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GROCERY MARKET SHENNANIGANS....switching product sizes, shapes, and amounts...

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with people first...then business Ran Right Realty 636943 licensed to thrill

For months now I have been going to different places to shop for groceries....I do not want to name them specifically. What I have noticed was also pointed out to me by another person too. Now, I just want to check in with the public and find out if you noticed it also....

THE RECESSION AND THE ECONOMY.....CAUSES THINGS TO CHANGE

The manufacturers of products have been seeing a drop off in their sales. That means at their weekly sales meetings, department heads are being asked for ideas to boost sales, profits, and lower expenses. This is not a social meeting...you better come up with something or you will have two problems...

Results:

1. Products are now being offered in identical packaging except it is smaller and holds less.

2. Products are being offered in different type containers. Some of these are designed so that the container looks large, but holds less. Built-in handles and curves look good and function, but hold less. Priced the same too and you get less.

3. Products are either being sold in large containers for a stiff price or two smaller ones for less money but more product. This can get confusing.....I know. That's the idea. To get you to accept or give-in......

4. Buy 5 for $$$ and save...but if you test this, you do not have to buy 5. You can pay the unit price (1) too.

Now, do they tell you or not tell you what they have done or are doing.....

1. Buy two and save. That makes no sense. Spending more does not save you money in the moment.

2. Brand new bottle...Okay, how does that help me..? It helps them sell more though.....

3. 25% more...price stays the same. Cheaper to give product than a price reduction.

4. Easy to grip, use, or pour.....again, keeps your eyes off the price so you don't see what you are getting instead....

The coupon game......

If you have one, that's great. If not, how come they don't give it to you anyway? Same with special offers. If you do not have the discount code, you do not participate in the special offer promotion.....why?

Duplicate products

Some products appear under different names...but essentially they are the same. In the smaller retail drugstores, they make the same product that's famous and they take the store brand and put it next to the product thats theirs and claim...compare to.....and they name to product. Store brand or off brand is cheaper

Be on your toes...wherever you goes...Liters or ounces will throw you off, large convenient displays will throw you off, signs that says ...SAVE...but it could mean in the long run and not on price. Stay.....Smart shopping on....and............. don't get hypnotized when you are walking the aisles....

Margaret Goss
@Properties - Winnetka, IL
Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate

Yeah I agree - those new curvy orange juice bottles are smaller than before but cost more $$.  I guess advertisers think we're stupid.  Or just in a hurry and don't bother to check these things.

Sep 27, 2010 02:11 AM
Fred Hookham
Keller Williams - Milton, WI

My "favorite" is the packaged pork chops. One of our stores puts 4 in a package, one underneath three, so you can't see the bottom one. The bottom one is a different (cheaper) cut than the top three. Got me once and my wife twice before I remembered to point it out to her.....

Sep 27, 2010 02:20 AM
Jeff Craig
Hang Me Up Photos - Jamestown, NC
Greensboro Area Real Estate Photography

I have noticed the smaller, but identical otherwise packaging for the same price.  It is annoying.  I guess the manufacturers figure most people won't notice.

Sep 27, 2010 02:31 AM
Ellen Crawford
Maximum One Executive REALTORS® - Alpharetta, GA
Alpharetta Real Estate Agents & Alpharetta REALTOR

Great post! Ice cream, coffee, and many more items have been totally tampered with!  I totally agree with you! There is also substitution of products.   We all need to start reading the small print! Also check out the labels on all juices and produce. They are importing products not made in the USA because they are cheaper and and not as high a quality.  Orange Juice on major brands is now using OJ from Brazil.  Buy produce grown in USA.

You should write a blog also on the inflation of food costs which the government says does not exist!

Sep 27, 2010 02:32 AM
Don MacLean
New England Real Estate Center Inc. - Easton, MA
Realtor-Homes for Sale- Easton, Mass 02356

lol

It's like when Kraft advertises against Velveeta, they are both owned by Kraft. Go figure.

At least a gallon of milk is still a gallon,or is that 3.8 liters

Enjoy the day.

Sep 27, 2010 02:40 AM
Don MacLean
New England Real Estate Center Inc. - Easton, MA
Realtor-Homes for Sale- Easton, Mass 02356

lol

It's like when Kraft advertises against Velveeta, they are both owned by Kraft. Go figure.

At least a gallon of milk is still a gallon,or is that 3.8 liters

Enjoy the day.

Sep 27, 2010 02:40 AM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

The calculator goes with me Richie, price per ounce is only one guideline for me.  For nutritional values it's there to check "my" serving size.  Yeah, I've noticed and continue to do so. 

