Shopping in the south..Do you like it or loathe it!

SaraP


Joined: 30/04/2008
Posts: 295

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 11:15

I only have to go if I really have too. You can get most things over here now..food wise.I have found them to be very rude in the south and not very helpful!

joandjelly


Joined: 24/02/2008
Posts: 2953

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 11:26

Same here Sara

fire starter


Joined: 19/06/2008
Posts: 3401

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 11:28

i don't find them rude atall.

i am always welcomed at the orphanides express! they can't do enough for us!

i shop both sides.

Quarmby


Joined: 15/09/2008
Posts: 975

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 11:30

At least when you take someting back that is faulty they change it without any problem, more than can said from experience I have had in the north.

batterboy58



Joined: 20/04/2008
Posts: 442

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 11:31

Went over a few weeks ago, everything works out expensive with the exchange rate, 4 coffees worked out at nearly £20. Everyone walking round with a miserable face. Just like being back in the UK.

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 12:04

we have to go as our products cannont be sourced here particulary good italian and french wines and the fresh herbs.Also the cheese has to be imported as do the fresh lobster scallops etc. Only once I have experiences rudness. In fact in the supermarkets if they dont stock any of the italian procudts that we require they will endeavour to obtain them for us and they call us once they have them.Batterboy I think that they are also feeling the credit crunch like elsewhere hence he long faces.However I must agree that like elsewhere since the euro prices have doubled. We try to get as much as we can here but its not always fresh or easy.

breezyboy


Joined: 14/05/2007
Posts: 1179

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 12:09

Right Batterboy,

we went twice at Christmas and everything was expensive with the current euro rate.. Even Debenhams were trying it on using Ex UK stock with UK sale prices and then discounting it to what they sold it at in the first place.

Support the TRNC .

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 13:11

Dear SaraP re msg 1



I can only imagine you were REALLY "unlucky" .. in all my travels around the island, I have NEVER had rudeness exhibited to me in a retail premises...esp Family owned ones...



In fact I can quote how Cypriots would trust me to come back and pay, later, north or South for goods services received, when they hardly knew me..



I have met many "northies" and gone shopping for things that aren't available or REALLY expensive and they come back on their own afterwards..



This is the same thing I might expect to hear from a GC or a "clueless" ex-pat living in the "south" ..



Sure, there may be "bad eggs", but I always see a LOAD more TC reg'd cars heading south - rather than north, for supplies..



I'm not "selling" the "south" as my experience of some Civil Servants was not something positive ... I just think you have had a minority experience..



One of the nicest, and most memorable, gestures I ever had, was from a TR (not TC) restaurateur in Famagusta

Whistler


Joined: 28/07/2008
Posts: 1332

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 13:48

I lost my purse (It was stolen from my bag) after being in the opticians on Ledra Street. Went back to see if I`d lost it there. The owner insisted on giving me 20 cyprus pounds so we could have a coffee or something. I took it back to him two days later and he said that I could have left it longer.

However, I agree, there is a quite a few long faces in the South especially the women. Having said that, have you been to Lemar lately? I have never known such a miserable bunch.

Hippo


Joined: 02/02/2007
Posts: 2070

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 14:05

i like shoping in the South there are lots of things you can get there especially in 'Public' which has an excelent range of books.

I try where ever posible to buy here but some things are very expensive even with the exchange rate at the moment.

I will certainly not wear sack cloth and ashes.

i take what you say about the cost of eating out in the south very expensive

Dusterbruce


Joined: 03/08/2007
Posts: 1125

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 14:48

South is expensive, suppose thats the price of being in EU

In Lemar a few weeks ago I saw one of the cashiers take a 50tl note out of the till and put in her pocket.

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 15:13

Quarmby, msg 4 - we bought a dvd player from the big electrical shop opposite alphamega, unfortunately it was faulty and they replaced it twice on the third time we decided enough was enough so we asked for our money back. It turns out that they would not refund us, neither would our goldfish credit card and we ended up with 5 years of vacuum bags as a substitute, we just hope the vacuum cleaner lasts that long!

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 15:14

hi duster and i guess the poor unsuspecting brit paid for that. you have to really check the price you see advertised is whats put throug the till. so many times i have made a manage come with me to check when i have been overchaged.

puppylover



Joined: 05/05/2008
Posts: 1427

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 16:44

As I do not hold a UK licence (only a TRNC one) I am not able to drive over.

We often park up and walk over but I need to go to Ikea and the other store (known as B & Q)?



Is there anyone who would consider taking me when they next go over?

