I import Doctor Who DVDs from Amazon UK. Each DVD is about £7, which is a loooooot cheaper than $25 or so in the US.

However my girl and I are planning an Ireland and UK trip in about a month and I have been looking at hotel, food and driving costs. I was surprised to see that most things, like for example a steak dinner, are about the same number of pounds as in dollars here in the States. For example a steak dinner here in the States is about $20-25 in a "normal" restaurant, while the steak dinners I see on British menus are about £25, which actually equals over $40 when converted. Same thing with average Hotel price ($55 and £55) and on down the line.

So basically my question is how come DVDs seem to be adjusted to match or even undercut US prices but a Steak dinner is the same amount in pounds as in dollars, making it actually much more expensive?

Any insight for my trip would be appreciated :)

Just bring your food in plastic boxes for the whole month, and you'll be fine.

Just don't come here laddy. You can see some great stuff but from a financial point of view you will be horrifically ripped off. Paying so much for food that is 75% guaranteed to be microwaved in this day and age.

Just put another shrimp on the barbie, and you'll be fine.

Good idea for both cost and the fact that English food sucks. Even they admit this.

Yes, welcome to rip-off Britain!
Enjoy the expense!

Dunno why your DVD was cheaper - maybe its because its a BBC DVD and there's less peple getting a cut if you get it straight from here? Easier to get a decent curry here than the states though, apparently!

Probably because the BBC likes to charge people outside the UK a lot more money. It probably has to do with the fact that in the UK they're supported mainly via fees, but when they sell outside of the UK those people haven't paid in.

I think it's the same reason why BBC America has commercials.

When it comes to Dr. Who, that's mainly paid for by the American audience, so I'm not sure why there's a discount for being in the UK, when it's Americans that mostly paid for it.

That doesn't surprise me, what with the Indian population there. I don't know much about it I just know that they're there.

I'm planning to eat at out of the way places to avoid the tourist trap :)

Really? No shit? Joking aside that actually is a big plus for me because shit curry is a sin. If you can get good curry in the UK then my hats off and god save the queen. :D

Just avoid any large restaurant chains and you'll be fine. Where about is it you are going?

Do you have annoying chain "theme" places over there like TGIFs, Outback, and Pasta House? I refuse to believe the English could sink so low as to open one of those places up.

They have pretty much taken over which is a bloody shame. Two of every chain on every street.

2 days in Belfast, 3 days in Dublin and 3 days in London. We're renting cars and not staying in the cities though, I'm slowly planning the activity schedule.

The UK is a pretty expensive place to visit if you want to eat out a lot.

Hell going to the supermarket and buying the stuff and cooking it yourself can be just as expensive depending on what you want. I saw a thing on telly last night, one of the bigger supermarkets here has Rump Steak on offer at the moment and its still just under £8 a kilo, my math isnt great but i think thats about $12+