High street shop prices, bah!

[jonbeeza]

Been looking on the internet early this morning, as I wanted a bottle of perfume for the missus tomorrow, as a gift. Spotted a little bottle of 30ml perfume at £50 per bottle, in Superdrug.
Went into Superdrug this afternoon to buy the bottle. The girl told me it was £68 and that the £50 is an online only price. I went to Boots and the same bottle was there for £51 which works out about the same roughly, with the Boots points earned. I sort of went off that perfume after that, and bought a different ( better I think) brand.

This happened once before with Superdrug, so I tend to write prices down beforehand now.

PS

As we know this does happen with all sorts of purchases, even camera shops.

 

[gjhill]

Been looking on the internet early this morning, as I wanted a bottle of perfume for the missus tomorrow, as a gift. Spotted a little bottle of 30ml perfume at £50 per bottle, in Superdrug.
Went into Superdrug this afternoon to buy the bottle. The girl told me it was £68 and that the £50 is an online only price. I went to Boots and the same bottle was there for £51 which works out about the same roughly, with the Boots points earned. I sort of went off that perfume after that, and bought a different ( better I think) brand.

This happened once before with Superdrug, so I tend to write prices down beforehand now.

PS

As we know this does happen with all sorts purchases, even camera shops.

I had the same with Halfords
Brake cable for kiddies bike £1.50 on net
Off to shop they wanted £5!!!!!!!!!
Complained only to be told net price only
Walked away , assistant called me back and sold it for 1.50

 

[Box Brownie]

I think read/heard/saw mention of that bricks & mortar stores will(?) progressively become more like showrooms and click & collect outlets. Such a move will mean far fewer shop staff required............and that the prices online will level out with shop pricing.

Good outcome, bad outcome.....who am I to judge but shopping 'habit' changes have been happening and maybe the pandemic has accelerated the changes???

 

[jonbeeza]

Imagine if you did not have the internet, and you where unaware of the better deals that could be had. I know most youngsters and middle aged people have access to the internet, but imaging the more mature older people, they will be paying over the odds for stuff.

 

[Sky]

It must be twenty five years ago now when I needed a USB lead and I'd normally buy them for around £3.00 in a Tottenham Court Road shop or mail order. Anyway, I was in a hurry as the one supplied was too short, so I headed over to PC World which was closer than TCR - guess how much they wanted? £25.00 - I couldn't believe it. I gave the manager a load of grief and left swearing that I'd never go back again (and I haven't).

 

[Al1944]

...........................but imaging the more mature older people, they will be paying over the odds for stuff.

What's your version of 'mature older'?

 

[jonbeeza]

What's your version of 'mature older'?

I suppose someone in their 80s or so.

 

[Carl Hall]

I went to WHSmith to buy a book a couple of years ago as it was £9.99 on their website. Got to the till and they said it was £14.99, and that £9.99 was the web price. I asked if I could click and collect it for £9.99 and then have it. I was told that I could do that, but I wouldn't be able to have the copy that was literally in my hands as that was their in-store copy, and I'd have to wait a few days for it to be delivered to the store from their warehouse. Madness.

I ended up walking 200m to Waterstones and paying something like £16.99 for it from them. I paid more in the end but felt like I won somehow

 

[jonbeeza]

I went to WHSmith to buy a book a couple of years ago as it was £9.99 on their website. Got to the till and they said it was £14.99, and that £9.99 was the web price. I asked if I could click and collect it for £9.99 and then have it. I was told that I could do that, but I wouldn't be able to have the copy that was literally in my hands as that was their in-store copy, and I'd have to wait a few days for it to be delivered to the store from their warehouse. Madness.

I ended up walking 200m to Waterstones and paying something like £16.99 for it from them. I paid more in the end but felt like I won somehow

I know shops have high over heads, but I still don't understand how they can benefit, by charging lower for items online.
They obviously know why they are doing that, but for what gain?

 

[Al1944]

What's your version of 'mature older'?

I suppose someone in their 80s or so.

That's good - I've got another three years before I'm in that category.

 

[Nod]

I know shops have high over heads, but I still don't understand how they can benefit, by charging lower for items online.
They obviously know why they are doing that, but for what gain?

As soon as they can "justify" closing their high street branches they'll go, as will the online only special offers...

 

[Pound Coin]

...and the jobs. And you'll end up paying more in taxes, or crime, etc.

