zeke
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Peekaboo slot 2023
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Math?
Feb 2, 2018 6:59:54 GMT -8
Post by zeke on Feb 2, 2018 6:59:54 GMT -8
I was grocery shopping for an upcoming kayaking trip and needed some tuna packets. On the shelf was a value! box containing 4 Starkist packets for $6.49. Immediately to the right of it were the individual packets for $1.44 each. Hmmm. 4 x $1.44 = $5.76. No mark downs, regular prices. I bought the individual packets.
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RumiDude
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Marmota olympus
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Math?
Feb 2, 2018 8:42:27 GMT -8
Post by RumiDude on Feb 2, 2018 8:42:27 GMT -8
I have seen this many times shopping for stuff.
I have also seen things differently priced in the same packaging (or nearly the same) BUT different amounts in the package. Tuna is one in particular I have seen that. Same sized can, but different weight of tuna in the can. Canned stuff is one of the easiest to do that, but I have seen other types of packaging do the same. Pringles potato chips is another example, same tube but different amount. So I always check the weight.
Another little "trick" stores pull on consumers to confuse them is he shelf label. Usually they will give the cost per unit on that label. But to make it difficult to compare costs, they sometimes use different units for pricing. One might be given as cost per pound and the one next to it might be given in cost per ounce, forcing the consumer to do the math to compare. Sometimes this is done with the same product but different size. I complained about this at my local Safeway but they didn't change.
Rumi
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Feb 2, 2018 10:14:58 GMT -8
Another little "trick" stores pull on consumers to confuse them is he shelf label. Usually they will give the cost per unit on that label. But to make it difficult to compare costs, they sometimes use different units for pricing. One might be given as cost per pound and the one next to it might be given in cost per ounce, forcing the consumer to do the math to compare. This is a pet peeve of mine. Of course, with everyone carrying a smartphone these days, we all have calculators (I'm not so good at mental math, but I know how to make the conversions). Maybe we need more examples like this to convince kids of the importance of math. Or not. Seems like too few these days have much concern about value for money (note: I'm not talking about my kids, but I wonder about the ones I see at the library every day after school with a hugely overpriced "bubble tea"). |
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sarbar
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Post by sarbar on Feb 2, 2018 12:59:16 GMT -8
I'm a huge penny pincher and run the cost for most things. Then I go buy a $5 latte. HAHAHAHA. I know, I know....
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Feb 2, 2018 14:54:52 GMT -8
I'm a huge penny pincher and run the cost for most things. Then I go buy a $5 latte. HAHAHAHA. I know, I know.... Hey, you pinch those pennies so you can afford the latte. Though I've taken to making my own lattes at home. They usually come out better than Starbucks can do (and SB is the only game in my neighborhood). |
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RumiDude
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Post by RumiDude on Feb 2, 2018 16:43:33 GMT -8
Well I can do the math and run the comparisons but sometimes it's complicated. Ostensibly the reason for those labels is to help the consumer make informed decisions. I am not sure if there is a law or anything, but almost every grocery and drug store have those types of shelf labels. It just kinda irritates me when they make it difficult to make an informed decision.
As I mentioned before, sometimes they change the amounts but package it as if it was still the old amount. Things sold by the pound are subject to that, now sold in 12 oz packages that appear the same size and along side similar products in pound packages. If you only look at the price per package, you would miss the fact that one is 12 oz and the other is 16 oz (a pound). They do this with canned good as well. The cans can appear the same size but actually be different size.
I but precious few nowadays, but candy bars have been shrinking for MANY years. The size of a Snickers bar from 40 years ago would dwarf what they have today. They discovered that at a certain price, people quit buying certain products. So rather than increase the price, they just make it smaller. Candy bars are just the tip of the iceberg on this type of change.
Again, you just have to be aware and look at everything.
Rumi
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BigLoad
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Math?
Feb 2, 2018 19:52:25 GMT -8
Post by BigLoad on Feb 2, 2018 19:52:25 GMT -8
I have seen this many times shopping for stuff. Yep. One of my pet peeves is when the unit price for a large size is higher than for a small size. I buy mostly based on unit prices. I also pay attention to the cycles of when favorite items go on special. I can't remember the last time I paid full price for a loaf of bread, a pound of butter, a pound of rice or pasta, or a "pound" of coffee. |
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sarbar
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Math?
Feb 2, 2018 21:37:10 GMT -8
Post by sarbar on Feb 2, 2018 21:37:10 GMT -8
Hey, you pinch those pennies so you can afford the latte. Though I've taken to making my own lattes at home. They usually come out better than Starbucks can do (and SB is the only game in my neighborhood). Most days I do. I have a near pro set up - I was a barista for 8 years  My husband loves his morning latte..... |
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My husband loves his morning latte.....