Would contribute to petrol.

Hippo


Joined: 02/02/2007
Posts: 2070

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 16:47

Hippo take you no problem, have to fit in with mrs. Hippo's schedule though

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 16:51

judy we will always take you. i read on here that you can get a bus for about 3 euro to the mall. let me know he goes usualy tues. thurs and saturday occasionally friday if we get lobster and fresh fish orders. xxxxx

puppylover



Joined: 05/05/2008
Posts: 1427

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 16:53

Hippo....thank you!



will email you.

puppylover



Joined: 05/05/2008
Posts: 1427

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 16:58

Lilli....thank you too...will pop in and see you.



I apologise if I have slightly taken the subject off topic.

Chicken Run


Joined: 11/10/2008
Posts: 252

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 17:33

I find the South very expensive and feel no need to go over really. Haven't been for 14 months. We have friends that go 2 or 3 times a week... they may as well bloody move there!!

fire starter


Joined: 19/06/2008
Posts: 3401

Message Posted:
11/02/2009 11:11

hi chicken run

for us where we live it is nearly as close to go south or to lemar in lefkosa.

so hence we shop in both.

i do need my fresh milk,lol

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
11/02/2009 11:24

Have never been over there , since a holiday there in 1993 . Perhaps if i lived in NC full time it might be a different story . When i am in NC i like to support the local economy .

Regards , Simbas

fire starter


Joined: 19/06/2008
Posts: 3401

Message Posted:
11/02/2009 11:27

simbas

i also would like to support the local economy as would all those tc's who shop in the south.

its all about price and availibility.

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
11/02/2009 11:40

Hi Firestarter . Yes , i dare say it is . It's ok for me i can say that because i just visit a few times a year , so it does'nt affect me i do'nt actually live it . But i can agree with people's stances on the subject . It must be quite difficult

Regards , Simbas

juliet


Joined: 11/01/2009
Posts: 612

Message Posted:
29/03/2009 19:00

new shopping mall to open in may, 150 retail shops, uk names, ice rink, 17 resturants, etc good old limmasol.

LOvegod


Joined: 22/03/2009
Posts: 161

Message Posted:
29/03/2009 19:14

puppylover im over in May an will take you anywhere you want baby xx

Denise


Joined: 14/03/2009
Posts: 590

Message Posted:
29/03/2009 19:19

while you pay for the petrol and the extra insurance is it worth shopping in the south? for the few odd things that can't be found here (food wise) why bother. support the trnc shops, i'd always found the majority of people quite rude and i haven't been for over 2 years! if you can't find something here you can always try the internet! obviously for non food stuff.

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
29/03/2009 21:26

I put this on anther thread. I went to the south a couple of days ago and checked out a few prices and you now have to be careful ie







Alphamega Price Lemar Price equivalent







Kellogs cornflakes 500gms 2.61 euros, 2.68 euros







Pantene shampoo 400 mls 5.16 euros 4.73 euros







HP Sauce 425 gms 3.85 euros 3.41 euros







Heinz Tom Ketchup 342 gms 1.72 euros 1.70 euros







The list goes on, needless to say I bought very little and i am constantly told that the choice is far greater but I certainly will not be renewing my car insurance to go over there in a hurry. Even fillet, rump and topside beef is cheaper to buy here than in the south.





Is it worth the insurance, time, fuel, depreciation on the car etc?

segmen


Joined: 05/12/2008
Posts: 120

Message Posted:
30/03/2009 17:00

Being Turkish Cypriot you probably expecting to critise south BUT I am not.

Unfortunately our friend Sara had a bad experience in South and she openly felt to bring up her feelings here in Forums which I gave her every right to do so.

I am so sorry that you had a bad experience in South Sara but this could happen anywhere in the world and even in North.

My personal opinion about South : NOT CHEAP!

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
31/03/2009 12:19

Hi!

I walk over and came back full of shopping bags well over the value of 135euro and was not stopped, perhaps you don't get stopped when you walk over? It is more expensive and I did go a bit crazy but where do you go to get nice clothes if not there? The clothes and shoe shops in Girne are really not to my taste and they usually have sales on in the South side, I bought a pair of shoes that I love on sale for 22euros! It's still cheaper than buying when am home in the Uk on trips back and the clothes shops are up to date with labels that I know and trust...

mint1955



Joined: 30/05/2007
Posts: 988

Message Posted:
31/03/2009 12:29

NatAless which crossing do you use to walk over? What shops are there easy to get to etc?

