Brands Down Size . Are Consumers Paying More?
I have recently started noticing a trend of companies downsizing their products but charging the same price. Most consumers I have talked to did not even notice they were getting less but paying the same. How long will this trend continue and will this make consumers more aware of what they buy? Will coupon usage go up even more than it already has? Here are some examples of products I have seen or heard about. Companies are getting clever in disguising the way they are down sizing as well. I have seen this with products such as meat, cereal and ice cream!
Encor frozen entree's have gone from 32oz to 28 oz. Price is the same. Look at the ingrediant statement to show msg in the product. They also have chicken skin in their product.It's not uncommon to see skin in a product but because it is included in their ingrediant statement you can see that that makes up a large percentage of the product!
Banquet has down sized 2 times going from 32oz to 24oz staying at the same price while their competitor Fast Fixin' is still a 36 oz bag and still holds true to their motto to “Bigger Bag, Better Value. They have even gone so far as to put that statement on the bag, just look for the sticker.Matter of fact Fast Fixin' is the only one offering a bonus bag right now in their category.
Tyson has downsized their bag 10 to 12% and kept the same price.
Ritz crackers/Wheat Thins have down sized but still charge the same. Country Crock one of my favorites has gone from 48 ounces to 45!
Consumer's are now paying more but getting less in some of the products they have been buying for years! Don't let your eye's decieve you! Be smart! Check your labels and weights because sometimes even if you have products side by side you wouldn't be able to tell the change! It's kind of a sneaky way to do a price increase.
My kids and I love Fruit Loops! I had a box leftover from a coupon sale and when I compared it side by side it looked the same size but I was actually getting less! Old box is 19.7 ozs and the new box is 17ozs! The average consumer may notice this.
Another thing you should look at is the ingrediants statement! Did you know the order in which the ingrediants are stated show what percentage the product is made up of that ingrediant? So for example if the first ingrediant is water and the 2nd ingrediant is chicken, well you get the picture. To give you an example I picked up 4 bags of chicken nuggets. Tyson, Banquest,Fast Fixin and Encore.
Banquet- First 2 ingrediants is Chicken Thigh & water.
Tyson-Chicken & water
Fast Fixin- Chicken Breast with rib meat & water!
Encore- White Chicken & Breading and Batter.Look at the ingrediant statement to show msg in the product. They also have chicken skin in their product.It's not uncommon to see skin in a product but because it is included in their ingrediant statement you can see that that makes up a large percentage of the product!
I found out that just because a product says chicken doesn't mean its actual chicken breast. It could be white and dark meat or whatever else part of the chicken they want to throw in if you know what I mean! If you want white meat you need to look for the words “Chicken Breast”.
This is also true in pet food! I have started to check my petfood before I buy it to see if the first ingrediant is beef or chicken!
All of these little tidbits you should be aware of when you stroll down the grocery isle next time! You can't always go by the picture or the look of the size of the product! If we truly want to make a difference in our grocery bills we have got to stop being lazy and actually read the product lables! With the economy the way it is today we can't afford not to! With this continued downsize consumers will also need to be aware that they will need to make adjustments to their favorite all time recipes or changes to their family meal planners . You will also want to be aware that your grocery list will be a little bit fatter because you may to need to buy more of a product than you used to , to feed your family.
One way to fight back is to voice your opinion and use coupons and watch for sales whenever you can!
So what are consumers saying about this? Check out some of the tweets posted below from Twitter!:
karlkovacs@ConsumerQueen My favorite granola bars are smaller and i'm paying more money for them. Is it time to start making my own again?
emccaleb@ConsumerQueen Yes!! Eddies ice cream for one. What a rip-off!
just_be@ConsumerQueen @FastFixin The worst offender is ice cream manufacturers. They reduced the package size & increased the price!
mmartinpeterpan@ConsumerQueen Oreo cookies are perfect example. Five yrs ago they didn't fit in TWare container … now there is more than enough room
afullcup@ConsumerQueen I think its a shame they can do it & get away with it. BUT honestly some people didn't even notice which is even worse.
mmartinpeterpan@ConsumerQueen Canned tuna is another example. 6.5 oz can is now 5 oz. I'm lucky to find it for less than 69 cents. It used to be 50 cents.
cr8tivejen@ConsumerQueen i think its something we are going to have to get used to. we've been spoiled (brats) for far too long. just sayin.
