Oddball things that are strangely expensive now

[mikehn]

Samsclub wants $25 for a box of slim jims, what the...

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

everything honestly. I remember getting a 24 pack of soda for like 6.98. Now it's that much for a 12 pack if you can't find it on sale.

My husband and I were talking about that last weekend. I remember when it was 3 for $9 or 4 for $12 (same price per unit just depended on the particular sale). We don't buy pop (especially canned pop) really anymore so we were quite shocked at how much it has increased over the years.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

My 2016 car has only depreciated 4-5k.

A year ago my husband totaled his 2010 Mazda 3 and got $6K for it which was close to double what under normal conditions it would be worth.

Your 2016 car depreciated more than $4-5K it just increased in value since the pandemic started offsetting that. I think that's important to distinguish because if you buy a car today in 8 years (using the age of your car) it would be extremely unlikely it holds higher value like we are in right now.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Paper products are off the charts which makes no sense judging by the amount of garbage mail I get. Like, if the price of materials went up and the cost of mailing a parcel is close to 50 cents wouldn't unnecessary and unwanted advertisements be one of the first things to go? annnnd yet.......

$store!

 

[LuvOrlando]

I guess it is not oddball but just crazy pricing to me because we are looking for one for dd. And yes, it's been this way for a while but I thought it came down but apparently it hasn't. Used cars, especially Sub-Compact SUV's.

A used 2022 Honda HRV with 40,000 miles is going for $22K and a brand new 2025 is listed at $25K.

I think it is because the car companies set the prices so crazy high during quarantine that the resale is still just silly which probably drives up insurance, an unseen burden.

I have a 2021lux car that we leased because we were stuck at the time when I couldn't get a moderate which I prefer. Now looking to buy, the car costs more in resale than a new one! Now I think we are buying because we have super low milage and wouldn't need to have a down payment but still it is absurd, the idiocy is not lost on me.

Here is something I learned about expensive cars and why I will never get another one after this. When you have a car accident the car is only totaled AFTER you hit a percent value in damage, guess what NEVER seems to happen with an expensive car? Hitting that number does not happen soooo you get a car that, for all intents and purposes, should be totaled that is not totaled :/
nope nope nope, 2020 & 2021 taught me a great many things & that a moderate car is way smarter is one of those things, wish I could have gotten a Jeep.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Samsclub wants $25 for a box of slim jims, what the...

OMG I saw this at Costco, since when are dried noses and toes worth $25
joking not joking

 

[MICKIMINI]

I think it is because the car companies set the prices so crazy high during quarantine that the resale is still just silly which probably drives up insurance, an unseen burden.

I have a 2021lux car that we leased because we were stuck at the time when I couldn't get a moderate which I prefer. Now looking to buy, the car costs more in resale than a new one! Now I think we are buying because we have super low milage and wouldn't need to have a down payment but still it is absurd, the idiocy is not lost on me.

Here is something I learned about expensive cars and why I will never get another one after this. When you have a car accident the car is only totaled AFTER you hit a percent value in damage, guess what NEVER seems to happen with an expensive car? Hitting that number does not happen soooo you get a car that, for all intents and purposes, should be totaled that is not totaled :/
nope nope nope, 2020 & 2021 taught me a great many things & that a moderate car is way smarter is one of those things, wish I could have gotten a Jeep.

We gave up on Volvo's and BMW's about 25 years ago. At that time, we joked that "any" repair was 2K so I cannot imagine what it is now. We are solid Subaru people LOL!

 

[Toolulu22]

G2 Gatorade. Grocery stores have stopped carrying it by us and only have the regular or zero sugar. Of course, DH likes the G2- low sugar iteration. When available in stores, we bought 3- 8 packs for 15.98 (more or less as it was usually on sale). Now, I have to buy on Amazon where a 12 pack ranges from 15 to 23 dollars!

He also eats those big Utz pretzels that come in a big container. Paid 8.99 yesterday.

 

[Babs Johnson]

Name-brand cereal! OMG.

The price seems high but when divided by the amount of possible servings, cereal is still quite economical

 

[Babs Johnson]

I'm mad that Campbells Chunky is $2.37 and Progresso is up to $2.50 at Walmart. I know Walmart buys in obscene volume but I have a hard time understanding how a store can justify $5.

