Think you’re getting a good deal on that peanut butter? Think again. Here’s some dirty tricks manufacturers use to fool you.
Decorative Bottles Next time you buy peanut butter, ketchup, mayonnaise, salad dressing or most anything in plastic or glass bottles – check the bottom. You’ll find the manufacturer has scooped out a big hole, hoping you won’t notice. Thanks to PR Watch.org for catching this one. How much less product do you lose through this little trick? I did some simple math on Jif Peanut Butter and it comes to about 5 percent. That amounts to roughly another 5 cents per ounce for this product. The more expensive the item, the more this trick increases your cost.
Not only that, products with sculpted sides and beveled sides can really cost you. The manufacturers use this trick to fool your eye; the package looks bulky, but actually contains less. Check out Crisco Vegetable oil. There’s a huge grove around the middle. By my calculations, if you include the dimple you are paying a $1.20 more than what you think you’re buying.
Bags of Air Have you noticed how the chip bags are blown up like pillows. It’s not to seal in flavor; it’s to disguise how little product they’re putting in there. They keep the bag the same size and shrink the product content, filling the rest with air. Their other trick is to use bags that you can’t see into. If you could, you’d see how ridiculously little product you’re getting.
Fighting Back First, don’t buy with your eyes. Instead, buy items based upon the cost per ounce or per pound. Usually the grocer posts this information nearby. If you don’t see this unit cost , bring a calculator and do the math. It’s easy. Just divide the total cost by the weight – that’s it.
Second, buy another product if you can. Support manufacturers who don’t use these cheap tricks.
Finally, most product labels show the manufacturers website. Let them know how you feel. Or use their face book page. And let them know if you’ve switched to another brand.
Don’t be fooled. Don’t compare products by the size of their packaging. You can fight back for your hard earned money.