Beware peeps

[Reyntj]

It's was 1.5 euro for a small bottle.
1 euro on Pegasus

In turkey now 9 tl bread
100 tl kg cherry
75 tl kg strawberry ..

Prices double in kibris.....clear profiteering

[Keithcaley]

...Don't fancy slugging back a bottle of duty free wine in departures, not a good look...

You could always decant it into an empty water bottle...

[alphamike]

...Don't fancy slugging back a bottle of duty free wine in departures, not a good look...

You could always decant it into an empty water bottle...

I'm a disgrace to my Scottish heritage. I'd rather have water most of the time, plus wine simply has to be drunk out of a wine glass.

[Reyntj]

Today Water melon from the back of a truck in mersin is 8 tl per kg..

The same in north Cyprus that they grow is 20 tl.

150 % more...
Explain that ....

[Keithcaley]

I won't even attempt to explain it, but I can see a few factors which might have an influence: -

Locally sourced food prices in Turkey have always been far cheaper than in TRNC, and will probably continue to be so in the future.

Turkey have basically one currency - the Turkish Lira, whereas we have several in everyday use, which I believe contributes to inflationary pressures by increasing rents and the cost of running businesses etc. - while these factors may not appear to directly affect the price of a watermelon, the guy selling them has to pay for fuel, water, and possibly labour - all of which cost more here than in Turkey - wages, for instance, are considerably higher than in Turkey, and always have been.

Also, inflation here is currently over 95%, compared to approx. 70% in Turkey (if we can believe the published figures )

As I said at the beginning, I don't offer this as a complete explanation, so please don't shoot me down!

[Dalartokat]

I won't even attempt to explain it, but I can see a few factors which might have an influence: -

Locally sourced food prices in Turkey have always been far cheaper than in TRNC, and will probably continue to be so in the future.

Turkey have basically one currency - the Turkish Lira, whereas we have several in everyday use, which I believe contributes to inflationary pressures by increasing rents and the cost of running businesses etc. - while these factors may not appear to directly affect the price of a watermelon, the guy selling them has to pay for fuel, water, and possibly labour - all of which cost more here than in Turkey - wages, for instance, are considerably higher than in Turkey, and always have been.

Also, inflation here is currently over 95%, compared to approx. 70% in Turkey (if we can believe the published figures )

As I said at the beginning, I don't offer this as a complete explanation, so please don't shoot me down!

Nice try Keith…I think the guys just a greedy b….r!

Do TC’s still use the diet of Watermelon and Bread during July and August due to the heat, causing a shortage of potatoes due to going into storage and veg being sparse or have things progressed since the days of tickety too!

[Reyntj]

150% more.

Kyrenia mayor :

https://lgcnews.com/focus-on-cost-of-li ... ary-hikes/

The question will be do they have enough new people both tourists and those arriving to live here with higher budgets to replace those exiting and no longer wishing to holiday here ? ..

Mind you the TC mentality is from what I have seen is less customers no problem just put the price up to compensate ....until there is none or they go bust.

Jury is out on that one ..
For Russians Iranians etc they have limited options for residency & money transference in the region might play a factor....

[tutor4u]

Finally someone with some common sense :

Kyrenia Mayor Murat Şenkul has drawn attention to the rising costs in North Cyprus, stressing that the focus should shift from increasing salaries to addressing the high cost of living, Yeniduzen reports.

His full statement reads:


“I am uncertain how aware the economic managers are of this situation or what actions they are taking if they are aware, but our country is increasingly losing its relative price advantage in all areas as it becomes more expensive in foreign currency terms each day. We have become more expensive than most regional countries in tourism, education, food and beverage, and transportation. We are approaching the price levels of Western European countries. Continuing like this will be the beginning of the end for our economy. Those in office must abandon populism and focus on addressing the cost of living rather than increasing salaries. We need to realise that overcoming the economic crisis without any sacrifices is impossible. Until now, we have managed through intense property sales, financial activities funded by unknown sources, and our relative price advantage, but I believe we are now clearly seeing the warning signs ahead.

