Pricewatch

A Carlow reader contacted PriceWatch last week after uncovering some very odd pricing for photographic paper in the Eason shop on Dublin's O'Connell Street, writes Conor Pope

William Bambrick from Bagenalstown in Co Carlow buys a lot of photo-quality printing paper and was understandably delighted when he happened upon a buy-one-get-one-free deal on Epson Premium Glossy Photo Paper in his local Eason's. Unfortunately, there was only one promotional packet left in the store. A few days later, in Dublin, he called in to the O'Connell Street shop to stock up on the good value promotional packs.

He was dismayed to discover that all that was on sale were single packets of the paper. He then noticed that on some of the packets were the remnants of a red promotional sticker. It looked to him as if Eason's had divided the promotional packets and were selling them at €17.99 each, instead of the manufacturer's suggested price of two for the same price.

PriceWatch went to the shop in question and purchased a packet of the photo paper which had part of the promotional sticker attached and was charged full price. In another Eason's outlet, the same product was for sale at the promotional price of two for one.

When we contacted Epson, a spokesperson confirmed that the item in question was on a special two-for-one offer.

When we got in touch with Eason's to find out what was going on, a spokesman immediately accepted that a mistake had been made.

"I can't defend it, it is a total faux pas. Any packaging like that should not have been split."

He said that the store would not have incurred any costs by selling the promotional packets at the correct price, as that cost was borne by the manufacturer.

"We got it wrong," he said and promised that the problem would be rectified immediately. The spokesman also said that if our reader contacted Eason's head office directly he would receive a personal apology. If Bambrick gets in touch with us again, we will happily provide the appropriate contact details.

STERLING ADVICE In Dublin Airport there is an ATM where you can get sterling before boarding your flight. At the end of November PriceWatch reader Joe Woods withdrew £100 sterling and was charged €154.75. "The next day, a Saturday and presumably after no great fluctuation in the exchange rate had taken place, I was charged €149.99 for the same amount from an ATM in Waterloo railway station. A difference of almost €5! So avoid the rip-off - buy your sterling in the UK," he says.

Auriga Tuna in Olive Oil €4.50 for 320 grams, €14.06 per kilo

Highs: Before this comes out of its tin, it is in the lead, as it is the only can to employ a ring pull system for easy opening. And it only gets better. The tuna is pale and meaty with just a hint of pinkness to it. The olive oil adds flavour without being overpowering and the salt balance is spot on.

Lows: There's no escaping the fact that it is very expensive. It might also prove impossible to track down. PriceWatch found it in Wallace's excellent Italian deli on the north side of the Millennium Bridge in Dublin. It was only available in packs of two, although if you do find a stockist, you might want to stock up, making the two-pack option handy.

Verdict: Tastes great but hard to find.

Star rating: ****

Italicatessen Tuna in Olive Oil €8.99 for 310 grams, €29 per kilo

Highs: This is so pale, so posh, so expensive and so very oily, that it can only be described as the royalty of tuna fish. The Italians clearly known their onions when it comes to tuna and this really does taste very good. This is the closest you will get to fresh fish and it will have to be eaten with only the lightest of dressing or no dressing at all, as anything else will ruin the subtlety. The jar can be resealed handily enough, removing the need to eat it in a single sitting.

Lows: Mind you if you're spending nearly €30 a kilo, you had better be able to taste something pretty special and get more than one sitting out of it. This will only be found in very good delis, which is probably just as well given the price. It is also absolutely drowned in olive oil.

Verdict: A blue-blooded fish

Star rating: ****

Nixe Tuna Steak in Oil €0.69 for 185 grams, €3.72 per kilo

Highs: This really is remarkably cheap and while you might not fancy wolfing it down on its own, drown it in mayonnaise and it'll make a fine sandwich ingredient. It's not too oily and does have a robust flavour.

Lows: The strong fishy flavours won't be to everyone's tastes, however. There also appeared to be a weird aftertaste of tin can, which was not too appealing. Like its counterpart in the John West can, this tuna fish is very salty and a little bit too dry, but then again, that's what the mayo is for.

Verdict: Wins hands down on price.

Star rating: ***

John West Tuna Steak in Sunflower Oil €1.27 for 200 grams, €6.35 per kilo

Highs: This is an extremely well-known brand and one that is available pretty much everywhere. It has a fairly strong fishy taste and isn't excessively greasy. Comparatively, it is also quite cheap.

Lows: But comparatively is the key word, because while it is half the price of the more upmarket Italian tinned tuna, it is nearly twice the price of the Lidl variety, and it is hard to see why. From the near identical lettering stamped on the two tins, (both of which come from the Seychelles) to the taste and texture, this is virtually indistinguishable from the cheapest option. It is too salty and the fish appears all too willing to attach itself, limpet like, to the roof of the mouth.

Verdict: Too dear for what you get.

Star rating: **