Fair Or Foul?

[barry1010]

My retired neighbours have resumed their twice-weekly drives to attractions near and far. They lunch at pubs that offer 2 meals for £10 or over 60s specials and seem to take great satisfaction from stretching the meal out as long as possible but never, ever buying any kind of drink or anything not included in the set price offer.

After their meal, they sit in their car in the pub car park and drink their flask of coffee.

I think this is beyond cheeky but they tell me it is no different from my habit of only buying goods from Ocado that I know are genuinely on offer and nothing at full price.

So, are they being fair or foul?

[bhg481]

I've got no problems with that.

[Tilly2]

It seems to me that they are being prudent. They probably have a limited budget and make the most of it.
...just like you with your Ocado shop.

[AuntPG]

I have no problem with that. I can't see what is wrong with taking advantage or an Establishments special offers , and its up to them whether they buy a drink with their meal. they maybe just have their state pension to retire on so are being prudent -good for them they can get out and about.
More importantly, why are you bothered Barry?

[Mozz71]

Good for them. Cheap, but completely acceptable.

[aelmpvw]

i'd rather cook my own meal at home with two pints for under a fiver

[AuntPG]

ael I think these folks are going on trips a couple of times a week now they are retired. I don't think they eat out instead of eating at home.

[anneasquith]

What are they doing wrong ?

[barry1010]

They certainly don't need to budget. They are members of a very expensive golf club, David Lloyd leisure club and own second/third homes in Cornwall and France. They may be retired but they are very far from being 'poor pensioners'. They just seem to take great delight from taking up a table for an hour or more and spending as little as possible. They don't behave like that when they dine out during the evening.

[AuntPG]

Barry, are you an itsy bitsy bit jealous? How do you know they spend hours in a pub at lunchtime? Are you following them? BTW just joking but come on Barry........

[THECORBYLOON]

Are you jealous?

[davebro]

Damn savages - I would chuck them out & ban them for life!

[barry1010]

I'm not 'bothered', APG. I have friends who own a pub and they do these special meal deals as loss leaders to attract customers in the hope they will buy drinks - and they do get a lot of locals who walk to the pub for a cheap meal and stay for a few drinks. They would be losing money if my neighbours went for lunch.
It's not something I could do.

[barry1010]

Why on earth would I be jealous? If I choose to go out for a meal I don't take a flask and skimp on what I eat and drink :D

[THECORBYLOON]

What's the difference between their saving money when they can and your saving money when you can?

[Ken4155]

The places they visit for these meal are making these offers in order to entice customers who will spend a tad more than they actually need to. Some will do so, others won't. I dare say the establishments will still turn a profit and i have no problem whatsoever with what your neighbours are doing, irrespective of their financial situation.
I never visit the 'casinos' or play on the slot machines on my gambling sites, but every so often, i'm given free stake money/spins to do just that. Particularly when i haven't used that particular site for a while. I take up these offers, play the freebies, pocket any winnings, then leave. Fair or foul?

[anneasquith]

Maybe go with them next time ?

[AuntPG]

Barry it comes cross as sour grapes. Establishments that do meal deals cannot cherry pick who takes advantage of those meals, and I doubt your 'mate' with the pub would go out of business even if they ate there twice a week and did not have a drink! Our village Pubs' meal deals include a drink -a pint or a small glass of wine -so there's your theory gone up the swanny.

[Sqad]

It sounds as though they are "tight fisted" and is a bit of a novelty.
It will pass.

[THECORBYLOON]

If the offers don't specify a certain number if drinks have to to be bought at full price, what's the problem?

If businesses are losing money or not making the expected gains from the offers, they can change the terms or end the offers.

[Sqad]

Not my type of folks barry.