Do prices of things surprise you?

[Breakaway]

That reduces costs. T.

Yes.

But reduced cost per unit does not always translate into reduced price per unit.It often results in higher profits.

Kevin

[Garret]

Contradictions are good for the soul.

A CEO brings you a product want - one that costs less than a locally made product, and you complain.

No one is comparing locally made to something made somewhere else. We're all talking about the exact same product being more expensive at local stores.

There are a number of stores around here that compete well with the internet, but many (particularly trade businesses) haven't figured that out yet.

[Canoeyawl]

In 1930 my father lost a gifted 25¢ piece through a crack in the planked walkway leading to town and he never, ever got over that.
Maine, mud-season...

[Bobcat]

Even accounting for incomes increases, some things are more expensive then they were

In 1950, my father bought the house I grew up in for 2 1/2 years of his income. 2 1/2 years of my income wouldn't touch that house nor the house I live in.

IN 1960s, people owned a house, could have a beach cottage, and put their kids through college on one income

[Breakaway]

, but many (particularly trade businesses) haven't figured that out yet

Not claiming knowledge of your particular businesses, but I think a lot of businesses servicing the trades HAVE figured it out. They just roll with higher prices. Their customers are contractors, passing the price along to the end consumer., or another contractor. That consumer may never know what the faucet or the doorbell, or the shower door costs. Or, its just part of a bigger job and so it goes unnoticed, or at least, unchallenged.

Kevin

[garland reese]

We just happily keep paying more and more. Until we cannot. Each week for the last several we have pretty much bought the same groceries and amounts. Every week the total has grown. No bueno.


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[Garret]

Not claiming knowledge of your particular businesses, but I think a lot of businesses servicing the trades HAVE figured it out. They just roll with higher prices. Their customers are contractors, passing the price along to the end consumer., or another contractor. That consumer may never know what the faucet or the doorbell, or the shower door costs. Or, its just part of a bigger job and so it goes unnoticed, or at least, unchallenged.

Kevin

That's the key point. Having worked in the trades for years, I understand the mindset. Understanding it doesn't mean I have to like it. For an average person, paying a plumber $125/hr when they make $30 is hard enough, but when you add a faucet that's $75 online & the plumber bills $400 because he pays $280, that's a bit much.

When I was building a house (my own), I spent an hour on the phone shopping plywood prices. I ended up saving over $1000 (in 1979 dollars) compared to my first call. A contractor friend said "I don't have time for that". I replied "I'll work for $1000/hour any day anywhere". He couldn't argue that. A plumbing company with say 4 or more plumbers could afford a purchasing agent that did the shopping - but that's not "how it's always been" - so it won't happen.

ETA: Another example: I went to a local tool store. Good folks who deal entirely with the trades & I have known them for years. When they didn't have a tool I needed, they said they could get it, but it'd be 2 weeks & $15 shipping. I said "I can buy it online for way less & get it in 2-3 days with free shipping." He shrugged, said "Then why'd you bother coming in here?" & walked away. My next stop was a lighting store - that deals mostly with electricians. I was looking for a particular fixture & he had it & it was a couple of bucks more than I could buy it online. I happily bought it & thanked him for having competitive pricing. His reply - with a grin - was "I shop online too."

So - it does not have to be the way it is many places.

[Too Little Time]

No one is comparing locally made to something made somewhere else. We're all talking about the exact same product being more expensive at local stores.

There are a number of stores around here that compete well with the internet, but many (particularly trade businesses) haven't figured that out yet.

I could have said sourced and my comment would have been just as true.

I doubt that local businesses are able to compete with national businesses.

[RFNK]

I used to buy a lot of things direct from the US. Not now. Freight costs have become prohibitive but just the item costs have skyrocketed.

[Garret]

I could have said sourced and my comment would have been just as true.

I doubt that local businesses are able to compete with national businesses.

See my post #77.

[LOKI]

Husky lawn tractor I bought last year is now $1200 more now. Does that seem like a reasonable increase or a blatant price gouge ? Most of the big stores seem to think that nobody will notice the gouge!! I guess if you haven't been aware of prices you wouldn't know...

[Too Little Time]

See my post #77.

One sale does not support a business. Since most of his business was with professional electricians, you might find their pricing models are based on cost plus models.

[Garret]

One sale does not support a business. Since most of his business was with professional electricians, you might find their pricing models are based on cost plus models.

