The Ripping-off of the American consumer

[kelpdiver 2]

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Don't give me that shit. You know what they were pulling, and I know what they were pulling, and more to the point, they know what they were pulling.

So it was a half gallon before? I saw the label tonight, not very subtle. But I can't recall if it were ever different.

Would you have been happier if the price had been increased by 12.5% instead?

[FinlanderSisu 0]

This is exactly what is wrong with america!! No not the way things are packaged but rather peoples expecting corporate america to do whats best for us. "I didn't know that if I ate Mc'donalds and 5 sticks of butter a day, I would have health problems, they didn't hold my hand and tell me that" Read the label, Read the label, Read the label before projecting blame. Just a tip from youre uncle earny, check labels that say XX% less fat,cholesteral,etc bet ya a wooden nickle nothing has changed only the product has 8 servings now instead of 6. Why blame someone that what you "thought" was a half gallon when it wasn't and SAYS RIGHT ON THE LABEL its not. In case you've missed other labels "skydiving is a potentially dangerous sport"

[billvon 3,119]

>Well, now I see them selling a container of orange juice that LOOKS like
>a gallon, but really is 96 ounces instead of 128 ounces -- for the price I'd
> expect a full gallon to cost!

I buy the 96 ounce version all the time. It fits better in my refrigerator.

[kelpdiver 2]

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I buy the 96 ounce version all the time. It fits better in my refrigerator.

Also is less likely to turn sour by the time I get to the bottom of it.

[peacefuljeffrey 0]

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I buy the 96 ounce version all the time. It fits better in my refrigerator.

Also is less likely to turn sour by the time I get to the bottom of it.

I guess maybe they should start selling me 3/4 lb. of cold cuts for the price that they put in the window of the meat counter (you know, the price we all take to mean "per pound.") That way I won't have as much roast beef getting dried up in the package because I didn't get around to eating it. I never realized how much hassle and waste they were saving me by giving me a smaller quantity for the same price I used to pay for the larger quantity! I better get crackin' on a thank-you letter to these companies!

Folks, my point -- for those having a hard time catching it -- is that it is clear that they are cynically taking advantage of the fact that we are conditioned to think that a given "look" to a package implies a quantity or amount that we are used to getting. It's a "switcheroo." Of course a consumer can check every time, but is that really what kind of shopping reality we should suffer through?: check the quantity every time you buy, just in case they left the price where it was but cut the quantity?!

No, sorry, that's bullshit.

-Jeffrey

-Jeffrey
"With tha thoughts of a militant mind... Hard line, hard line after hard line!"

[billvon 3,119]

>Of course a consumer can check every time, but is that really what
> kind of shopping reality we should suffer through?

Yes. More choice is better for consumers, even if some consumers can't be bothered to read the contents.

[kelpdiver 2]

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I guess maybe they should start selling me 3/4 lb. of cold cuts for the price that they put in the window of the meat counter (you know, the price we all take to mean "per pound.")

Better bacon - the center cut variety - tends to come in 12oz containers. Pricing is usually the same as the 16oz packs of the fattier bacon. Works for me.

PJ, is there a point to this thread? Do you want something changed by legislative decree? Maybe you're thinking about checking off the Kerry box?

[PhillyKev 0]

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Folks, my point -- for those having a hard time catching it -- is that it is clear that they are cynically taking advantage of the fact that we are conditioned to think that a given "look" to a package implies a quantity or amount that we are used to getting. It's a "switcheroo."

Speak for yourself. Personally, I don't make assumptions based on the appearance of a package. Next you're going to blame them for using colors on the packaging that appeal to the eye in order to "trick" you into buying it.

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Of course a consumer can check every time, but is that really what kind of shopping reality we should suffer through?: check the quantity every time you buy, just in case they left the price where it was but cut the quantity?!

Yeah, you should. Or don't complain. When I buy laundry detergent I look at the number of oz,. the amount used per load, and the price. Then I figure out which is the cheapest per load. I do that every time I shop. It's called being a smart consumer. If you're too lazy to do that, there's not one to blame but yourself.

[flyangel2 2]

Where I do my grocery shopping the stores have that little tags on the shelve telling you the price per pound, the ounces, and the price of the item. I always read that and then compare the item to make sure I’m getting the best deal.

Jeffrey, do you also complain when the grocery store rearranges items? They do that because consumers are in a habit of just going to one area of the store and buying the same old thing. When items get moved around, it forces the consumer to find different items. I kind of like it when they do that, breaks me out of that old boring habit of making the same meals.

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey