Kiwis ripping-off tourists

[scracha]

Why do Kiwi tourism operators see foreign tourists as walking piggy banks? Don't they realise these tourists will never come back and tell all their friends?

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10643045

Tourists are paying more than $17,000 a week to stay in hotel rooms barely bigger than a prison cell during the Rugby World Cup - but Australian tour operators say other fans will be turned off because of exorbitant hotel prices.

Australian tour operator weloverugby.com says its clients are now asking about flying in and out of New Zealand on the same day as matches because they don't want to be ripped off.

The Hilton Hotel in Auckland had quoted prices of $1700 a night for a minimum 10-night stay during the cup, said weloverugby.com managing director Warren Livingstone. He claimed this was not an isolated case.

Yesterday, the Hilton refused to comment, saying it had not publicly released its prices.

Mr Livingstone said other hotels had increased their rates by 400 per cent and some by up to 1000 per cent.

Herald inquiries yesterday confirmed that hoteliers were lifting their prices - but some said tour operators such as Mr Livingstone were charging even more.

A week-long stay at the All Seasons Hotel in Wyndham St, central Auckland - which has rooms barely bigger than a prison cell - would usually cost about $550.

But this has been lifted to $2700 a week for the cup next year - about $385 a night.

A larger $17,544 seven-night package at the All Seasons - which includes tickets to the cup semifinals, bronze final and final - is being offered by Mr Livingstone's company.

All Seasons staff member Kenji Chien said the hotel usually charged about $79 to $89 for a room, per night, but prices were bumped up for big events in the city.

The three-star hotel does not have room service, but each room has a small TV, a radio, kitchenette facilities including a microwave and fridge, an iron and board, as well as a "nice balcony and view", Mr Chien said.

The hotel, which has 144 rooms, is booked out for the Rugby World Cup.

Mr Livingstone predicted cup attendance by international fans could be the lowest his firm had handled for such a big event.

"Rugby fans want to travel to New Zealand next year. It is one of the great rugby tour destinations in the world, but I think the organisers need to look at a solution."

Establishment of an "accommodation bank" to centralise booking arrangements for cup visitors had been a good idea, Mr Livingstone said, but the hotels involved were over-charging.

[NighthawkNZ]

Hpeens every where else in the world... good to get your own back at times...

[Mom]

Also not new. All hotels operate a fleece the public policy if there is a big event near them. Rock to Wellington was a case in point, we booked months in advance and the prices were heavily increased for that weekend. Lucky we found a hotel that had not entered a flag on their software for that weekend and managed to get a room at "normal" rates. It is business, the market will dictate whether it is fair or not, though I doubt there will be many empty rooms come the World Cup.

[Toaster]

It is simple supply and demand. Of course prices go up to meet high demand for special events. Businesses exist to make a profit for their shareholders/owners. If businesses over-price then they may stall demand - it is a simple balance game all businesses play to raise turnover, occupancy, margins and net profit.

Speaking of which.... the old petrol is sure getting up there! Ouch.

[Number One]

Well if they are smart they will look at that website where people are renting their houses out to world cup goers. You can get a full gorgeous house for just on a week I think for around $17K.

Heck if the people staying weren't munters it could be a good little earner for AKL folks!


THIS (http://www.gorugbyhomes.co.nz/) isn't the one I was thinking of but it's the first one I found...AND another (http://rugbycupnz.com/world-cup-accommodation-2011/)

[Mom]

Well if they are smart they will look at that website where people are renting their houses out to world cup goers. You can get a full gorgeous house for just on a week I think for around $17K.

Heck if the people staying weren't munters it could be a good little earner for AKL folks!

Did you see that B&B last night on the news? $1600 per room per night, min stay 10 nights. They have 5 rooms to rent :D Spitting distance from the stadium.

[CookMySock]

Don't they realise these tourists will never come back and tell all their friends?You don't have any evidence to support that.

Even if they made a direct threat, you cannot be swayed by what the customer says. Customers are very good at manipulating retailers by making all sorts of horrific statements, but they can and do come back.