Sigh... He checks internet prices on everything he sells & makes sure he's competitive. In addition - it was one sale that day - I've shopped there numerous times.

Not sure why I bother, as you won't believe it anyway.

[Canoeyawl]

If you have too little time, why waste it?

[LOKI]

Bazzinga, or snap? He's been on my ignore for so long but people keep quoting him so I keep seeing his posts. Thank you Conoeyawl for saying it so concisely...

[brad9798]

Here's a little secret ... I've cut my own hair, with wife's help evening out the back for 25 years!

THAT being said, with all this build back better ... I cannot believe how terrible prices have gotten!

[Too Little Time]

Not sure why I bother, as you won't believe it anyway.

I believe what you say. I just draw a different conclusion.

[elf]

Last night I bought a salad at the local pizza joint. I am not doing so well with eating fresh veggies around here. They don't last long enough for me to be interested in them after the first encounter. So, ruefully, I must admit that it often makes more sense for me to visit a salad bar, or purchase a premade salad then assemble one at home.

The salad was a cobb salad. It cost $15.

Good Lord, that's a lot of money for a salad!

When I got home I discovered that my salad included 4 hard boiled eggs and an entire avocado, prefectly ripe. It also included at least a cup of bacon bits which were real, not the soy fakes you get out of a bottle of Bac-o-bits.

There was enough salad for two or even possibly 3 people in the box.

I pay $17 for a calzone with three toppings. It's enough food for two.

A calzone and a salad would come in around $35. Is that expensive for dinner by the seaside at sunset for 2 people?

[George Jung]

Hmmmm.... guess it depends on 'who's the other person?'

[mike9199]

Not anymore, everything just became more expensive and we all need to adjust to that in one point.
We can also find alternative ways how to save some cash, like checking sales and offers, which most of the shops have regularly.
Recently I found a decent hearing aids for sale for my mom and she was extremely happy about it. Her old device wasn't in good condition anymore and she wanted to change it for a while now.

[soap94]

Not anymore

This! Everything is getting so expensive and out of control. My main concern is how easy it's right now to make money on some silly stuff like crypto and NFTs. It feels like wealth has inflated so much. Alternatively you can earn money digitally using https://richads.com/blog/domain-redirect-traffic/ domain redirect traffic method. There are a lot of benefits to it and I would say this is the best way to earn extra cash on the side if you need it asap.

[Osborne Russell]

I didn't buy them, I just saw them displayed. An 8-pack of 3/8" diameter x 1/8 thick felt pads with adhesive backing, $7.99. A dollar each. Tube of toothpaste $8.99.

[Andrew2]

Local friend's VW failed it's test on track rods (+ a few other things). Garage price made him wonder if it was worth fixing?
I looked on line and one track rod with the joints on both ends was €7.50. How on earth can they make that and sell it at a profit? Prob the on line store buys direct, so only one mark up, but still...
I know this thread is about inflation, but loads of stuff is actually very cheap. OTOH, food about here is definately climbing fast.

I sorted the car for a small fraction of the garage price, and it passed.

[Garret]

Local friend's VW failed it's test on track rods (+ a few other things). Garage price made him wonder if it was worth fixing?
I looked on line and one track rod with the joints on both ends was €7.50. How on earth can they make that and sell it at a profit? Prob the on line store buys direct, so only one mark up, but still...
I know this thread is about inflation, but loads of stuff is actually very cheap. OTOH, food about here is definately climbing fast.

I sorted the car for a small fraction of the garage price, and it passed.

That's long been the case. For example, early 2000's Passat has 8 ball joints & 2 tie rod ends. in 2010 or so the kit for the whole front end was $1800US at VW. $350US @ a local parts store & I got it on eBay (German made) for $120.

2004 A4 Audi plastic inserts for holding fog lamps: $125 each at Audi, on eBay from Latvia $15 each including shipping.

Going back further: in the 1980's VW rabbit rotors had a list price of $80. While working for a parts store, I had a special (to garages) of 10 for $35 - yes, $3.50 each. At that time I was selling complete engine gasket sets for VW Bugs for 99 cents - $40 at the dealer. I could go on, but won't...

[akers]

Some prices are really insane. I was saving money for a long time to buy a new car as my family became bigger but it seems never enough. Thanks God, I found reasonable loans service here https://harley-davidson-financial-se...ints/RT-P.html and decided to take it. I bought a car and now paying off my loan, but terms are good? so I don't worry at all.