Dilemma

[Johnno260]

Having spent a bit of time over there I would argue that we have a better standard of living, but what we do have is a culture of being screwed over on goods, price inflation as the item is UK bound, virtually all items cost more in the UK than is other countries (broad sweeping statement, but seems to be true)

Many products seem to have the same £ value as the $ example was Apple if it was $999 in the USA it was £999 here.

even though the £ was stronger than the $.

 

[mustang1]

Actually, for anyone who said option A, including me, at what price difference would you choose option B...

£300 difference, £500, £more?

 

[Slick]

Actually, for anyone who said option A, including me, at what price difference would you choose option B...

£300 difference, £500, £more?

I would rather do without than choose option B. I would always use B to get A at least closer in price.

 

[screenman]

I wouldn't say 70 miles away is very local although the OP might be out in the sticks

Surely they are local to somebody though.

 

[screenman]

Having spent a bit of time over there I would argue that we have a better standard of living, but what we do have is a culture of being screwed over on goods, price inflation as the item is UK bound, virtually all items cost more in the UK than is other countries (broad sweeping statement, but seems to be true)

I think we are all part to blame for that, for a kick off I think we have one of the highest level of statutory paid holidays, our wages are also up there compared with some others.

 

[screenman]

Many products seem to have the same £ value as the $ example was Apple if it was $999 in the USA it was £999 here.

even though the £ was stronger than the $.

Goes to show the cost of bringing things over here, hopefully it will not get worse from November on. I was though pointing out my import costs, not my retail price.

 

[Gravity Aided]

I see the dollar is stronger against the pound in the wake of the snap elections coming up.

 

[vickster]

Surely they are local to somebody though.

Clearly but not the OP

 

[iancity]

Thanks for all the replies guys, lots to think about when I read the thread this morning although most seem in agreement with A.

As it turns out, went back to shop A, we had a little chat, and he agreed to knock 10% off the price (£100). A good gesture and well appreciated - they have probably kept me as a customer for life now

Again, appreciate all those that took time to comment

 

[Sharky]

I've often wondered, when on this forum, we discuss a third party - a guy selling on ebay, a bike shop etc, if the person we are all discussing is also a member on cycle chat. It wouldn't surprise me if shop A was following the discussions and decided to give the discount after seeing the comments.

 

[alicat]

That's a fab result, well done @iancity.

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

I think we are all part to blame for that, for a kick off I think we have one of the highest level of statutory paid holidays, our wages are also up there compared with some others.

Too much business regulatory nonsense over here plus the crippling cost of business rates. Sweep away all the unnecessary crap and doing business in the UK would be much cheaper and we as a country would be far more competitive internationally.
Remember when VAT in the UK used to be 8%? Now it's 20% - so everything has had an extra 12% price lumped on it for no benefit whatsoever in terms of product quality or specification.

 

[screenman]

Too much business regulatory nonsense over here plus the crippling cost of business rates. Sweep away all the unnecessary crap and doing business in the UK would be much cheaper and we as a country would be far more competitive internationally.
Remember when VAT in the UK used to be 8%? Now it's 20% - so everything has had an extra 12% price lumped on it for no benefit whatsoever in terms of product quality or specification.

Take that money away and you would have very little public service.

 

[Poacher]

Too much business regulatory nonsense over here plus the crippling cost of business rates. Sweep away all the unnecessary crap and doing business in the UK would be much cheaper and we as a country would be far more competitive internationally.
Remember when VAT in the UK used to be 8%? Now it's 20% - so everything has had an extra 12% price lumped on it for no benefit whatsoever in terms of product quality or specification.

Yes, I remember when VAT was 8%; it was just before Thatcher gained power on the promise of reducing income tax. What she didn't mention was that the reduction in the progressive tax would be balanced by nearly doubling the regressive tax to 15%.

 

[screenman]

Mind you when we come out and workers rights go out the window costs may come down.