Why Shopping in Oz isn't fun.
Dec 14th 2006, 9:39 am
#1
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2003
Location: The Green behind the Gold
Posts: 885
Why Shopping in Oz isn't fun.
Every time I buy an appliance I have to haggle to avoid getting ripped off. I had limited time yesterday. I went to Retravision to buy a steam mop. Ticket price $199. Did the usual "How much for cash <ingratiating smile><Think to myself, of course I'm going to pay cash, I'm not about to trade a pig>?" and sales girl went to computer and usual song and dance about "There's not much in it. The best I can do it for you is $175 <bats eyelids>."
So I do the usual thing of traipsing off to Betta Electrical and ticket price is $199 and we go through the same dance and in the end I get it for $160 with a set of AAA batteries thrown in.
I would have happily paid $199 for the effing thing if that had been the real price, but I haven't a clue what the true value of something like that is. I'm not about to subscribe to "Which Steam Mop" magazine, but equally I don't want to have the usual conversation with (myself or) my Aussie mates which goes
"How much was that?"
"$x."
<sucks teeth, shakes head slightly>"Robbo got his for $x-$50."
It's even the same with fast food. If you go to McDonalds you can't haggle on the price. If you phone a pizza place you can. If you do, you get pizza at a reasonable price. If you don't and you don't have a coupon, you pay through the nose.
So I do the usual thing of traipsing off to Betta Electrical and ticket price is $199 and we go through the same dance and in the end I get it for $160 with a set of AAA batteries thrown in.
I would have happily paid $199 for the effing thing if that had been the real price, but I haven't a clue what the true value of something like that is. I'm not about to subscribe to "Which Steam Mop" magazine, but equally I don't want to have the usual conversation with (myself or) my Aussie mates which goes
"How much was that?"
"$x."
<sucks teeth, shakes head slightly>"Robbo got his for $x-$50."
It's even the same with fast food. If you go to McDonalds you can't haggle on the price. If you phone a pizza place you can. If you do, you get pizza at a reasonable price. If you don't and you don't have a coupon, you pay through the nose.
Dec 14th 2006, 9:45 am
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2004
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 253
Re: Why Shopping in Oz isn't fun.
You hit the nail on the head.
Every time I want to fill up with petrol I either have to mess around finding a pathetic shopper docket to get 4 cents off a litre from our local grocery store which is crap (Coles).
Why can't we all pay the same price for petrol and forget the stupid savings schemes.
Every time I want to fill up with petrol I either have to mess around finding a pathetic shopper docket to get 4 cents off a litre from our local grocery store which is crap (Coles).
Why can't we all pay the same price for petrol and forget the stupid savings schemes.
Dec 14th 2006, 9:48 am
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2004
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 253
Re: Why Shopping in Oz isn't fun.
When I got here I registered for a FlyBys card which is like Air Miles but less generous.
I used it religiously for over a year every time I re-fuelled or did our weekly shop.
And guess what points we accrued? Enough to buy half, yes half, a non-stick pan!!!!
FlyBys ... forget it mate!
I used it religiously for over a year every time I re-fuelled or did our weekly shop.
And guess what points we accrued? Enough to buy half, yes half, a non-stick pan!!!!
FlyBys ... forget it mate!
Dec 14th 2006, 10:36 am
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2003
Location: GC
Posts: 3,353
Re: Why Shopping in Oz isn't fun.
Originally Posted by CHnJ
Every time I buy an appliance I have to haggle to avoid getting ripped off. I had limited time yesterday. I went to Retravision to buy a steam mop. Ticket price $199. Did the usual "How much for cash <ingratiating smile><Think to myself, of course I'm going to pay cash, I'm not about to trade a pig>?" and sales girl went to computer and usual song and dance about "There's not much in it. The best I can do it for you is $175 <bats eyelids>."
So I do the usual thing of traipsing off to Betta Electrical and ticket price is $199 and we go through the same dance and in the end I get it for $160 with a set of AAA batteries thrown in.
I would have happily paid $199 for the effing thing if that had been the real price, but I haven't a clue what the true value of something like that is. I'm not about to subscribe to "Which Steam Mop" magazine, but equally I don't want to have the usual conversation with (myself or) my Aussie mates which goes
"How much was that?"
"$x."
<sucks teeth, shakes head slightly>"Robbo got his for $x-$50."
It's even the same with fast food. If you go to McDonalds you can't haggle on the price. If you phone a pizza place you can. If you do, you get pizza at a reasonable price. If you don't and you don't have a coupon, you pay through the nose.
So I do the usual thing of traipsing off to Betta Electrical and ticket price is $199 and we go through the same dance and in the end I get it for $160 with a set of AAA batteries thrown in.
I would have happily paid $199 for the effing thing if that had been the real price, but I haven't a clue what the true value of something like that is. I'm not about to subscribe to "Which Steam Mop" magazine, but equally I don't want to have the usual conversation with (myself or) my Aussie mates which goes
"How much was that?"
