Beware of pricing scams at Target!

[divegirl]

So I was shopping at Target today for laundry detergent. I went to pick up the largest container I saw, and it was priced at $17.39, and included 300 fluid oz. of detergent. I thought I was getting a great deal by getting the "bulk" stuff instead of buying the smaller containers, right? NOT SO!! Went back and evaluated my decision, and found that if I bought 3 smaller, 100 fluid oz. containers, the price instead came out to $12.49. The brand was slightly different (Tide versus All) but it's the same shit, really. Both were the "free and clear" stuff. This is also unfortunate because although I'm paying less for my detergent, this is wasting a lot more plastic that I have to buy, so the whole bulk-is-better-value idea is null and void.

So, BEWARE!! Also, check your receipt on checkout after they give it to you!! After loading the stuff into my car, I checked my receipt and they even charged me 20 cents extra per container. Time was of the essence, so I didn't go back in there.....and they love people like me I'm sure, because I'm not the type to make a stink over 60 cents. But I thought I'd warn you all instead. But imagine this number increasing per person.....that's a lot of money they're making due to unassuming customers like me.

I've seen the bulk versus compact pricing difference before this instance at Target, and I must say, just check your prices carefully. Just think how much money you'll save, and how many more pairs of skis you can buy over time!

[Arty50]

So you're complaining about two different products having different prices? Sorry, but Tide and All aren't the same thing. So why should they be priced the same. For an extreme example, this is like saying a Patek-Phillipe watch should be the same price as a $10 Casio. They both tell time, right?

The 20 cent difference is a different matter. It was probably just an input error. People do make mistakes. If you took your receipt back, I'm sure they'd fix it.

[TomK]

I aways look at the price per unit when shopping. Some weeks, the smaller packaging is a better deal but most times the buying in bulk is better. It depends what deal the supplier and retailer have worked out to move what's overstocked that week.

It's also a sneaky part of the process of maximizing revenue. Get people used to buying the large size because it's cheaper, then they won't recheck cost per unit due to habit. It'll be cheaper to buy bulk again in a week or two.

The price flopping isn't just at Target, it happens at lots of retailers - grocery stores especially.

[LaramieSkiBum]

was at wallyworld yesterday buying pop - 24packs unit price for a can is 2cents higher than the 12....

[divegirl]

So you're complaining about two different products having different prices? Sorry, but Tide and All aren't the same thing. So why should they be priced the same. For an extreme example, this is like saying a Patek-Phillipe watch should be the same price as a $10 Casio. They both tell time, right?

The 20 cent difference is a different matter. It was probably just an input error. People do make mistakes. If you took your receipt back, I'm sure they'd fix it.

Tide/All versus the watch comparison? Don't agree. Besides, it's not enough of a difference to allow a $3.90 loss. I've used both, they're the same imho.

Like I said, I'm not a stickler for 60 cents.

[Arty50]

Tide/All versus the watch comparison? Don't agree. Besides, it's not enough of a difference to allow a $3.90 loss. I've used both, they're the same imho.

Like I said, I'm not a stickler for 60 cents.

Tide has a higher marketing budget. It's used by more people. Thus it commands a premium. Sure they both wash clothes, and I'm sure they both do a good job. But if they were the same thing, they wouldn't be selling both.

Want a better comparison? At the market you can buy normal lemons or organic lemons. They're all lemons, they essentially taste the same. So why spend the extra 10 cents/lb.?

To sum up your original post, Target is ripping you off because 3 small boxes of All are cheaper than 1 large box of Tide. They're two totally different brands, and thus your comparison is bunk.

I'm not trying to pick a fight here, but really how can you expect two different brands to be priced exactly the same?

If you had told us that 3 small boxes of Tide were cheaper than 1 large box of Tide, then I'd shut up...which I'm sure everyone would like.

[mitch buchannon]

For an extreme example, this is like saying a Patek-Phillipe watch should be the same price as a $10 Casio. They both tell time, right?

I'd be all over a $10 Patek-Phillipe. Or Panerai. I'm not picky.

[Spats]

Lots of cold cereals in the supermarket are priced this way: the big box of Cheerios (for instance) will often be more expensive per ounce than the second-biggest.

I always check, and often end up with the 15 oz instead of the 20 oz because of this.

[divegirl]

Tide has a higher marketing budget. It's used by more people. Thus it commands a premium. Sure they both wash clothes, and I'm sure they both do a good job. But if they were the same thing, they wouldn't be selling both.

Want a better comparison? At the market you can buy normal lemons or organic lemons. They're all lemons, they essentially taste the same. So why spend the extra 10 cents/lb.?

To sum up your original post, Target is ripping you off because 3 small boxes of All are cheaper than 1 large box of Tide. They're two totally different brands, and thus your comparison is bunk.

I'm not trying to pick a fight here, but really how can you expect two different brands to be priced exactly the same?

If you had told us that 3 small boxes of Tide were cheaper than 1 large box of Tide, then I'd shut up...which I'm sure everyone would like.

Ok, let me answer your comments. First of all, my comparison is not bunk to those of us who work 8-5 and have barely enough money to escape a month. So maybe this thread is geared to those of us who don't care about a company's marketing budget (nor that it commands a premium...) because instead we care what it does to our clothes (which is exactly the same in this particular comparison) and how much it burns a hole in our pockets. They are the same thing, from my perspective, and from a budget-conscious target-shopping perspective. With this thread, I'm simply pointing out the fact that you can virtually buy the same exact thing for cheaper if you look closely.