Steve

[Swoop]

I am just soooooooo glad that ratepayers are being taxed, so that others can make a healthy profit.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Fucking rugby shits me to tears. Completely now that it just another failing Kiwi brand. The only rugby I approve of is my friends kids under 6's. Hopefully they will all take up soccer or motocross soon.

I am seriously considering going overseas next year while the stupid thing is on. Having said that hopefully there wont be too many munters in chur chur for it: all the "action" will be in Orkers.

[Tank]

You don't have any evidence to support that.

Even if they made a direct threat, you cannot be swayed by what the customer says. Customers are very good at manipulating retailers by making all sorts of horrific statements, but they can and do come back.


There is fucken tons of evidence to support that.

People who are not happy with service / products DO moan and generally dont make the same mistake twice. Look at all the KB threads along about "dont use XYZ - coz I was ripped" - some people will listen and custom is lost because of it.

Personally - I dont think that they will get the $$$ they are looking for. People smart enough to have 17k to drop for a weeks accommodation are smart enough to see that the room is small and the hotel second (or third) rate.

Put it this way - if there were two ice cream trucks side by side at an event. One was selling a cone for $3 and the other for $890. Who do you think will get the second round of ice creams?

[avgas]

Should be interesting. I wonder how much the Mt Eden Prison cells are going for?
70K a year!!!!!
So turns out that figure is not too over-inflated - when compared to the NZ Prison system.
So chances are all the noisy fuckers will be able to stay here for free - on the tax-payer

[Thaeos]

I'm sure they'll do fine... people are willing to pay it. Same as when they go to the movies. The snacks are overpriced by 200% - 300%, yet people keep paying for them - even the minority that mention the steep price still pay.

[slofox]

And, of COURSE, I bet Mr Liviingstone never rips anyone off...:whistle:

[nodrog]

.....Put it this way - if there were two ice cream trucks side by side at an event. One was selling a cone for $3 and the other for $890. Who do you think will get the second round of ice creams?

the one that didnt look like a creepy sexual predator.

[firefighter]

Why do Kiwi tourism operators see foreign tourists as walking piggy banks?

The same reason overseas operators see kiwi tourists as walking piggy banks.

In Las Vegas you can actually get a residency card, so you pay local rates. I know this as my Dad lives there, and yes, I was with him paying up to 40% less for things using his residency card.

[firefighter]

Fucking rugby shits me to tears. Completely now that it just another failing Kiwi brand. The only rugby I approve of is my friends kids under 6's. Hopefully they will all take up soccer or motocross soon.

I am seriously considering going overseas next year while the stupid thing is on. Having said that hopefully there wont be too many munters in chur chur for it: all the "action" will be in Orkers.

Yep, try having to pay an additional part to your rates- "Ruby world cup" rates. (does the rest of N.Z have these added to their rates too?/seriously want to know)

We get to pay for it yet like fuck I can afford to go. Oh I also get to put up with the congestion and hassle. Yay.

I seriously believe that the locals who have to pay the extra rates should be entitled to a fairly decent discount on tickets.......(that is if it is only a local extra rates increase for the cup/if not then fairs fair)

I'm not against the cup being here, it's great for the economy etc, but they should make extra provisions for those being extorted into having to pay for the damn event......we are'nt going to see any profit from it, just suffer the effects of it, put up with raised prices for everything/traffic etcetcetc and unless they make some sort of provision for us I do'nt see any benefits for me. It's a bit shit really.

[peasea]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/3646391/Poo-pots-fix-freedom-camper-problem
http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/3444012/Tourists-hog-free-library-net
http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/3515673/Bludging-tourists-tap-free-power

Tourists can fuck off if you ask me. They don't improve my life one iota, in fact they are a pain in the arse every summer. They drop their rubbish everywhere, camp wherever they feel like it and even shit all over the place. Then there's the fuckwits in camper vans who are more interested in looking at the scenery than the road, let alone their rear view mirrors!

Take them for every cent ya can then tell 'em all to fuck off. Pack o' wankers.

