Unbelievable Petitions

Whilst I was at the PM site signing a petition to stop Microsoft overcharging UK clients for Vista (Sorry Richard, but it is out of order) I thought I would have a look at what else people are petitioning against.

Some of it is unbelievable and what is more unbelievable is the support it is getting.

Take for instance this petition
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/goldanthem/
That appears on the front page of the petition with most people signing it.

Paul

[RichardMannion]

Is there a petition up there to stop Bose overcharging Uk customers on all it's products? What about Apple charging UK custoemrs more for ITunes downloads or Ipod's? What about Levi's charging more for 501's here in the UK?

You see my point, the list goes on and on, and with the current $:£ rate, it makes the matters more extreme.

Thanks,
Richard

And I agree with you but just because everyone else is doing it doesn't make it right and if you wish to create a petition about anything you mention you will have my full support.

With global economy being a reality prices should be global not regional. There is no reason why things can't be priced based on the rate in force on the day - And even giving a good rate is doesn't even come close.

But this thread wasn't meant as justification of my beliefs, more the craziness of some of the UK population.

Paul

[RichardMannion]

I think there are another couple of aspects to look at tht are often overlooked:

US State Taxes
Hands up who has picked an item up and completely forgot about the taxes? So couple of weeks ago in Seattle, I am looking at a rather expensive retail purchase and then remembered the 8.8% local sales tax that I can't get out of paying, or claim back. So that uplifts the price, but then again it still half of....

Grabbing Gordon
So we all know that UK prices include VAT at the prevailing rate of 17.5%, hence why we tend to go nuts in duty free stores as things appear so much cheaper.

Yes there will still be a gap in price, but when you factor these in it makes things that bit closer.

Thanks,
Richard

The point is that there is no-one from Microsost ordering you to buy Vista. If you think ist too expensive, then you don't buy it. Its the same with anything, even VS ticets! :-)

Originally posted by p17blo
Whilst I was at the PM site signing a petition to stop Microsoft overcharging UK clients for Vista (Sorry Richard, but it is out of order)

Who says they are overcharging?

If you dont want it dont buy it?

YOU LOT ARE ALL MISSING THE POINT!
Wow you are hard work! and again this wasn't the point of the thread - Does no one care that thousands of UK people want GOLD as the National Anthem?? No you are more bothered that I dare to mention that Microsoft are fleecing UK residents.

As you have decided to attack me on the reason for me visiting the petition site here is my response:-

I am not saying the product is overpriced and I certainly don't need any of you to tell me what or what not to buy. I am more than capable of making a decision on what OS to buy. Unfortunately it is likely that certain software will shortly require Vista to be installed to run, but that is another story.

I am saying that the same product is for sale in the US for considerably less than in the UK (Your cries of well "so is this" and "so is that" just proves it is a wider spread problem than the case in hand)

Example of case in hand:
Vista Ultimate - UK Price (EXCLUDING VAT) around £300.00 (PC World Price today)
Vista Ultimate - US Price (EXCLUDING TAX) around £205.00 (Circuit City Price today)

So where does that £95 go? And why should I pay it? The UK price is 46% higher than the US price. That's not even close.

Paul

ps btw way Mark

Originally posted by MarkJ
Who says they are overcharging?

6732 UK residents say it! Is that enough?

[HighFlyer]

I'd love to sing along to 'Gold' at the end of the Grand Prix and other sporting events! Go petitioners!

Vista - If you think its overpriced ('you' as in colloquial, not Paul) then vote with your wallet.

Thanks,
Sarah

Hmmm.

I think if we're going to go SP then "True" or "How Many Lies" might be more appropriate as a National Anthem.

Phil FM

P.S. Strange Trivia fact #3487: If you Google "Spandau Ballet Gold" the petition comes up as #4

[fozzyo]

No no no no NO!!

Everybody knows the official national anthem is actually the theme tune to the Archers! Didn't you get the memo?

Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes

Originally posted by p17blo
Does no one care that thousands of UK people want GOLD as the National Anthem??

You mean the Spandau Ballet song? If that becomes your national anthem I am moving to England tomorrow LOL

GJ

We're already here and I salute the petition.

I'd also like to petition to change the Union Jack to the skull and crossbones!!!

[quote]Originally posted by p17blo

Does no one care that thousands of UK people want GOLD as the National Anthem?? [quote]

I am one of those people who is very much pro democracy and get annoyed by voter apathy, especially amongst my own age range of early 20somethings! And have signed a few of these petitions myself (Bob Paisley for a knighthood- I mean how can Alex Ferguson have one and Bob not?!? )

But with regards to Gold possibly becoming the National Anthem, no it doesn't bother me because:
a). If Number 10 took it seriously there is no way the national media would allow to happen.
b). The number of people actually petitioning is very very small, compared to the rest of the UK.
c). I personally believe the PM will only take action once the media get a hold of it- for example the road taxing petition only gathered the PMs attention when the Sunday Papers got hold of it.

What does worry me, and I believe this is where your coming from Paul, is that someone has thought this up. What is the nation coming to?

But the skull and crossbones is a (mythical) nautical flag. So should you not be petitioning to change the red ensign to the skull and crossbones, the blue ensign to the blue flag of the EU (the Eurorag I believe it is called) and the white ensign (Flown only by the Royal Navy with just one exception) to the stars and stripes (seeing is Mr Bush is now the Latent First Sea Lord)?

I did rather like this one, requesting the PM to undertake a circus act though, albeit useless as a petition.

Originally posted by sailor99
But the skull and crossbones is a (mythical) nautical flag. So should you not be petitioning to change the red ensign to the skull and crossbones, the blue ensign to the blue flag of the EU (the Eurorag I believe it is called) and the white ensign (Flown only by the Royal Navy with just one exception) to the stars and stripes (seeing is Mr Bush is now the Latent First Sea Lord)?

I did rather like this one, requesting the PM to undertake a circus act though, albeit useless as a petition.

uuurrch! Eurorag has no place in my view - it could be added to the set of Toy Town however

I get the point of the OP... The petition website is brilliant. I've signed a few of the madder suggestions. I think there was one that wanted the government to swap from paying illegal immigrants to stay in the UK, to paying the rest of us to leave. [:o)]

Don't get me started on how much cheaper i can get the self same product in china, and i don't mean a copy or a fake.... but they are tempting too

[quote]Originally posted by p17blo


Does no one care that thousands of UK people want GOLD as the National Anthem?? [quote]


Wouldn't that be thousands of English people. GSTQ whilst being classed as the 'British' anthem is now widely regarded as the English anthem. Wales and Scotland have their own anthems and the Irish have two depending on which side of the border you happen to live on.


As for 'Gold' I can't see it working, there would be huge confusion as to which parts of the assembled masses sing the backing vocals and which ones hum the saxophone solo.

Adam, I guess you are correct but I am all in favour of the spirit of unity (Did that get me out of it?). However I believe you only have to qualify as a UK resident (not an English resident) to vote so my original statement is actually correct ;-)

Paul

GJ - You're unbelievable, always destruct in' ;-)

Paul

And if "Gold " is to be the national anthem can we ask that "Jedi Knight" be the official religion of the UK. I read somewhere that over 10,000 people registered as Jedi Knights during the last census?

And I feel a "split" coming on!! eek!"