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
31/03/2009 12:39

Hi!

Glad to finally give some advice instad of just asking for some and taking from this site!

Right, I use the Ledra Street crossing, (near the Grand Inn or Buyuk Han) as soon as am over I walk about 2 minutes and get to Starbucks & Macdonalds (sorry food comes first for me!)

Then there is a big Debenhams (about 5 floors I think all departments and food hall in basement),

Next (men women and childrens' section)

lots of good quality show shops including Bata maybe you know it? & Ecco shoes

Topshop

Marks & Spencers further up

Nike shop

Swatch shop

Various nice toiletry shops like Body Shop but didn't see a Body Shop there

Pull & Bear

Peacocks

Good restaurants!

PS When I shopped in Next to get some t-shirts for my fiance they gave me a free card 'Ermes' card which gives you good discount next time in Next, Debenhams, Peacocks etc and you can collect points too (lke a Boots advantage card)

All the staff in the shops spoke English and were helpful!

Hope this helps!

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
31/03/2009 12:43

Beware! On Wednesdays all the shops close at 2pm so I couldn't get into M&S but it looked quite big, all the other days are fine I think, however, not sure if they are open on Sundays!

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
31/03/2009 12:50

Re msg 31/32 , NatAless



thanks for your comprehensive, informative post



Sundays - shops are SUPPOSED to be closed, but there is a loophole - areas deemed to be Tourist orientated are allowed to be open on Sundays - restricted hours.



The Ermes Group are huge and push the opening hours laws to the limits !





http://www.ermes.com.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=1107

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
31/03/2009 13:00

Great! Good to know! Thanks a lot and nice to meet you!

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
31/03/2009 13:04

PS You're right, I did notice that Next & Debenhams were open past 2pm on the Wednesday that I was there!

mint1955



Joined: 30/05/2007
Posts: 988

Message Posted:
31/03/2009 13:14

Thanks for that realy useful info I know we will have to pay more for the things we are used to but at least its handy to know where we can go to get them without having to pay for taxis to Ikea etc which I understand is further away.

mint1955



Joined: 30/05/2007
Posts: 988

Message Posted:
31/03/2009 13:17

We need to get things like kettles toasters crockery cutlery and glasses etc plus all the little things like brooms ironing boards buckets mops etc etc etc and I would love to support the north can anyone reccommend shops to try? I really dont want to spend my whole holiday looking for stuff so an idea of best places to try will help cut down wasted journeys when we get there. If I cant get in the North then I will have to use the suggestions and go through to the South and carry back through bit by bit!!

Sheila

Anthony


Joined: 26/01/2009
Posts: 87

Message Posted:
31/03/2009 13:22

mint1955



These things are available everywhere in the North. In the supermarkets or the electrical shops. You can't imagine that you would have to go to the South for a mop. Mopping is virtually the national sport here for the ladies.

mint1955



Joined: 30/05/2007
Posts: 988

Message Posted:
31/03/2009 13:40

No I am sure that I will be able to get regular stuff in the north my thoughts were more about getting them in one or 2 places rather than having to hunt them out etc. So any suggestions welcome especially on places that may do a discount if we get kitted out etc.

Sheila

Anthony


Joined: 26/01/2009
Posts: 87

Message Posted:
31/03/2009 13:42

1001 near the airport if you are price sensitive.

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
31/03/2009 13:45

There is a shop in Kyrenia/Girne town for reasonable household goods called 1001 and it is enormous, good for crockery and the house items you mentioned however I am very bad at directons so will not attempt it sorry mint1995! I also use a shop called 'Mister Pound' right in the centre, well both are central but am quite new here myself and as I said very bad at directions ;0) not sure about kettles though as they usually come included and mine was already here where I rent...

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
31/03/2009 13:49

Maybe you could bring just a kettle and toaster over from the UK? As here the plugs are three pin anyway so you wouldn't need an adapter, the other household things are easily found in the north, it's true.

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
31/03/2009 13:52

'Mopping is virtually the national sport here for the ladies.' lol true they are always cleaning their balconies and terraces but I don't see them relaxing on them very much!

mint1955



Joined: 30/05/2007
Posts: 988

Message Posted:
31/03/2009 14:38

I am getting together a few bits to bring out next time we are there as we wont need our 2 x 25kilo case allowance so thought we would fill them up with 'bits' I have collected so far. Then we will go on a shopping hunt to get the other stuff. As for mopping I will do as little as possible

Sheila

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
31/03/2009 14:42

heehe me too! Once a week is more than enough for me & my place!