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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think that shops charging non-locals higher prices is not on?

391 replies

BBInGinDrinking · 01/09/2019 15:34

We're on a family holiday staying in a rural coastal cottage in the UK and have been doing all our grocery shopping at the local stores in the nearest villages. I discovered on the last visit to a general store in one village that they have two sets of prices - lower ones for locals and higher ones for visitors.

Who knew?! Is this a thing?!

OP posts:
adaline · 01/09/2019 19:23

I didn't know about this - off to google it now!

Definitely get one, they're well worth it! Not sure if it's a thing outside of the main National Park but I use mine a lot :)

transformandriseup · 01/09/2019 19:23

Actually I did get an extra sqaure of fudge in a shop in Padstow once as a child.

The woman serving said it was because I was local.

It’s certainly not happened anywhere local since then.

lakeswimmer · 01/09/2019 19:24

So Mrs Care Worker on holiday on the Dorset Coast pays more than Mr Wealthy Retired Local!

If Mr Wealthy Retired Local is using the shop twice a week and Mrs Care Worker is a one-off visitor who will never return then Mr WRL is a more valuable customer - it's business decision not one based on "worthiness". Given that in rural areas wages are generally low and the cost of living is usually high, statistically the holiday maker is more likely to be better off than the local anyway.

MisterDog · 01/09/2019 19:53

I live in Cornwall and can honestly say I've not seen it happening here. The exception might be certain attractions offering locals passes outside of peak season. However, that's more to do with attracting custom during slower periods than any dislike of tourists. If we went during peak season it would cost us the same as it would non-locals.

2Rebecca · 01/09/2019 20:05

It's different to shops rewarding loyal customers because it isnt transparent. My local sewing shop has a loyalty card but anyone can have one. All customers are offered it, ditto Tesco cards which use and probably sell your buying info anyway. This surreptitious tourist tax makes no distinction between Glasgow cleaner and London stockbroker. It just views you as"not from round here" and charges you more. The city I live in has tourists, they get the same prices as locals. We need the tourists less than rural areas too because tourism is a minor source of income for the area.

HillRunner · 01/09/2019 20:15

I wouldn't have an issue with it. Essentially they're just offering discounts (or 'mates rates') to the locals who keep their shop going all year round. Fair enough, they're allowed to do so.

adaline · 01/09/2019 20:22

It's different to shops rewarding loyal customers because it isn't transparent.

But shops can charge people what they want. They don't have to be transparent about anything. You go into a shop and the price on the shelf is X. If you think X is too expensive, don't pay it. Go to a different shop and pay Y instead.

I live in a tourist area and believe me, the shops need the locals. Outside of tourist season it can be a real struggle to survive. If you don't have a steady stream of locals to support you in the quiet months, you'll go under. It's that simple.

I manage a shop in a tourist area. Tourists actually make up a really small percentage of our business overall. Most of our money comes from our regular customers who come in November and February as well as July and August. Without them, we wouldn't stay open - so we reward them by offering 10% local discount.

berlinbabylon · 01/09/2019 20:23

But shops can charge people what they want. They don't have to be transparent about anything Wrong.

adaline · 01/09/2019 20:25

Wrong

It's not wrong at all. Shops can set their prices to whatever they fancy. If the business decides to offer a discount to local customers, or regular customers, or people who spend over £1000 a year, they have every right to do so. Why do you think otherwise?

MRex · 01/09/2019 20:33

Why do you think it's wrong @berlinbabylon? I've frequently haggled in shops if it's a high price item. Likewise the local newsagent at my old house frequently used to round down costs for regular customers. I think you might be thinking of the requirements around sale prices having to reflect previous prices, or not being allowed to refuse to serve someone due to protected characteristics.

mygrandchildrenrock · 01/09/2019 20:36

I live in a small seaside town full of tourists in the summer. The donkey rides and ice creams are cheaper for locals which is just as well, as I’d never be able to afford the tourist prices for my grandchildren.