Another comparison, take different brands of over the counter drugs. If you compare different brands of the same product (same being their active ingredient is the same exact dosage per product), you can spend up to $5 (or more) per box just by buying a product that spends more on their marketing. But someone like me, who is smart and logical and wants to do the same exact thing for less, will not buy into their marketing strategy and instead use the product that is going to save me some money. Regarding your lemons, this is an interesting quandry. There are different consumer ideologies and associations toward organic produce versus that which is conventionally grown. I've tasted numerous organic versus conventionally grown produce, and I can guarantee to you organic usually tastes a lot better. For example, organic spinach is smaller, but it has ten times the flavor. I digress with the produce.

I've seen two totally different brands priced the same in numerous cases. This is to reiterate that my comparison stands as stated. It is not bunk.

[pappag]

Like someone said, the price difference is indicative of the amount the brand spends on marketing. This is why CVS brands are far cheaper than the SAME product (ingredient-wise) of more widely marketed brands. Or why you can get a case of RC-Cola for the amount a 6-pack of Coke will cost you. It's all the same sugar, corn syrup, caramel coating, phosphoric acid, etc. But those 'natural flavors' get us each time.

But I agree, detergent is basically all the same unless you're trying to get some ultra dirty stains out and whatnot.

[fiddler]

I've seen two totally different brands priced the same in numerous cases. This is to reiterate that my comparison stands as stated. It is not bunk.

Sorry, you are being stubborn, the comparison can only be valid if the One and the Three are the same brand. It doesn't matter how similar they are or that some sizes are the same price. They are different brands priced differently, period.

Having said that it is true that you will often see different sizes of the same product, same brand cheaper in the unexpected size. You have to watch out for those tricky devils.

[divegirl]

Stubborn? Who on this board isn't stubborn?

Like I said...

With this thread, I'm simply pointing out the fact that you can virtually buy the same exact thing for cheaper if you look closely.

[powderwhore]

Like I said, I'm not a stickler for 60 cents.

I believe you are entitled to 10X the difference if it was a scanning issue, so that would be $6. At least that was the law in Michigan when I lived there.

[focus]

I believe you are entitled to 10X the difference if it was a scanning issue, so that would be $6. At least that was the law in Michigan when I lived there.

up to $5, i believe.

and...gonna have to throw in w/ arty here. as far as target is concerned, that tide and that all are completely diff. products. i doubt that a case of tide and a case of all cost target the same amount, and i'd even suspect that tide would be sorta pissed if target sold their product for the same or cheaper than all.

you've got a great argument for being a smart consumer...one we've all probably already heard from our moms -- but not much of a case against target running scams.

[skiguide]

sorry, divegirl - I gotta agree that you can't compare two "name brands" as the same thing/price. it's not what I'd call a pricing scam - the price per unit on larger vs. small sizes or scanning issues is a more appropriate concern.

On the issue of "generic" vs. name brand, i think you've got a fine case, and certainly being a smart consumer to compare those, or opt for budget brands over top tier brands.

even if you've seen two name brands at the same price, that has more to do with competitive pricing at different buying cycles - it doesn't mean they are always priced the same.

Top tier brands like Tide & All will be priced at the higher end, usually within a few cents of each other, and "budget brands" such as Gain should be significantly cheaper.

do i think Gain is exactly the same thing as TIDE? no - tide works better, IMO. would i buy Gain if I was on a budget? probably.

but then you have to factor in the extra wear & tear (ie, fading) on your clothes when you use a harsher detergent.

some products really do have a USP (unique selling proposition) and are worth (or at least in perceived value) more to a consumer.

but with some products you can get away with generics, or like in the case of organics, there is a noticable difference.

[FollowMe]

Safeways refriend beans suck, buy Rosarita's.

[Darkside]

Sorry to add more fuel to the proverbial fire, but I also have a problem with Target. They do not price their products individually, only with a shelf label for all of one type of item. I have since learned that either the people who stock their shelves are either lazy/stupid or the products are deliberately misplaced. Last week at Target, 3 of the 12 items we purchased rang up as different, more expensive item. I noticed this on the receipt and we exchanged them all for the items we thought we were buying. So, pay attention at Target, it might not be on purpose, but you could get burned anyway.

[focus]

by some random chance i happened to buy some tide at target today. this very day. the 300oz bottle was more per ounce than the 200oz bottle.

would never have thought to check were it not for this thread.

tgr saved me .5 cents/ounce. what has tgr done for YOU lately?

[backpack]

I bought tide coldwater recently... wasn't sure it would really work with super-duper-cold water flooding the washing machine, but the clothes came out as clean as they ever have.

On another note, we have one of those tide 'tanks' that looks like a multiple-gallon water container with a spigot... it's fun to punch the button and watch streams of detergent squelch out and plop into the washer.

Yes, I've been incredibly bored lately.

[Egon]

I used 'Surf' this weekend (on sale). Unfortunately the horizontal loading machine I was using wouldn't drain, so I was forced to flood the laundromat.
My 'Surf' is now in the form of a brick.
considering buying some tide, i'll check the current tide/all prices and report back.

[dubu]

I believe you are entitled to 10X the difference if it was a scanning issue, so that would be $6. At least that was the law in Michigan when I lived there.

No shit.. Hmm I'll have to look into if there is a simillar rule in wash..

everytime I go on a substantial gorcery trip I jet jipped 10c here 5c there.. fuckers. safeway and fred meyers are the worst..