“If we factor in that we are part of a larger economy offering annual interest rates of 50% in foreign currency and 10-year deposit interest rates of 25%, and due to our own economic mismanagement, we have produced an additional 20% inflation in past years and are estimated to produce an additional 30% inflation this year, the seriousness of our situation becomes even clearer. We must abandon economically irrational practices like
“We increased this, we increased that” and collectively find a solution to this trend”.

[benjaminbutton]

Dear Lord above, give that man a banana, someone finally seeing some sense. Where has he been hiding all these years.

[MnM]

The problem is that we can listen but have no power to do anything and those that have the power to do something don't listen.

[a1sysman]

Today Water melon from the back of a truck in mersin is 8 tl per kg..

The same in north Cyprus that they grow is 20 tl.

150 % more...
Explain that ....

There is a guy working at Lapta belediyesi gym who was giving away karpuz the other morning from the back of his car. Not everyone is profiteering.

[Reyntj]

Our friends give us olive oil greens eggs all sorts but I've never seen anyone open their car boot and give fruits to random strangers . There are lots of cars selling fruits from.boots . Don't know the specifics here but never seen it before . There is a car I pass where I live with it's boot open full of strawberries last time I stopped I had to pay 200 TL for 2 tubs are you sure it was free ...

[benjaminbutton]

Something for free. I really would love to have that happen, When we first moved here and for perhaps the first five years, if you passed a house and Grandma/dad was picking fruit or veg, they would call out, grab a paper bag full and be most offended if you tried to repay them. Those people and days have gone. Now it is their grandchildren who have grown up and running businesses and the garden sold to build whatever. Yes watermelons being sold at Starlings today for 19.99tl !!!!

[alsancak]

you also got a free car wash if you bought fuel 3 or 4 times from the same petrol station
how things have changed

[benjaminbutton]

Well at least most places will wash front and rear car window. I've had to jump out quickly to stop them though, cos the water was filthy.

[alsancak]

they only appear to offer this service if your car is clean
if it is not then they do not do it in my experience

[a1sysman]

… are you sure it was free ...

He gave a karpuz melon to my wife and to quite a few others at the gym. He works there, not some random guy who pitched up, opened his boot and started to sell. There is a glut of karpuz melon in this season.

[benjaminbutton]

I really do wish I liked water melons. I could be me, but they seem so tasteless nowadays.

[Reyntj]

Bit off topic but related my wife told me barbers are now charging in euro . Wait for clarification on the ins and outs of that . Not sure if it's all etc

[Reyntj]

True to form my wife gave me duff info yesterday ..
Or lost in translation..

https://haberkibris.com/tarifelerin-tur ... -07_m.html

It seems some barbers have set their tariff list in euro. The minister involved has said it's not legal and there will be a penalty ..a storm in a teacup really .just thought I'd post the correct info.

[benjaminbutton]

Its not unusual to charge in Euro there. Most of the shops in and around the Banda Bulya in Lefkosa print their prices in Euro, that way they catch the tourists who walk across the border. There is also a cafe which backs on to the main car park in Girne and he's done the same for years, because the buses from down south park next door.

[Reyntj]

Same as the old city in famagusta

[laptawrinkly]

Afraid they're all at it and price rises bear no relation to the depreciation of the TL or the rise in the minimum wage... last raise put it within €25 of the south min' wage; at these continued (every 2 months?) increases based on the TL, they will surpass the minimum wage in the south before long.

However some supermarkets are just 'extracting the urine' to put it politely: We had always found Erdener quite reasonable with many offers to tempt you, but they are charging 440Tl for for 190grm jar of Nescafe Gold (#7) that is €12.51 (£10.62) at todays rate. Alphamega had the same jar on offer for €5.70 (199.487Tl/£4.84) at todays rates. There is no way they can justify that price!

