| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| doglady |
Posted - Nov 09 2009 : 11:53:47 AM
Hi Everyone,
Have you noticed the major brand name grocery stores have reduced the amount of food in their brands package and are charging you the same or more money? It really bothered me that these companies would actually think that the consumer would not notice. I just called this company and let them know that "I noticed" and that I hope they would reconsider their marketing techniques.
Tina
You can tell your dog all of your secrets and they'll never say a word!
www.kennelcreations.com |
| 22 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| sonshine4u |
Posted - Dec 11 2009 : 05:25:22 AM
So true! I couldn't believe how many stems I found! My garden is going to be full of green beans this year. I'm making my plans already!
Playing in the Sonshine
http://www.homesteadblogger.com/sonshine4u |
| 2quilter |
Posted - Dec 10 2009 : 6:17:37 PM
Ladies, it isn't just the size it's the quality. Green beans? The label should read stems and sticks. Ugh!
When life hands you scraps, make quilts! |
| pamcook |
Posted - Dec 10 2009 : 1:38:53 PM
Check around your area for local dog food manufacturers. We pay a little more for our cat food but it's organic and made locally. The man who owns the company is the nicest guy ever. He delivers it to our home!
www.ikat.org
www.longaberger.com/pamcook |
| sonshine4u |
Posted - Dec 10 2009 : 12:40:44 PM
I very seldom buy pre-packaged foods for our meals, but I have noticed the cereals are getting down-right ridiculous! I thought it was just me, but knowing you all are seeing the same things makes me want to buy cereal on special occasions only! Eggs and toast and homemade waffles and pancakes are better anyway!
I've been making my bread from scratch the past couple of months and it tastes so much better! I've also been making my own pancake mixes and making up jars of all the dry ingredients for things like cornbread and biscuits to just grab and go. My convenience food made by moi! Love using those canning jars for that sort of thing!
I too want to can most of my veggies for next year. My dad and I were making the typical green bean casserole for Thanksgiving this year and I happened to have 2 different brands of beans we were draining water out of. One company was significantly lower in volume than the other...in the same sized can! Dad said, "Take a note of that!" So it's following us even into the "whole foods" area of the grocery store. Glad I have a passion for canning! Learned how to hot-water bath this year, next year it's pressure canning for sure!
We've also started buying meat, eggs and milk from a local Organic farmer and it's been fantastic cause the money is going straight to the farmer and not to the middle man! We need to support our farmers!
I don't know what the solution is for dog-food, but it's times like these where we need to be creative and find solutions! Being dependent on the big-box retailers and manufacturers has made us get caught in this craziness. Let's do what we can and eat from the land!
Playing in the Sonshine
http://www.homesteadblogger.com/sonshine4u |
| doglady |
Posted - Dec 09 2009 : 05:45:44 AM
I actually saw a Reynolds wrap commercial on TV last night that said, are you tired of products being reduced these days - or something like that. I thought how the companies were starting to come right out with it openly. The only way to make them hear us - is to let them know that we noticed and buy elsewhere. The problem I see with this is that even the off brands are doing it too.
I have also noticed recently how little shelf space was being given for just plain frozen veggies. It seems that the companies are pushing veggies with sauces and mixes - which makes it hard to actually cook from scratch. Just venting.
Tina
You can tell your dog all of your secrets and they'll never say a word!
www.kennelcreations.com |
| vtstevens |
Posted - Dec 09 2009 : 12:01:20 AM
I find it helpful to take a calculator with me to the store - the grocery store itself mixes unit price breakdown, some saying "$/pint" and some "cents/oz" making it much harder to compare quickly while you are standing in front of the item. Using a calculator lets me quickly change to common units and the less expensive item is then obvious. And, it isn't always the one you think it will be.
I don't suffer from stress. I'm a carrier.
