Global Recesson VS the Increase of Prices for Necessities

That's the common tricks practiced by all the merchants and local manufacturers here as well. I believe all of us seeing it now especially it's the down time of the economy (locally and globally). What we can do, is spend wisely. In such a way, we can stay competitive and discourage the merchants to continue raising the price. I have seen many irrational price raised. Take for example, 1 kg of sugar has a RM0.20 price rise. But the drink seller claim that because of the sugar price has increased, they raise the price of the Milo drink with the same amount of RM0.20 as well. This is totally nonsense because 1 kilo of sugar could serves more than 200 cups of drinks and the drink price should be raised as high as RM0.20 too!

I too have noticed the incredible lilliputian product trick. I don't tend to get suckered in by that trick as I buy by unit price. The stores have to tell the truth there, how much each product charges per unit inside the product, say a 1.50 bottle of ketchup costs 0.15 per unit. A larger/squatter bottle of ketchup, that doesn't look like a better deal, but if you look at the per unit price, turns out to be. The unit price isn't as easy to see as the regular price. You have to hunt it out.

Hello my dear friend Williamjisir. In the last few months I have noticed that food prices have got higher in every supermarket that I know. A product that cost 99p this time last year now costs £1.40p so I think that is expensive to buy now. I have seen that some items go on offer and I take note of that buying as many as possible. Like nappies were on offer so I bought many packets then I almost ran out and went to buy some more by which time they were on offer again. Dog food was on offer but that has come to an end. I have noticed the trick of a smaller packet for the original price and think that is clever. Today I mentioned to my mum that the airline I went on this year is doing really well and it hasn't introduced a fuel surcharge. She reminded me that they get extra money through their baggage policy. To have luggage in the hold £16 is payable and it must weight less than 15kg. Taking three bags costs much more. Some companies are coming up with excellent ways to make their customers think that they are getting a bargain. I bought a sofa for £500 in 2005 and the same one would now cost £1500. In this global recession many people are just buying essential goods and not getting any luxury items.

Hi williamjisir! Greetings my friend! It has been awhile and I hope you are doing fine. With regards to your discussion..Yes, I have noticed that happening here in my country. It has been a practice of businessmen/manufacturers. It is a marketing strategy for them although it us consumers who really has to pay the price of paying the same amount but for less. Just like for example, the bread that I used to buy in the bakery. It used to weigh 35 grams but is now being produced in 25 grams yet I am paying the same amount as before. I guess, this is a situation wherein the consumer and the manufacturer are meeting halfway so as to have somehow a win-win situation. The consumer can still buy the bread and the manufacturer can still sell and stay in business. Take care always..God Bless!

Hi William, You catch it right on this issue and that makes you bold here on myLot, always active posting good discussions with hot latest issues. Anyway and back to your discussion's subject, it is a common commercial trend on business marketing and sales strategy. This case just like our age, day after day life our age will be greater(the figure escalates). The same principle they took on it and definitely looking for higher return on their investments. The current global oil price hikes is the prominent reason for manufacturers to forward their 'niche' marketing plan, in fact, at the same time majority consumers take no protest. Only small groups(minority) voice out dissatisfaction and their move are able to be ignored by one's government. As 'demand & supply' is always the general economy theory, understood by consumers, so in this case I think consumers have to change their life style on food intake. I'm not qualm on my statement even though maybe there will be anyone who 'chime-in' to my response and disagree with my says on this issue. Because I said "change life style on food intake"....normally people will vent-out their anger for using those words. I just want to explain about how the theory of 'supply and demand' works and reciprocates to each other, and any government in this world(200 countries) always looking for its EQUILIBRIUM. Uneasy way, actually, but it is an equation of economy theory which needs a 'constant' value to balance up both elements(supply and demand). Less demand is the only way to reduce the supplier selling price. William, I'm grateful for your sharing new exclusive avatar with us here. My golf cap down for you. Bye for now.

Yes, William, I totally know what you're talking about! Recently, all our favorite cereals have increased in price. Our Kashi went from $2.50 to $3.15, and our granola has gone from $2 to $2.79 only in the last month! But the deception you're talking about has been most evident in shredded cheese. A bad of shredded cheese used to be $4.99 for 2 cups. Now, it's 1 3/4 cups, and the price is $6.49! Yeah, our crappy economy really sucks!

Yeah jisir, nowadays rising of price and shrinking of goods seem to be a worldwide problem. The business men are always smart enough to manipulate the price in such a way so that they are always in their own advantage. Some manufacturers even supply inferior materials for the consumers and charge the same price as before. I hope that the big bowl of noodles in your place wouldn’t have the lesser content as what it is found in my place recently Anyway it's nice for us to slim ourselves down more effectively in this way posting and take care.

yea I notice that when new products are launched. they are trying to get rid of old products because the new one has arrived, they will sell them really cheap and the new one about the same price the old ones was usually at. then when the old ones are gone completely, they will raise the price of the new products.

With prices rising as fast as they are... the minimum wage raising could not come soon enough. Also, I REALLY don't believe that the economy is hitting businesses that hard. They do not need to jump to such major increases in price or decreases in product. It isn't THAT bad.