Letters

Published 4:26 pm Thursday, April 16, 2009

Buyer beware

Less product

for more money

After running into sticker shock over the $14 increase for a carton of cigarettes, I ran into another one at the grocery store. Have you compared contents of packages lately?

The usual size tub of soft Oleo we purchased was 5 pounds for $5. In a rush, I picked up a tub and proceeded to pay $7. When I reached home, I opened it up, it was not filled to the top. Checking the weight, it was only 4 pounds. So much for low cholesterol spreads.

And coffee! Remember when the large cans actually held 3 pounds of grounds? Then it went to 2 pounds and 7 ounces (39 ounces) for about the same price. We accepted that one. Then the price went up. Then the can became a tad shorter. It now holds 2 pounds, 1.9 ounces (33 ounces) and the price range has risen from $6 to $10 a can.

Skippy peanut butter has hollowed out the bottom of their jar, less spread for more money. Box sizes have not changed, but the ounces have become less for the same or higher price. The majority of store brands are processed by big name brand industries; tastes sometimes a tad different, but quality is the same and price is usually less. Any bargain depends on what and how you eat, what you add to it when you prepare it.

So, buyer beware. Check the ounces against the price.

BARBARA DAY

Bremerton