Mark_Salinas@ConsumerQueen Have definitely noticed! I have something called a spending machine in my house a.k.a a teenager! Shopping cures all!
mmartinpeterpan@ConsumerQueen last one … ice cream … no longer 1/2 gallon … it's 1.75 quarts! I think Breyer's is 1.5 quarts
NWGuy@ConsumerQueen I think you're right; brands have found the comfortable price points and are shifting package size – ice cream;cereal;coffee
JSpoonemore@ConsumerQueen Changing the design on the box almost hides the fact that the box is smaller than the older ones.
So where does that leave us now? I would love to hear your thoughts and comments on this matter!
Tweet this: Brands Down Size . Are Consumers Paying More? https://tw1.us/C4 #CNQueen RT!
Locally Speaking, I do believe that Braums Ice cream containers are now smaller and cost more per serving!
Locally Speaking, I do believe that Braums Ice cream containers are now smaller and cost more per serving!
I’ve definitely noticed the downsize. The last time I had a Philly Steak Hamburger Helper box kit, there was a laughably small amount of the french fried onions and noticeably less pasta.
I try not buy name brands unless they are on sale AND I have a coupon. I’m buying more off brands and cooking more from scratch. You have to be savvy even with off brands as amounts vary and sometimes savings are dubious.
I’ve definitely noticed the downsize. The last time I had a Philly Steak Hamburger Helper box kit, there was a laughably small amount of the french fried onions and noticeably less pasta.
I try not buy name brands unless they are on sale AND I have a coupon. I’m buying more off brands and cooking more from scratch. You have to be savvy even with off brands as amounts vary and sometimes savings are dubious.
I have noticed this (I have four kids) and I am VERY upset about it. I have started emailing companies when I notice. They may not change their ways but I want them to know I noticed and I am NOT happy.
I have noticed this (I have four kids) and I am VERY upset about it. I have started emailing companies when I notice. They may not change their ways but I want them to know I noticed and I am NOT happy.
I blogged about this a couple weeks ago as well , but didn’t pick up on the exact size difference. I noticed this trend initially with yogurt ( the indent on the bottom of packaging is deeper). Makes me want to get those deals even more !
I have noticed and the price should come down also.
I have noticed and the price should come down also.
I first noticed with the canned tuna. Funny enough, I noticed that the Walmart brand was 5oz when the name brands were still 6oz. I bought name brand that day.
I have started keeping better track of the price per ounce so I know how prices are really doing. Sure that brand may be on sale for the same price as this one, but which one is really the better price?
I first noticed with the canned tuna. Funny enough, I noticed that the Walmart brand was 5oz when the name brands were still 6oz. I bought name brand that day.
I have started keeping better track of the price per ounce so I know how prices are really doing. Sure that brand may be on sale for the same price as this one, but which one is really the better price?
Dreyers Ice Cream (I think it’s Eddie’s back east)has gotten noticeably smaller, but ptice keeps going up!
Dreyers Ice Cream (I think it’s Eddie’s back east)has gotten noticeably smaller, but ptice keeps going up!
I’ve been noticing this for a while now, and I think it’s only going to get worse with the economy in such bad shape. Most recently it’s Purina Cat Chow making the change. My mom was complaining that she couldn’t find the 18-pound bags anywhere, then she asked a store worker, and they said whenever they get another shipment in, it’ll be 16-pound bags instead. I’m sure the price will either stay the same or go up!
