Cyprus-Forum.com

[devil]

We all know that some shops in Cyprus can and do try to rip off their customers. Would it be a good idea to shame and name them here, in this thread. For it to be valid, a price comparison for identical articles (could be in other countries) would be required as proof. As an example, I'll offer the following:

Product: Mangos (Brazilian)
Offending shop: Orphanides, Strovolos
Price £3.50/kg
Date: 8 July
Comparison price: £1.65/kg
At: Chris Cash and Carry, Larnaca
Date: 11 July
Comments: The Orphanides' fruit were as hard as a rock, while the CCC ones were hard-to-ripe, mostly firm.

[Piratis]

could be in other countries

I think that would be a bit unfair. We should stick to comparisons between Cyprus shops like the above.

Maybe we can agree on some products every week, and then we can check their prices while we are at the supermarket (even if we are not buying them) and make some comparisons here?

[petethegreek]

We all know that some shops in Cyprus can and do try to rip off their customers. Would it be a good idea to shame and name them here, in this thread. For it to be valid, a price comparison for identical articles (could be in other countries) would be required as proof. As an example, I'll offer the following:

Product: Mangos (Brazilian)
Offending shop: Orphanides, Strovolos
Price £3.50/kg
Date: 8 July
Comparison price: £1.65/kg
At: Chris Cash and Carry, Larnaca
Date: 11 July
Comments: The Orphanides' fruit were as hard as a rock, while the CCC ones were hard-to-ripe, mostly firm.

Wheres the rip off?

Nobody is forcing u 2 buy?

[cannedmoose]

Maybe we can agree on some products every week, and then we can check their prices while we are at the supermarket (even if we are not buying them) and make some comparisons here?

Sounds good to me... could be the beginning of a consumer revolution

[demetriou_74]

great idea but what do the people who dont live in cyprus do?

[cannedmoose]

great idea but what do the people who dont live in cyprus do?

Watch and absorb...

[demetriou_74]

great idea but what do the people who dont live in cyprus do?

Watch and absorb...

as you once said

[devil]

We all know that some shops in Cyprus can and do try to rip off their customers. Would it be a good idea to shame and name them here, in this thread. For it to be valid, a price comparison for identical articles (could be in other countries) would be required as proof. As an example, I'll offer the following:

Product: Mangos (Brazilian)
Offending shop: Orphanides, Strovolos
Price £3.50/kg
Date: 8 July
Comparison price: £1.65/kg
At: Chris Cash and Carry, Larnaca
Date: 11 July
Comments: The Orphanides' fruit were as hard as a rock, while the CCC ones were hard-to-ripe, mostly firm.

Wheres the rip off?

Nobody is forcing u 2 buy?

For me, offering goods at an excessive price is attempted rip-off. Anyone who did buy such goods is being ripped off. If CCC can offer them at £1.65, it is unlikely that the wholesale price is more than £1.25, which would make Orphanides' markup 280%, which is excessive.

I suggested comparison with other countries with durables in mind. For example, I was recently offered in Cyprus, by the manufacturer's exclusive agent, a specialised computer peripheral at £950 + VAT
, when the retail shop price in the USA varies between $390 and 450 (ads in trade mags). I bought one in the UK for GBP 325 = CYP 300, VAT included. IOW, the local shark would have probably made the best part of £700 profit on a £950 sale, had I been stupid enough to fall for it, even if he had to fly a unit (about 400 g) by DHL.

Another example was a UK-made kitchen appliance that I saw in a local supermarket at £60. The direct purchase price on the maker's web site was £27.95, VAT and carriage included and was advertised at prices as low as £23 on retailers' web sites. And don't tell me there is economy of scale, as the local importer would buy them at about £20, VAT included, direct from the manufacturer. I have seen the same appliance in many shops here (prices from £55 to 60), so the quantity imported is not negligible. Typical shared container shipping costs from the UK would be £1 - 1.50 for a carton of about 1.75 kg and 30 x 30 x 40 cm.

We are being plumed by greedy importers and retailers. Let us stop it..