LIST: Things about The UK you wish you had known

I always do the math before a 'multi-buy' or BOGO or any other 'deal' to see how the unit price works out. Whether here or in the US, sales aren't always a good deal.

I always do the math before a 'multi-buy' or BOGO or any other 'deal' to see how the unit price works out. Whether here or in the US, sales aren't always a good deal.

Also, know what the price was before the item went 'on sale' because the investigation turned up that once the BOGOF or multi-buy 'sale' kicked in - the per unit price had been increased in 'the deal' whereas the store was selling the one item for a much lower price immediately preceding & after 'the deal'.

Not to mention it can cost in food waste if you end up chucking it in the bin if it goes bad before you use it

Also, know what the price was before the item went 'on sale' because the investigation turned up that once the BOGOF or multi-buy 'sale' kicked in - the per unit price had been increased in 'the deal' whereas the store was selling the one item for a much lower price immediately preceding & after 'the deal'.

Yes, well.  We've always suspected that was the case.  I'm sure they jack up the price the week before and then "offer" it the next week as so much off. 

Not to mention it can cost in food waste if you end up chucking it in the bin if it goes bad before you use it

This is why I love our freezers. Food waste really upsets me, for some reason.

I do think it's an 'old lady' stereotype in the UK. But certainly not in much of mainland Europe! So come on UK people, this is just a silly UK stereotype we need to get over - the sooner we young, fit ladies start using trollies, the sooner we catch up with our European sisters! 

I really like this one with pugs on it!



I'm always ready for a revolution...

In the early 90's, Sainsbury's was doing a lot of deceptive pricing, with 'sale prices' that referred to a totally different "was" price. I was new to the UK, and very conscious of prices, and at that time I could actually remember what I had paid for everything. I wrote to Sainsbury's about it, and got a really nasty reply.

Some weeks later I wrote again (this was pre-internet days) regarding 2 of their own brand products, and how disappointed I was in both. In one case it was laundry detergent. I thought the stuff wasn't doing the job, but said nothing, then DH asked why his work clothes weren't getting clean. Again, Sainsbury's told me "tough $#!t".

The point of all this is, I still pay great attention to prices and quality. Sale prices aren't always a good deal and indeed it is well to make sure the 'sale' is worth the expenditure.

And the shelf price is often different to what the item rings up as!  I suppose you could make a big stink and march the cashier back to the offending shelf but I wouldn't unless it was a huge discrepancy.

LOL Boston Diner....I do exactly that all the time. Always telling DH to look at the receipt before he leaves the store. Sometimes a new cashier has accidentally scanned something 2 or 3 times, never mind the charged price being more than advertised. I just go to the customer service and get the difference. Like Tesco says....'every little helps'.

And the shelf price is often different to what the item rings up as!  I suppose you could make a big stink and march the cashier back to the offending shelf but I wouldn't unless it was a huge discrepancy.

I did this at Tesco for cat litter once. I couldn't believe she didn't take my word for it and made me take her back the aisle.

It's not you.. it's them... really!  it really is

im not in London yet but all these replies are great!!!!

What I wished I'd known first time was how cold it could feel -- even indoors!  I was used to cold snowy winters but did not imagine what British housing could be like.  My first flat was little more than a bed-sit on a top floor with only a gas fire (which scared me  )    I brought only a rain coat with me, thinking to buy a warmer coat and ended up getting a sheepskin jacket (everybody wore them then)  I went to M&S and stocked up on wooly cardigans and even "old lady" vests and knickers! I bought a pair of K's Aqua Skips shoes for the wet pavements. Felt like Miss Marple. I bought a woolen Welsh tapestry bed spread too.  My mother shipped over to me my old ski long johns and a pair of my father's flannel pj's.  Brrrr.

I know!  It does actually seep into your bone!  I thought parts of my house were cold but it's nothing compared to here.  We have a split-level in Ohio and heat solely through the use of a Scandinavian wood burning stove so the main room is about 80F while the rest of the house is cooler.  It seems like no where in my in-laws' house is warm during the cooler months and it's not even as cold as home!  I now see why the British loves their jumpers so much.

I know!  It does actually seep into your bone!  I thought parts of my house were cold but it's nothing compared to here.  We have a split-level in Ohio and heat solely through the use of a Scandinavian wood burning stove so the main room is about 80F while the rest of the house is cooler.  It seems like no where in my in-laws' house is warm during the cooler months and it's not even as cold as home!  I now see why the British loves their jumpers so much.

Thankfully my inlaws' house is warm. But mine is always cold, even with the heating on. I do live in a very old and likely less than well constructed terraced house in a student-y area of Cardiff, so I don't really expect much I suppose.