Price differences between UK and Spain
 

Hi I am hoping you can help and that this hasn't already been covered in another recent thread. I am wondering what types of 'goods' are cheaper, or more expensive in Spain compared to the UK. I am excluding utilities and I realise that there are regional variations but I am not sure what to bring out with me and what to buy in Spain.
Specific to my situation 'goods' include, gardening tools (going for self sufficiency vegetable growing), clothing (I have heard underwear is expensive in Spain), kitchen utensils (food mixers, coffee machines, breadmakers) furniture (second hand and cheaper antique/spanish style) and TV/CD players.
I know we have to allow for removal costs but planning on bringing a self drive van down anyway for indispensible personal items such as book collection.

thanks
Nicky

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

Lol thanks, We haven't made a final decision yet on size of van and who might drive (or not). Also hoping to drive down with 2 sedated cats if it is practical. It won't happen until some time next year but I will keep you in mind

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

Read (as in 'I have read the') rules - why?:confused:

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

Read rule 9 and you will understand.
There is a no advertising policy on this forum or in the PM contact.

Also you had better read rule 15 too and contact admin . thanks

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

OK, here is my take.

Ship down all you can, within the parameters of the trip. In other words, you will have a limited amount of space weight, and you simply need to prioritise all your goods. Everything that will fit into that zone, take it. Bin the rest.

WRTo garden tools, I never see a good fork where I am.

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

OK accepted re. rule 9

Rule 15 does not apply!

The 3 posts rule is a real issue as admin have asked me to read PM's but I can't so please STOP erasing posts or I'll never be able to read them.


(Sorry for the hijack!)

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

Clothing is generally cheaper in UK.

There seems to be very limited second-hand outlets other than 'rastros' but I would bring all you can and then advertise once you're here.

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

Things I'd bring to Spain fromt he UK would be mostly secondhand furniture in good condition. I have found that buying through a certain auction site is worthwhile for stuff that needs a van to collect it. The reason being that "buyer collect" items when the stuff is big doesn't attract many bids - choose your auctions well and nearly new can be bought at 25% of the list price. Plus furniture's expensive in Spain. Don't forget that "flat pack" can usually be disassembled flat again for transport.
To go the other way, I've noticed a striking difference in the price of floor tiles. A lot of tiles are made in Jaen and can be bought retail from around 4 euros per square metre (I got some very nice ones for 6 euros PSM). Compare that with low-end tiles in the UK which seem to start at about £15 and go vertically upwards in price from there.
I'd be surprised if you recouped the cost of the trip with either or both of these cargoes, especially if you can't sell all the stuff you transport, but it might be a "nice little earner" on the side.

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

What you have to consider, is the price difference worth the cost of transporting, most electrical things are as cheap here, AND bear in mind that items bought in the UK may NOT have the guarantee valid here. Second hand goods can be bought very cheaply here, providing you go to the rastros, auctions etc in your area

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

I think all clothing is expensive here , unless you buy it from the market and then it is crappy.

I have only ever bought clothes in Evans, Dorothy Perkins and HM here (in other words international chains). The independent Spanish shops are expensive imho.

We were in England for seven weeks recently and I stocked up with clothes (and underwear from M&S!) while I was there.

We kept our house in UK so had to furnish this one from scratch - a certain Swedish store that sells flatpack did the trick(although we didn't realise there was one in Madrid and carted it all the way from Wednesbury (near Birmingham!). The only stuff we bought locally was a double bed and various small shelves/cupboards. (Because I think Spanish furniture is expensive if you buy new and also I don't much like it).

We bought our white goods locally and IIRC they were a similar price to the UK.

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

Jeans = €5.99 from Al Campo.

Probably comparable with Asda jeans :D

But, they do the job for me. I'm a bit of a skin flint when it comes to clothes. I get through a pair of jeans in a month, so see little point in spending more than a fiver. Most clothes come from second hand shops. Don't really give a f*** what I look like and most of the students here seem to think I'm cool :rofl:


Anything you bin is lost money. Just prioritise as you would. All second hand prices here are over inflated. Quality furniture is well worth bringing. Mostly cheap shit here unless you're prepared to pay and then pay some more.

