About 15 years ago, New Zealand deicided to get rid of the 1 cent coin, as you couldn't buy anything with it. From then on, everything was rounded to the nearest 5 cents. However, in their attempts to make us think we were getting a bargain, the shops continued to price in nines. So you'd see a can of beans at .99 and think, less than a dollar, but when you got to the checkout, it cost you a dollar anyway. But if you bought 3 cans, $2.97 rounded down to $2.95. Two cents saved!
Now we have got rid of the 5 cent as well and everything is rounded to the nearest 10 cents. Meanwhile the shops continue to sell mushrooms at nz9.99 a kilogram, so your purchase may come to nz4.76, which rounds up. Add the other things you're buying ending in 9 cents, and it may go up or down. Personally, I make it a game to get a total which will round down.
This morning I lucked out. I bought fruit and veg for nz9.78, so paid two cents extra. However, if I'd paid by debit card, they would have charged me the exact amount. Go figure.
Up and down
April 15th, 2009 at 06:02 am
April 15th, 2009 at 08:55 am 1239785705
April 15th, 2009 at 04:59 pm 1239814775