Are we really being ripped off?
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Ripped off Britain indeed? My gripe is aimed at those people who always feel ripped off and their ill informed rants and badly researched opinions about how they are being ripped off. Let me be clear, if you receive poor service, shoddy products or encounter dishonesty there is a clear reason to be upset and a good reason to shame the responsible and debate the issue. |
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What I find objectionable are those people in Britain who simply decide they are paying too much. You can see these comments on these pages for a diverse range of products and services such as sandwiches, pizzas, opticians, trendy bars and garages etc. They seem to believe that they are being "ripped off" because the prices of the items do not meet their own highly questionable economic criteria. Do people not understand that if all these places sell a large sandwich for £3-£3.50, it is not because they have met up and agreed to rip off the great British public, it is because the item sold has a cost, and a profit should be made (controversial I know - but hey, you can say what you like on these pages). |
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If there are many sandwich shops (just as an example, but you can follow it through with anything) the competition increases, as does the diversity of what is on offer and the price will be kept at reasonable level. It’s a pretty easy to understand formula really. I question those who deem themselves "ripped off", specifically on how they make their living? I guess they are on a salary and only have to justify themselves to their boss once a year at pay review. I doubt very much that they run their own business and if they ever had and, used their odd economic rules I seriously doubt their business lasted very long. It would be interesting though to turn the spotlight on these kinds of people; to justify their own salary against the products and services their particular company offers and decide if they too are part of the conspiracy which is known as "ripped off" Britain! By: Rags |
Comments from visitors
Everywhere I go I am ripped off. Its the nature of business: maximally to exploit you for whatever money you might have, with minimum return.
As a consumer you are ripe for being taken for a ride.
As a consumer you are ripe for being taken for a ride.
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Natural Selection - 4-Jun-11 06:48
What I do "Pinch" is write a short snail mail to those who might have some influence on things, recommending they visit this site.
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I used to have a small repair garage, and would buy towel rolls on QT of the girl who used to service the towel roll machine, to use as general porpose cloths in the garage. I then discovered a good length of the stuff in a so called friends van, so who was ripping who of?
-3
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I looked up the term ripped off because I wondered whether it was a typically British condition. I'm English and I feel ripped most of the time.
I'm living in Mexico at the moment -rip off central perhaps? In tourist areas people will try to fleece you here quite blatantly so I'm used to that - it is natural. I've lived in the centre of Mexico City in a nice area for a while and it's different here.
HOWEVER, Tonight my boyfriend and I went for a meal and when the bill came they had charged us 2 extra glasses of wine and way too much for the pizza. He saw it as a simple mistake but I was pretty annoyed. After pointing out these 'discrepancies' it was deducted from the bill but my question is...
a) do people deliberately and constantly rip us off?
OR
b) is the British psyche particularly sensitive to being ripped off?
I suppose what I am really asking is whether other nations feel like this or is this a particularly British thing like tea and gloom. Is it just another symptom of our love of moaning?? Was he right or was I? It might be answered very simply but the most simple fact is that I HATE BEING RIPPED OFF!!
I'm living in Mexico at the moment -rip off central perhaps? In tourist areas people will try to fleece you here quite blatantly so I'm used to that - it is natural. I've lived in the centre of Mexico City in a nice area for a while and it's different here.
HOWEVER, Tonight my boyfriend and I went for a meal and when the bill came they had charged us 2 extra glasses of wine and way too much for the pizza. He saw it as a simple mistake but I was pretty annoyed. After pointing out these 'discrepancies' it was deducted from the bill but my question is...
a) do people deliberately and constantly rip us off?
OR
b) is the British psyche particularly sensitive to being ripped off?
I suppose what I am really asking is whether other nations feel like this or is this a particularly British thing like tea and gloom. Is it just another symptom of our love of moaning?? Was he right or was I? It might be answered very simply but the most simple fact is that I HATE BEING RIPPED OFF!!
-5
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The real cost of living in the UK will soon be felt by us all. Far from the governments predictions of 'economic improvements' we can almost NEVER pay off this spiraling debt. Things will get worse; and the multinational greed merchants who control such a lot of the consumer 'wants' inthe UK will fight tooth and nail to maintain profit ( Centrica, BAA, The major banks, the water companies, oil companies etc).
Be under no illusion that to many corporates this is a 'treasure island', where the residents shut up and don't complain. In other words we are treated as mugs. We are lead to believe that we cannot manage without this and that, and the GOD of consumerism is all powerfull. Well, I did say WANTS, which are often so different to our NEEDS. Take petrol. If we all just obtained the stuff when we needed it as opposed to us WANTING it, ( Ie,trips we could do without or take by some alternative method ) the companies and the government would soon be on the back foot.
If you are wondering why we are taxed to the hilt remember that your money is being used to pay interest on astronomical loans precured by 'Robber Baron Brown' and our previous administration. Remember also that you are funding a war which we cannot truly win, and no one wants.
However, not being psychic I can however predct that the worm may well turn. We are seeing major changes in the middle east due to people power. There is only so much one can be ripped off before fighting back and that time is fast approaching in the UK. The government had better take note.
