Got a question or comment on this topic? Share your views and experiences with other Consumer members...
To add a comment you need to be a member of consumer.org.nz. Login or Join.
Previous: Commodity price tracker
Previous: Commodity price tracker
I've often bought frozen chicken - then I noticed recently that the plain fillets I've always bought are now only available as "basted". And checking further, all the apparently plain chicken pieces available also basted. What that means, is 11% or more of the raw chicken has been replaced with water and chemicals, particularly salt. It's another stealth price increase, of course, but also a health issue.
Slightly off topic - but along the lines of Read the Label.
When looking to buy some canned apple, I went for Whatys - good New Zealand company, lots of local apples. But I read the label - Produce of China. I could not believe it. NO canned apple was from NZ - the one I chose was from South Africa. What is wrong with you Whatys? Surely with your "buying power" ( monopolistic?) you can buy local. Now I wondering where the baked beans come from.
I too was disturbed to see the reduction in the size of a block of butter with some brands. I simply will not buy them now. Its so close to misleading the customer - if they were giving 10% free it would be all over the packaging!
In the case of the cheese and coffee did the manufacturer think no-one will notice the change! To quote from Hamlet "Something is rotten in the state of ....".
Well, that is interesting MacThistle. I was commenting on another issue about country of origin labelling and how I wasn't paying attention. Now I'm learning that its not just where its how much that needs to be checked. Honestly, I wish companies would just tell the truth. It seems to be an old fashioned way of doing business for some.
I recently purchased what I thought was my usual 500gm block of Pams butter only to find that when I got home it was in fact only 400gms! On my next visit I returned to the dairy dept to check if perhaps there was now a 400gm block alongside the 500gm block, but no, no sign of the latter! I often buy Pams butter due to its price, in this case $2.99. What is going on? Do Pams no longer make the 500gm block, and how is it that producers/manufacturers are quick to let you know on the packaging that you are getting 20% more product for the same price yet very sneakily say nowt when reducing the size but not the price. This is wrong! And its misleading. The same has happened to my 100gm coffee, its now 90gms (International Roast) To the producers I say, if you are going to crow about how wonderful you are for giving us that little bit more for same price etc at least have the honesty to tell us that you will soon be reducing the quantity due to what ever excuse. That or I want the right to refuse to pay the same price for a 100gm pack of product that now is 90gms!
I know what you mean, they seem to think we are really thick. I recently went to the supermarket and went to purchase a Rexona spray deodorant and noticed that they are in the process of reducing the 150ml can that costs $6.60 down to a can that holds only 100ml but costs $6.20! How can they justify reducing the can by one third yet only reducing the cost by 40c shouldn't the 100ml can be priced at $4.40?
Peter Nagle
My supermarket always shows the price per unit (say, cents per gram) and this is what I look at, along with the quantity of the item. I almost never look at the actual price when comparing similar items, unless I have to calculate the price per unit myself.
If you don't take note of quantity and price, you've only got yourself to blame I'm afraid. The quantity is there, printed on the packagaing - there's no law that says they can't change it without notice. It's not misleading, people just aren't paying enough attention.
Sorry but I disagree David. The packaging for the butter I brought was exactly the same as previously purchased. There are only two supermarkets in this small town and neither or them use the price per unit. The butter was not on special etc, it was just in its usual location. Reducing the size of a product without notice but charging the same as the larger item is decieving! I look at price and size of item and make my decision that way which I suspect most of us do. The only time I find I can make comparison between unit and price is at the bulk bins.
Be careful relying on those prices per unit provided by your supermarket - our local one regularly gets them very wrong!!
That is exactly what food manufacturers hope - consumers won't notice a slight pack change...
On supermarket labelling - it is hopeless in NZ - I'm surprise consumer watchdog equivalent don't bring it up. Either prices don't exist, or the wrong product is in front of the label or they're just wrong or the till is. Isn't there a law that states the prices of goods must be visible (and must I say it - correct).