Irish Times claims 200% savings on duty free!!!

R

Right Winger

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Oh dear! Standards are really slipping over at the Irish Times. Following the "FakeTanGate" display of editorial incompetence, it is now putting its innumeracy on display for all to see. Here's its take on duty free prices vs supermarket:

"If travelling through Dublin Airport this summer to a holiday destination in Portugal, Spain or France, for example, a 1 litre bottle will set you back a hefty €39 – pretty much the same as the €35 you’ll be charged in your local SuperValu for a 70cl bottle.

On the other hand, if you’re heading for Cornwall or the Lake District, or further afield to the US or the Middle East, you’ll be able to pick up a one litre bottle for as little as €12.60 on the ferry, or €13 at the airport. That’s a saving of some 200 per cent."

Does anybody check anything in the "paper of record" these days?


Ferry, airport or town: which is cheaper for duty free travellers this summer?

The return of duty free when travelling to the UK means there are significant savings to be made
www.irishtimes.com
 
To be fair, a lot of people do have a problem with percentages, mark-ups and discounts. But it should have been picked up before it went to print.

Duty-free cost: €13
Duty-paid cost: €39.

Saving: €26
Saving per cent: 26/39 = 67%

Duty-paid price is higher by 200% on the duty-free cost.
 
Not to mention the fact that the article claims that €39 is basically the same as €35...
 
ClubMan said:
Not to mention the fact that the article claims that €39 is basically the same as €35...
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1 litre Vs 70 cl, but still off the mark. Someone forgot their calculator
 
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Its not just the IT, indo is frequently at it and other basic errors. In today's article about fuel prices they say petrol is increasing by 6% but further in the article it says 6c and 3.8%

Newstalk has a product comparison slot in the drivetime show and gets this wrong every week. "Save 180% on Cornflakes with Dunnes own brand compared to Kelloggs" - didn't know Dunnes paid you to take their cornflakes.

But worst offenders are those comparing mortgage changes and so-called financial experts spouting figures to the media that make no sense whatsoever no matter how you look at it and the media in turn not doing their own checks.
 
I understand that there is heavy duty on alcohol, but is there duty on perfumes?


Or is that just their pricing strategy
Brendan
 
Brendan Burgess said:
I understand that there is heavy duty on alcohol, but is there duty on perfumes?

View attachment 7493
Or is that just their pricing strategy
Brendan
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Just the pricing strategy, Brendan. Fado, fado, there was hefty duty on perfume and bargains were genuinely to be had in the duty-free shops. That's no longer the case but the DAA like to give the impression that you're still getting a bargain over "downtown" prices. You often are, but it's marginal and tends to be a bit of an impulse purchase, or a spousal gift. In fairness, they have an excellent selection and prices can be good, but check online first and know what you (or your better half) want.
 
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