Don't Come to Australia
Mar 23rd 2010, 11:33 pm
#122
Account Closed
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,784
Re: Don't Come to Australia
Anyway, fixed now, the dodgy dealer replaced a stuffed fuel line!
This wouldn't have happened in good old Blighty!!
Mar 23rd 2010, 11:44 pm
#123
MODERATOR
Joined: Nov 2002
Location: Redneck Wonderland
Posts: 9,932
Re: Don't Come to Australia
But I don't pay the tax man, I don't pay the police. I didn't pay the librarian.
With things like driving licences or even citizenship you're paying for the product not the person to his/her job.
GPs are about the only "government" thing I can think of that I pay for personally that I didn't pay for in the UK (and there's obviously the choice of bulk billing). On the other hand I don't have to pay the "government" to watch TV.
So what is the OP saying? It's the same as elsewhere but somehow it's horrid when the Aussies do it?
With things like driving licences or even citizenship you're paying for the product not the person to his/her job.
GPs are about the only "government" thing I can think of that I pay for personally that I didn't pay for in the UK (and there's obviously the choice of bulk billing). On the other hand I don't have to pay the "government" to watch TV.
So what is the OP saying? It's the same as elsewhere but somehow it's horrid when the Aussies do it?
In my own case:
Drivers licence $70
DET $300 to look at my City & Guilds quals for 2 mins
Trade Assessor $115 looked at one job
Three day business course $415
Licence application $405
Every tradie has to do the same it's just that as a new arrival it seems like it's all pay pay pay for more red tape lol
Mar 24th 2010, 1:34 am
#124
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2009
Location: glenwood, Sydney
Posts: 12
Re: Don't Come to Australia
There are alot of points you have made I would agree with, Australia is not what you think it is, once you get past the initial set up of living here reality sets in and you really begin to miss home, I applaud your'e honesty and I think more should be aware of the cost of living here. I have been here a year and am still settling in. The annoying thing is that Australians don't know they are being ripped off, Telstra is the most incompetent company I have ever had to deal with, the duopoly of Coles and Woolworths is a disgrace, bring in Tesco and shoot them down.
Mar 24th 2010, 1:43 am
#125
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Asia Pacific
Posts: 4,922
Re: Don't Come to Australia
Australia should be proud of the fact that it still have the majority of retailers who are independent. Something that cannot be said of the UK for a great many years since the coming of the superstore and the demise of the small family business.
Mar 24th 2010, 2:22 am
#126
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 9,316
Re: Don't Come to Australia
Without clarification it's only supposition, IMO the OP was referring to those first few weeks when everywhere you go your handing over cash to people.
In my own case:
Drivers licence $70
DET $300 to look at my City & Guilds quals for 2 mins
Trade Assessor $115 looked at one job
Three day business course $415
Licence application $405
Every tradie has to do the same it's just that as a new arrival it seems like it's all pay pay pay for more red tape lol
In my own case:
Drivers licence $70
DET $300 to look at my City & Guilds quals for 2 mins
Trade Assessor $115 looked at one job
Three day business course $415
Licence application $405
Every tradie has to do the same it's just that as a new arrival it seems like it's all pay pay pay for more red tape lol
I appreciate that some people feel the red tape as they cram 20 years of form filling into 2 weeks but I find it odd that people think this is an Aussie thing rather than a moving to another country thing.
Mar 24th 2010, 2:34 am
#127
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 708
Re: Don't Come to Australia
Are you trying to say that Australians don't check the price and availability of an Australian product or service before deciding to purchase.
Or are you just making a 'comparison' between Australian prices and UK prices ?
ie. Baked beans in Tesco's Bradford are only 10p a tin, but I have to pay $1 here in Australia, therefore I'm being ripped off.
Mar 24th 2010, 2:36 am
#128
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 9,316
Re: Don't Come to Australia
Tesco hasn't been able to manage the market penetration of Coles and Woolies so not quite sure how they're going to shake things up.
Mar 24th 2010, 2:42 am
#129
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
Re: Don't Come to Australia
Why does nearly every thread end up talking about Tescos? Why??????? It's only a ghastly supermarket, not superman.
Mar 24th 2010, 2:57 am
#131
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
Re: Don't Come to Australia
Yes. I had to buy six large Cos lettuces for work the other day - $3.67 each in Woolies. Normally go to the fruit and veg place but as it was for work, it was easier to go to Woolies. Complete outrage. I was tempted to write and complain to someone but then realised that shit happens, I couldn't really care less and got on with life.
Maybe I need counselling.
Maybe I need counselling.
Mar 24th 2010, 3:00 am
#132
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 708
Re: Don't Come to Australia
Yes. I had to buy six large Cos lettuces for work the other day - $3.67 each in Woolies. Normally go to the fruit and veg place but as it was for work, it was easier to go to Woolies. Complete outrage. I was tempted to write and complain to someone but then realised that shit happens, I couldn't really care less and got on with life.
Maybe I need counselling.
Maybe I need counselling.
Mar 24th 2010, 3:42 am
#133
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,188
Re: Don't Come to Australia
Yes. I had to buy six large Cos lettuces for work the other day - $3.67 each in Woolies. Normally go to the fruit and veg place but as it was for work, it was easier to go to Woolies. Complete outrage. I was tempted to write and complain to someone but then realised that shit happens, I couldn't really care less and got on with life.
Maybe I need counselling.
Maybe I need counselling.
There are two fruit and veg shops near me... one sits directly facing a Coles, the other directly facing a Woolworths... and neither of them is cheaper than their supermarket rival if you start comparing like for like. I hear the line that its cheaper at the fruit and veg man all the time... and cheaper at the local butcher... and from my own personal experience... no it bloody isn't.
Mar 24th 2010, 3:45 am
#134
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 23,400
Re: Don't Come to Australia
Ive often heard the saying on here that when people have ponged back to the UK, they have 'literally kissed the tarmac on landing'.
I wonder if anyone has actually done that, fallen to their knees and kissed the tarmac. I would pay to see that.
I dont give a shit about Tesco or any other supermarket in the UK because I dont live there. Neither do I give a hoot about how much fruit and veg is here because I live here and have the choice - buy it or dont buy it.
I wonder if anyone has actually done that, fallen to their knees and kissed the tarmac. I would pay to see that.
I dont give a shit about Tesco or any other supermarket in the UK because I dont live there. Neither do I give a hoot about how much fruit and veg is here because I live here and have the choice - buy it or dont buy it.
Mar 24th 2010, 3:48 am
#135
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
Re: Don't Come to Australia
Oh God... not the "its cheaper at the fruit and veg man" line again. !!
There are two fruit and veg shops near me... one sits directly facing a Coles, the other directly facing a Woolworths... and neither of them is cheaper than their supermarket rival if you start comparing like for like. I hear the line that its cheaper at the fruit and veg man all the time... and cheaper at the local butcher... and from my own personal experience... no it bloody isn't.
There are two fruit and veg shops near me... one sits directly facing a Coles, the other directly facing a Woolworths... and neither of them is cheaper than their supermarket rival if you start comparing like for like. I hear the line that its cheaper at the fruit and veg man all the time... and cheaper at the local butcher... and from my own personal experience... no it bloody isn't.
It's not near a Woolies or Coles either but that's kind of irrelevant 