[Quasievil]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/3646391/Poo-pots-fix-freedom-camper-problem
http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/3444012/Tourists-hog-free-library-net
http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/3515673/Bludging-tourists-tap-free-power

Tourists can fuck off if you ask me. They don't improve my life one iota, in fact they are a pain in the arse every summer. They drop their rubbish everywhere, camp wherever they feel like it and even shit all over the place. Then there's the fuckwits in camper vans who are more interested in looking at the scenery than the road, let alone their rear view mirrors!

Take them for every cent ya can then tell 'em all to fuck off. Pack o' wankers.


BWAAAAAAAHHHHHHH

Dont hold back mate lol

[Quasievil]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/3646391/Poo-pots-fix-freedom-camper-problem
http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/3444012/Tourists-hog-free-library-net
http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/3515673/Bludging-tourists-tap-free-power

Tourists can fuck off if you ask me. They don't improve my life one iota, in fact they are a pain in the arse every summer. They drop their rubbish everywhere, camp wherever they feel like it and even shit all over the place. Then there's the fuckwits in camper vans who are more interested in looking at the scenery than the road, let alone their rear view mirrors!

Take them for every cent ya can then tell 'em all to fuck off. Pack o' wankers.


BWAAAAAAAHHHHHHH

Dont hold back mate lol

[peasea]

Yep, try having to pay an additional part to your rates- "Ruby world cup" rates. (does the rest of N.Z have these added to their rates too?/seriously want to know)

We get to pay for it yet like fuck I can afford to go. Oh I also get to put up with the congestion and hassle. Yay.

I seriously believe that the locals who have to pay the extra rates should be entitled to a fairly decent discount on tickets.......(that is if it is only a local extra rates increase for the cup/if not then fairs fair)

I'm not against the cup being here, it's great for the economy etc, but they should make extra provisions for those being extorted into having to pay for the damn event......we are'nt going to see any profit from it, just suffer the effects of it, put up with raised prices for everything/traffic etcetcetc and unless they make some sort of provision for us I do'nt see any benefits for me. It's a bit shit really.

We were so glad to escape Auckland for a number of reasons and the cup bullshit was one of them. Traffic is a joke now, it's gonna be a complete clusterfuck come cup time. Charging extra rates to support private enterprise is extortion, the councils up there are a bunch of bullies who need to be reigned in. If you shot the lot the city would probably run a bunch smoother.

Joe Public won't see a penny from it but he's the one who has to pay up and be fucked around just getting to work and back so that he CAN pay up.

"A bit shit." Ya reckon?

[firefighter]

Charging extra rates to support private enterprise is extortion, the councils up there are a bunch of bullies who need to be reigned in. If you shot the lot the city would probably run a bunch smoother.

Joe Public won't see a penny from it but he's the one who has to pay up and be fucked around just getting to work and back so that he CAN pay up.

"A bit shit." Ya reckon?


So is it only locals paying extra rates?! (as in not all N.Z)
And extortion for private enterprise......could'nt agree more, that really shits me actually.

I wonder what would happen if we decided to send through payment for our water etc rates but ignored the cup levies since i'm probably going to be nothing but inconvenienced by it/not get to go to it....?

In fact, it's going to cost me even more again using more gas to get anywhere.....

[Crasherfromwayback]

the one that didnt look like a creepy sexual predator.

Guess that counts Dangerousbastard out then.

[HenryDorsetCase]

the thing that makes me giggle (insane chainsaw rage weilding giggle, not flirty schoolgirl giggle) is that concurrent with this BULLSHIT, your gummint is trying to make it so that local authorities can lease out their water to private enterprise for 35 years. So an asset (which needs more investment) is hived off to private enterprise, whose ONLY motive is profit, so they will underinvest in infrastructure and ream the customers silly (yes Veronica, just like Telescum did since we sold it).

If local gummint does not provide necessary services (water, rubbish coll3ection, taking my turds away) then it HAS no point. Certainly not just so it can get all entrepreunrial and go into business.

[peasea]

I wonder what would happen if we decided to send through payment for our water etc rates but ignored the cup levies

I'd be doing that if I lived up there mate. Somewhere on here (can't be arsed looking for it) I posted a letter a couple/three years ago that I mailed to the ARC. I called them a bunch of extortionate, shiny-arsed cunts who couldn't get a job in the real world if they tried" etc etc. I fully expected a knock on the door for that one but it never came.

