Shops-what do you miss the most?
Jan 7th 2007, 7:17 am
#61
Normal Service Resumed
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Perth
Posts: 42
Re: Shops-what do you miss the most?
TRIVIA from Wikidpedia...James Alexander Holden immigrated to South Australia from England in 1852 and in 1856 established J.A Holden & Co, a saddlery business in Adelaide. The first Holden, a family six, was made in 1948, and the first Australian Ford Falcon was made in 1960. Both were based on US designs and when reading the history US General Motors was in the picture considerably....Alexander Holden, who in 1856 set up a saddlery business in Adelaide (SA) which evolved to become Holden's Motor Body Builders, merging in 1931 with General Motors Australia to become General Motors-Holden' s and retaining the symbol of the Holden lion (the company officially changed its title from General Motors-Holden's Automotive to Holden Ltd.).In 1931 General Motors purchased the business and formed General Motors–Holden's Ltd. In 1998, it was renamed Holden Ltd and in May 2005, it became known as GM Holden Ltd.
Jan 7th 2007, 7:20 am
#62
Gutter Gob!!
Joined: Feb 2005
Location: Perth
Posts: 13,098
Re: Shops-what do you miss the most?
Thanks for the info but it leaves me none the wiser as to why Aussies obsess about which (basically American) car company you "barrack" for. Most Aussies seem to dislike the USA but then plaster themselves in merchandise from either Ford or GM. Its a feature of life over here I just don't get at all. When I was in the UK I drove a VW but it didn't move me to wear a T Shirt saying that my car was better than my neighbours Toyota ???
My Australian friends think Ford and Holden are crap and wouldn't own one if they were paid too.
Jan 7th 2007, 7:24 am
#63
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2005
Location: at the bottom of a wine glass
Posts: 28,176
Re: Shops-what do you miss the most?
You see its not part of mine. Most of my friends drive mitsubishis and toyotas and in fact I met my first Holden owner yesterday after 18 months of being here and he was english!!
My Australian friends think Ford and Holden are crap and wouldn't own one if they were paid too.
My Australian friends think Ford and Holden are crap and wouldn't own one if they were paid too.
My hubby's car is great, he has a ford falcon
Although the Aussies take the piss and ask him why he needs a racing car (you maybe have to see it 
)
Jan 7th 2007, 7:26 am
#64
Gutter Gob!!
Joined: Feb 2005
Location: Perth
Posts: 13,098
Re: Shops-what do you miss the most?
I don't have an opinion on them to be honest Wendy, its a car to me that gets me from A to B. I can remember my husbands mates stressed about the Astra GTE, Golf GTi and the Ford RS Turbo back in the day, so to me its no different here.
Jan 7th 2007, 7:31 am
#65
Ex BE ***** Addict
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,770
Re: Shops-what do you miss the most?
I miss most shops that actually keep a decent stock level and when you phone up to check if they have something before you leave home tell you the truth.
Yesterday I drove 3 and a half hours to Gosford to get a specific baby car seat, I checked they had it first and asked them to reserve it. I was told there was no need to reserve as they have loads. Off I trundle to find out it was a lie, they sold out ages ago and won't be getting anymore until the next stock take IN JUNE!!!!!!!! This time I lost my rag which is unusual, It cost me $70 in fuel and a whole day. So someone please tell me what the F**k am I doing wrong? This sort of example is a very frequent experience for me and I can honestly say this NEVER happened all my life in the UK. I've no lost track of the number of times I go out and come back empty handed.
Yesterday I drove 3 and a half hours to Gosford to get a specific baby car seat, I checked they had it first and asked them to reserve it. I was told there was no need to reserve as they have loads. Off I trundle to find out it was a lie, they sold out ages ago and won't be getting anymore until the next stock take IN JUNE!!!!!!!! This time I lost my rag which is unusual, It cost me $70 in fuel and a whole day. So someone please tell me what the F**k am I doing wrong? This sort of example is a very frequent experience for me and I can honestly say this NEVER happened all my life in the UK. I've no lost track of the number of times I go out and come back empty handed.
Jan 7th 2007, 7:34 am
#66
Normal Service Resumed
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Perth
Posts: 42
Re: Shops-what do you miss the most?
Jan 7th 2007, 7:55 am
#67
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2005
Location: at the bottom of a wine glass
Posts: 28,176
Re: Shops-what do you miss the most?
Same here really. I'm going to just buy the cheapest car I can find
:scared: when I go for my learners permit. Daren't drive hubby's car it's his mid life crisis car
Jan 7th 2007, 7:34 pm
#68
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2005
Location: Canberra, ACT
Posts: 1,222
Re: Shops-what do you miss the most?
Lots of NZ's have this thing about Holden (Vauxhall to us) and hate Fords? I still cant understand why?
Even my kids are starting wanting Holden T shirts, Holden shorts, Holden toys, badges etc?? I mean...why???
Its just a car when all is said and done. Nothing special IMO.
BTW, we DONT drive a Holden.
Even my kids are starting wanting Holden T shirts, Holden shorts, Holden toys, badges etc?? I mean...why???
Its just a car when all is said and done. Nothing special IMO.
BTW, we DONT drive a Holden.
