Cyprus-Forum.com

[georgezz]

Hello dear cypriots and non cypriots, hows your day

Recently i moved to Cyp to live and work and one of the first things is buying new PC + inet. So as i began to look around for shops it appeared to me that everything is overpriced which makes me sad.

Where is best to buy new PC from then? Maby from Greece and they send it by the post office? Pls need your help

[JoJo]

Hello George. Howz things?

Cyprus is really overpriced!!!!! So I suggest you do what everyone else does and just shop from the internet. Why should we all support the local natives for? Ebay UK is everyone's best friend. I have a shop, but it is actually just a showroom in theory. We are in the home entertainment industry and all the new people that come to Cyprus just come to have a look, ask a few questions and quickly go home to spend days and days on the net to find a place to buy it from. But they will not buy from Cyprus, heaven forbid. They may only save a few euro's. So now we have a sign saying "advice is not free". Some people we know, only buy food and petrol from Cyprus. Since the majority of people that are moving here are from the UK, I will refer to the UK. Since everything is toooooooooooo expensive here, alot of the Brit's go back to the UK every couple of months to do there shopping there. And since they are there, they take orders from people and bring them things back too (we have to save on the postage though as well).

Everyone moves to Cyprus to have a better way of life. But if everyone shops on the net, how are the local businesses going to survive? Or a people just happy to have the sun shining and nothing else?

I am waiting to be down and be called a racist, so bring it on!

[RichardB]

JoJo

Firstly I certainly wouldnt call your commments racist.

Secondly I think your opinion re peoples shopping habits is spot on.

But can you blame people for purchasing goods this way?

If a product is £300 in the shops (and I'm not referring just to Cyprus here) and is £200 online where would you purchase from?
And if someone is willing to bring your purchases over from another country cheaper than you can purchase them locally where will they get them from?

I'm not saying this is morally correct as I know that in in perfect scenario we should all support our local businesses but human nature being human nature if you can buy the same product cheaper elsewhere you will.

Asi'm sure you're aware the same things are being said by small businesses in the UK (Think of the corner shop Vs Tesco scenario) they just cannot afford to compete because people want the best deal they can find and in this case the winner 9 times out of 10 is Tesco.

You recently started a thread re people being broke and without going in to any great detail over this I would say it is commmon knowledge that at the very least most people are watching the pennies at this presewt time. So whilst sympathising with the predicament of small businesses at the moment (and I dont know if your business is small or large) I certainly dont think that the shoppers can be blamed for what in my opinion isnt juat a Cyprus phenonema

Regards

Richard B

[JoJo]

We buy locally as we can always go back to the place we bought the goods from. Also the question of warranty comes into play.

[webbo]

Hello George. Howz things?

Cyprus is really overpriced!!!!! So I suggest you do what everyone else does and just shop from the internet. Why should we all support the local natives for? Ebay UK is everyone's best friend. I have a shop, but it is actually just a showroom in theory. We are in the home entertainment industry and all the new people that come to Cyprus just come to have a look, ask a few questions and quickly go home to spend days and days on the net to find a place to buy it from. But they will not buy from Cyprus, heaven forbid. They may only save a few euro's. So now we have a sign saying "advice is not free". Some people we know, only buy food and petrol from Cyprus. Since the majority of people that are moving here are from the UK, I will refer to the UK. Since everything is toooooooooooo expensive here, alot of the Brit's go back to the UK every couple of months to do there shopping there. And since they are there, they take orders from people and bring them things back too (we have to save on the postage though as well).

Everyone moves to Cyprus to have a better way of life. But if everyone shops on the net, how are the local businesses going to survive? Or a people just happy to have the sun shining and nothing else?

I am waiting to be down and be called a racist, so bring it on!

Racist, not sure, unsympathetic and possibly bitter because your business is maybe not doing so well - yes!

Let's face it, we all look out for a bargain whether at home, adopted country or whilst on holiday! As George has just moved here - at no doubt quite an expense, it is only natural to be thrifty; so why not save a few euros when you can!
Ask yourself this, if, as you say 'Brits' have to go home to shop (I doubt the severity of your numbers and trips!), don't you think it is time to reduce your prices and bring in the customers? Do not elude yourself that this behavior is exclusive to Brits. My Cypriot friend (born and raised in Pafos) quite often flies over to the UK for a quick shopping trip and loves nothing better than going over to Syria for material! Shall I ask her why?

The net is worldwide, so no doubt every country may suffer, so do not even try to single out Cyprus

I do hope that your business succeeds, but please stop putting the onus onto others!

BTW, I honestly believe that both the UK and Cyprus are getting expensive places to live!

Bubbles x

I

[JoJo]

With regards to Australia, I was watching a documentary the other day where people are actually sick of the BIG GIANTS. People are actually wanting to go back to the local butchers, fruit market etc. because the BIG GIANTS only care about themselves. But, only a few exist now. They do not give you the same service, and in the food industry the same quality I believe as well. The fruit and veg that is sold in most supermarkets in OZ is actually unfit for human consumption. It is rotten and people are being. The big guys are trying to squash the little guys, And when that happens they will milk us dry and we will all be thinking about the good old days where things were so much better.

[RichardB]

Buying over the internet is totally strees free nowdays delivery is often next day and warranties are valid (as long as you buy from a reputable supplier) This applies to purcases sent to cyprus also. (warranties that is)

I would like to buy all my goods local whether in the UK or Cyprus but unfortunately price dictates where I purchase from.

Good Luck with your venture JoJo

[JoJo]

Than you for your concern Bubbles. We have been in business for 5 years and are actually doing very well. We are in Cyprus and we are supported by the Cypriots. Actually, we have 2 businesses and both are doing very well. Thank you for your concern, and please continue to shop from abroad. Long live the internet.

[webbo]

BTW, I do not shop online or use E-bay. (Not saying that there is anything wrong with it though!) Personally I prefer to see what I am buying first!
I do love a bargain!

Bubbles x

[webbo]

Than you for your concern Bubbles. We have been in business for 5 years and are actually doing very well. We are in Cyprus and we are supported by the Cypriots. Actually, we have 2 businesses and both are doing very well. Thank you for your concern, and please continue to shop from abroad. Long live the Internet.

Do I detect a hint of sarcasm there JoJo?
Glad to hear that your business is doing well, and only from your fellow countrymen!

I will ask you this; If you were selling your goods via the Internet, would you then 'love' the Internet? Not everyone in the world is able to own/rent shops/units/whatever, so in that respect you are lucky. You can give the 'personal touch'. Your fellow businessmen may have to rely on Internet sales, so what is so wrong with that? I reiterate, I do not shop on line or E-bay, but I cannot condone those who do. Freedom of rights etc.

BTW, my friend is never off E-bay and she - in her own words - has bid successfully for many a 'grand bargain'. She has 2 small children and finds it difficult in buying toys/games with English instructions, so E-bay has been a Godsend to her! (Yes, before anyone starts, they are learning Greek!)

Look around you JoJo, I bet some of your competitors here in Cyprus sell via the Internet too!

Bubbles