SOUNDING OFF:A reader by the name of Tony reckons that shoppers need to be very careful when purchasing different quantities of the same product. He gives as an example six medium free-range eggs in his local supermarket which sell for €1.59 while a dozen cost €3.60.  

"It is cheaper to buy two boxes of six than one box of 12," he says. "This was the case last week (and may still be) in Tesco and Dunnes Stores. I'm sure you've also noticed that both shops' prices were exactly the same. Rather than trying to beat each other, which seems to be the case in the UK, they merely seem to be matching each other."

Exchange irate

Another reader, from Dublin, recently withdrew £300 in Belfast using her Bank of Ireland laser card. Her account was in credit so she was shocked and not at all pleased to be hit with an €11.43 charge. "I checked with my branch and they advised that the fee was correct (3.75 per cent up to a max of €11.43). They also advised that I should always use my credit card in the UK and avoid withdrawing cash outside the euro zone."

She says that getting her hands on sterling before leaving the Republic was "not so straightforward" as she had to queue for 25 minutes in a Bank of Ireland branch in Raheny for the foreign exchange cashier.

NCT'd off

Eamon from Co Clare was pretty pleased when his car passed the NCT after a re-test earlier this month. His joy was short-lived, however, because while he was in the process of putting the green disc in his car he "got distracted and lost it". He rang the NCT for a replacement and was told he had to go to a Garda station where he could get a form confirming the loss stamped.

"I then had to send this form with a cheque or postal order for €12.70 to NCT in Citywest. I wouldn't mind paying a few euro to cover printing, post and packaging but €12.70 for one sheet of paper is exorbitant."

Have your cheesecake

When Pricewatch reviewed cheesecakes, Glenilen Farm's Strawberry option came out on top and was given five stars. We did express reservations about where we might be able to get it, but the makers got in touch to say that "by the end of the month our desserts will be available in 40 Tesco stores nationwide". They can also be found in selected Dunnes and SuperValu outlets where they cost €6.15, substantially less than we paid.