topic Re: Things that cost more than they should in Community Chat

Things that cost more than they should

gellen — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 12:28:50 GMT

I went to buy a few greeting cards yesterday and , as always, was taken back by the price. It got me to thinking about things that cost more than they should. I can add bathing suits to that list. Your thoughts?

Re: Things that cost more than they should

4kitties — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 12:32:49 GMT

I get all my greeting cards at Dollar Tree. They are now made by Hallmark and are nice. I would rather buy an additional gift than spend $3 to $5 for a card that will be thrown away.

Re: Things that cost more than they should

FrostyBabe1 — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 12:33:52 GMT

My thought is that what people think costs more than it should will vary wildly, and knowing the Q boards, will end in an argument.

It all depends on what one likes, what one expects from a product, and what someone is willing and able to pay for it.

Re: Things that cost more than they should

Lisa Y — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 12:34:07 GMT

Good morning, @gellen

Greeting card prices are outrageous, and then they get thrown away. I stock up at the Dollar Stores for cards. I think most everything I buy is more than I expect it to be: makeup, cereal, vitamins, pantyhose, etc. if I happen to find something I use at a sale price, I will buy it. Discount stores are my new best friends. 😄 Have a great weekend!

Re: Things that cost more than they should

SXMGirl — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 12:42:57 GMT

@gellen My greeting cards come from the dollar store. I don't want to buy them and I really do not want to receive them as most just get put in recyling.

As for grocery and household items, I shop sales. Since I never go to the mall, I seem to spend more money on clothes at the Q and sometimes HSN. While some consider their clothing pricey, I am not driving anywhere, do not have to worry about anything happening to my car, or anything happening to me. Good trade-off in my opinion.

Re: Things that cost more than they should

DAD — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 12:48:45 GMT

I get all my greeting cards at Dollar General. Most are $1.00 & some are $2.00. They are very nice cards. We don't send as many Christmas cards as we used to, but I have found really nice boxes of cards at T J Maxx & Dollar General. Also most drug stores have them half price around Thanksgiving. I'm not paying $6.00 for a card. I pt it into the gift.

Re: Things that cost more than they should

Desertdi — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 13:02:36 GMT

Well, I was shocked to see Stove Top stuffing went from $1 to $1.50 at WM since last year...........

Re: Things that cost more than they should

kaydee50 — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 13:07:21 GMT

I don't send greeting cards so I don't buy them. But the price of cereal has gotten to be ridiculous Wheaties here is $4.99. We usually buy whatever is on "special."

Re: Things that cost more than they should

Nataliesgramma — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 13:08:46 GMT

I was just thinking this yesterday...Let me add..

Printer ink

bag of potting soil...dirt

Re: Things that cost more than they should

chrystaltree — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 13:38:20 GMT

Nothing really costs more than it "should" because this is the USA and we have a capitalistic society. Which is a good thing. Companies are free to charge what they want to charge and their success or failure is based on the consumer. And that creates competition and lower prices. Also financial situations vary in this country. a $100 swim suit might be expensive to you but it's so inexpensive to another woman that she'll buy 3 or 4. For me, there is nothing in this world that costs too much. There are things that I can't afford, there things I don't believe are worth the price and I'm ok with that because I know I can find an alternative that just as good at a price I want to pay.

Re: Things that cost more than they should

Citrine1 — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 13:46:22 GMT

I agree that greeting cards are outragously expensive, but I tend to think everything is overpriced these days. Gas, bread, meat, produce, cable, electricity, hotel rooms -- you name it, it costs too much.

Re: Things that cost more than they should

willdob3 — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 13:49:36 GMT

@gellen

EVERYTHING costs more than it should. Even at the dollar stores. It is about making a profit.

Re: Things that cost more than they should

Havarti — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 14:01:16 GMT

I totally agree about the price of greeting cards. I have a large rush of birthdays every fall and was shocked to see the cards were $7.99 - even at Target. We all decided this year that it was a complete waste of money since cards just get tossed, so we agreed going forward no more cards for special days, just a personal call will mean more. I stopped sending Christmas cards years ago so that is no longer a factor. I would imagine a sympathy card would still be in order, but hope I won't need any of those for a long time.

Re: Things that cost more than they should

Krimpette — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 14:08:21 GMT

I make my own greeting cards, so I haven't shopped for them in a long time. However, given what I pay for kits/supplies, I'm not surprised to hear of some of the prices! But I love sending (and receiving) greeting cards! No matter the cost.

Re: Things that cost more than they should

Warrior2022 — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 14:21:10 GMT

Toliet paper is just money flushed away.

Re: Things that cost more than they should

ScrapHappy — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 14:26:13 GMT

I get my cards from Dollar Tree. They used to have them for 50 cents and then others at a $1, But not they are $1 and $2 .

Re: Things that cost more than they should

cherry — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 15:19:30 GMT

To quote a famous actress, I am an old broad, and in my entire life, people never shouted ,whoopie we are so lucky to be alive now, because, everything is so cheap. Everything has always been expensive, and it is always going to be

Re: Things that cost more than they should

Sooner — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 15:27:04 GMT

I think things cost what they cost. How do you judge "should?" Isn't that something everyone decides for themselves?

How can you possibly say what something is worth to someone else? Maybe it is the design, the quality of the paper, the pleasure of buying the card at a real stationery store?

Maybe it is a car you love, the way it drives, looks, or the safety rating. Maybe you like buying from the dealer and money is not the motivating factory.

Maybe you like the coffee, or the look of the machine, or it was a pleasurable experience where you bought it and the demo of what it would they would. Or they gift wrapped it beautifully.

What "should" anything cost, or how "should" we make buying decisions? Is there a rule for everyone? I really doubt any two of us buy something for exactly the same value, economic situation, reason, need, or want.

Re: Things that cost more than they should

MorningLover — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 15:33:45 GMT

Cosmetics

Bottled Water

Lattés

Furniture

Razor Blade Refills

Anything to Eat or Drink at an Amusement Park,

Cinemas/Theaters ..popcorn

etc..etc..

Re: Things that cost more than they should

Porcelain — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 15:46:54 GMT

Any time they can catch you when you're in a rush or a captive audience, they will charge you out the wazoo!

So with cards, generally people are in a bit of a rush to get the card in the mail on time. (Though I at least like to imagine myself casually being in a boutique and happening to see the perfect card for someone well in advance of a special date--doesn't ususally happen that way.) So they charge a premium because they know you won't price comparison shop.

Printer ink, razor cartridges, mini bars, movie and sport event and theme park snacks...captive audience. They know you have no alternatives if you want something to drink or whatever so they charge as much as they can. Right up to the point where they start losing customers. Then they reduce it by a few cents and see if they still lose an unacceptable number of customers.

Which is why disruptors who figure out a way to charge a lot less eventually make those companies obsolete. We all break out of the 'captivity' as soon as we see a better and cheaper option. Cash grabs breed serious brand disloyalty. Unfortunately some of those behemoth companies that can't compete with disruptors try to buy them out to get rid of the competition. And if that doesn't work, they lobby for specious regulations to prevent competition. This is one reason the economic principles we learned in college don't always play out the way we were taught.