Pricewatch »

• A bitter pill to swallow

  September 15, 2008 @ 3:12 pm | by Conor Pope

  When people complain about higher prices in Ireland, they tend to focus on groceries and clothes and, while the discrepancies in the cost of identical products between this jurisdiction and others in these areas can be pretty hefty, there are, at least, some ways to economise.

  By shopping in the Aldis and Penneys of the retail world, consumers can undoubtedly cut costs and by swapping overpriced but instantly recognisable brands in favour of generic own-brand alternatives, a packet can be saved. There are, however, other areas where the price gaps between here and almost everywhere else is as great, if not greater, but consumer choice is significantly reduced and the ability to shop around almost non-existent.

  While it won’t come as a shock to many people to learn that Irish consumers pay considerably more than those living in other jurisdictions for many medicines – both over the counter and prescription – the extent of some of the price differences are truly shocking.
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• Finally, some action

  May 27, 2008 @ 7:41 pm | by Conor Pope

  The Government has decided to something about the ever widening gap between euro and sterling prices in Ireland. It is to demand that UK retailers pass on savings to Irish shoppers from the current euro/sterling exchange rate, the Dáil heard today.

• Heavy lifting

  January 21, 2008 @ 11:21 am | by Conor Pope

  Mary Kettle was browsing the furniture section of the UK-based Marks & Spencer website recently when she found a price discrepancy she thought should be highlighted. “Currently they are having a furniture sale,” she writes, “and I wanted to buy a sideboard which, on the UK website, is priced at £489, or €654 according to the exchange rate that day. I expected it to be a bit more expensive here because of the slightly higher Vat rate; however, I have just come back from M&S in Dundrum, where they informed me that the price here in the sale is €839!”
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