"$x."
<sucks teeth, shakes head slightly>"Robbo got his for $x-$50."
It's even the same with fast food. If you go to McDonalds you can't haggle on the price. If you phone a pizza place you can. If you do, you get pizza at a reasonable price. If you don't and you don't have a coupon, you pay through the nose.
Dec 14th 2006, 10:39 am
#5
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,199
Re: Why Shopping in Oz isn't fun.
Originally Posted by rab
When I got here I registered for a FlyBys card which is like Air Miles but less generous.
I used it religiously for over a year every time I re-fuelled or did our weekly shop.
And guess what points we accrued? Enough to buy half, yes half, a non-stick pan!!!!
FlyBys ... forget it mate!
I used it religiously for over a year every time I re-fuelled or did our weekly shop.
And guess what points we accrued? Enough to buy half, yes half, a non-stick pan!!!!
FlyBys ... forget it mate!
Dec 14th 2006, 11:12 am
#6
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 9,316
Re: Why Shopping in Oz isn't fun.
Originally Posted by CHnJ
Every time I buy an appliance I have to haggle to avoid getting ripped off. I had limited time yesterday. I went to Retravision to buy a steam mop. Ticket price $199. Did the usual "How much for cash <ingratiating smile><Think to myself, of course I'm going to pay cash, I'm not about to trade a pig>?" and sales girl went to computer and usual song and dance about "There's not much in it. The best I can do it for you is $175 <bats eyelids>."
So I do the usual thing of traipsing off to Betta Electrical and ticket price is $199 and we go through the same dance and in the end I get it for $160 with a set of AAA batteries thrown in.
I would have happily paid $199 for the effing thing if that had been the real price, but I haven't a clue what the true value of something like that is. I'm not about to subscribe to "Which Steam Mop" magazine, but equally I don't want to have the usual conversation with (myself or) my Aussie mates which goes
"How much was that?"
"$x."
<sucks teeth, shakes head slightly>"Robbo got his for $x-$50."
It's even the same with fast food. If you go to McDonalds you can't haggle on the price. If you phone a pizza place you can. If you do, you get pizza at a reasonable price. If you don't and you don't have a coupon, you pay through the nose.
So I do the usual thing of traipsing off to Betta Electrical and ticket price is $199 and we go through the same dance and in the end I get it for $160 with a set of AAA batteries thrown in.
I would have happily paid $199 for the effing thing if that had been the real price, but I haven't a clue what the true value of something like that is. I'm not about to subscribe to "Which Steam Mop" magazine, but equally I don't want to have the usual conversation with (myself or) my Aussie mates which goes
"How much was that?"
"$x."
<sucks teeth, shakes head slightly>"Robbo got his for $x-$50."
It's even the same with fast food. If you go to McDonalds you can't haggle on the price. If you phone a pizza place you can. If you do, you get pizza at a reasonable price. If you don't and you don't have a coupon, you pay through the nose.
I must admit I'm not keen on the haggling - never have been.
Dec 14th 2006, 11:20 am
#7
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Cairns
Posts: 3,918
Re: Why Shopping in Oz isn't fun.
Bought a laptop yesterday - Officeworks: almost $1800 all up, Good Guys offered me $1660 (with the offer to beat Hardly Normal), Hardly Normal came in at $1638, went back to G.G's and got it for $1595.
Thats the laptop, wireless router, internet security and bag
Geezus, just set a price and be consistent, will ya?
Thats the laptop, wireless router, internet security and bag
Geezus, just set a price and be consistent, will ya?
Dec 14th 2006, 11:27 am
#8
Love it here!
Joined: Feb 2005
Location: Golden Bay, WA
Posts: 1,036
Re: Why Shopping in Oz isn't fun.
Originally Posted by CHnJ
Every time I buy an appliance I have to haggle to avoid getting ripped off. I had limited time yesterday. I went to Retravision to buy a steam mop. Ticket price $199. Did the usual "How much for cash <ingratiating smile><Think to myself, of course I'm going to pay cash, I'm not about to trade a pig>?" and sales girl went to computer and usual song and dance about "There's not much in it. The best I can do it for you is $175 <bats eyelids>."
So I do the usual thing of traipsing off to Betta Electrical and ticket price is $199 and we go through the same dance and in the end I get it for $160 with a set of AAA batteries thrown in.
I would have happily paid $199 for the effing thing if that had been the real price, but I haven't a clue what the true value of something like that is. I'm not about to subscribe to "Which Steam Mop" magazine, but equally I don't want to have the usual conversation with (myself or) my Aussie mates which goes
"How much was that?"
"$x."
<sucks teeth, shakes head slightly>"Robbo got his for $x-$50."
