New Packaging Is a Cheat...

Yes, pretty much everything has less in it or went down a size. They didn't want to charge more for the same package so they just put less in it or create optical illusions. Do they really think we are that dumb? I mean, I have noticed that with so many items. It's always been something that has been done. Often with a package re-design or something. But since last summer it's been dramatic with many products, not just one or two here and there... Even the restaurants give you less for what you pay. My husband went to Subway for lunch yesterday. He said, they put noticeably less meat on the sandwich. He asked about it and the kid was just like 'well, no, that's always what was on there'... He was just so used to picking up the pre-layered meat that he didn't even notice that there were one or two slices less on each layer than usual.

I remember a few times this has been brought up by the media, I've even seen it for myself. I actually noticed it before the media grabed the headlines on it. Packages are smaller, amounts are less. It happened in a heartbeat and they thought we wouldn't notice. Prices went up and quantity went down.

They have been doing that for years. The used to sell coffee in pound conatainers, now its 11 oz to 13 oz. Ice cream used to be 1/2 gallons, thats has shrunk too. You can still find some packages that are 1/2 gallons, probably not for long. Bags of chips seem to have more air in them. It seems to me that, what they call a double roll of toilet paper used to be a regular roll. I try to pay attention, but what are you going to do. They know if we want the product we will buy it.

I have notice this, too. They think people are stupid. Lately, I have been making more of my own food. It is cheaper and tastes better. For example, I am making applesauce this week. I love homemade apple sauce. Not only that, I have read reports about these plastic jars being unhealthy. They are doing us a disservice in various ways.

Many people don't look at things like that, they don't pay attention to the prices vs. the quantity. I have noticed this and it makes me angry. This started a couple of years ago! I knew then that the economy would be rough in the future and started to save more money than usual. You can always tell when things will get bad by looking at indicators like this.

Try checking out the half gallons of ice cream, they look the same but there are very few companies or brands which are half-gallon anymore.. This really makes me mad but all I do is boycott or quit buying them and let the company know why I don't buy their product anymore, but it really doesn't help..

Cereal, I have noticed that the boxes are as big front ways but thinner. and less ounces.I have noticed it with peanut butter and also candy. I think it is trickery and they think we are stpid but if we don't realize at the store(because we are in a rush) then we certainly realie it when we get home and start putting things in the pantry. And when it doens't serve as many as it used to.

This has been going on here in Australia for many years now and yes it is really annoying, to say the least. Initially they use the same sized boxes or containes but just reduce the volume/weight. So to the customer it looks the same and over time we get used to getting less "feeds" per box. Then they change the shape of the box and it might be such a small change that many people do not notice it at all. Alternately, they use a box which is a little larger and put 10% or whatever EXTRA for FREE. Now that comes just before the box size is reduced so when you see the new smaller box, we think "oh yes, the last one had a bonus free amount". We all know that costs are increasing and they will continue to do so. I think the manufacturers have a responsibility to tell the consumers that they will not get less for the same money. I take a certain cereal with me for breakfast when I am away from home driving for more than a day. A few years ago, a box would last me the fortnight, which is in fact 10 meals and even then there would be some left over. These days that same product lasts me for 8 days because the contents of the box have been reduced but it is still the "middle sized" box I take. It is the lack of honesty which gets to me, as I am sure that is what really annoys most people. Sadly there are many people who are not smart enough to work out what is happening or maybe it doesn't bother them.

I think that happens all the time. i remember candy bars being much bigger than they are now and you paid less for them. I'm not sure what the manufacturers think about consumers but they have to know that some of the smart ones will figure it out lol

Haven't been able to buy a dozen butter tarts in years... they now only come in 10 packs. Toilet paper! The "double" rolls have almost as much sheets on them as the regular ones used to back in the 70s, when crafty people would crochet covers for a spare roll... speaking of which, back then, TP was sold in 2- and 4-roll packs and they'd last you longer than the 8-roll packs of today.

I have to agree with what you have written, but there is one thing I should point out: Too many people are being ripped off because they are so busy trying to get their shopping done as quickly as possible, that they don't even bother to check. those shoppers who do take the time to stop and read the labels are the ones that are better able to weigh up the pros and cons. I'm smart, I check out everything before placing anything in my trolley, including the cost per 10gms so I know what is going to be a better deal. That is probably the only maths I use on a regular basis. These days, as with everything, it is all about the 'now' profits, and not trying to keep the long term customers, which is actually more harmful for a business than taking care of their consumers.

This is the biggest scam! Tropicana has done that with their large containers of orange juice now, and tried to distract consumers from noticing by changing to new packaging. (This is only the larger size that comes in a plastic container, not the cartons). I was buying some for my mother (personally it is so expensive I just drink coffee with breakfast and skip the juice altogether), and was so distracted by the newer, uglier packaging that I did not notice they cut the number of ounces. Bad as raising prices is, this type of deception annoys me even more.

This has been normal practice for year, downsizing but keeping the price the same or raising the prices a little. In some products, like dry goods, the box is bigger but when you open it up, you find 3/4 of the box full. They say that it is settling, and that happens, to a point, but not that much. It is what it is. Unless we grow and kill our own food, I guess we are stuck with what they have to offer. We try to make as much as we can from scratch and that does help save money.

All the companies are doing this. My husband brought in ice cream other night like he always buys. The container now, instead of being a half gallon is several ounces less, and costs the same. We also noticed that WalMart brand 2 liter cokes have gone from $.67 to $.78, so everyone is cashing in on the bad times! I think some are pricing themselves out of profit because people just can't afford the way groceries are going up and are buying only the necessities. I bought groceries other day, and what would usually cost about $75-$80 cost $118.

Many times I continue to notice this on a lot of the products out there. It often makes you wonder how they can continue to do this to us, and keep us happy? Personally it would be nice if they could never change things on us, but with the Economy going the way it is I guess that they have to make $$ somewhere. All we can do is watch the Sales and such and plan for stocking up when their are bargains on the things we need as well.

I have noticed it on alot of things. I first started noticing the cereal. I really think that they are afraid to raise the prices. It really is a form of tricking us. There is not much we can do but pay it.

And don't you just love the "new and improved" which means costs more? It is sad that we all are so used to things that unless we pay attention we don't realize that.

Instead of trying to trick people by doing that the companies should just keep the packaging the same and raise the prices. Whats the point of doing what they are doing. Do they honestly think we wont notice. If a box changes that I am used to buying I will notice right off the bat. This has been going on for years its nothing new but it doesnt make it any less frustering.

yep the last year or two they have been BAD about screwing you in all different kinds of little ways food wise.. a lot of people have been noticing that box size may stay the same but looking at the weight or contents and it will be less but you would never know it to look at the outside

I have always looked at the net weight of the items I buy. I always try to get more for my money. I agree with you on this subject though. It does make them look like they are saying no one will notice. They must think we are all stupid. But then they could also just be scared to be up front about it thinking they will lose their customers if other places have not yet done the same.