Less product for the same money. Are consumers being ripped off?
By spalladino
@spalladino (17891)
United States
July 11, 2008 1:43pm CST
I heard a report on the radio about how manufacturers are putting less product in their containers while charging people the same price. Some examples of this are ice cream containers, Tropicana...the new container with the improved cap actually holds less than before, 80oz. instead of 96oz. Both Breyers and Edy's ice creams have downsized their 1.75qt containers down to 1.5qt for the same price. Dial soap had been redesigned and the bars are smaller, and several brands of cereal have redesigned boxes that are more narrow so, while they look the same as always, they actually hold less cereal.
What's your opinion about this? Is it a fair way for companies to offset their rising operating and transportation costs without hitting the consumer in the wallet or is a sneaky way to make more off of an unsuspecting public?
1 person likes this
15 responses
@Barbietre (1438)
• United States
11 Jul 08
Being a former business owner, I know it is hard to keep up without making changes. But the problem is the way they do it, so sneaky, like we are too stupid to notice. If you want to raise prices, raise prices and be done with it. By making smaller packages , you are making us run out of product faster, thereby having to make more shopping trips than we did before. And then we are wasting more gas in the process, now that is the really bad part.
And in the end where before I might actually use a favorite brand, now I am gooing to shop in sale items and lower cost items. And then I might decide, well do I really need to buyany ice cream this week, and skip it. It is a no win situation.
1 person likes this
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
12 Jul 08
I'm wondering how many kids are getting yelled at by their parents for "hogging" all of the cereal because it's running out faster when they're eating the same amount as they were before. Who would notice that the box wasn't as thick anymore?
@Barbietre (1438)
• United States
12 Jul 08
Yes, I am sure that is true. I noticed one day when I bought a bag of Lindt dark chocolates at the supermarket. The squares were half the size of the originals, I was shocked. Dark chocloate is one of the few sugary indulgences I allow myself and since it is very intense, it really takes care of my chocholate cravings with a small amount. But now one is not enough.
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
11 Jul 08
This is a sneaky tactic, to be certain. Cost of business is going up; however, companies should be more upfront with their customers when they are forced to raise their prices. Simply charging the same price but providing less of the product insults consumers on many levels.
1 person likes this
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
12 Jul 08
That's how I feel, but I can't really come up with a good commercial that mentions the change in the amount you're getting for your money. "Breyers ice cream, same economical price, same great taste...only less of it."
@Elixiress (3878)
•
12 Jul 08
I think that as long as they are putting the correct amount on the box, so if they are putting 80oz in rather than 96oz then they must not put 96oz because that would be wrong, but if they put 80oz on the box then that is fine. The alternative to doing this would be to raise the prices, so either way the people would be complaining. The companies have to raise their prices per unit to keep up with rising production costs and the only way they can do this is charge the same for less or charge more for the same amount, which basically amounts to the same in the end (people getting less for their money).
1 person likes this
@petiksmode (2983)
• Philippines
11 Jul 08
that is noticeable in every packed products,,,maybe they think that instead of adding price value on the products they just decrease the content but stays the price so the custimer wills till buy the products...right now consumer is more attentive on price changed than if the product had gone smaller or not...though some others observe that as well..but some will just noticed it when thwy are unpacking the grocery...
some may say blame it to the high gas price lols...
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
12 Jul 08
Oh yeah, the high price of gas has a lot to do with it, along with the rising prices of the ingredients and probably the packaging material, too. I just don't feel right about being tricked with new packaging that doesn't inform you that you're getting less for your money.
@SwtJenlove (1090)
• United States
18 Jul 08
Well, i guess as long as people are continueing to buy the stuff then they will continue doing it. I guess its their way of "saving" lol. 
what can we really do, ya know? 
what can we really do, ya know? 
@bmorehouse1 (1028)
• United States
11 Jul 08
In my opinion, its a sneaky way to pull something over on the consumer. How many people actually look at the size of the pkg? I would say that the majority of the people are completely unaware that this is happening. I saw that report on TV and I was furious. I would rather that they state on the pkg something like "New Size" or label it in some way so that you are aware that you are getting less.
