tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post8666127455156220896..comments2024-03-28T09:55:42.123+00:00Comments on Capitalists@Work: Homebase goes for £1CityUnslickerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15929544047783163175noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-36487193981861494302018-05-28T09:52:30.024+01:002018-05-28T09:52:30.024+01:00BQ - I'm an inveterate non-TV watcher, only si...BQ - I'm an inveterate non-TV watcher, only sitting in front of the box for rugby, cricket and the odd soccer game. A lot of ebay stuff is free postage, but it's true there's rarely a next day option.<br /><br />Now that most of the good stuff's gone to Sky/BT I've installed AcePlayer (Sodastream will also work) - a quick look at Reddit Soccerstreams for a feed and you can watch most stuff with a minute or two's delay.<br /><br />A tragedy to use good bandwidth for TV, but that's cos I remember the Netscape days with a 9600 bit modem. <br /><br />Aceplayer is a Russian (afaik) tweak of the well known VLC media player, I don't know if my browsing is available to FSB HQ, but I know for a fact it's available to GCHQ, as is everyone else's unless you have a VPN (and that VPN is actually secure). Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-69477047721189972802018-05-27T21:05:41.040+01:002018-05-27T21:05:41.040+01:00Amazon prime is the best of the TV package deals.
...Amazon prime is the best of the TV package deals.<br /><br />Assuming you order two items a month, you save £6-£15 postage. This means you are getting your top rated tv for free. <br />Bill Quango MPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14861116614665461655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-42652766604951442402018-05-27T10:26:33.648+01:002018-05-27T10:26:33.648+01:00@PT number of pets is indeed declining https://www...@PT number of pets is indeed declining https://www.statista.com/statistics/308229/estimated-pet-population-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/<br /><br />roymhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11040387761432476794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-2563849340528097682018-05-27T08:56:23.186+01:002018-05-27T08:56:23.186+01:00A cautionary tale.A cautionary tale.James Highamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14525082702330365464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-11588175845071330622018-05-27T08:28:25.989+01:002018-05-27T08:28:25.989+01:00I used to get lots of household stuff from Homebas...I used to get lots of household stuff from Homebase then I had an IKEA phase (cheap and functional), then went back to Homebase but none of the things I wanted were stocked any more. I only made the connection between this and the takeover just now...<br /><br />Not sure why people pay for Amazon Prime, you can get a month for free every year (more if you have multiple accounts), and why are people so impatient for things to arrive so quickly?<br /><br />As mentioned the thing about Amazon is the returns, you can make up any reason whatsoever and they don't care. If you are willing to give up on your morals, any item which is too cheap for processing a return to be worthwhile is "free" from Amazon.<br /><br />Also you can get Amazon gift cards for anything up to 20% off, but usually around 5% off, from time to time - buy them on ebay and watch for supermarket promotions (dried up in the last few months though). Unlike high street/retail park gift cards vouchers last for 10 years, plus you don't have to worry about losing them once entered into an Amazon account.<br /><br />The problem with ebay is that sellers are variable. Even though ebay always sides with the buyer unless it's extremely obvious the buyer is lying.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-34797784491144496532018-05-26T23:23:48.374+01:002018-05-26T23:23:48.374+01:00Oh - and returns. Half the time, they don't e...Oh - and returns. Half the time, they don't even want the stuff back. The rest of the time, you don't even need to stick a label on it. Take thing to local shop, show QR code on phone.<br /><br />btw I'm not on commission...Charlienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-63403009088530542542018-05-26T23:22:19.174+01:002018-05-26T23:22:19.174+01:00"What's the appeal of Amazon? Prime?"..."What's the appeal of Amazon? Prime?"<br /><br />Yes. Prime is brilliant. I've had stuff turn up within a coupe of hours of ordering.<br /><br />I also save time using Amazon. I know I'm not always getting quite the best price, but they're always there or thereabouts. I'd rather spend an extra pound or two than trawl the internet for quarter of an hour looking for the absolute cheapest deal. Find thing you need - swipe right. Thing is delivered to your door within 24 hours. That is some offering.Charlienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-23682743750344227982018-05-26T22:25:16.329+01:002018-05-26T22:25:16.329+01:00I gave up Amazon a couple of years ago and now use...I gave up Amazon a couple of years ago and now use eBay instead, it's rarely that I can't get a deal at least as good as Amazon. Yet no one says ebay is killing the High Street (in fact a fair chunk of my purchases are from small independent shops).<br /><br />What's the appeal of Amazon? Prime?<br /><br />(example - I'm currently after a 4g wifi hotspot box for when we rent a place sans wifi - buy a few gig of data for the fortnight. Ebay is cheaper than Amazon for such things) Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-19584159954804889892018-05-26T18:50:26.303+01:002018-05-26T18:50:26.303+01:00We find it almost impossible to remember which Big...We find it almost impossible to remember which Big Box outfit is which. A month ago we bought a garden chair. From which? Neither of us can remember. Even geography is no help because they are all strung out along the same road.deariemenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-29195387643374299822018-05-26T09:54:40.625+01:002018-05-26T09:54:40.625+01:00Homebase for a £1 ?