English books are worth a fortune. Bring some to sell if you can ;)

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

From our experience with shopping in Galicia is forget all of the big brand shops and purchase as much locally as you can. It will be cheaper, honest. Lugo does not have so many well known chain shops anyway. Finding your way around Santiago may take time too.
Bring what ever you want and priorities them. You will need items to start living straight away.
We have found bread makers hard to find, but you will find that there is a bread delivery will pas sometime during the day as everyone in the campo eats bread. Food mixers are available but they are very personal so maybe take your own. For antiques in Galicia go to Sarria as there is a street with a few dealers. Regarding cloths you will either find the quality is not so good or sizes and styles not to your liking, but in the end your cloths will wear out so you will end up purchasing locally.
If you are going to run a Casa Rural be where of the rules of growing your own food and serving them to customers.

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

Always far too long for me, being a little shortar$e. Agree about the books though.

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

My English books cost a maximum of €3, and I get €1.50 back when I return them, so NOT expensive if you know where to go. I usually get the recent English releases soon after they come out because there are always people coming over, bringing the newest novels, then getting rid as they don't wish to take them back with them once read.

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

You have obviously not shopped at El Corte Ingles's 'Oportunidades' great bargains to be had and top quality labels and all sizes, cannot be beaten anywhere in the UK

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

What's one of those then? Never seen anything like that in El CE

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

Well don't bring a TV or telephones cos they don't work here. I brought my breadmaker but have had difficulty finding flour for it. (managed to get white only & it is quite expensive) Kettles and toasters are around but not in the cheaper stores and not much of a range. I bought a large freezer with me, to freeze home grown produce and cut down on shopping trips. Its been well used and worth bringing as I would probably only have got £50 selling it in the UK. I also brought the washing machine as it was only a couple of years old and, goodness knows why - the tumble dryer which I have used once!

Before we came I looked at El Corte Ingles website to get a rough idea of prices here and then decided accordingly. Its worth bringing things like garden tools which don't take up much space cos any money spent replacing these things can be saved.

Watch out for beds and bedding. We bought one double bed and can't get bedding to fit. Fitted sheets pretty much don't exist here. Again check El Cortes Ingles to get idea of standard spanish sizes - an Ikea catalogue is a useful guide as well. Check their spanish website for prices (generally cheaper than UK) and the locations of their stores.

Best of luck with your move.

Rose

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

where do you shop in the uk.Harrods

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

We found one useful thing. In Polanco's they sell single beds, in a variety of widths that can be linked together to make a double of almost any size, so we were able to get a super kingsize, which we couldn't find anywhere. Plus it was simple, light and cheap. Presumably there are other places that will sell these.

Duvets are one thing that is very cheap in the UK, and the only ones we have seen in Spain have been very expensive.

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

No, I have never been to El Corte Ingles, I don't think we have one nearer than two-three hours drive.

Agree with BIL about duvets - in fact I bring most of my bedding from the UK.

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

[QUOTE=jo-ann;6703372]You have obviously not shopped at El Corte Ingles's 'Oportunidades' great bargains to be had and top quality labels and all sizes, cannot be beaten anywhere in the UK[/QUOTE]

I bet they can you know.

In my city in the UK there is a Matalan clearance store (our son works there).

I bought a top (£1) and a pair of shorts (50p), they were BOGOF so that meant I owed Matalan £1 - however they had to re-imburse my £1 parking fee so I paid nothing at the checkout.

Never had that happen before!

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

[QUOTE=scampicat;6703937]Tacaño:rofl:

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

[QUOTE=Rotor;6703992]Claro..........:)

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

Thanks everyone for all of the useful information, its all very helpful. Yes I shall stock up on M & S undies.

At the moment the property we are buying is still full of the current owners beds, tables, chairs etc. As the owner is an older lady who has been living with her son for the past 5 years, we are hoping that they will leave it all behind.


Ian and Irene, do you have any useful links for the rules of growing your own food and serving them to customers? A few months ago you gave a list of the regs that cover Rural B & B's which were very helpful.

We are hoping that a local gestor will advise us of any regs that we don't manage to find out about before we move down.