1 person likes this
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
12 Jul 08
I agree, it's sneaky. I never noticed until I heard about it and I really think it's a shoddy way to do business.
@limcyjain (3516)
• India
12 Jul 08
Tropicana is one company which is operating in india too and is very respected brand here.As far as the activities these companies are doing here we have the weights and measurements department where one can log a complaint if one finds the quantity less than what is being mentioned on the pack. If the companies are just changing the actual quantity offered by changing the packing at the same cost then they are surely trying to cheat the consumer in general. This practice is widely followed by companies to avoid jacking up prices when the input costs have risen. I remember a case when a toothpaste company actually increased the hole of the opening to jack up consumtion of the toothpaste. The consumer needs to be alert and aware of whats in for them whenever any changings are made by the companies.
1 person likes this
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
12 Jul 08
well, i think it is their strategy to cope with the price increase in their operational and transportation costs... they don't want to hurt the customer's wallet by increasing the price of their products as they are afraid that customers will stop purchasing their products... so the only way to do it is by cutting down the quantity of the product for the same price... i had realised that as well when i am eating in the restaurant... they will put less food on my plate if they don't increase the price... take care and have a nice day...
1 person likes this
@jhartana (1084)
• Australia
12 Jul 08
It's no exception. Every business is doing it for keep their business survive. If the cost of production is higher then they would make the choice either to keep price the same but to reduce the content or to rise the price but to keep the content the same as before. I can fully understand from business point of view but this is common practice for business. Of course they are hearing suggestions and critiques from consumers but it's never been an easy decision for them to make to keep customers happy and keep buying their product. Consumers must also know that the companies increase the price not just for profits but to cover the increased costs of production. I know some businesses are charging too much and that leaves unhappy consumers to switch to another brand. But nowadays everyone are fighting for survival.
1 person likes this
@narayan2006 (2954)
• India
12 Jul 08
Well,I have too faced such bitter experience now-a days while shopping some branded grocery items.But I do control my irritation for sometime while I look at the compelling situation that forces the companies to take such harsh strategy.The price of a product is usally determined on the basis of the prevailing cost of inputs,expected quality level,the measured quantity,profit margin charged.In the continuing infationary situation of rising cost of inputs and demand for improved quality,business houses have no better options left other than redesigning their product packaging and content,without reducing the quality level and without further hurting the consumer wallet. It is not unethical and unjustified.However,the companies need to take sufficient steps to keep the consumer well informed,in advance.
@bluemars (952)
• Australia
12 Jul 08
Yes I have noticed a lot more of these types of things happening and you really have to be careful if you want to save money and enjoy some of life's little pleasures. It really is beyond me but like what is happening really? Do they need to make things more expensive for the consumer in order for your business to survive? I really don't know but sometimes i really think that some businesses are just getting too greedy.
1 person likes this
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
12 Jul 08
It isn't anything new. This has been going on for years. Remember when they still put the small pack of cookies in the happy meals? They upped the price of the meal and took out the cookies.
1 person likes this
@meiyeec511 (405)
• Malaysia
12 Jul 08
I think most of the time the seller are earning a lot. They are selling to get at least 50% earning.
So I think most of the time the consumers are being ripped off. But no choice, we are buying the needed things. The inflation are a lot nowadays. The petrol price increasing, there's no way to stop the seller to rip more.
The consumers are always the victims.
1 person likes this
@Robert8032 (57)
• China
12 Jul 08
from a customer's viewpoint ,it's sneaky .but from a manufacturer's viewpoint ,it's some kinds of strategy ,marketing strategy .
Perhaps the manufacturer has some dilemmas,the rising corn price,the competitive international market price, etc.
But as a consumere, I strongly oppose to this deed
@Fishmomma (11377)
• United States
12 Jul 08
I saw a report on this subject on television. I am certain its sneaky and many people don't notice. It was surprising to see just how much smaller each package is now. They were showing the before and now. Some products are easy to quickly see the difference, but the cereal package really surprised me. Its a lot smaller.
We are buying more boxes of cereal because of this change. It quickly adds up and I feel the public should be aware of the smaller packages. Companies should just tell us rising gas costs are causing them to make changes.
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