VAT
#18
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 0
Re: VAT
I paid five quid for a pint in a Mayfair pub in November when I was back home - and much less outside the capital. In Dubai I pay 7 quid or more for a pint off happy hour.
Given the UK has a lot more tax it's clear the UAE's sponsorship system plus tourism tax and good old fashioned greed has already priced them higher for many goods and services than developed markets. I've already all but stopped buying clothes in the UAE because I can buy them overseas for less, and in some cases get them shipped to my door in Dubai and still save money.
It will be interesting to see how the UAE remains competitive as VAT gets underway and no doubt increases in the future. Some businesses are already bound over a barrel with sponsorship costs, rents and business tax so won't be able to absorb 5% easily - and some will find it very easy as their margins are astronomical.
N.
Given the UK has a lot more tax it's clear the UAE's sponsorship system plus tourism tax and good old fashioned greed has already priced them higher for many goods and services than developed markets. I've already all but stopped buying clothes in the UAE because I can buy them overseas for less, and in some cases get them shipped to my door in Dubai and still save money.
It will be interesting to see how the UAE remains competitive as VAT gets underway and no doubt increases in the future. Some businesses are already bound over a barrel with sponsorship costs, rents and business tax so won't be able to absorb 5% easily - and some will find it very easy as their margins are astronomical.
N.
What do you save on clothes?
I'm always surprised at things like this, seems to be more popular since the pound tanked? Is that the saving?
Might be missing a trick here but also like to try things on first.
I imagine there are many businesses out here who could absorb 5% without even blinking.
#19
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,467
Re: VAT
Spinnys has gone mental apparently.
Small tub of atlantic prawns were a shocking but just about swallowable 35 AED last month. Now 50 AED. Thats 10 quid FFS.
Many things seem to have gone up.
Been saying this for a while but its getting to the point that its cheaper to order in than make your own.
Although saying that I'm still battering through the 30 odd king fish steaks I got from the last fishing trip.....
Small tub of atlantic prawns were a shocking but just about swallowable 35 AED last month. Now 50 AED. Thats 10 quid FFS.
Many things seem to have gone up.
Been saying this for a while but its getting to the point that its cheaper to order in than make your own.
Although saying that I'm still battering through the 30 odd king fish steaks I got from the last fishing trip.....
#20
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,520
Re: VAT
I paid five quid for a pint in a Mayfair pub in November when I was back home - and much less outside the capital. In Dubai I pay 7 quid or more for a pint off happy hour.
Given the UK has a lot more tax it's clear the UAE's sponsorship system plus tourism tax and good old fashioned greed has already priced them higher for many goods and services than developed markets. I've already all but stopped buying clothes in the UAE because I can buy them overseas for less, and in some cases get them shipped to my door in Dubai and still save money.
It will be interesting to see how the UAE remains competitive as VAT gets underway and no doubt increases in the future. Some businesses are already bound over a barrel with sponsorship costs, rents and business tax so won't be able to absorb 5% easily - and some will find it very easy as their margins are astronomical.
N.
Given the UK has a lot more tax it's clear the UAE's sponsorship system plus tourism tax and good old fashioned greed has already priced them higher for many goods and services than developed markets. I've already all but stopped buying clothes in the UAE because I can buy them overseas for less, and in some cases get them shipped to my door in Dubai and still save money.
It will be interesting to see how the UAE remains competitive as VAT gets underway and no doubt increases in the future. Some businesses are already bound over a barrel with sponsorship costs, rents and business tax so won't be able to absorb 5% easily - and some will find it very easy as their margins are astronomical.
N.
#21
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2017
Location: Dubai
Posts: 237
Re: VAT
The prices here for everyday items are super inflated compared to the UK but also the quality of choice is pretty p*ss poor too. I went into Boots for some hair product and they only had a tub of hair gel which looked like the type of thing I would use back in year 7
For a sunny country, the selection of suncreams are dire
For a sunny country, the selection of suncreams are dire
#22
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2015
Location: The Sandpit
Posts: 265
Re: VAT
The prices here for everyday items are super inflated compared to the UK but also the quality of choice is pretty p*ss poor too. I went into Boots for some hair product and they only had a tub of hair gel which looked like the type of thing I would use back in year 7
For a sunny country, the selection of suncreams are dire
For a sunny country, the selection of suncreams are dire
When we went back to the UK last October we did some shopping in Bodycare. Decent brands of sun lotions were £2.00. Bottle of Boots own brand over here are over £10.
Don't get me started on the cost of food.
#25
Re: VAT
Interesting read in one of the online tabloids confirming what I've already noticed, that a lack of 10 and 5 fils coins in circulation means that prices are getting rounded up to the nearest 25, 50 or 75 fils, small change for sure, but still more than 5%