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| SuzieQ |
Posted - Dec 08 2009 : 04:47:11 AM
For years I look at the price per ounce and have found that sometimes bigger packages are more expensive than two smaller ones. The prices and sizes changes motivated me to learn how to can and this summer I plan to do alot more to stock up my pantry. I did stock up on beans in packages and have started making my own bread. I am hoping my little steps are adding to bigger ones since my husband and I are getting closer to retirement. |
| asnedecor |
Posted - Dec 06 2009 : 08:09:22 AM
Cereal manufacturers have been doing it for a long, long time. You ever notice when you buy a box, you get maybe 4 small bowls out of the whole box - but the box has not shrunk.
Anne in Portland, OR
"Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them" Eyeore from Winnie the Pooh
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| grace gerber |
Posted - Dec 04 2009 : 2:09:00 PM
I have been saying this to family and friends for about the last two years - they thought I might be spending too much time alone with the animals. I decided to show them. I save package material for reusing and so I had the proof right there - boxes are smaller, content is lighter and the quality of most things have gone down. That is why over two years ago I have cut my purchases of prepackage items to almost none and try to purchase items that I can make myself. As for the dog food - I have three hard working Great Prys and I noticed also that they are requiring more food because the quality of the same brands I have been purchasing for years has gone down in quality. My dogs are smart consumers. It is time we show them with our dollars - do without, find other ways to provide your family with the items they need and Yes, I know it is hard but limit our use of prepackaged foods. The only way to get their attention is to stop giving them our dollars.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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| therusticcottage |
Posted - Dec 04 2009 : 1:03:58 PM
This is one of my major pet peeves. It started with I bought tuna and noticed the can had gone from 6 3/4 ounces down to 5! Every time I open a can of tuna I get mad. Ice cream is no longer a half gallon but 1 1/2 quarts! And it's not just one company but all of them. Once in a great while I buy Cheez It crackers for my daughter. The box has gotten small there's hardly anything in there. I noticed that and did not buy. The corporate way of making a bigger profit in this recession - all at the expense of us who are struggling from day to day.
Handmade Soap, Lotion Bars & More! http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
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| kmc |
Posted - Dec 02 2009 : 9:53:32 PM
I am so ticked off at these companies. They are getting an earful from me... WE all need to let them know we aren't stupid and can and will go elseware. I realize they have to do something but be honest for goodness sakes dont raise the price and decrease the amount. Within 3 months they are making twice as much from us. Yes TWICE AS MUCH PROFIT IN 3 MONTHS. Keep records and let them know how you feel! Dogfood and tide are the ones rippen me off. |
| pamcook |
Posted - Dec 02 2009 : 1:02:23 PM
Keep an eye on this - it's going to be really bad next year. Those in the know are predicting dramatic price increases. Now is the time to be stocking up.
www.ikat.org
www.longaberger.com/pamcook |
| Annab |
Posted - Nov 12 2009 : 03:28:08 AM
I noticed this especially in ice creams.
Used to thinki t was a great deal to get the buy one get one.
Well, the days of a real 1/2 galong are over.
So I save by just buying a full gallon of the real stuff and make it last longer |
| Sarahpauline |
Posted - Nov 11 2009 : 07:43:17 AM
I have noticed this too, one thing that really chaps me is the cedar bedding that I have been using to help discourage bugs from my dogs houses. (It makes them smell good too) it has doubled in price in the last 6 months. I assume it is because the chips are a by-product of other wood manufacturing and maybe that has slowed, so chip supply is down? I really dont know.
Not all those who wander are lost...
www.SarahPauline.com
www.AbraxasBaroque.com |
| Marybeth |
Posted - Nov 11 2009 : 07:24:23 AM
Well I hate to be the bearer of bad news but that practice has been going on for a looong time. It seemed--for me anyway--to have started in the 70s. The big corporations think we are a nation of sheep and sometimes we are. I know it is hard to boycott items we are used to using but it sometimes works. and sometimes nothing works. Buying at co-ops and in bulk sometimes works but is not feasible for everyone. I really know no solution. MB
http://www.smallcityscenes.blogspot.com
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com www.holyhouses-day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
| Pammy |
Posted - Nov 11 2009 : 06:13:44 AM
Have you noticed that toilet paper rolls are not as long as they used to be? I noticed the extra space on the sides when I hung it on the hanger several months ago. I notice the canned spagetti sauces are now 30 or 26 ounces instead of 32, do the marketers think we are stupid? Pam |
| MasterGardener |
Posted - Nov 09 2009 : 6:39:01 PM
I noticed it with a package of wild rice...because the quantity of water was different...I knew it was because the amount of rice had to be different in the package. I also found out that a lot of products, for instance in the dairy section, the containers have a concave underside. So it doesn't "show" so much, but it gives the illusion that the package is the same size, but the volume it holds is different. It just makes me want to be able to be completely self-suffiecient, and if enough people would make the transition to self-sufficient farming/lifestyle & choose local or small farm and CSA, we could boycott those companies, take the power back & quit giving away our power.