However, I would have no hesitation in sending another if they tried to levy my rates for some dumb-arse rugby bullshit only this time I'd get nasty.

Another reason to get out of town dude.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Yep, try having to pay an additional part to your rates- "Ruby world cup" rates. (does the rest of N.Z have these added to their rates too?/seriously want to know)


not in the peoples republic of chur chur as far as I know.

[peasea]

[QUOTE=firefighter;1129742766]So is it only locals paying extra rates?! (as in not all N.Z)
And extortion for private enterprise......could'nt agree more, that really shits me actually.
QUOTE]

Just for you, I did the search.
Here's my letter.

Dear Council fuckwits et al…

I have in front of me your letter dated 4th February 2004, which I might add, you gutless bastards failed to add a name to. In this page of diatribe you threaten to extract the sum of $156.80 from me through extortionate means. Fuck you! The reasons, and there are many, that I haven’t paid you are headed by the fact that the train set you pricks are requiring my hard earned cash to subsidize doesn’t even come close to my back yard. What a crock of fucking shit!

I don’t use public transport, it’s a giant fuckup in this town, why should I pay for it? I am sick and tired of paying for parks/reserves I don’t use, I hate ball sports and all the wankers associated with them. I can’t swim in the polluted waters of the beaches so why the fuck should I pay for reserves (such as Long Bay) that back on to such beaches?

I have to pay extra for my garbage disposal and then Auckland City dumps its garbage on our fucking land! What do I get for my money? Jack fucking shit, that’s what! You’re all a bunch of fat, shiny-arsed losers who couldn’t get a real job if you tried.

“My urgent attention….” Get fucked! I was in the South Island when this load of shit (loosely described as a rates account) arrived in my letterbox so how the fuck was I supposed to give it my ‘urgent attention’? Whatever happened to the fucking telephone? You all need to get rather large dogs up yourselves. I’ll attend to such usury in my own good time. “Support Team…” indeed, support this ya queer cunts ->.

Yes my cheque is enclosed, I have no choice, but even microbrains like you fucks can probably tell, I’m paying it under duress. This is pressure unheard of in the modern world and Democracy is a crock in New Zealand, it doesn’t exist. The sooner you fuckwits are dispersed the better.

Fuck you all, big time.

And make sure you all read this too because I stand by every word. Pass it round the office, have a good laugh, you got your cheque you cunts.

Your, honest, hard working, obedient servant (without a train set).


Not fucking happy.

[peasea]

the thing that makes me giggle (insane chainsaw rage weilding giggle, not flirty schoolgirl giggle) is that concurrent with this BULLSHIT, your gummint is trying to make it so that local authorities can lease out their water to private enterprise for 35 years. So an asset (which needs more investment) is hived off to private enterprise, whose ONLY motive is profit, so they will underinvest in infrastructure and ream the customers silly (yes Veronica, just like Telescum did since we sold it).

If local gummint does not provide necessary services (water, rubbish coll3ection, taking my turds away) then it HAS no point. Certainly not just so it can get all entrepreunrial and go into business.

Must spread rep etc. You're quite right.

[firefighter]

Hahahaha. Now that's a shit-o-gram!

[firefighter]

lease out their water to private enterprise for 35 years.

Jesus. Umbrella corporation anyone?!

So the council will in effect not be providing essential services?! Like fuck i'll be paying a private company for that shit. I'll steal a standpipe from work and take it straight from the fucken hydrant and plumb up my own system.......

[peasea]

Hahahaha. Now that's a shit-o-gram!

As I say, I expected a knock on the door, if not the head. However, it probably went straight in the shredder and I know my cheque went straight to their bank. Cocksuckers. Hey, I don't mind paying for a bit of green space and ya gotta have some infrastructure etc, but when you see (and I've seen) the amount of time and money wasted by councils (not to mention the lies they tell) it infuriates me that they get away with upping the rates every year and things seem to get worse not better. Then each mayor wants an expensive piece of art, a new park named after him/her etc, it just goes on.

[peasea]

Jesus. Umbrella corporation anyone?!