Be under no illusion that to many corporates this is a 'treasure island', where the residents shut up and don't complain. In other words we are treated as mugs. We are lead to believe that we cannot manage without this and that, and the GOD of consumerism is all powerfull. Well, I did say WANTS, which are often so different to our NEEDS. Take petrol. If we all just obtained the stuff when we needed it as opposed to us WANTING it, ( Ie,trips we could do without or take by some alternative method ) the companies and the government would soon be on the back foot.
If you are wondering why we are taxed to the hilt remember that your money is being used to pay interest on astronomical loans precured by 'Robber Baron Brown' and our previous administration. Remember also that you are funding a war which we cannot truly win, and no one wants.
However, not being psychic I can however predct that the worm may well turn. We are seeing major changes in the middle east due to people power. There is only so much one can be ripped off before fighting back and that time is fast approaching in the UK. The government had better take note.
+6
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High Street Sales Rip Off....
I was looking to buy 2 stools (the gas strut type you find in bars). HOMEBASE had a stool we liked for £75 BOGOF (Buy One Get One Free). I noticed the box also had an Argos product code, so I nipped next door (on the same retail park) and Argos had the same stool in their catalogue for £37.99 full price. So in fact the Homebase 'megadeal' would save me £1 compared to Argos for 12 months of the year!!
I hate the way you are led to believe you are getting a massive bargain when in fact they hiked the price between Nov-Dec to set the false sales deal. Similarly John Lewis are selling a Sony DAB stereo for £99 but I can Google it and find it for £15 less.
Are we really getting the deals we think??
I was looking to buy 2 stools (the gas strut type you find in bars). HOMEBASE had a stool we liked for £75 BOGOF (Buy One Get One Free). I noticed the box also had an Argos product code, so I nipped next door (on the same retail park) and Argos had the same stool in their catalogue for £37.99 full price. So in fact the Homebase 'megadeal' would save me £1 compared to Argos for 12 months of the year!!
I hate the way you are led to believe you are getting a massive bargain when in fact they hiked the price between Nov-Dec to set the false sales deal. Similarly John Lewis are selling a Sony DAB stereo for £99 but I can Google it and find it for £15 less.
Are we really getting the deals we think??
+2
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We will be ripped off when they put VAT up again! My salary just can't keep up with it!
-1
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pinch, "if you happen to croak during the night do remember you will be saving the government a lot of money and dont expect a thank you letter."
It's true , you definitely should not expect a thank you letter when you reach The Great Beyond unless you have signed up for Royal Mail's redirection service.
Even then it is a little iffy; I have trouble getting mail from ten miles away so another dimension might cause the postman a few problems.
It's true , you definitely should not expect a thank you letter when you reach The Great Beyond unless you have signed up for Royal Mail's redirection service.
Even then it is a little iffy; I have trouble getting mail from ten miles away so another dimension might cause the postman a few problems.
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My dear man, you only have to remember one word and to know where google is.
That word is GRIPE. See.. easy isn't it? You'll find The Weekly Gripe on that page, not necessarily the, top, but very near it, actually with the exception of answers.com, wikipedia and money saving expert who is at the top these days?
That word is GRIPE. See.. easy isn't it? You'll find The Weekly Gripe on that page, not necessarily the, top, but very near it, actually with the exception of answers.com, wikipedia and money saving expert who is at the top these days?
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I just happened to land on this site by accident and if I were to go looking for it again without saving it most likely never find it, so remember no one out there would give a hoot what was said on here and if they did they would be spouting to the wind, and if you happen to croak during the night do remember you will be saving the goverment a lot of money and dont expect a thank you letter.
-11
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Can answer all the Questions for all of these topics as there is only 1 answer
INDOCTRONATION, we believe everything we hear, dippy britain
INDOCTRONATION, we believe everything we hear, dippy britain
-13
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One of the problems in this country is corporate greed, The mantra is that profits should increase every year regardless of the financial climate, Landlords always increase their rental charges, utilities always increase the cost of their supplies and wages need to increase because workers spend more cash paying their bills this year than they did at the same time last year,
A financial loss is where profits this year are lower than last year, so bills are hiked up to ensure it doesnt happen this trickles down to the person who really pays for everything the working public.
I had a business which opened at 6am and closed at 7pm mon to friday and sat 7am until 6pm I sold sandwiches coffee and newspapers/magazines, I employed 2 staff and after all costs were taken out I could afford to pay myself what amounted to £4 per hour, during my stay in the shopping centre the landlord who refused to sign a long term lease increased the lease every year by 5% staff got a 2.5% increase and my suppliers increased their bill by 4%.
I employed an accountant who stated that I could earn more stacking the shelves in the local supermarket than I was at present earning.
The local supermarket held its suppliers over a barrel, they get the pick of everything and tell suppliers how much they were going to pay for it.
I had no option but to take the leavings and be grateful, after 2 years I gave up, the supermarket put a lot of independants out of business and now has raised its prices
A financial loss is where profits this year are lower than last year, so bills are hiked up to ensure it doesnt happen this trickles down to the person who really pays for everything the working public.