 

[jonbeeza]

As soon as they can "justify" closing their high street branches they'll go, as will the online only special offers...

I do have a feeling that things will change, and not in our favour,

 

[Sky]

The major downside of more online purchases IMO will be the increase in numbers of pavement-parking, vehicle-abandoning, reckless-driving, inconsideration and selfishness incarnate; the White Van Man/Woman. :banghead:

 

[jonbeeza]

The major downside of more online purchases IMO will be the increase in numbers of pavement-parking, vehicle-abandoning, reckless-driving, inconsideration and selfishness incarnate; the White Van Man/Woman. :banghead:

I suppose we are all to blame for that, we do buy a lot of stuff online, we always expect it next day, if poss.
I think things will change when shops do go, online prices will probably go up, and a delivery charge will be the norm. The waiting time will be when they can get around to you.

 

[munch]

like so many things, there is no easy answer to reviving our high streets. Even shops with a physical presence don't hold the stock they used to. It becomes a bit of a catch 22 do I head into town to try and find something I want. Only to be told we haven't got that size in "but if you go online" or do I sit at home and at my leisure search for what I want. Get it delivered for free or for less diesel than I would use going into town. (that's without the silly cost of parking or worrying you haven't gone through all the hoops to register your car etc)

Even before the pandemic most of our purchases were online and I don't see it changing any time soon.

 

[woof woof]

I have a lot of sympathy for shop workers but once we move higher up the chain my sympathy evaporates because some shops don't seem to cater to the needs of shoppers. I do buy a lot on line but mostly it's because I can't find the things in the shops in town. That could be because I live between Redcar and Middlesbrough and there isn't a "city" for miles and it's therefore not worth the shops existing or if they do exist it's not worth fully stocking for the relatively small catchment area but for whatever reason lots of the stuff I want just doesn't seem to be available in local shops. I suppose it's a cause and effect thing for me, I would buy locally but as the stuff just isn't there I buy it on line.

 

[onomatopoeia]

I suppose someone in their 80s or so.

My parents lived through the London blitz and manage OK with online shopping, so you may need to revise that number up a bit.

 

[jonbeeza]

My parents lived through the London blitz and manage OK with online shopping, so you may need to revise that number up a bit.

Maybe more are internet savvy than I thought then.

 

[JohnC6]

I can't recall where I heard about Allbeauty I think it was a consumer programme. It's based in Guernsey and therefore has a tax advantage. So..I bought L'Occatain products for my wife. I mention the name because it's a quality brand so they sell quality products. Excellent prices but as ever check around. Each time I ordered I received the products within days.

allbeauty UK

www.allbeauty.com

Reviews ..with the usual caution of course. https://www.trustpilot.com/review/allbeauty.com

Daily Mail (sorry..lol) https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...best-web-poll-10-000-shoppers-best-deals.html

 

[hunnymonster]

I had the same with Halfords
Brake cable for kiddies bike £1.50 on net
Off to shop they wanted £5!!!!!!!!!
Complained only to be told net price only
Walked away , assistant called me back and sold it for 1.50

I had that with bike tyres in Halfords, but I just ordered everything in my hand for collection, watched the order print off, handed it to the guy doing the order picking and he put it in a bag and handed it back to me.

 

[jonbeeza]

I can't recall where I heard about Allbeauty I think it was a consumer programme. It's based in Guernsey and therefore has a tax advantage. So..I bought L'Occatain products for my wife. I mention the name because it's a quality brand so they sell quality products. Excellent prices but as ever check around. Each time I ordered I received the products within days.

allbeauty UK

www.allbeauty.com

Reviews ..with the usual caution of course. https://www.trustpilot.com/review/allbeauty.com

Daily Mail (sorry..lol) https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...best-web-poll-10-000-shoppers-best-deals.html

I checked the perfume that I bought for the missus, and it a hell of a lot cheaper on the above site.

 

[Earley Man]

I can't recall where I heard about Allbeauty I think it was a consumer programme. It's based in Guernsey and therefore has a tax advantage. So..I bought L'Occatain products for my wife. I mention the name because it's a quality brand so they sell quality products. Excellent prices but as ever check around. Each time I ordered I received the products within days.

allbeauty UK

www.allbeauty.com

Reviews ..with the usual caution of course. https://www.trustpilot.com/review/allbeauty.com

Daily Mail (sorry..lol) https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...best-web-poll-10-000-shoppers-best-deals.html

Through a friend who lives in Guernsey, I knew of the owners, or perhaps by now, the previous owners of Allbeauty. They are not just based in Guernsey, but are native Guernsey people. They have always included the duties/vat due to HMRC in their prices and paid those to HMRC. The only tax advantage they have/had is in the different taxation rates between Guernsey and the UK.