So the council will in effect not be providing essential services?! Like fuck i'll be paying a private company for that shit. I'll steal a standpipe from work and take it straight from the fucken hydrant and plumb up my own system.......
I can't understand why builders of new houses are not obliged to fit underground water tanks. It would be a very small addition to the build price and you could put your vege patch on top of it. Half could be for catching rain water and other half for grey water. Oops, no money in it for council then, silly me.

[Tank]

the one that didnt look like a creepy sexual predator.

Thats kinda hard - I think looking like one is part of the franchise agreement

http://www.360dewan.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/perv-ice-cream.jpg

[peasea]

[QUOTE=Tank;1129742820]Thats kinda hard - I think looking like one is part of the franchise agreement


Which one is DB?

[scracha]

I seriously believe that the locals who have to pay the extra rates should be entitled to a fairly decent discount on tickets.......(that is if it is only a local extra rates increase for the cup/if not then fairs fair)

Agreed. Dorklanders should get a discount.



I'm not against the cup being here, it's great for the economy etc, but they should make extra

VERY debatable. Most economists reckon it'll run at a huge loss. It's a great Kiwi chest bashing event but at the moment we really can't afford it. Oh well.....



Tourists can fuck off if you ask me. They don't improve my life one iota, in fact they are a pain

Along with farmers, I think you'll find they do more than their fair share of propping up the kiwi economy. Your taxes would be far higher without them.



in the arse every summer. They drop their rubbish everywhere, camp wherever they feel like it and even shit all over the place. Then there's the fuckwits in camper vans who are more interested in looking at the scenery than the road, let alone their rear view mirrors!

Take them for every cent ya can then tell 'em all to fuck off. Pack o' wankers.

I think you'll find the worst campervan drivers and litterers are kiwis. Most yurrupeans wouldn't dream of leaving rubbish behind.

[peasea]

Agreed. Dorklanders should get a discount.


VERY debatable. Most economists reckon it'll run at a huge loss. It's a great Kiwi chest bashing event but at the moment we really can't afford it. Oh well.....


Along with farmers, I think you'll find they do more than their fair share of propping up the kiwi economy. Your taxes would be far higher without them.


I think you'll find the worst campervan drivers and litterers are kiwis. Most yurrupeans wouldn't dream of leaving rubbish behind.

I'll agree with you on one point; that being kiwis leaving rubbish lying around. Lazy fucks really. I did an article some years ago on that very topic after simply stopping to snap the countryside. At the side of the road, on both sides, in both directions, there was enough rubbish to easily fill a couple of rubbish bags. That was in the middle of nowhere! Then I spent some time snapping the medians of motorways in Auckland from overbridges; what a disgrace.

Ever since I wrote that article I've been far more aware of what's on the side of the road and frankly it's just not good enough. Two things need to happen; clean up what's there and stop dropping it. It wouldn't matter in which order though.

PS: The worst campervan drivers I've had the misfortune to deal with were Poms.

[peasea]

Along with farmers, I think you'll find they do more than their fair share of propping up the kiwi economy. Your taxes would be far higher without them.

Can't agree here though.

Who do the farmers bludge off when the weather bites them on the arse or Fonterra would prefer to give their shiny-bums a fat bonus rather than 'prop up the economy'?

Us mate. The taxpayer often bails out farmers when the excrement hits the air handler.

Don't start me on 'farm relief'.

[EJK]

Hot European Women can stay at my place for free.

[Forest]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/3444012/Tourists-hog-free-library-net

What a fuckin crack-up!


Rising numbers of tourists using Nelson's Elma Turner Library's free internet service has forced residents without computers at home into paying for the service at commercial outlets so their children can complete homework, Nelson internet cafe owner Glenn Baker says.

He said he represented similar business owners when he made a plea to the Nelson City Council this week to think again about whether public-access computers are serving the needs of the people they are meant for.

He spoke to councillors in the public forum of Thursday's full council meeting, when he said free computers available at libraries largely benefited tourists and not ratepayers. Giving free internet access to tourists "cuts our air supply", he said of commercial internet providers.

So let's see if I have this straight - providing free Internet forces people to pay for Internet access, while at the same time it also "cuts our air supply".