I had a business which opened at 6am and closed at 7pm mon to friday and sat 7am until 6pm I sold sandwiches coffee and newspapers/magazines, I employed 2 staff and after all costs were taken out I could afford to pay myself what amounted to £4 per hour, during my stay in the shopping centre the landlord who refused to sign a long term lease increased the lease every year by 5% staff got a 2.5% increase and my suppliers increased their bill by 4%.
I employed an accountant who stated that I could earn more stacking the shelves in the local supermarket than I was at present earning.
The local supermarket held its suppliers over a barrel, they get the pick of everything and tell suppliers how much they were going to pay for it.
I had no option but to take the leavings and be grateful, after 2 years I gave up, the supermarket put a lot of independants out of business and now has raised its prices
-5
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How dare u ! we have a right to complain! OUR HUMAN RIGHT! which is being slowly squished by lazly uneducated small minded fools like you! when all money we work hard for disapears in tax and living costs, so we can never save or hope to get any were in future like a morgage or married education, or to help our children get educated. Stop talking verbal diarrhea!
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English & Proud - 8-Jan-10 15:47
£2 a month a can feed a starving child in Africa!
So why then when the begging adverts come on TV for the UK homeless \ hungry does it cost £12 a month to feed them?
Why don't they get the food from the same companies that supply Africa for £2 a month?
Or are they actually doing this and pocketing the other £10?
So why then when the begging adverts come on TV for the UK homeless \ hungry does it cost £12 a month to feed them?
Why don't they get the food from the same companies that supply Africa for £2 a month?
Or are they actually doing this and pocketing the other £10?
+1
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A very Intelligent Letter Rags,
Unfortunately we Live in a society where everybody thinks there is a "conspiracy" against them.An Intermediate study of history, reveals we Live in the Best times ever.
Unfortunately we Live in a society where everybody thinks there is a "conspiracy" against them.An Intermediate study of history, reveals we Live in the Best times ever.
+2
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It's only a rip off if you allow it to be. Look around and you'll always find it cheaper. Of course there are some items you can't avoid having to pay full amount.
A fool and their money are soon parted.
A fool and their money are soon parted.
+1
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Rip off is still here
Bread £1.22 per loaf because of the cost of Deisel and petrol. Petrol has gone down.
Alcohol VAT down Duty up, it is cheaper to Holiday in Mexico for two weeks than in this country.
Bread £1.22 per loaf because of the cost of Deisel and petrol. Petrol has gone down.
Alcohol VAT down Duty up, it is cheaper to Holiday in Mexico for two weeks than in this country.
0
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The Credit Crunch will, in the end, cost this country more than 7 times the cost of the first world war, the payments fro which lasted 3 generations.
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"bbc tv license / petrol / cigs / beer / electricity / gas / food bills / car mot / airfairs / need I go on for the average person living in the uk .compared with other euro countries do you think we live In a rip-of britain .the government Is the biggest criminal force In europe .just my opinion !"
.... and with respect, a worthless one as there is little foundation for your statement. Compare disposable income in other European countries (after tax and social charges) with that in the UK, and then extrapolate the cost of these items based on that, and you'll see you are talking through your backside.
The whole of Europe is a massive rip off, but UK is not the worst, even if it seems it because the paper that Gordon Clown pasted over the cracks is now well and truly peeling off.
.... and with respect, a worthless one as there is little foundation for your statement. Compare disposable income in other European countries (after tax and social charges) with that in the UK, and then extrapolate the cost of these items based on that, and you'll see you are talking through your backside.
The whole of Europe is a massive rip off, but UK is not the worst, even if it seems it because the paper that Gordon Clown pasted over the cracks is now well and truly peeling off.
-1
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Yep, there is no more need for this discussion. Its topic has been resolved. There is no more Rip Off Britain. The Devaluation of the Pound Sterling last week has made us Cheapo Britain, and everywhere else a rip-off, except Iceland,
For over 20 years consumers and citizens have been truly and fully ripped-off, That's all past history now. The rip-off caused the Credit Crunch and now the Recession. We needed to borrow trillions to pay for the rip-offs, now we will have to spend the next 10 -20 years paying for them.
Welcome to Slumpo Britain.
Slumpo Britain will have a cleansing effect. No more yuppies. No more phoney merchant bankers. No more Thatcherism, No more phoney house prices.
If you were not on the one way proverbial rocket to the Moon [as an Accountant, Estate Agent etc.] last week as a useless professional you have missed the boat. Start queuing at your local unemployment office.
For over 20 years consumers and citizens have been truly and fully ripped-off, That's all past history now. The rip-off caused the Credit Crunch and now the Recession. We needed to borrow trillions to pay for the rip-offs, now we will have to spend the next 10 -20 years paying for them.
Welcome to Slumpo Britain.
Slumpo Britain will have a cleansing effect. No more yuppies. No more phoney merchant bankers. No more Thatcherism, No more phoney house prices.
If you were not on the one way proverbial rocket to the Moon [as an Accountant, Estate Agent etc.] last week as a useless professional you have missed the boat. Start queuing at your local unemployment office.
-9
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