h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

What one thing that you have to pay for do you consider a complete and utter rip-off?

Council Tax. Worst rip off in the world. The only council service I use is the bin collection, and that is it. I don't use the education system, I don't use the libraries, I don't have need for the social services either, but I still have to pay for them all. And the service I do get is crap. And done with bad grace. *steps off her soap box to continue answering*

Do you think stuff like houses and petrol or memory for your computer is good 'value for money'?

Houses are, because they are where you live and can stay warm and dry, which is very important in this glorious weather we are having at the moment! Some houses have been very very expensive but the market correction is having the desired effect. Petrol is too darned expensive, but that is because of the fuel duty we have to pay on every litre, which is nothing short of scandalous. *soap box again...sorry*

What one thing that you've bought, or continue to buy, would you happily describe as being great value for money?

A little tub of a waxy balm imbued with lots of herbs and nice smells. It is called Sleep Balm, and it has helped me, a chronic insomniac, have at least 4 nights per week when I sleep right through. Miraculous. At £5 per 125g tub it is worth its weight in gold!

Is it true to say that quality is what we're really after and that basically you only ever get what you pay for?

I agree that you get what you pay for. Sometimes though, the cheaper product is just as good as the expensive product. Quality does not necessarily mean expensive.

Thinking of the general morale of the great British public and how you might, at a stroke, give it an almighty boost, what one thing would you drastically reduce the cost of?

Alcohol. That would make me happy!

*What one thing that you have to pay for do you consider a complete and utter rip-off?

The Australian state governments (especially Victoria and NSW) have gone mad for toll roads built by private contractors. In many of these cases the contractor is handed existing infrastructure which they can also toll.

* Do you think stuff like houses and petrol or memory for your computer is good 'value for money'?

Houses are fair value, but land is massively overpriced. Petrol taxes should go to developing green energy.

*What one thing that you've bought, or continue to buy, would you happily describe as being great value for money?

My first bike jacket. 22 years on and I still wear it frequently.Take care of a quality bit of gear and it should last a lifetime.

*Is it true to say that quality is what we're really after and that basically you only ever get what you pay for?

Not necessarily. Two examples;
- Restaurant food - I eat out a lot (especially when traveling for work), and more times than I care to mention I have had a great meal one night much cheaper than I have paid for a pretty ordinary one at the posh place up the road the next evening.
- Is your Toyota really worth that much less because it doesn't have a Lexus badge?

*Thinking of the general morale of the great British public and how you might, at a stroke, give it an almighty boost, what one thing would you drastically reduce the cost of?

Overseas holidays *wink*