John Galt (12-13-2020)
Well, we could stop it by refusing to purchase the downsized product.
In the particular case that I mentioned, however, it is a bit more difficult: The private-label brand that I mentioned is an even $3.00, whereas the national brand that it mimics--almost perfectly--is $6.00; and the 1.6 ounce difference (23.6 ounces to 22.0 ounces) does not justify a change of brands.
I guess what I am saying is that I would prefer not to cut off my own nose just to spite my face.
John Galt (12-13-2020)
Perhaps I am just out of step here.
I really do not care even a nickel just whether my kitchen (or anything else, for that matter) is now "in" or "out."
And I could not possibly care any less what the neighbors (or friends, or anyone else) might think.
In short, I emphatically decline to be preyed upon by some slick salesperson--or by anyone else.
Peter1469 (09-24-2020)
Although my total income is far from impressive--including Social Security, it is merely $3,715.93 per month (or $44,591.16 per year); and my wife has only her Social Security check (plus an occasional check from the church, for sometimes playing the piano there), I always put aside more than $1,000 each month into savings. (Sadly, it is not paying much now--some places, such as Discover, have a much better rate--but I want to be able to access my money anytime, immediately.)
There is actually a broader point than just downsizing: It is the compromising of quality.
That body wash that I mentioned previously--which had been downsized a bit--has also been watered down considerably.
I just opened it yesterday--and noticed it immediately. And my wife also noticed it--and was quite upset by it.
Yes, I like low prices. But when that means compromising quality, that is no bargain. Not really. It is just cheapness.
Oh, and this one is annoying, I think:
My wife and I have been purchasing some store-brand facial tissues (often called "kleenexes; although that is actually a brand name).
They come in a square box.
Usually we get them from either Walmart or Kroger.
And I had long assumed that they were just the same--except for a slight price difference.
Well, I was mistaken.
Upon closer examination, the Walmart tissues are 80 to a box; whereas the Kroger tissues are just 65 to a box.
But the boxes look just alike. So that is not easily discernible.
Whoda thunk it?
Another deception: I purchased Mucinex DM today--actually, it was a store-brand knockoff--and the package appeared to contain 16 (or perhaps 20) pills. (The doctor had given me six free ones; but I had exhausted them.)
When I got home, however, I discovered that only seven--seven!--were contained in the package.
All that wasted space--well, not wasted if the manufacturer's intent was to deceive the consumer.
Nothing new. Toilet paper sheets get smaller and smaller each year. In the seventies, a can of coffee was 1 lb. Now it's about 12-13 ounces.
I recently noticed that a two pack of my deodorant offers two 2 oz. sticks, as opposed to the single 2.3 ounce stick. I never bothered to read the size.
pjohns (12-14-2020)