Jan 7th 2007, 9:58 pm
#69
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 646
Re: Shops-what do you miss the most?
I think its the attitude, p;us the fact that they believe the country has the best there is on offer, so they don't think they need to supply a greater choice. Shoes here are awful (IMO) - I get mine from the Uk as well as The Bloke's.
The MIL was telling me the other day that most elderly people here go to a podiatrist as a matter of course, as they have foot problems, and I've noticed that ads specify shoes that fit the "wider foot" - does anyone else think that this is the result of so many people either going barefoot, or wearing badly fitting shoes? I know I was told as a chil that if I didn't wear shoes that were confortably tight, my feet would spread, but here all the shoes seem designed to fit loosely (cos of the heat I suppose?)
The MIL was telling me the other day that most elderly people here go to a podiatrist as a matter of course, as they have foot problems, and I've noticed that ads specify shoes that fit the "wider foot" - does anyone else think that this is the result of so many people either going barefoot, or wearing badly fitting shoes? I know I was told as a chil that if I didn't wear shoes that were confortably tight, my feet would spread, but here all the shoes seem designed to fit loosely (cos of the heat I suppose?)
They do think they have the best on offer they also think cheap where I live anyway.So not much you can do really.
Jan 8th 2007, 4:13 am
#70
Ex BE ***** Addict
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,770
Re: Shops-what do you miss the most?
I am having alot of feet problems since I have been here and I am sure its the shoes.I have never worn shoes on the house in either country but trainers and leather shoes.I did find a pair of shoes that I quite liked they were $200.00 still made in some gungeepo country and fitted poorly.Didn't buy them.I have some great shoes from the uk made in Italy £36.00 bargan.
They do think they have the best on offer they also think cheap where I live anyway.So not much you can do really.
They do think they have the best on offer they also think cheap where I live anyway.So not much you can do really.
Jan 9th 2007, 4:23 am
#71
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2005
Location: Canberra, ACT
Posts: 1,222
Re: Shops-what do you miss the most?
Flippin heck Arkon, what would you want with Croc shoes? Fake ones at that.
I haven't really bought any shoes in NZ for quite a while coz am finding them very, very long narrow and tiny, made for tiny petite feet. (which am not)
Good job I have my old Uk ones still going strong.
Fake ones at that.I haven't really bought any shoes in NZ for quite a while coz am finding them very, very long narrow and tiny, made for tiny petite feet. (which am not)
Good job I have my old Uk ones still going strong.
Jan 9th 2007, 7:32 am
#72
Ex BE ***** Addict
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,770
Re: Shops-what do you miss the most?
Flippin heck Arkon, what would you want with Croc shoes? Fake ones at that.
I haven't really bought any shoes in NZ for quite a while coz am finding them very, very long narrow and tiny, made for tiny petite feet. (which am not)
Good job I have my old Uk ones still going strong.
Fake ones at that.I haven't really bought any shoes in NZ for quite a while coz am finding them very, very long narrow and tiny, made for tiny petite feet. (which am not)
Good job I have my old Uk ones still going strong.
Jan 9th 2007, 5:52 pm
#73
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2005
Location: Canberra, ACT
Posts: 1,222
Re: Shops-what do you miss the most?
I cant get my feet in the shoes here, they are just sooooooooooo tiny (Or I have big feet) am size 6, is that big???
Jan 9th 2007, 6:33 pm
#74
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 62
Re: Shops-what do you miss the most?
Thanks for the info but it leaves me none the wiser as to why Aussies obsess about which (basically American) car company you "barrack" for. Most Aussies seem to dislike the USA but then plaster themselves in merchandise from either Ford or GM. Its a feature of life over here I just don't get at all. When I was in the UK I drove a VW but it didn't move me to wear a T Shirt saying that my car was better than my neighbours Toyota ???
Jan 9th 2007, 8:46 pm
#75
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: Queensland
Posts: 32
Re: Shops-what do you miss the most?
Having just come back to London in Dec after 2yrs in Brisbane I agree the shopping experience is much better with better choice, quality and price but we expect that in a city of 12M people to serve.
Tesco seems to have gotten bigger and bigger. I can't believe how good the 3Pound jeans are - Sainsbury and Asda also do the same deal. And we have taken out Tesco prepay mobile SIMs for 10p/min calls - cheaper than we were paying in Oz. Have a look at the Tesco website. It is amaxing what you can get.
Argos is so easy and cheap.TK Maxx has also grown bigger.Ikea is huge compared to Brisbane's sole store.
We are due back in Qld soon and you wonder how much to bring back...
The whole experience is like coming into the city from the country to shop (if you have experienced that you'll know the excitement!).
Tesco seems to have gotten bigger and bigger. I can't believe how good the 3Pound jeans are - Sainsbury and Asda also do the same deal. And we have taken out Tesco prepay mobile SIMs for 10p/min calls - cheaper than we were paying in Oz. Have a look at the Tesco website. It is amaxing what you can get.
Argos is so easy and cheap.TK Maxx has also grown bigger.Ikea is huge compared to Brisbane's sole store.
We are due back in Qld soon and you wonder how much to bring back...
The whole experience is like coming into the city from the country to shop (if you have experienced that you'll know the excitement!).