Say to them, may the Lord bless you and protect you, May the Lord smile upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace. (Numbers 6:23-26)
.• ´¨¨)) -:¦:-¸.•´ .•´¨¨))
((¸¸.•´ ..• -:¦:- -:¦:- Chandra
-:¦:- ((¸¸.•´Farmgirl Sister #64
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| StarMeadow |
Posted - Nov 09 2009 : 5:23:56 PM
I noticed in my shopping as well. A lot of pre-pkged food items are that way. They won't serve a family of four any more either. Easy box meals were on the wish list at the food pantry here and my kids wanted a Hamburger Helper when I was picking some up. I don't usually...cause I think mine is better... anyway... the box didn't make enough to go around. I mentioned it to the food pantry person.... I'm sure her clients have noticed too. I think it's funny (and not in a humorous way) that they actually think that when they redesign those pkgs..."new look..same great product" that we some how won't notice that the price is the same (or higher) and there's not as much food....
I hadn't noticed on the kibble though. I just thought since we got pup #2 we were going through it at a faster rate...probably but...I will be checking.
I don't usually use coupons but I may have to start. My usual grocery store seems so high these days. I bought 2 apples (organic) the other day and thought the price was one thing but when they rang up...those two apples were just about 5$!!!!! Needless to say...I didn't get them. I told the cashier that I could get 3 pounds for that price (and yes organic) at a larger store.... She tried to tell me it was because they were organic... maybe...but still.
That is another place I've noticed where the amount is different...in apples and potatoes. There used to be 5lb bags of both...now it's 3lbs.
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| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Nov 09 2009 : 3:43:22 PM
My friend in Arizona said the dog food she buys went from a 50# bag at $14.00, to a 45# bag at $16.00 to a 42 1/2# bag at $18.00, she says the bag is exactly the same size and discription, just less kibble for more money. She was just telling me about this a few days ago. Sneaky, aren't they?!?!
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| kmc |
Posted - Nov 09 2009 : 1:56:29 PM
I have noticed this too especially in dog food. I started noticing it about a year ago. Everytime I bought it was $.50 more and the bags were shrinking. My DH couldnt see the difference either but he isnt doing the shopping. You would think these companies would realize there are other brands out there and people wont put up with it for long. Money isnt growing on trees at my house and Im not going to support there deception. Only problem is how does anyone know which brands are doing it... |
| doglady |
Posted - Nov 09 2009 : 1:10:58 PM
I did notice the reduced sizes in most of the dry dog foods in the last couple of months. The item that I wanted to purchase today was a simple bag of mixed veggies. They redesigned the bag and reduced it from 16 oz to 12 oz. That will not do for a side dish for a family of four. I'm not sure it would work for two either. I used to be the coupon queen in my family and did very well using them. There were times where I bought over $100 in groceries for about $40. I think it's time for me to take up coupons again and revolt. Thanks for letting me vent.
You can tell your dog all of your secrets and they'll never say a word!
www.kennelcreations.com |
| Miss Bee Haven |
Posted - Nov 09 2009 : 12:32:14 PM
Even in dog food, Tina. We buy what used to be a 40 lb. bag of Eagle Pac Holistic Select and it's now at the same high price, but three pounds lighter. I told my dh when he brought it into the house, that it wasn't the same size, and he didn't believe me! Surprise!
Farmgirl Sister #50
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?"
'Br.Dave Gardner' |