 

[JohnC6]

Through a friend who lives in Guernsey, I knew of the owners, or perhaps by now, the previous owners of Allbeauty. They are not just based in Guernsey, but are native Guernsey people. They have always included the duties/vat due to HMRC in their prices and paid those to HMRC. The only tax advantage they have/had is in the different taxation rates between Guernsey and the UK.

I wanted to know a bit more about the VAT and found this. Personal taxation is the same as here..20%.(after allowances)

The Channel Islands were used as a convenient location for selling goods VAT-free into the UK by mail order. Historically, the bulk of mail order goods sold through the Channel Islands were manufactured in the UK, exported to the Islands and then mailed back into the UK VAT-free.

Its rate is now 5%. The Channel Islands are not part of the United Kingdom, and are not subject to UK VAT Richard Asquith is VP Global Indirect Tax at Avalara, helping businesses understand their compliance obligations as they grow globally.

So, it looks like there's a 15% saving which accounts for why they can sell products much cheaper .This has lead to criticism here.

Retailers, politicians and academics in the United Kingdom said that this situation afforded an unfair and damaging economic advantage to retailers based in the Channel Islands. These retailers were able to offer the same products as UK retailers but at significantly lower prices. The advantage was highlighted by Matt Moulding CEO of The Hut Group, who was quoted in The Guardian newspaper as saying "If you aren't offshore you couldn't possibly compete. Your cost price would be above what people would be retailing at."[12] The book Last Shop Standing by Graham Jones (one of the founders of Music Distributor Proper Distribution) details the detrimental effect VAT-free mail order had on UK music retail, whilst specialist Internet retailers such as freakemporium.com have cited VAT-free mail order as the main factor in their demise.

 

[Steep]

When you shop on the high street you're not just paying for the item, you're paying for the rent/rates/utilities & staff wages as well.
There's no more obvious example of this than opticians, they are often in glitzy high rent shopping centres and have lots of staff 'bustling' about with bits of paper trying to look busy. The result of this is massively inflated prices for specs in store.

 

[Pound Coin]

When you shop on the high street you're not just paying for the item, you're paying for the rent/rates/utilities & staff wages as well.
There's no more obvious example of this than opticians, they are often in glitzy high rent shopping centres and have lots of staff 'bustling' about with bits of paper trying to look busy. The result of this is massively inflated prices for specs in store.

Out of interest, how does someone get their eyes tested online?

 

[LCPete]

Out of interest, how does someone get their eyes tested online?

Very good point actually

 

[Tigger.ufo]

Out of interest, how does someone get their eyes tested online?

Eye tests are cheap/free ...

... then you can use your prescription online ...

 

[LCPete]

Eye tests are cheap/free ...

... then you can use your prescription online ...

Yes you can do but we have always supported our local opticians by getting our glasses from them as well

 

[Pound Coin]

Eye tests are cheap/free ...

... then you can use your prescription online ...

What happens when all the opticians have closed because there is no money in it, on account of people getting their glasses online?

Maybe eye tests will end up like dentistry...

 

[jonbeeza]

When you shop on the high street you're not just paying for the item, you're paying for the rent/rates/utilities & staff wages as well.
There's no more obvious example of this than opticians, they are often in glitzy high rent shopping centres and have lots of staff 'bustling' about with bits of paper trying to look busy. The result of this is massively inflated prices for specs in store.

Sounds like our local Opticians, always loads of staff scurrying around. Good service though.

 

[woof woof]

Sounds like our local Opticians, always loads of staff scurrying around. Good service though.

We've been going to the same one for years and one nice little side effect of that is that we've seen the staff over that time. As Mrs WW is an immigrant one member of staff we've both "noticed" (in an innocent way...) is an immigrant who has gone from an obviously slightly nervous new starter youngster into a confident person seemingly rising through the ranks.

