the price was £38 or €55 and I thought that was way OTT. But it's nothing compared to your story.

It's small wonder that commentators are talking about the possibility of a long period of deflation to bring us back into line with the real world.

Homer
 
legs-akimbo said:
Was in a Disney store this week in the Uk where goods could be purchased in both Sterling and Euro. The prices in euro were all double and then some....now that is Premier league style rip off !!!
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Rip off England!!!! Now, I'm heading to Brum at 06.30 on the morrow for the weekend. Have got my pencil sharpened to report any, er, sharp practices. I assume that those Disney products were bound for the Irish market. Nevertheless, I'll be buying with Stg. I wonder if I could buy in Stg and then come back half an hour later with receipt (and purchases still boxed) and ask for my refund in Euros?:D:p
 
All the goods in the Disney store were tagged up in bothe currencies just as you would find in any shop with an example being say £10 / €22. However no one would be about to complain in this instance of course because only sterling is being spent...Did take my breath away mind !
 
Simeon said:
I assume that those Disney products were bound for the Irish market.
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You assume incorrectly - there are no Disney stores in the Republic, and items stocked by the Disney stores are generally not available elsewhere. They were probably bound for other European countries.

Good luck with the refund idea :p
 
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