[wrorivuwri]

I've noticed that alot of the grocers are "price freezing" their products.  However, I've also noticed that the product sizes have shrunk.  This type of marketing failed when Tampax decided to keep their price but went from a 24 pack to a 20 pack.  They Firefox download actually lost in the end and started making "bonus" packs...an extra 4 tampons to bring it back up to the original 24. 

What do you feel about this type of marketing strategy? 

I comparison shop and purchase based on cost per unit with the exception of a few.  This type of marketing strategy bothers me.  It seems very dishonest but then again who said marketing was an honest business.

[wrorivuwri]

I've noticed that alot of the grocers are "price freezing" their products.  However, I've also noticed that the product sizes have shrunk.  This type of marketing failed when Tampax decided to keep their price but went from a 24 pack to a 20 pack.  They Firefox download actually lost in the end and started making "bonus" packs...an extra 4 tampons to bring it back up to the original 24. 

What do you feel about this type of marketing strategy? 

I comparison shop and purchase based on cost per unit with the exception of a few.  This type of marketing strategy bothers me.  It seems very dishonest but then again who said marketing was an honest business.

[bunnierose]

I think it's not an honest strategy, but it seems to work because many people don't focus on the cost per unit when they shop.  I've noticed that manufacturers are doing it too... one particular brand of cereal seems to come in the same sized box for the same price, until one notices that the box has gone from being 3" wide to being 2 1/2 " wide.  Our local grocery actually announces 'price cuts' on this sort of deal, knocking off 5-10 cents per box of cereal from the previous price per box.  Of course the price per ounce is the same or probably more than it used to be.

As you said, since when was marketing an honest business?  Everything you buy is glammed up, photoshopped or hyped for the commercial... which is why I almost always buy store brands.  My store brand of oatmeal is just as good as Quaker Oats but is about 4 cents per ounce cheaper... why should I pay for Quaker's name and advertising costs?

[emptynester2009]

  I have mixed emotions on this.   On  the one hand it does seem kind of sneaky,  a couple of months ago I noticed that the toilet paper I had recently bought was about 1/4 inch shorter than rolls I had bought previously.

  But there is no law or rule that sets standards for the size of containers, size of  items or amount of items in a container.  Companies have a right to package items any way they would like.  Consumers had the option of buying or not buying those items. 

  I am not seeing how it is dishonest.  The package states all the information on how much is in the container.  The consumer knows exactly what they are getting and the price they are paying.  Where is the dishonesty? 

  Sneaky, maybe.  Dishonest, no. 

[ommy94]

 I noticed that the toilet paper I had recently bought was about 1/4 inch shorter than rolls I had bought previously.

Just today I was questioning why were suddenly going through so much toilet paper. 4 rolls use to last us a week. Now, we are averaging a roll a day. lol .... now I know why.

[ommy94]

What do you feel about this type of marketing strategy?

I tend to select most of my purchases by unit price or buy in bulk. Otherwise, I find this strategy kind of inconvenient. Sometimes I find the new packaging size not enough for a week, but buying two, is too much.

I don't think it's dishonest. I think it's just another way the price of food has sky rocketed. It is sneaky, but then again, it's keeping many foods affordable for families.

I am finding it worth the trip to go to the wholesale store. It's a 30 minute ride so, I use to go once a month. Now, I go every week or two. I buy most of my dairy, fresh vegetables and fruits and many other items. I still keep a list of price per unit though.