Pricewatch: We want to hear from you
Friday, 19 September 2008
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Send us your comments on the cost of living in Northern Ireland AND add your name to our fair price for fuel petition
As part of our Pricewatch campaign we are demanding an end to the way two leading retail giants charge drivers for petrol and diesel in a postcode lottery.
Just last month, Tesco and Sainsbury's were urged to drop their regional pricing policies after it emerged that the cost of filling up was subject to regional variations of up to 5p a litre.
But, to date, very little appears to have been done to stamp out these price differences.
That's why the Belfast Telegraph is giving each and every one one of our readers the opportunity to say enough is enough.
Are you fed up being ripped off? Or are you happy to pay different prices depending on which forecourt you visit?
Make your voice heard by simply filling out the fair price fuel form (right) which calls on Tesco and Sainsbury's to play fair by offering their cheapest price to all their customers in Northern Ireland.
We will collect the names on behalf of our readers and forward them to the respective supermarkets by way of a petition.
Pricewatch: let's fight for fair prices.
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I agree about the coal prices, having moved into a gas house while the housing executive put gas and renovate my old one (not by my choice), i must say at least the £30 a week i was paying for coal left my house warmer throughtout the day rather that the same amount going on gas for to be far colder. Its a case of extra layers for inside for my kids this year as i can't afford to keep the house warm all day like i did with the coal.
Posted by Heather | 30.11.08, 20:22 GMT
Coal prices have climbed but are yet to fall. Someone is making money, particularly out of households that can least afford it if they are still reliant on solid fuel.
Posted by Rab | 25.11.08, 14:52 GMT
After reading your comments, most of you want to know why so many different prices, the reason is simple petrol and derv wholesale prices jump up and down everyday alot of different retailers are buying at different prices. I am a service station owner myself. Your main complaint should be directed at the oil companies most forecourt owners are on a margin of 2 or 3p, and supermarkets are normally 2p cheaper than private sites. The main profit is made by the goverment and the oil companies!!!
Posted by Paul | 24.11.08, 18:44 GMT
What about the spiralling price of bottled gas (oil related product)?
have heard that prices up again (£54.00 in December 2007) to £87.00 current, for 47kg cylinder.
Posted by Edward McCue | 23.11.08, 11:46 GMT
What's the big deal? At the end of the day most off the NI province in going into some kind of debt, if their not already there. Prepare as best as possible and tell the kids Santa has little money this year - pull inthe strings - ride the tide for a mere year, and it'll all be over soon. Life's too short, find something else less boring to do instead of watching media reports on how desperate society is gonna be over Xmas......
Posted by Jen, Belfast | 18.11.08, 18:07 GMT
What's wrong with regional variations? The object of this campaign is to lower prices. But how can we sure that Tesco are only implementing regional price variations so that better-off areas can pay slightly more but less-off areas can pay slightly less. Have the Belfast Telegraph investigated this possibility?
But the focus should not be on the like of Tesco, it should be on the oil companies!! They control it all!
And shouldn't you be questioning why the oil companies continue to rise prices bit by bit, despite the fact that they now ensured full access to 80% of Iraq's oil for the future...
Posted by Ciaran | 14.11.08, 01:55 GMT
Please bring the likes of discount supermarkets like ALDI and NETTO to Northern Ireland. ALDI have just announced plans to open yet more in the Irish Republic (35 more in all) - in addition to the 59 they have there already. I've tried ringing them (in both their English office in Warwickshire and Irish HQ in Co Kildare)but it's the same old answer. No plans to open any at the minute. They are planning 10,000 new stores inside the next decade but none for Ulster. It's time for a bit of fair play! All we have is LIDL - which are OK up to a point (except when they keep chopping and changing their stock without warning). If the Telegraph was to start a petition 'Bring ALDI to NI' I really think it would help.
Posted by Donegore | 13.11.08, 13:03 GMT
I moved to the East of England three years ago now and I am back in Belfast every month. I totally disagree with Steve's comments. Yes I do pay council tax and water rates each moth in England but it's far less over the year than the £1500 I was paying on my rates bill in Belfast (which Steve - also includes water and council tax!).
Also my car tax for the same car was £900 per year in Belfast and is only £180 per year here in England. I agree we are totally ripped off in Northern Ireland in every way. I earn much more by working in England and pay far less out.
Steve - you don't know how lucky you are!
Posted by Charlotte | 04.11.08, 13:27 GMT
I left Belfast and moved to Cornwall ten years ago but I return home a couple of times a year. I'd just like to say you don't know how lucky you are over there, your fuel prices are exactly the same as most parts of the uk in fact today my local garage has dropped to £1.20 per litre!
We also have to pay the dreaded council tax at £110 per month and water rates of £50 per month, all this on top of the rent which isn't cheap either.
Like I said, you don't know how well of you are!!
Posted by Steve Murray | 28.10.08, 08:42 GMT
Is Kilkeel Co. Down, the most expensive place in Northern Ireland to buy diesel. I brought some last night, 23rd and diesel was 115.99 per litre. Another retailer was advertising diesel at 122.99 per litre.
How can they charge so much when others are selling it 5-10p less within a 50 miles radius.
Posted by Derrick Mathews | 24.10.08, 12:13 GMT
Cars are for lazy people anyway. Take transit, walk or bike.
Posted by Robert | 21.10.08, 20:43 GMT
hi
I'm currently on a short break in Tuscany in Italy. This area has a reputation for being expensive, however, consider this, a good meal for 2 plus 1 wine and 1 soft drink = 15 euros, a packet of cigarettes is £2.50, a litre of diesel is £1.00. A 4 star hotal is cheaper than a NI B & B and very high quality facilities.
Should we all move to Italy soon?????
Posted by Seamus Fyfe | 15.10.08, 17:04 GMT
Recently I changed my diesel car to a petrol car.I then converted the car to autogas, because of the high increases in fuel.The average cost of autogas is 54p,a HUGE savings.
These savings are there for all consumers but still not everyone is aware of the benefits.
Posted by Save on fuel costs, Armagh | 15.10.08, 13:28 GMT
Go Service Station in cookstown reduced their price today to 100.9 for petrol and 111.9 for diesel.
Posted by Ray | 14.10.08, 18:36 GMT
One question I would like an answer to is this:-
although this petition is directed at Tesco and Sainsbury's would the other fuel retailers like to explain why just as an example 2 BP filling stations within a five mile radius would be selling their fuel at different prices and also why is Maxol nearly always the dearest filling stations on the roads ?????????
Posted by Puzzled | 14.10.08, 16:21 GMT
Have you any idea how dear cars are south of the border? Approx 50 % more than here - it's enough to make Gerry Adams vote DUP
Posted by neil | 14.10.08, 14:10 GMT