I’ve been noticing this for a while now, and I think it’s only going to get worse with the economy in such bad shape. Most recently it’s Purina Cat Chow making the change. My mom was complaining that she couldn’t find the 18-pound bags anywhere, then she asked a store worker, and they said whenever they get another shipment in, it’ll be 16-pound bags instead. I’m sure the price will either stay the same or go up!
this has really been going on for a while. the most annoying to me are the tiny ice cream containers. I have been buy Tillamook since they are still 1/2 gallon. I have noticed cans from soup to pumpkin to beans to veggies. So many things that used to a whole lbs are now 15 oz or less. you really have to compare price per oz
this has really been going on for a while. the most annoying to me are the tiny ice cream containers. I have been buy Tillamook since they are still 1/2 gallon. I have noticed cans from soup to pumpkin to beans to veggies. So many things that used to a whole lbs are now 15 oz or less. you really have to compare price per oz
I blogged about this a couple weeks ago as well , but didn’t pick up on the exact size difference. I noticed this trend initially with yogurt ( the indent on the bottom of packaging is deeper). Makes me want to get those deals even more !
I noticed it on my dog food 50 lb. bags are now 42 lbs. and 20 lb. bags are 17 lbs. also Suave and White Rain shampoo keep changing the price and size of their bottles.
I noticed it on my dog food 50 lb. bags are now 42 lbs. and 20 lb. bags are 17 lbs. also Suave and White Rain shampoo keep changing the price and size of their bottles.
I have also noticed this – especially while waiting in line and glancing at the candy bars (not actually drooling), but it says King Size, but seems like the “normal” size – never checked the size though – just by eye sight.
I have also noticed this – especially while waiting in line and glancing at the candy bars (not actually drooling), but it says King Size, but seems like the “normal” size – never checked the size though – just by eye sight.
We just picked up ten cans of Bumblebee tuna fish on sale for $.89. That’s when I noticed how small the cans looked. They were now 5 oz. instead of 6 oz. I always notice when products shrink. Thank God, the way we shop, we don’t usually pay much, if anything at all, for groceries.
We just picked up ten cans of Bumblebee tuna fish on sale for $.89. That’s when I noticed how small the cans looked. They were now 5 oz. instead of 6 oz. I always notice when products shrink. Thank God, the way we shop, we don’t usually pay much, if anything at all, for groceries.
I noticed my bars of Dial soap have a huge indention in the middle now, where they used to be the same dimention all the way across. It’s pretty bad when even a bar of soap is cut down!
I noticed my bars of Dial soap have a huge indention in the middle now, where they used to be the same dimention all the way across. It’s pretty bad when even a bar of soap is cut down!
It is ridiculous! to be honest, I haven’t paid attention but I will start! I’m still using coupons, no matter what!
It is ridiculous! to be honest, I haven’t paid attention but I will start! I’m still using coupons, no matter what!
It is such a bummer to hear that companies are doing this. I understand they need to save money like the rest of us, but being sneaky about it isn’t fun for anyone…
It is such a bummer to hear that companies are doing this. I understand they need to save money like the rest of us, but being sneaky about it isn’t fun for anyone…
They have been down-sizing for at least 3 or 4 yrs. Just seems more noticable now because more companies are doing it. I have always been a savvy shopper, I always whip out the calculater to see how much per ounce. I am the youngest of 6 so I know how to shop for the best bargain having watched my mom. Some companies are changing shape of container to appear to be bigger, look at how much is in that container always. You’d be surprised how often the small size is cheaper and just buy more of it. lol
Or how about frozen pizzas that come in a box. I about freaked 2 weeks ago after opening a Diorgnio pizza. It SHRUNK big-time! Me and my son split it and I was hungry after eating half of it, but their prices have only gone up!
Ok how about Great Northern Beans. Do you know its actually about .13 cheaper an ounce to buy the cans vs. buying a large jar of them. It used to be the other way around.
Yoplait Kids Yogurt was my find last night offering 1/2 the product for the same cost as always. You now get 4 cups instead of 6 and each only contain 3oz instead of 4oz as you got just a month ago.
Total it up, you are going from 24oz total to just 12oz.
https://blog.nickels-n-dimes.com/2011/03/07/same-cost-less-product-better-believe-it/
Frenches mustard is now 40% bigger not shure for how long, Malt o meal cereal is also larger boxes when everybody else is downsizing Brayne Dariy icescream is still a true 1/2 gal look for these products would hurt to call and commend these co’s
Thanks Tim!