I was mugged. I just paid £25...Homebase for a £1 ?<br /><br />I was mugged. I just paid £25 for a tin of paint when I could have bought the whole chain of shops for a quid and then flogged everything (apart from the paint I wanted) on ebay !Electro-Kevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18073103431166273080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-74905675812964665392018-05-26T09:53:36.623+01:002018-05-26T09:53:36.623+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Electro-Kevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18073103431166273080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-34613047685650134412018-05-26T06:56:58.642+01:002018-05-26T06:56:58.642+01:00Under-40s and skills - deeply worrying. Can't ...Under-40s and skills - deeply worrying. Can't use hand tools, can't mix concrete with a shovel, can't even use a garden spade and fork, can't wire a plug or change a tap washer and many can't even hold a hammer. But good for the trades, I guess. <br /><br />The bodge trade is doing well - patching up auction-sale BTLs but the sources of dirt-cheap and consequently piss-poor materials (doors, tiles, sanitaryware, electrics) such as Wickes or TLC electrical (London and SE) is pretty obvious. I can spot a Wickes fence panel (economic life 8 months) from 4 gardens away. <br /><br />Screwfix has developed a very fine business model that combines low-cost store locations in the scruffier industrial / warehousing parts with a first rate web presence and courier use that pushes the limits - kit ordered for delivery to my Austrian farmhouse arrives within 5 days, delivery of orders over £50 to EU is free and the stock for free courier delivery includes big stuff such as radiators. I hope they've got a Brexit strategy. Raedwaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11699610899843349594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-74874128192079967242018-05-26T02:44:17.295+01:002018-05-26T02:44:17.295+01:00Snowflakes don't do DIY.
My Dad had me swing...Snowflakes don't do DIY. <br /><br />My Dad had me swinging a sledgehammer and using real power tools from a very young age. Climbing up on roof ladders, ripping out and refitting bathrooms at 16...<br /><br />My lads, on the other hand. It was more hassle than it was worth trying to get them to help so I renovated our house on my own - computers all consuming.<br /><br />There are better suppliers than Homebase. I prefer B&Q and Screwfix anyway - so more than just internet competition. Electro-Kevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18073103431166273080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-23066378571954542772018-05-25T20:10:06.606+01:002018-05-25T20:10:06.606+01:00Poor old Ozzies. It's reminiscent of the dim ...Poor old Ozzies. It's reminiscent of the dim belief that occasionally afflicts UK retailers that it would be a jolly good idea to expand into the USA. Their cricket team is rubbish at the moment too though it's hardly the time to crow about it.<br /><br />deariemenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-81919184336338801892018-05-25T19:58:04.951+01:002018-05-25T19:58:04.951+01:00we like contrarian views, Charlie - keep 'em c...we like contrarian views, Charlie - keep 'em coming!Nick Drewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13670594203660051701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-11699495285113575912018-05-25T17:09:41.161+01:002018-05-25T17:09:41.161+01:00A contrarian view...
With the BTL sector projecte...A contrarian view...<br /><br />With the BTL sector projected to shrink due to long-overdue changes to the way it's taxed, could we be about to see a large rotation of FTBs out of private rented accommodation into ex-BTL properties that are mostly doer-uppers, having been neglected for years?<br /><br />In which case, the timing of this sale could well be Brownian.Charlienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-76841727604924665342018-05-25T16:11:46.663+01:002018-05-25T16:11:46.663+01:00Housing:
On PT's point: much of the BTL secto...Housing:<br /><br />On PT's point: much of the BTL sector does (or did) plan to renovate kitchens etc every few years (e.g. those getting the LA to put tenants in: the LA will typically insist on a new kitchen/bathroom every time) - but they get a very basic lightning job done by specialist jobbing builders, who certainly don't shop @ Homebase<br /><br />(and they only ever use white paint ...)<br /><br />Naively, I always assumed DIY was counter-cyclical with housing, i.e. if you couldn't afford to move, you'd do up your existing place instead<br /><br />but in fact, it turns out the vast preponderance of DIY is done when people first move inNick Drewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13670594203660051701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-80380720518176759052018-05-25T16:03:24.199+01:002018-05-25T16:03:24.199+01:00PT - excellent point!PT - excellent point!CityUnslickerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15929544047783163175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-43810647399909397792018-05-25T14:17:56.349+01:002018-05-25T14:17:56.349+01:00Their work on HMV was excellent. I thought that wa...Their work on HMV was excellent. I thought that was the best plan of anyone's back in 2009/10.<br />It hasn't quite worked. And much of the ideas to transform the business have been abandoned. But it worked well enough to keep them afloat .<br />Not bad for a DVD and CD shop. When you consider I own no DVD or stand alone blu-ray player. And the car doesn't even have a CD anymore.Bill Quango MPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14861116614665461655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-68261009828634197262018-05-25T13:54:04.864+01:002018-05-25T13:54:04.864+01:00You missed another point on housing - We're ap...You missed another point on housing - We're approaching nearly half of all under 40's private renting, meaning they're often unable or unwilling to decorate or improve a landlord's property. So long as a kitchen is functional, it will not be replaced or improved. Likewise bathroom. Gardening will be limited to basic maintenance only. Wouldn't be surprised to see a collapse in pet ownership too, so watch out Pets4Homes! PTnoreply@blogger.com