I’ve never seen any type of Campbell’s or Progresso for $5 or anywhere close.

Those prices are similar to what my Walmart charges, but the others are regularly priced about $3.79 or $3.99 at Safeway or Giant. In the cooler months there are often sales that bring them close to Walmart prices.

 

[tvguy]

I’ve never seen any type of Campbell’s or Progresso for $5 or anywhere close.

Those prices are similar to what my Walmart charges, but the others are regularly priced about $3.79 or $3.99 at Safeway or Giant. In the cooler months there are often sales that bring them close to Walmart prices.

But even $3.79 is high compared to Walmart. I can see a 50 cent difference, but not more than $1.35 + cents a can higher.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I’ve never seen any type of Campbell’s or Progresso for $5 or anywhere close.

Those prices are similar to what my Walmart charges, but the others are regularly priced about $3.79 or $3.99 at Safeway or Giant. In the cooler months there are often sales that bring them close to Walmart prices.

Ohhhh yes, looks like it is on sale everywhere this week, I'll grab an image next week when the sales are over.

 

[Babs Johnson]

But even $3.79 is high compared to Walmart. I can see a 50 cent difference, but not more than $1.35 + cents a can higher.

I agree the difference is ridiculous. I would only buy at the supermarket when it’s on sale for close to Walmart prices.

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

Stacy's Pita Chips prices are crazy prices lately ... $8.99 for a bag where I've seen them. No thanks, don't need them that much.

Also the birdseed we usually get has gotten very expensive ... we get a kind that has hot seasoning, which deters the squirrels but not the birds.

I think we just get into the habit of ordering the same brand of thing, and then the seller starts raising the prices, counting on the consumer having developed a loyalty and not wanting to change to something new.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Candy. I don't really buy candy anymore but I'm seeing a movie tonight so this morning I went to buy some to bring into the movie with me. A 8 oz bag of Buncha Crunch is almost $7. Reese's Pieces are $5.99. Doesn't help that similar to chips, half of the bag is air rather than actual candy.

I guess it's not as bad as at the theater where you're paying more for less candy but still.

Also briefly glanced at the bags of Halloween candy and those prices are nuts too.

 

[sheilafri]

Ironing Boards, I need one and I am seeing some VERY pricey ones and all I can tink about is... why? Unless a robot hand pops out of a hidden compartment and does the ironing for me it's $30 TOPS.

What do you see?

Go to a thrift store you should be able to score an OG board for a few bucks. New cover for $10 and you are set.

 

[shh]

I have noticed that it seems that any "store brand" version of salad dressing costs at least $2. In like 2020, it could be found easily under $1, often like $.79. Also, bagged salad as more than doubled in price at many stores.

store brands have definitely climbed: I find you gotta check carefully. More than once, the name brands were actually cheaper than the store brands (looking at you walmart!)

I think grocery retailers are counting on customer habit: store brands have almost always been a better value in the past, so most people - maybe having done the math once - now grab store brands automatically when they shop vs price checking regularly.) Sneaky!

 

[BrianL]

store brands have definitely climbed: I find you gotta check carefully. More than once, the name brands were actually cheaper than the store brands (looking at you walmart!)

I think grocery retailers are counting on customer habit: store brands have almost always been a better value in the past, so most people - maybe having done the math once - now grab store brands automatically when they shop vs price checking regularly.) Sneaky!

I have sound this to be true with cheese. I usually get the Kroger cheese because it's pretty good and cheaper, but recently I'll find that Sargento will have a "two for X" and it works out cheaper than Kroger brand by a good bit.

 

[tinkerbellandpeterpan]

store brands have definitely climbed: I find you gotta check carefully. More than once, the name brands were actually cheaper than the store brands (looking at you walmart!)

I think grocery retailers are counting on customer habit: store brands have almost always been a better value in the past, so most people - maybe having done the math once - now grab store brands automatically when they shop vs price checking regularly.) Sneaky!

I swear that at this point I plan grocery shopping more strategically than a war campaign. It takes some time, but we do see some significant savings.

 

[neverlandsky]

A pack of Tillamook medium cheddar 12 oz sliced cheese was almost $6 yesterday.