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

Stocking up on M&S undies is a great idea.
One thing we should have said, is shoes for women are on the small size. So if you have large feet purchase as many as possible! Men should have no problems.
We don’t have any further information other than that posted some time ago. We have only been told about food regulations when attending the cursos para certificado Manipulador De Alimentos, (a certificate to handle food) and when we are inspected by the health inspector (he comes twice a year). Maybe when you approach the Xunta you will find out more. I bet your list of questions for them is getting quite long now!
The food certificate course is run by the Xunta and will be in Spanish, but the good news it is free!:D

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

We are interested in that type of bed and have looked around but not found anywhere yet. Is POLANCO'S a chain? Might I find one near Ayamonte?

The nearest we have found was a strap to pull the mattress's together and then cover the ridge (in Edinburgh) but have only seen the bed lnks in Spanish hotels.

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

I'll pm you a couple of ref's as I think I'll get my wrists slapped if I post the links.

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As long as they are not your own links, you have used them and are recommending them, then its`s ok.

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

OK,

http://www.polanco.net/TrabajaNosotros.htm

Can't find a ref for the beds tho.

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

A long time ago I mentioned sedating cats and the general consensus was that it’s not necessary. Our cats sleep just about all the time anyway. On a recent trip to the vet, one of them was asleep in his carrier box within two or three streets. I think you’ll find your vet will agree on this. Always worth asking. Maybe take them for a test run in the car?

Check out the thread: http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=552437 which might be useful to you. I will post back there with more information later. I will also post AFTER the trip with any useful hints. Maybe it would be best to post on that thread if you want to explore that further, keeping this thread for the prices UK vs Spain?

My wife suggests calming music for animals, which is available from http://www.petsandmusic.com/ I have no idea what that is like, and I have a feeling that as the main driver they may have to put up with music that calms 55 year old male drivers. Life is hard…

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

Its their outlet shop (like M&S has in the UK), clothes for woman, men and kids and a great selection for the larger lady. Often pick up trousers, shorts,tops for 6 euros, usually have some very good brands. There is one near El Puerto de Santa Maria and I think there is another in Malaga area. I wouldn't dream of paying El Cortes normal prices and the only time I've shopped in Harrods was in the sales (last day)

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

UK TVs work perfectly here for TDT(Spanish Freesat)/DVD/VCR/Sky and anything else that connects by SCART/HDMI.

Some won't work for Spanish analogue TV, but as like in the UK ,it's being switched off in a couple of years, it's not a problem.

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

And I will add I would not be afraid of buying a TV from the UK, I bought my mate a TV for £415 for a new 42" LCD, not the best make but was a LG Panel, so certain value for money, I sent it over UPS and It arrived in better condition (the box) than If id have sent it UK-UK

They must have just caged it up and the only time it was not caged was when it was on van from mine to the depot and the depot in Spain to Alicante.

I had to meet the driver as he couldnt find us, but I was well impressed !!

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

Rose I don't know how long you have lived here in Catalonia but a tumble dryer is a godsend in the winter.. :blink:

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

Tis here sometimes too, in the monsoon season.

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

I would never EVER use a tumble dryer here, I never even had one in the UK.

Other things that are surplus to requirements (imho):

Dishwasher, microwave, hairdryer and iron.

Haven't had any of these for over four years and when I went back to my house in the UK I'd forgotten how to use the microwave, my son had given my hairdryer to the young girl next door and I couldn't find the iron. Never had a dishwasher.

(However, I do know someone who came to live in these mountains miles from civilisation and brought a ball gown).

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

A microwave is very useful in conjunction with a freezer. It enables me to make up a batch of sofrito and then use it as I will.

Plus it's useful to heat up mosquito bite poultices.

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

If you mean the tomato-ey stuff, we make that too, we just make it on the stove and then freeze it.

We never intended not to have a microwave or an iron. Just never got round to buying them and after not having them for six months decided we didn't need them anyway.

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

haven't got a microwave - use the iron as little as possible!

actually I miss my tumbledryer - some 'friends' used it & wrecked it and we haven't yet replaced it

Re: Price differences between UK and Spain
 

Yes, the mix of tomato, onion and peppers. Like you, I cook it on the stove. The micro is just useful for thawing out and heating individual portions in the bowl, so it saves on washing up.