Chesterfield Online Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Alsatian on January 24, 2013, 01:27:21 PM

Title: Bigger doesn't always mean better!
Post by: Alsatian on January 24, 2013, 01:27:21 PM
Just been to T*scos in town (sorry JR!) and wanted a box of Tesco Honey Nut Cornflakes. Two sizes - 750g and 500g boxes on display, now economies of scale would lead you to believe that the bigger box should represent better value (eg due to less packaging/storage etc etc) - however:

750g box on sale at £2.25

500g box on sale at 72p

This works out at: 750g box = 30p per 1g and  500g box = 14p per 1g - and, no, the 500g box wasn't on offer!

I bought two 500g boxes which cost £1.44 which was not only 81p cheaper, I also got 250g more!

How many people would just buy the bigger box in the belief that it would represent better value, without doing the maths (and how many of the younger generation would be able to do the maths - with or without the aid of a calculator/iPhone/tablet etc etc)?

Is this 'kidology' or what?
Title: Re: Bigger doesn't always mean better!
Post by: chesterfieldchris on January 24, 2013, 01:34:29 PM
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Title: Re: Bigger doesn't always mean better!
Post by: Old Cruser on January 24, 2013, 02:37:43 PM
Like you Alsatian I always work out which is the cheaper to buy - there are many so called 'bargains' in the shops which when compared with other sizes work out more expensive - it's good to spend a little more time working it out  ;)
Title: Re: Bigger doesn't always mean better!
Post by: simondjuk on January 25, 2013, 08:23:53 AM
Like you Alsatian I always work out which is the cheaper to buy - there are many so called 'bargains' in the shops which when compared with other sizes work out more expensive - it's good to spend a little more time working it out  ;)

Thats what me and the other half do.

In Tesco earlier this week and needed some teabags.  Obviously the bigger packs are cheaper per 100g, bag etc. Their own version (Red Label) works out a saving af about 10p if you buy 480 instead of 6 boxes of 80.
Title: Re: Bigger doesn't always mean better!
Post by: Old Cruser on January 25, 2013, 08:51:42 AM
What are the red label like Simon I like a strong cuppa?
Title: Re: Bigger doesn't always mean better!
Post by: simondjuk on January 25, 2013, 03:15:09 PM
They arent too bad.

I love the PG Tips Extra Strong but are quite expensive.  I tend to buy them when they are offer.

I like a nice strong cuppa too.
Title: Re: Bigger doesn't always mean better!
Post by: therealjr on January 25, 2013, 07:01:28 PM


There has recently been legislation passed I believe, or at least supermarkets signed up to a new set of guidelines, meaning if there are any packs marked up as "big pack better value" - then there should be no way of buying the same volume of product for the same or less money.


It's a code of practice which everyone has signed up to with the notable exception of Asda.
Title: Re: Bigger doesn't always mean better!
Post by: chesterfieldchris on January 25, 2013, 10:21:26 PM
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Title: Re: Bigger doesn't always mean better!
Post by: therealjr on January 25, 2013, 10:28:54 PM
Maybe asda will work out the cheapest on the smaller packs afterward then?

After all, if the supermarkets can't make money off the people who just assume that biggest is best, then they will just up the price of the smaller packs to compensate I guess.

mmmm what was that about sweeping assumptions?
Title: Re: Bigger doesn't always mean better!
Post by: chesterfieldchris on January 25, 2013, 10:34:10 PM
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Title: Re: Bigger doesn't always mean better!
Post by: Slacker on January 25, 2013, 11:58:44 PM
One I posted a while ago about a bargain multi-buy
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1171_47075486741_4042_n.jpg)
Title: Re: Bigger doesn't always mean better!
Post by: Kent on January 26, 2013, 05:52:18 AM
Yes, Slacker I've seen that on a couple of other brands as well.
It seems the supermarkets think the public are thick and stupid.
trying to scam you as much as they dare.
The Co-op have not long since bought the local Londis....I cant
believe how much they have put up the prices....scandalous.

Title: Re: Bigger doesn't always mean better!
Post by: Old Cruser on January 26, 2013, 08:57:55 AM
There will be many who maybe won't work that out  :-?
We are told that a lot of younger generation have problems with basic maths  :(
When daughter was at school the way they taught times table wasn't i thought that good. I stuck to my guns and she learned them the way I was taught.
Maybe it's me but I never could see how it would be easy for her to do a quick calculation in her head by the 5,10, 15,20 way. To me the old fashioned 1x5 is 5 made more sense for quick calculations.
Be it right or wrong what I do know is that although she's not a well pixie these days she's still a whizz at mental arithmetic - her name 'the calculator' given by teachers still stands
ps - she doesn't take after me  :))