That doesn't help with the prices though which are always eye watering

 

[jonbeeza]

We've been going to the same one for years and one nice little side effect of that is that we've seen the staff over that time. As Mrs WW is an immigrant one member of staff we've both "noticed" (in an innocent way...) is an immigrant who has gone from an obviously slightly nervous new starter youngster into a confident person seemingly rising through the ranks.

That doesn't help with the prices though which are always eye watering

We tend to get ours about every other year, so the price works out not too bad.

 

[woof woof]

I've just read that TJ Hughes in Middlesbrough is closing. This will very possibly be bad news for many people as it's one of the few budget end department stores selling everything from clothes through household, kitchen and gardening and electrical items. I've bought a lot of stuff there plus it's where I park when going to Middlesbrough.

The area is due to be redeveloped with a cinema, bowling alley and brewery so doubtless TJ Hughes won't be the only shop to go.

Redevelopment is all well and good but the department store and doubtless more will be no more. People who can, like me, can I suppose search out the bargains on line but for others this may not be easy if possible at all. Plus this area looks quite new and in good condition so I'd have thought other areas were in more need of redevelopment as once you start walking away from Middlesbrough town centre the need for redevelopment quickly becomes more obvious.

I can't help feeling that TJ Hughes and the other shops would be better for the town than another cinema when there is one already. I'm not sure what a bowling alley and brewery will add to the town. All in all I wish this well but I just can't see this redevelopment being a step forward.

 

[Nod]

Yes you can do but we have always supported our local opticians by getting our glasses from them as well

I used to use a local optician until he failed to spot a significant change in my vision. Couldn't fit me in for a retest so I went to Specsavers who did spot it and gained a customer.

 

[Marc]

I used to use a local optician until he failed to spot a significant change in my vision. Couldn't fit me in for a retest so I went to Specsavers who did spot it and gained a customer.

Been using Specsavers for 30 years, faultless service. The free pair comes in handy as well.

Also, buying glasses is all very well but having someone knowledgable to make sure that they fit properly is invaluable, especially if you have varifocals.

 

[Sky]

When you shop on the high street you're not just paying for the item, you're paying for the rent/rates/utilities & staff wages as well.

Online sellers don't pay these then? It may be a 'little' cheaper in some circumstances; like small-time dealers selling from home etc., but the majority will have to pay them too - albeit a little less.

Before I retired, I used to run a retail shop as a small part of my business and I also sold online through a website shop. Admittedly, this was ten years ago so things have changed a little, but even back then 90% of my sales were online or by telephone. If I hadn't sold that way, my sales would have plummeted and they'd already dropped considerably over the previous ten years anyway.

The simple fact is that most people do not want to use High Street shops; most are lazy and want it delivered so they can get on with their life instead of dealing with half-wit shop staff with bad manners and a lackadaisical attitude.

 

[woof woof]

The simple fact is that most people do not want to use High Street shops; most are lazy and want it delivered so they can get on with their life instead of dealing with half-wit shop staff with bad manners and a lackadaisical attitude.

Harsh but in some cases unfortunately true.

 

[Pound Coin]

Online sellers don't pay these then? It may be a 'little' cheaper in some circumstances; like small-time dealers selling from home etc., but the majority will have to pay them too - albeit a little less.

Before I retired, I used to run a retail shop as a small part of my business and I also sold online through a website shop. Admittedly, this was ten years ago so things have changed a little, but even back then 90% of my sales were online or by telephone. If I hadn't sold that way, my sales would have plummeted and they'd already dropped considerably over the previous ten years anyway.

The simple fact is that most people do not want to use High Street shops; most are lazy and want it delivered so they can get on with their life instead of dealing with half-wit shop staff with bad manners and a lackadaisical attitude.

Gross generalisations such as these can also be made of detached online and warehouse staff.

It is a fact that edge of town warehousing is far cheaper for businesses than High Street shops. Plus there are the tax breaks (Starbucks, Google, Amazon benefit from tax arrangements that minimise their tax exposure). Resolving this is a challenge, but ought to be done to reduce damage to communities and deal with the drop in local authority funding caused by the unloved playing field benefitting warehousing operations.

Saying most customers are lazy is not a great attitude for getting good sales from them!

 

[Sky]

Saying most customers are lazy is not a great attitude for getting good sales from them!

OK, I'll rephrase that then; most people are lazy - especially the younger ones. This is of course my opinion as I'm no statistician; I can only talk from my own experience of dealing with them for best part of fifty years.