Sep 27, 2010 02:43 AM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Margaret....Good comment. perhaps they are hoping we do not notice the change. Then, they make more $$ and we get less....I don't like it. Everything should reset back to more affordable prices. All of us should just start over again......thank you Margaret..

 

Fred....Most excellent observation. The post is enhanced. How about the cut of meat that looks good on top, but underneath is fat or more bone.....this happens a lot with Ribs. Fool me once, shame on you you...fool me twice, shame on me...I don't buy them anymore is the result. Good comment thank you Fred

 

Jeff....the guys who came up with this idea had a choice. Either they get laid off or they prove their worth to their company and bossess.....by making revenue anyway they can. Result: the company wins, the Guy with idea wins,,,consumer loses or breaks even... That is has to change right now....Best to you Jeff

 

Ellen....The post is enhanced. Your comment is a bulls eye. Brazil, Guatemala, Peru, Mexico, Argentina etc are all being offered $$ for their crops and then resold to Americans at top dollar. Meanwhile, American product cannot compete. What nonsense...but understandable. BEWARE: Outside the United States, they have no rules about using DDT or other chemicals like we do. If you must have the product, wash it like crazy........Thank you Ellen.....quality comment.......Best

Sep 27, 2010 02:45 AM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Don...my boy..you captured the point well. I knew a guy who had two companies with different names. People would call both companies to get bids and of course one of this companies would be higher in price and the other lower...RESULT: He manipulated you to go where he wanted you to go, but you are thinking you went their on your own. The guy made out very well $$$. Why not arrange to have me robbed in the parking lot...? Now, as to liters vs ounces or gallons etc.....you just lost 3/4 of the American people right there....Keeping both eyes open is the only way to get your monies worth today....Thank you Don....

 

Kevin is on the ball....Now, its turned into a medium to high maintenance issue to make sure you don't lose $$ when shopping. You know Kevin, I wonder how the markets are going to make it. I went in the other day to get some thing and because it only sells occasionally, it was priced so high that it shocked me. I didn't purchase it. Some lady passing by me heard me utter...'What the heck is going on" and said to me.....you didn't think it would be that much did you.... I said, yes, I am in shock. She says, she knows and... goes without on a lot of stuff.  Also, their was dust on top and in front of the product...what does that tell you...? Best.... Kevin & his calculator posters are in every market break-room to be on the look-out for this smart shopper...

Sep 27, 2010 02:57 AM
Ernie Steele
Lebanon, PA

Richie...I'm the grocery shopper in our house for years...I'm also a coupon user...There's no such thing as a pound of coffee or a gallon of ice cream anymore...Because I also like to cook I've taken to using a lot of generics...The store brand of mushroom soup does just as well when making chicken breasts for instance...I'm fortunate to be able to buy eggs, potatoes and onions from a local farmer...$1.00 a dozen for large...$1.50 for 5#'s of potatoes (unwashed of course)...Food prices seem to be skyrocketing and we all need to pay more attention...Your note about not having to buy 5 to get the price is a good one...I'm surprised at how many people don't know that...Enjoy the day.

Sep 27, 2010 03:22 AM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Ernie....You prove the point via your comment on how knowledge is power. You know, we look for people and businesses we can trust so that we can put our energies elsewhere...perhaps to more productive things. Turns out, when you go shopping, there is "leakage".....of your finances...your hard earned money... Whats with that? I like your local farmer comment.....let's support that as much as we can. You know Ernie, if things don't change, it may pay for us to start farming our own...etc.....Thanks for coming by.....Ernie

Sep 27, 2010 03:29 AM
Ernie Steele
Lebanon, PA

Richie, be farmers?..You mean like our ancestors?..LOL...I do grow my own tomatoes ever year.

Sep 27, 2010 04:14 AM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Yea...Ernie. Everything goes full circle......You know, my wife and I spend many hours working around our half acre. if I ever have to grow anything......I can do it.....good job on those tomatoes. I have neighbors that give me fresh home grown ones...yummy

Sep 27, 2010 04:27 AM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Richie, 1.5qt is the new 1/2 gallon and 10 3/4oz. is the old 12 ouncer.  You're right, I might need a few disguises to continue my surveillance effort.  

Sep 27, 2010 07:54 AM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Kevin...you lose me and a lot of people when you start talking this talk. necessary to know..yes. But it is Chinese to me.....whew...I would rather go without than learn this stuff.....thanks for the input.....

Sep 27, 2010 10:43 AM