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?

[The Builder]

PP. When some of my family were in the pub trade, food profit was always around 60%. Much more than "wet" sales.

I can see your point, but things must have got pretty bad if it's down to 5%.

[Peter Pedant]

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

oh about £6 in my pocket ! - - ter daaah

[inspired I have to say by the old- old - what's a Greek urn? - -
or - my wife has gone on holiday.... ]

[Peter Pedant]

thank you buildy
I cant recollect when you advice has ever been bad

when I wrote 5% - - I thought someone will come up with today's figure....

[Peter Pedant]

when I was invovled in charity stuff
we found easily the most popular ( football afternoon for under 16s ) earned no money

and others ( getting really possed and the men fighting) generated large amounts

[The Builder]

Ha... thank you PP.

Perhaps you're thinking of supermarkets. Their profit margin is often only around 5%

[choux]

I am guessing that eateries offering such discounts are still making a profit, however small, and more importantly are still running and employing people.However, there is a meanness of spirit about your neighbours that would not make them desirable company for me. Mind you, that is probably why they are able to live quite a comfortable existence.

I don't eat out very often, but when I do I chose whatever I want from the menu and buy drinks accordingly. I have never paid for an expensive meal that I did not really savour. So long as I can afford it that is good enough for me.

There is no way that I would forgo a decent coffee after my meal.

[The Builder]

Not just the coffee either, Choux.

If you were being entertained by Mr Sqad, it would be Remy Martin Louis XIII as well, at the very least ;o)

[AuntPG]

//Auntie... were you ever in the Young Farmers Club? //

No, I grew up in Quebec ! Total Townie! But have spent the last 30 years surrounded by farms and farmers in the UK & Alberta.

[choux]

I would expect nothing less from dear Sqad :)

That does assume I would accept an invitation though ...

[pat2604]

I've never thought about it, but possibly you would think of me as a mean customer. I only drink tap water with our two for one main meals and never have a dessert.or a starter. However I do have a coffee, and don't sit outside drinking from a flask and eating a desert in the carpark. It's not meaness, it's what I do with all meals! But I doubt anybody notices or worries about it. And basically, as someone has said perhaps how, it's how these friends of yous made their money.

[AuntPG]

Sqad //APG is the Square and Compass still popular at North Rigton still popular?//

No idea Sqad , North Rigton is about 60 miles south of where we live.

[choux]

I doubt that I would think of you as mean, pat.

We are both dog lovers ;)

[Purist]

look after the pennies and the pounds look after themselves! a good way to live.

[choux]

We are here for a good time, not a long time!

[pat2604]

lol Choux.

[ichkeria]

Other then it’s a bit boring, what on earth is wrong with it

[davebro]

If they are driving near & FAR their fuel cost is probably more than they spend on refreshments!