That doesn't make any sense. Talk about having a bob each way.

[Kickaha]

I think you'll find the worst campervan drivers and litterers are kiwis. .

Maybe the litterers, but I doubt there's to many of them driving campervans, there's virtually no local market for hiring them to Kiwis

[quickbuck]

, there's virtually no local market for hiring them to Kiwis

Are you sure about that?
Ohakea:
Population: 800
Campervan is out almost every weekend. Minimum hire period 4 days.....


I guess the demographic is a little different to civilian society though....

[Kickaha]

Are you sure about that?.

Yes

I dealt with campervan companies for a few years, we even looked at approaching one for sponsorhsip in the form of a campervan to use at each round of the Nationals, they said it wasn't worth it as they dont even bother advertising Nationally as there is no market for "local tourists" this was from one of the major players in the campervan game

[SS90]

Hot European Women can stay at my place for free.

Hilarious....Hot European women eat Kiwi men for breakfast.

[quickbuck]

we even looked at approaching one for sponsorhsip in the form of a campervan to use at each round of the Nationals,

Great thinking......
Shame they see it that way I guess... OR, they could be right, as they spend the money on market research.
I guess the locals (New Zealanders) that are keen on campervans actually own them.....

As for the Air Force Campers (there are about 5), we just ask, "who would use one" enough hands go up, so we get one for the base.....
Well, not quite as easy as that, but didn't spend anything on market research... and Team Air Force Racing get to use a Campervan when they like ;)
Actually we did hire it.... but being Welfare property it wasn't very much to hire....

[peasea]

What a fuckin crack-up!
That doesn't make any sense.

It does if you're a Mainlander, get with the program.

[quickbuck]

Hilarious....Hot European women eat Kiwi men for breakfast.

Speaking from (a great) experience? ;)

[HenryDorsetCase]

Can't agree here though.

Who do the farmers bludge off when the weather bites them on the arse or Fonterra would prefer to give their shiny-bums a fat bonus rather than 'prop up the economy'?




Fonterra head office runs a pretty lean operation. Their people (or "shiny bums" as you put it) are paid very well indeed, certainly at the top levels, but they are recruited internationally, and they certainly get the pound of flesh from them. Because Fonterra is a co-operative, in fact what happens at root is that in a good year farmers get a better return. I kind of dont have an issue with that, but if you've been following the "Fonterra is in a bind and sort of kind of needs to restructure" stories (buried in the business or farming pages of your local news organ) the issues are that Fonterra needs capital but the shareholders are uncomfortable with debt and its capital structure means that a lot of normal business capital raising options arent available. On the plus side, it makes it very unlikely to be targeted for takeover, unless the whole country goes down. Look at Greece: it could happen (arguably what fucked them is borrowing money for the Lympics)... nike and mcdonalds and coke made money, the greek taxpayers paid for it. what few of them there are.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Can't agree here though.

Who do the farmers bludge off when the weather bites them on the arse or Fonterra would prefer to give their shiny-bums a fat bonus rather than 'prop up the economy'?




Fonterra head office runs a pretty lean operation. Their people (or "shiny bums" as you put it) are paid very well indeed, certainly at the top levels, but they are recruited internationally, and they certainly get the pound of flesh from them. Because Fonterra is a co-operative, in fact what happens at root is that in a good year farmers get a better return. I kind of dont have an issue with that, but if you've been following the "Fonterra is in a bind and sort of kind of needs to restructure" stories (buried in the business or farming pages of your local news organ) the issues are that Fonterra needs capital but the shareholders are uncomfortable with debt and its capital structure means that a lot of normal business capital raising options arent available. On the plus side, it makes it very unlikely to be targeted for takeover, unless the whole country goes down. Look at Greece: it could happen (arguably what fucked them is borrowing money for the Lympics)... nike and mcdonalds and coke made money, the greek taxpayers paid for it. what few of them there are.

