Pictured here is inflation. On the left, this year’s $19.99 charcoal grill. On the right, last year’s $19.99 charcoal grill.
Not pictured is the grill I bought in 2009 for the same price at the same store…it was bigger and nicer than the red one. (It had thicker metal, nicer legs, and a shelf type grilling rack.)
The stores are attempting to trick us into believing that prices aren’t rising rapidly by keeping the same price-points available. It’s happening slowly, over time, that the product is becoming inferior to it’s past self.
Posted by Sandeep Bhalla on May 11, 2012 at 5:17 am
I share your feeling. It is much worse over here. I had also raised some issues about inflation on my post a few weeks earlier.
Posted by Jimmy Cracked-Corn on May 11, 2012 at 7:40 am
Thank you for visiting! I like you blog!
Posted by Sydney on May 11, 2012 at 5:28 am
Looks like next year’s $19.99 grill will be the size of a tailgating grill!
Posted by Jimmy Cracked-Corn on May 11, 2012 at 7:40 am
Without a doubt. I know that prices are rising…it’s just the idea that they stores are trying not to admit it.
Posted by Steve on May 11, 2012 at 7:29 am
Just compare food and drink packages over the last couple of years. Things are coming in smaller packages and people on the whole aren’t even noticing.
Posted by Jimmy Cracked-Corn on May 11, 2012 at 7:37 am
Yes, slowly but surely! Most of my chocolate chip cookie recipes call for 12 ounces of chocolate chips, but the bags in the grocery store are 10 ounces now.
Posted by thebeadden on May 11, 2012 at 10:37 am
I don’t buy many canned products, but I noticed they are really skimping in that department too. It’s getting harder to open them the metal is so thin! This topic could go on forever.
Great post.
Posted by Jimmy Cracked-Corn on May 11, 2012 at 10:48 am
I bought a variety of beer last weekend and got 6 bottles containing 11.2 ounces each for the price of the 12 ounce size. Yep, it’s happening all over. That’s about half a bottle less in the pack.
Posted by thebeadden on May 11, 2012 at 10:57 am
Two summers ago I went to the store for a bag of potatoes. I know how much they weigh and was used to that. My arm and bag went flying upwards. At first I thought, my how strong am I? Then noticed it was a seven pound bag instead of ten. Same price. They are back to 10 lb bags but I get mine from a farmer now.
Posted by Jimmy Cracked-Corn on May 11, 2012 at 11:08 am
The best thing is how the manufacturers are trying to confuse us into paying more by making novel arrangements of their products so we can’t do the math in our head.
Is $7.88 a good price for seventeen 9.5 ounce cans? Uhhhhhhh………
Posted by Charcoal grill frame becomes a table. Re-use! « Jimmy Cracked Corn on May 11, 2012 at 11:12 am
[...] picture isn’t the same one shown a few pictures above. It’s very similar, but was made with thinner metal, flimsier legs and no extra cooking shelf inside. Rate this: Share this:PinterestFacebookEmailPrintLike this:LikeBe the first to like this [...]
Posted by Sincerely, Emily on May 11, 2012 at 11:37 am
That makes me nauseous. So true and so frustrating. I love seeing it with the comparison you have done. Well done.
Posted by Jimmy Cracked-Corn on May 13, 2012 at 8:30 am
Prices will rise. That part I have accepted. The trickery is what bothers me. Caveat emptor.