It's even the same with fast food. If you go to McDonalds you can't haggle on the price. If you phone a pizza place you can. If you do, you get pizza at a reasonable price. If you don't and you don't have a coupon, you pay through the nose.
So I do the usual thing of traipsing off to Betta Electrical and ticket price is $199 and we go through the same dance and in the end I get it for $160 with a set of AAA batteries thrown in.
I would have happily paid $199 for the effing thing if that had been the real price, but I haven't a clue what the true value of something like that is. I'm not about to subscribe to "Which Steam Mop" magazine, but equally I don't want to have the usual conversation with (myself or) my Aussie mates which goes
"How much was that?"
"$x."
<sucks teeth, shakes head slightly>"Robbo got his for $x-$50."
It's even the same with fast food. If you go to McDonalds you can't haggle on the price. If you phone a pizza place you can. If you do, you get pizza at a reasonable price. If you don't and you don't have a coupon, you pay through the nose.
Sent you karma
Thought it was just us that felt like this! Been here 4 weeks and sick to our back teeth with shopping....it takes FOREVER! And then you get kicked in the teeth by know-all 'mate' telling you you should have gone to so-and-so's that's where i always go.........well i didn't and i'm more than happy with the price i paid so leave me alone.
Sorry for rant. Need to lie down.
Dec 14th 2006, 11:31 am
#9
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,693
Re: Why Shopping in Oz isn't fun.
[
It's even the same with fast food. If you go to McDonalds you can't haggle on the price. If you phone a pizza place you can. If you do, you get pizza at a reasonable price. If you don't and you don't have a coupon, you pay through the nose.[/QUOTE]
Sounds silly, not forwarding thinking is it.
Sympathies.
It's even the same with fast food. If you go to McDonalds you can't haggle on the price. If you phone a pizza place you can. If you do, you get pizza at a reasonable price. If you don't and you don't have a coupon, you pay through the nose.[/QUOTE]
Sounds silly, not forwarding thinking is it.
Sympathies.
Dec 14th 2006, 11:42 am
#10
Where's the factor 30.
Joined: May 2006
Location: Mango Hill QLD
Posts: 234
Re: Why Shopping in Oz isn't fun.
Originally Posted by SalSa
Sent you karma
Thought it was just us that felt like this! Been here 4 weeks and sick to our back teeth with shopping....it takes FOREVER! And then you get kicked in the teeth by know-all 'mate' telling you you should have gone to so-and-so's that's where i always go.........well i didn't and i'm more than happy with the price i paid so leave me alone.
Sorry for rant. Need to lie down.
Thought it was just us that felt like this! Been here 4 weeks and sick to our back teeth with shopping....it takes FOREVER! And then you get kicked in the teeth by know-all 'mate' telling you you should have gone to so-and-so's that's where i always go.........well i didn't and i'm more than happy with the price i paid so leave me alone.
Sorry for rant. Need to lie down.
Dec 14th 2006, 11:47 am
#11
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: in my house
Posts: 359
Re: Why Shopping in Oz isn't fun.
Originally Posted by Mid Lifer.
These "mates" are probably lying......Something doesnt add up somewhere ...
Dec 14th 2006, 11:53 am
#12
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2003
Location: The Green behind the Gold
Posts: 885
Re: Why Shopping in Oz isn't fun.
Originally Posted by Mid Lifer.
These "mates" are probably lying.I've got one who even knocks off 15 minutes off his journey times to impress.He tells me it takes him x mins to get up to somewhere on the Sunshine Coast.Then I do the same journey doing the "obligatory" 10 kms over the speed limit and it always takes me 15 mins more than his time.Something doesnt add up somewhere ...
Dec 14th 2006, 11:55 am
#13
Born to be wild....
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Northants to Brisbane.
Posts: 5,450
Re: Why Shopping in Oz isn't fun.
So mething is only worth what your willing to pay. As long as you use this discipline the rest don't matter
Dec 14th 2006, 7:09 pm
#14
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 9,316
Re: Why Shopping in Oz isn't fun.
Originally Posted by Mid Lifer.
These "mates" are probably lying.I've got one who even knocks off 15 minutes off his journey times to impress.He tells me it takes him x mins to get up to somewhere on the Sunshine Coast.Then I do the same journey doing the "obligatory" 10 kms over the speed limit and it always takes me 15 mins more than his time.Something doesnt add up somewhere ...
Dec 14th 2006, 8:13 pm
#15
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: Why Shopping in Oz isn't fun.
Originally Posted by MartinLuther
I with you on this one. I never seem to be able to achieve the travel times other people claim (unless I speed or it's 2am on Sunday morning).
lol. Haggling. I don't bother haggling as I never seem to buy the stuff you can haggle on. You can almost imagine Eric Idle turning up with his big mate. 'That's 4 for the gourd'.
You can't haggle in Coles or Bunnies can you. Can you?