[Berries]

Why do Kiwi tourism operators see foreign tourists as walking piggy banks? Don't they realise these tourists will never come back and tell all their friends?
Yeah, but they are not tourists in the true sense. They are here for the rugby and being international visitors they know that wherever they go in the world for a 'big' event they are going to get fleeced by the locals making the most of the opportunity. A bit like when the cruise ships arrive and all the taxi fares go up if you have checked trousers. It's just the way the world goes round.

And it's rugby. Why would you want to pay anything to see a grown man run while carrying a ball. My two year old can do that. Fuck em.

[Whynot]

Hot European Women can stay at my place for free.

umm .... i think you may be confused.

It's the rugby world cup, you won't be getting any hot european women ... the tourists will all be drunk, fat, bald, middle aged british men.

[BiK3RChiK]

On the plus side, it makes it very unlikely to be targeted for takeover, unless the whole country goes down. Look at Greece: it could happen (arguably what fucked them is borrowing money for the Lympics)... nike and mcdonalds and coke made money, the greek taxpayers paid for it. what few of them there are.

I just hope the people in the hot-seats take a lesson from Greece and don't borrow for the wugby! If peeps come here for teh cup, then they expect to pay for it. I certainly don't want to be paying for it the same way as Grecians are paying for the lympics!

[Delerium]

As I say, I expected a knock on the door, if not the head. However, it probably went straight in the shredder and I know my cheque went straight to their bank. Cocksuckers. Hey, I don't mind paying for a bit of green space and ya gotta have some infrastructure etc, but when you see (and I've seen) the amount of time and money wasted by councils (not to mention the lies they tell) it infuriates me that they get away with upping the rates every year and things seem to get worse not better. Then each mayor wants an expensive piece of art, a new park named after him/her etc, it just goes on.


Write it on the back of the cheque next time.

[scracha]

Don't start me on 'farm relief'.
Cripes...if I knew I could get 'farm relief' I'd be sticking on a pair of wellies :-)

[scracha]

I dealt with campervan companies for a few years, we even looked at approaching one for sponsorhsip in the form of a campervan to use at each round of the Nationals, they said it wasn't worth it as they dont even bother advertising Nationally as there is no market for "local tourists" this was from one of the major players in the campervan game
Oh aye, the major players like Kea and Britz advertise heavily internationally......if I recall they're plastered all over the in flight bumph. However, there are a hell of a lot of privately owned campervans and the smaller hire companies (the majority in this country) rely heavily on us yokkels.

[Tank]

I just hope the people in the hot-seats take a lesson from Greece and don't borrow for the wugby! If peeps come here for teh cup, then they expect to pay for it. I certainly don't want to be paying for it the same way as Grecians are paying for the lympics!

Its not borrowing from the 'lympics' that fucked Greece - in fact most (and I say most because there was one that disagreed) show that the economic benefits of the cup will be very high.

More to do with retiring on 80% of salary at 55, paying people for 14 or 16 month years etc thats fucking em.

[SPman]

Some years ago, me and a mate happened to be at a public golf course in Auckland, for some reason (not to play golf). A group of Japanese tourists turned up and wanted a round of golf.."how much?" $250 each said the guy behind the counter!
Boy, was he pissed off when we wandered over and told the, bemused, but almost willing to pay tourists that, no, it wasn't $250 each, it was $60 each! The 'honorable' gentleman had made a mistake.....
Just because it was expensive in Japan, was no reason for the prick to try and take advantage of them - he would have slipped most of the money into his pocket and charged them through at $60!

[JimO]

$60 sounds to much

[SS90]

Its not borrowing from the 'lympics' that fucked Greece -

Not true there Tank, I can assure you 100% that it was the Olympics that "finished Greece off", as they borrowed huge amounts to finance it (on top of there already massive debts), and it turned out that the Greeks where "cooking their books" when it came to the financial statements for international banking entities (IMF, World Bank, and,worst of all, the E.U Money union), and, if they had not falsified their accounts, they would never have been loaned the money, as they where already too far in debt.

The latest joke over this way would translate as " Do you hear there is a new kind of shopping Mall...... It's called "greek shopping", you go to the best stores, take what you want, then wait for someone else to pay"

I assure you, the Olymics was the "nail in the coffin" for Greece.

I have been there many times, I can tell you, it is Europe's version of Zimbabwe.