2Rebecca · 01/09/2019 20:37

It seems as though the places most dependant on tourists for income are most likely to see them as cash cows and fleece them. This is sad.

adaline · 01/09/2019 20:43

It seems as though the places most dependant on tourists for income are most likely to see them as cash cows and fleece them.

Most places are actually far more dependent on the locals than the tourists who are generally only there 2-3 months a year. They need that reassurance that they'll be able to survive in the middle of January as well as in July and August.

Families don't go on holiday in the pissing rain in January - but the locals do still shop at that time. They'll be the ones using the cafes, pubs and shops when all the tourists have gone home. Businesses need solid, regular local custom more than they need passing tourists.

2Rebecca · 01/09/2019 20:52

True but most areas not totally dependant on tourism don't offer nontransparent local discounts. My city has no discounts for tourists only.

2Rebecca · 01/09/2019 20:53

I meant locals only.

adaline · 01/09/2019 20:58

But unless a business is discriminating against you because of a protected characteristic, they can offer you whatever discount they want. What other places decide to do (or not to do) is largely irrelevant.

People are annoyed because it means they, as tourists, have to pay more. I can guarantee that if these people were locals, they wouldn't insist on forfeiting their locals discount to "make it fair"!

2Rebecca · 01/09/2019 21:01

So why should people from a local discount area come to my city on holiday and be charged the same as me where as I get charged extra going to their area? Is this parochialism and prejudice really a good thing? Should we all just stay at home and never travel?

Original poster
BBInGinDrinking · 01/09/2019 21:05

Thanks for all the replies - I'm just trying to catch up now.

OP posts:
adaline · 01/09/2019 21:07

It's not prejudice because being a tourist isn't a protected characteristic!

If you want local businesses in your area to provide a locals discount, then ask. Most places offer some kind of discount to people - blue light cards, NHS discount, student discount. Why not ask if they can do some kind of loyalty scheme for locals too?

We have a list of about 15 year-round discounts we offer - and I work in a chain, it's not some a small independent. Off the top of my head - NHS, blue light, Women's Institute, Ramblers, BMC, BMW members, HF holidays, National Trust, mycumbria (for locals), student discount, BBC and more. Discounts on offer range from 10% to 33%. These are available year-round to anyone with the relevant card.

Why are any of those discounts any less prejudice than locals discount? We accept that it's okay for eg. train companies to offer discounts with a family railcard, or a student/senior card - so why is a locals card that offers a discount to loyal customers any different?

Original poster
BBInGinDrinking · 01/09/2019 21:10

Not Royston Vasey, no - made me laugh though!

OP posts:
BigChocFrenzy · 01/09/2019 21:12

It would irritate me
I don't like to be ripped off

So in future if on holiday in rural areas, I'll boycott the small shops and just do a big shop at Tesco before I get there

Sashkin · 01/09/2019 21:12

I live in Cornwall and can honestly say I've not seen it happening here

I reckon you’re just being charged the grockle rate!

Original poster
BBInGinDrinking · 01/09/2019 21:17

Sorry to some pps, but I don't think it would be right to 'name and shame' the shop and/or village. I will say it is in North Yorkshire, in God's Own County, where the war cry is, of course, 'Ow Much?!'

OP posts:
adaline · 01/09/2019 21:17

I don't like to be ripped off

How are you being ripped off? You go into a shop and the price is X. If you don't want to pay it, you don't have to!

Do you complain about NHS staff getting discounts? Or students? Or members of various other organisations that offer discounts in certain shops? Or is it just local discounting that bothers you?

Would it bother you if you were the local being charged the cheaper price for being a loyal customer?

lakeswimmer · 01/09/2019 21:26

I don't like to be ripped off

How are you being ripped off? You're being charged a specific price for the convenience of buying something locally. If you thought it was too expensive you wouldn't be buying it in the first place. Why does it matter if the shop offers a discount to regulars any more than if they offer a discount to students?

At our local co-op you can become a member and then collect the dividend after a number of months or years. As a visitor you could become a member but what would be point? Just as there's no point in getting a loyalty card for business you rarely use.

I think some people are looking for reasons to be affronted!