It’s not just new generations, these are basic marketing strategies that have existed forever. It’s manipulative, people see a smaller number and think it’s better, without even considering the value for a moment. Preying on the spur of the moment decision.
The first time I noticed the bigger box of the same cereal at the grocery store was twice as much per weight, I felt so betrayed and pissed off. I thought we had a deal, buy bulk get discount. The prices all fluctuate, and now I have to read the prices and do the math every time I shop forever? This is bullshit.
It’s not always a purposeful grift when that happens.
When dealing with an actual different sku like that, they don’t necessarily get the products at the same time, and they don’t sell through them at the same rate. It could be that the smaller boxes have been sitting around longer and the price was lowered to sell through before their expiry dates.
They don’t always put sales tags on everything that’s discounted a small amount, especially if it’s expected to be longer than a few days.
Especially if it’s a large company that likely has automated basic things like that to update pricing for stagnant inventory in a specified way.
They also do price tags to account for weight vs price in an inconsistent way, so one will be x ounces for y price, but the next will be z units per other price, and I’m always in a hurry so it’s impossible to stand there and compare. Only retirees can do that.
Just don’t take it extreme like my ex roommate. He would buy bread by picking every brand and type in the bread aisle, count how many slices were in the loaf, cheapest bread in price per slice he would buy.
Idk about Walmart, haven’t been there in awhile, but grocery/retail stores around here have per-unit prices beneath the advertised price. Of course they’re tiny and hard to find, but still super helpful when comparison shopping.
Kroger typically has a price per unit on the shelf tags. Sometimes the larger bulk item is higher. I think they do this to clear inventory on the smaller item. Of course you still see packages redesigned to sell less at the same price over time.
It’s not just new generations, these are basic marketing strategies that have existed forever. It’s manipulative, people see a smaller number and think it’s better, without even considering the value for a moment. Preying on the spur of the moment decision.
Walmart has been crazy about this over the years. Things like a big box of 45 ziplock bags cost $3.50, but 15 packs are $1.00.
People just assume that pricing will make sense and bulk purchasing is a better value, but sometimes Walmart is like “nah”.
The first time I noticed the bigger box of the same cereal at the grocery store was twice as much per weight, I felt so betrayed and pissed off. I thought we had a deal, buy bulk get discount. The prices all fluctuate, and now I have to read the prices and do the math every time I shop forever? This is bullshit.
It’s not always a purposeful grift when that happens.
When dealing with an actual different sku like that, they don’t necessarily get the products at the same time, and they don’t sell through them at the same rate. It could be that the smaller boxes have been sitting around longer and the price was lowered to sell through before their expiry dates.
They don’t always put sales tags on everything that’s discounted a small amount, especially if it’s expected to be longer than a few days.
Especially if it’s a large company that likely has automated basic things like that to update pricing for stagnant inventory in a specified way.
They also do price tags to account for weight vs price in an inconsistent way, so one will be x ounces for y price, but the next will be z units per other price, and I’m always in a hurry so it’s impossible to stand there and compare. Only retirees can do that.
Just don’t take it extreme like my ex roommate. He would buy bread by picking every brand and type in the bread aisle, count how many slices were in the loaf, cheapest bread in price per slice he would buy.
Should move to a country where the price per gram/mL/unit is displayed on the price tag. Makes this trivial.
I live in Texas and this is already standard here, do other states not put unit prices?
I’ve lived in a few states now and it’s been standard in all of them I’ve lived in. Though it’s mostly been Kroger owned stores
Dunno, I don’t live in a (US) state
Fair, I guess it was more of a question to the assembled commenters.
Idk about Walmart, haven’t been there in awhile, but grocery/retail stores around here have per-unit prices beneath the advertised price. Of course they’re tiny and hard to find, but still super helpful when comparison shopping.
Wal Mart has it, but I saw it with incorrect info once, so I always math it out in my head to verify.
My state mandated that shops must include unit pricing. It’s so much better. I use it every time I shop
Kroger typically has a price per unit on the shelf tags. Sometimes the larger bulk item is higher. I think they do this to clear inventory on the smaller item. Of course you still see packages redesigned to sell less at the same price over time.
I wish i was rich enough to fall for shit like this.
I understand it doesn’t make you rich, but still. Seems like exactly the level of wealth I could be trusted with
It’s manipulative, but if any of them stop doing it their customers punish them for it.
It’s 5 for whatever as well. That’s a sure ”great value deal” indicator