VAT reduction - time to name & shame

[Paul Williams]

No it wasn't "obvious" at all. These dual prices were on UK main street shops which Irish consumers charged into like a herd of buffalo to spend money instead of supporting Irish firms and Irish jobs. If there is a clearly marked price it is not a "rip off" or "overcharging" and it is the consumers choice to buy it or not. Shops can and should charge what they can.

Again this is a fair point

[bazza2541]

So it's ok for a private sector company to trouser the VAT reduction just because it's not a monopoly? Really? And that's not leeching? Maybe if these prices fell, pay cuts would be easier for people across the public and private sectors to take. Funny how public sector workers are expected to take it up the a$$ in the national interest but private sector workers can do what they want, because of the need to survive.

You forget one important fact in your rant above. Public sector work FOR the people and are employed BY the people. Private sector work FOR themselves and are NOT employed BY the people.

The public sector here is a complete joke. They are sreaming blue bloody murder about cuts, which if fully implemented, would only leave them in the same boat as the rest of us.

[hammer]

So, in otherwords, these private sector parasites will leech off the public in order to survive? I thought the private sector was different than the public sector and if you couldn't survive you went to the wall.

Imagine if a public sector worker pulled a stunt like that

Better to survive and keep people in employment.

[hammer]

Fixed that for ya.
Remember when the euro came in. Ripped off left right and centre.

They might even charge €2.30 - sure they can increase their prices if they wish.

€2.25 = vat currently .27 cent
€2.30 = vat 1/7 = .19 cent

[hammer]

So it's ok for a private sector company to trouser the VAT reduction just because it's not a monopoly? Really? And that's not leeching? Maybe if these prices fell, pay cuts would be easier for people across the public and private sectors to take. Funny how public sector workers are expected to take it up the a$$ in the national interest but private sector workers can do what they want, because of the need to survive.

When the inefficient Dublin Bus loses customers what do they do ?

THEY INCREASE PRICES.

[hammer]

it is a bit too simplistic to expect all businesses in the applicable sectors to pass on savings from the new vat rates immediately. Many of them have already cut their prices this year before the new vat rates were announced and are hanging on by their finger nails. Paying the vat man a little less from now on may give them the extra bit of breathing space they need to survive.

+ 29,000,000,000

[hammer]

Maybe the ESB, Dublin Bus, Bord Gais, HSE, Iarnrod Eireann, Passport Office etc WILL START to reduce prices as well now that we are in a depression.

As far as I`m aware the private sector have reduced prices dramatically.

[Clanrickard]

OK fair point,
I'll put it this way.... Shops and professional services have a history as is bourn out through expierence of most people of setting prices that would seem to be extremely expensive and are set to achieve massive profits as opposed to moderate profits.

Remember by law a director of a company has a duty to ensure he makes the most money possible for the company. Everybody makes as much as they can and that is how it should be. Businesses are not charities. Tell me do you go to your boss and say2 hey look times are tough I want to take a salary cut because you are paying me too much and I am ripping you off"?

[luapenak]

Is it time for a national name and shame policy of restaurants and hair salons in your locality that do not reduce prices next Friday ?

Your not serious?
Is this Vat cut not to help jobs in those struggling sectors? There is no point in businesses passing on the savings if they are trying to use them to sustain jobs

[wexfordman]

Might be a bit unfair to imply that those not cutting prices are profiteering. How can you tell for example, if the vat cut has allowed them to remain operational, retain a job or two, or even increase headcount or offer additional services ?

Many hotels etc have dropped room rates to extremely low rates, and rely on other income streams to keep the business up, such as food/drink etc.

Bit of a simplistic view imho implying that not reducing prices = profiteering.