Consumers Be Alert

**Darlene** · 07-11-2008, 01:15 PM

Companies are downsizing items, keeping costs the same or increasing them with many consumers unaware. This site will have you looking at your groceries in a whole new light. http://www.mouseprint.org/

Question... Would you rather companies just cut the sizes/ amounts and not tell you, hopefully keeping the prices the same or that they were forthright and raised the prices and kept the amounts the same?

I know the costs to manufacture goods increases over time and I the consumer need to pay more. Just be forthright with me and let me make an informed decision. I hate the sneaky underhanded ways "they" try to fool me.

**Texasgirl** · 07-11-2008, 01:19 PM

I think they should have to tell you that they have changed the sizes and kept the same price.
Seems like legal stealing if you ask me.

**Ceashels** · 07-11-2008, 01:21 PM

Well, they have to lable what they sell. So if the box used to say 6 and they sold 6 and now it says 5 and they sell 5 then they are letting us know. They are not lying to us. I doubt any company would call a press conference to announce they are changing their packaging to smaller amounts but keeping the same price. We as consumers have to beware because we don't always take time to read the lables. We are the ones that have to be savy and frugal to know what we are paying for .... at all times.

**Frugal Nurse** · 07-11-2008, 01:23 PM

I always check the unit price- that's what I use in my price book.

But lots of people aren't aware of that. Like my son when he buys groceries! Grrrrrrr

I couldn't help but notice in the same link is the
BBQ Rib fair in Boston - Lots of people were rib-ripping-roaring-riotous about that.
Don't get us mad here.. we insite riots!

**The Muse** · 07-11-2008, 01:26 PM

I'd rather pay more for the same size. The main issue I have with the shrinking packages (aside from the sneakiness of it) is that I'm used to getting X number of servings from a package and now that's blown. A few times I've bought 1 package of something because that's what I've needed in the past to make a recipe, only to find out that the package is smaller now and I'm short on the ingredient.

**Greebo** · 07-11-2008, 01:26 PM

Yep - Caveat Emptor - Let the Buyer Beware.

**Mom23boys** · 07-11-2008, 01:52 PM

Wal-Mart is reducing the package size of it's dog food brand, Ol Roy. They used to come in 50 lb. bags, now they will be coming out in 40 lb. bags.

I guess they think as consumers we aren't going to notice the difference.

**peanut** · 07-11-2008, 02:05 PM

"Would you rather companies just cut the sizes/ amounts and not tell you, hopefully keeping the prices the same or that they were forthright and raised the prices and kept the amounts the same?"

I'd rather they be forthright. DH and I just went egg shopping. Do you realize they've downsized eggs now? The medium are the same size as the small used to be. And the larges are really mediums!

Jean

**Greebo** · 07-11-2008, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by peanut

I'd rather they be forthright. DH and I just went egg shopping. Do you realize they've downsized eggs now? The medium are the same size as the small used to be. And the larges are really mediums!

The chickens are in on it!!!

**DonnainME** · 07-11-2008, 02:34 PM

LOL - chickens are in on it.

**Darlene** · 07-11-2008, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by Greebo

The chickens are in on it!!!

Conspiracy?! Sabotage? Regular chickens lusting after what the free range chickens have? Hmm...

**prftstrngr** · 07-11-2008, 03:40 PM

hmmmm are the chickens smaller too?? is that why they are laying smaller eggs? Are they protesting for better wages??

**meanestmom** · 07-11-2008, 05:09 PM

Haha...to whoever wrote the chickens are in on it!! That one got a good belly laugh out of me...I needed that! Thanks!!

**TexasPeanut** · 07-11-2008, 05:26 PM

I'd just rather they just be honest. However they have to go about it, just fess up to meddling with the goods. Either keep it the same and raise the cost and explain why, or downsize BUT ALSO downsize the cost just a little please. It drives me bat crazy to get the same pack of chicken breasts that came with 6 breasts for roughly 7 bucks and some change (that provided my family of 3 with two meals) now it's only 4 chicken breasts for over $9 !!!!

Now we have to buy two to get enough for two meals and it just messes me up entirely.