I know lots can't or don't want to go south, but as many have said, you MUST vote with your feet. Some friends (4) went out for an meal (very average, nothing special they said) and ended up with a bill of over 5000Tl

I see more & more properties for sale in the village, many 'foreigners' have said enough is enough. It is more expensive here now than Switzerland my friends there tell me.

In today's KBRIS Postasi, the used & new car sales men are bemoaning the lack of Buyers: "Vehicle market 'stopped': We spend our days buying each other coffee." https://www.kibrispostasi.com/c35-KIBRI ... ak-geciyor

Really, are they joking? Been looking to replace an older car, and the prices for cars with over 200 000k on the clock, is just staggering - I almost want to call them and ask if they are joking or what

[Mollie the cat]

We find it much cheaper shopping in the South, better value, more choice, we are lucky we go over once a week some folks cant. The newest supermarket Papa Antonios cannot do enough for you. They had a lady on the floor yesterday asking if we needed any help with anything. We got some lovely beef from Alfamega, lidl is to die for. the Engomi mall for the super store, relaxing morning coffee and a cake back for 10.30AM.

[Brazen]

Afraid they're all at it and price rises bear no relation to the depreciation of the TL or the rise in the minimum wage... last raise put it within €25 of the south min' wage; at these continued (every 2 months?) increases based on the TL, they will surpass the minimum wage in the south before long.

However some supermarkets are just 'extracting the urine' to put it politely: We had always found Erdener quite reasonable with many offers to tempt you, but they are charging 440Tl for for 190grm jar of Nescafe Gold (#7) that is €12.51 (£10.62) at todays rate. Alphamega had the same jar on offer for €5.70 (199.487Tl/£4.84) at todays rates. There is no way they can justify that price!

I know lots can't or don't want to go south, but as many have said, you MUST vote with your feet. Some friends (4) went out for an meal (very average, nothing special they said) and ended up with a bill of over 5000Tl

I see more & more properties for sale in the village, many 'foreigners' have said enough is enough. It is more expensive here now than Switzerland my friends there tell me.

In today's KBRIS Postasi, the used & new car sales men are bemoaning the lack of Buyers: "Vehicle market 'stopped': We spend our days buying each other coffee." https://www.kibrispostasi.com/c35-KIBRI ... ak-geciyor

Really, are they joking? Been looking to replace an older car, and the prices for cars with over 200 000k on the clock, is just staggering - I almost want to call them and ask if they are joking or what

Bought a used car 4.5 years ago privately at approx £1500 below dealership price of about £9000. Current dealer price for same model of similar age is £11,500 - £12,000. As you say they are extracting the urine. However most of the cars on show are high end Mercs, Beamers, Audi’s or Porsche’s etc, with very few lower priced marques on show, so their market has changed somewhat over the years. God knows how the poor needy locals can afford these at the prices they sell for, but there are very many on the roads so they are somewhat wealthier than I.

[laptawrinkly]

Agree Mollie, but be careful. Friday 07/06 Customs were out in force at Metehan covering the 3 lanes of cars, stopping mainly north cars - think they are looking for anyone with meat, etc.

[laptawrinkly]

@ Brazen,

Yes agree, but sitting on my balcony in the middle of the village watching the cars go by, it seems all TC's have the latest V reg' cars, mainly 2nd hand jap imports, but looking at online prices, I guess none cost less that £6000!

[Reyntj]

Poor local needy locals ......many are rich check out all the trucks & premium cars they drive and property land they own & businesses..

Most are not working in the hotels on the minimum wage that's for foreigners.....

[Mollie the cat]

Agree Mollie, but be careful. Friday 07/06 Customs were out in force at Metehan covering the 3 lanes of cars, stopping mainly north cars - think they are looking for anyone with meat, etc.

We got stopped earlier this week first time in years. We did have meat but they didnt search the bags. In fact is was Friday.

[tutor4u]

From FaceBook posting:

The Resort fantastic venue, great music scenery perfect
Beware tho of liquid prices!
3 X black label whisky
3 X cokes
1 bottle water
1000tl (£25)