Rip Off Britain Keeps People Away From Savings and Being Debt Free

Walletwatch

I must say while the OP's post is extreme in some cases, I do agree with the bulk of the comparisons there.. and no I don't condone people thinking they simply have to buy everything in the market and getting into debt as a result of such foolishness. But consider this - I am from India and an original CD / DVD there costs one-tenth of an original here !!! I am sure while the multiple isn't ten times between the US and the UK, there is a marked premium the UK consumer pays over the US for his favourite flick. To top it, they have a region-specific coding, so that market self-correction is disallowed. Frankly, it is an attempt to flog you to the extent you are prepared to pay, rather than a 'cover your costs and make a reasonable margin' approach to pricing.. It really irritates me after all this when these record companies go out and crusade against piracy (no I am not condoning that either, but don't they just make it more worth the while of the pirates by their unreasonable pricing?)

gelato_cat

You haven't taken into account salary differentials, ie someone making £20k as a PA here would not go to the US and make $40k doing the same job.

You can get cheap Levis at outlet stores. I personally think we've got a good deal here, generally speaking. We have plenty of choice for a start.

Suze

Raveboy wrote: »

Britain is such a rip off these days. We pay through the nose for everything wether its mortages, council tax, clothes (E.G Europe and USA Levi jeans £25. Britain £50)

TOBRUK

I'm a little worried about posting here incase I get my head bitten off :eek: but I do believe we live in a buy now and to hell with the consequences ... I want it ... I'm having it ... just use my card!

I have noticed price increases in groceries - the essentials! Although we have no control on price rises we can have some control on our spending! I do believe that people need to learn to budget and try to make ends meet - no matter what their income. We have to take some responsibility for our spending and not flash credit cards about ... knowing that we can't afford it!!

Am I making sense? I keep an eye on my bank account almost daily and budget within my means as best I can ... perhaps sad but necessary.

Aegis

TOBRUK wrote: »

I'm a little worried about posting here incase I get my head bitten off :eek: but I do believe we live in a buy now and to hell with the consequences ... I want it ... I'm having it ... just use my card!

I have noticed price increases in groceries - the essentials! Although we have no control on price rises we can have some control on our spending! I do believe that people need to learn to budget and try to make ends meet - no matter what their income. We have to take some responsibility for our spending and not flash credit cards about ... knowing that we can't afford it!!

Am I making sense? I keep an eye on my bank account almost daily and budget within my means as best I can ... perhaps sad but necessary.

I use my credit card as a debit card with cashback and added protection. I'm not the best at budgeting my spending down to the penny, but I'm not extravagent either, so I think I've struck a good balance.

My girlfriend is scared of even getting a credit card because she's afraid of what she might do with it!

Raveboy

Interesting points everyone is raising but I would like to stress the point that everything in England is overpriced. People like Microsoft know they can charge a higher price for their goods like MS Vista overhere so he does.

The same goes for other things like I mentioned in the opening thread. I was just saying that I think its wrong, totally wrong, and we should not have to pay sky high prices for things we want to spend our money on.

How can I expect to save money when I am being forced to pay through the nose for everything. Ie If XBox 360 was £100 pound cheaper then I could have brought and put that £100 in a savings account.

ManAtHome

Don't buy an Xbox and put £250 in a savings account..?

Milarky

Walletwatch wrote: »

But consider this - I am from India and an original CD / DVD there costs one-tenth of an original here !!! I am sure while the multiple isn't ten times between the US and the UK, there is a marked premium the UK consumer pays over the US for his favourite flick.

The Simpsons Movie - 24.99 at Woolworths (I could not believe it) while it's basically free off the internet...

littleowl

The OP referred to 'rip off Britain' and I do agree with him to a certain extent. My quibble is not with luxuries but general day to day living.
Having fairly recently returned to the UK from France my modest fixed income has been eroded by the huge cost of Council Tax here; the fact that I have to pay road tax (it no longer exists in France for private vehicles); a crazily high television license for what I consider a much poorer array of programmes than existed even a few years ago; higher prices for food which seems of lesser quality....I could go on!

We do seem to pay more for most basic requirements than the rest of Europe - including houses whether bought or rented.

cloud_dog

Raveboy wrote: »

How can I expect to save money when I am being forced to pay through the nose for everything. Ie If XBox 360 was £100 pound cheaper then I could have brought and put that £100 in a savings account.

I dont think so......... I'm sure you could find something else to spend the £100 on :rolleyes:

nrsql

The reason that these things are so expensive is that people are willing to pay for them.
As long as people are willing to buy xboxes and just think of it as less money they can save there is no reason for the suppliers to reduce the price.

Similarly as long as people are willing to accept the poor quality (though cheap) goods at supermarkets this will also not change.

I suspect it is the same people who complain about how much they are forced to pay for their necessary xbox who also go for the cheapest food possible.
(would also advise against vista).