# Things that cost WAY more than they should **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 25, 2022, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-cost-way-more-than-they-should/972196 "2022-09-25T11:24:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2022, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-cost-way-more-than-they-should/972196/81 "2022-10-07T16:31:39Z")
> [@Jaycat.again](#): > > A few weeks ago I bought one of those little strainers you put in the bathroom sink and it cost $5 and change Hardware store racks are filled to the brim with these sort of overpriced one-off purchases. Things you never think about until you need them, like a light switch chain, or a single eye hook screw latch, or a little light bulb specific to a stove hood. Things that seem like they should cost under a dollar given their small size and simplicity end up costing five or six times that much. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2022, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-cost-way-more-than-they-should/972196/82 "2022-10-07T16:42:35Z")
I’ve noticed that about those small weird things in hardware stores, like when I pay a buck or more for a small bag containing three or four screws or machine nuts. I figure the extra cost is worth it for the store to be the one to have to obtain such small things and stock them in a way that makes it easy for me to find them. This is better than me having to try to keep such things at home in an organized fashion. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2022, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-cost-way-more-than-they-should/972196/83 "2022-10-08T06:19:03Z")
Marijuana. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2022, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-cost-way-more-than-they-should/972196/84 "2022-10-08T06:39:25Z")
Is marijuana more expensive now that it is legal? That’s surprising. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2022, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-cost-way-more-than-they-should/972196/85 "2022-10-08T13:13:21Z")
Not legal in my neck of the woods. I live in Nebraska, the Moral Center of the Universe. Pot will never even be decriminalized here. Luckily I got a guy, and he even delivers. Fuck the law. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2022, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-cost-way-more-than-they-should/972196/86 "2022-10-08T15:12:34Z")
Perennial plants. Why, I remember (cue up old-timey bluegrass record) perennials being considered expensive at $5-6 a gallon pot not so long ago. These days, it’s not uncommon to see them at $15-20 each. And a heapin’ shovel of manure on those businesses that have stopped selling six-packs of vegetable starts for $2, and only offer four-inch pots for $5 each. I’ll start my own seeds, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2022, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-cost-way-more-than-they-should/972196/87 "2022-10-10T16:34:32Z")
Dirt cheap in WA now. Who would’ve thought you’d see legal weed advertised at $30 per ounce? Not me. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2022, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-cost-way-more-than-they-should/972196/88 "2022-10-10T16:40:34Z")
What’s the quality of that $30 pot? At that price, I’d be tempted to call an ounce a “lid”. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2022, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-cost-way-more-than-they-should/972196/89 "2022-10-10T18:53:35Z")
Pre-punched printer paper. For example, I have a comb binding machine at home that I use to produce reports and some student workbooks. I don’t use it often, but when I do it is a PITA to punch the holes for any substantial quantity of paper. The punch part of the machine only accepts about 15 sheets at a time and it is easy to get the paper misaligned. A 500-sheet pack of pre-punched 8.5" x 11" paper is currently $24.69 on Amazon. For heaven’s sake, all they are doing is running the paper through one simple punching step. They aren’t gold-plating it or anything. It isn’t even particularly good quality paper to start with. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2022, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-cost-way-more-than-they-should/972196/90 "2022-10-10T19:00:21Z")
I would never buy in that quantity (an ounce would last me forever), but there are plenty of options at that pricepoint. If you are curious, look at the online menus for Spokane, WA bud stores. I’ve seen what is for sale, in person, and it was buds, not “shake”. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2022, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-cost-way-more-than-they-should/972196/91 "2022-10-11T02:28:11Z")
I looked around Wa shops alittle, and typical prices are $20 for an eighth and up. Way up, some of them. So the prices aren’t super low compared to the free market, afaict. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2022, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-cost-way-more-than-they-should/972196/92 "2022-10-11T14:52:21Z")
Sure, just like you can buy a $10 fifth of tequila, you can also buy one for $100. What is expensive to you for an eight of weed? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2022, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-cost-way-more-than-they-should/972196/93 "2022-10-11T14:54:36Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > What is expensive to you for an eight of weed? In Pennsylvania’s medical program the problem is that the wholesale cost has dropped since the beginning of the program but there hasn’t been a corresponding drop (yet) in retail price. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2022, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-cost-way-more-than-they-should/972196/94 "2022-10-11T15:08:38Z")
Once the pharma companies get involved the price will skyrocket. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2022, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-cost-way-more-than-they-should/972196/95 "2022-10-11T15:10:30Z")
Once it becomes legal to grow, the price will plummet for those that decide to grow. And while it may not be legal to grow in WA, there are people doing it fairly openly now so I don’t think cops care about it. ---
**Author:** ![SDWC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@SDWC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SDWC)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2022, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-cost-way-more-than-they-should/972196/96 "2022-10-11T15:35:15Z")
Light bulbs. Once technology developed longer lasting bulbs, the price rose in my opinion to allow the suppliers to maintain their revenue levels, since replacing the bulbs would not happen as often as traditional bulbs. I know nothing about the technology, but it’s hard for me to believe the production costs are that much pricier. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2022, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-cost-way-more-than-they-should/972196/97 "2022-10-11T15:47:10Z")
Actually, I can believe that. Old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs are fairly simple devices; just a resistor in a glass envelope but my understanding is that modern LED bulbs have quite a bit of electronics in them. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2022, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-cost-way-more-than-they-should/972196/98 "2022-10-12T04:48:59Z")
Light bulbs actually have a VERY interesting history in this respect, for those that don’t know… > **[Phoebus cartel](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoebus_cartel)** > > The Phoebus cartel was an oligopoly that controlled the manufacture and sale of incandescent light bulbs. They appropriated market territories and lowered the useful life of such bulbs. Corporations based in Europe and the United States founded the cartel on January 15, 1925 in Geneva. Phoebus based itself in Switzerland. The corporation named itself Phœbus S.A. Compagnie Industrielle pour le Développement de l'Éclairage (French for "Phoebus plc Industrial Company for the Development of Lig Osram... ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2022, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-cost-way-more-than-they-should/972196/99 "2022-10-12T07:17:10Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Headphones. It used to be you could buy a cheap pair for five dollars or less. A high end pair would be twenty or thirty dollars. You can still get super-cheap headphones - try a Five Below or a dollar store. They won’t last terribly long, but at that price, who cares? The ones that are 20-30 dollars may not be much better, to be honest, especially if they’re the wired bluetooth variety (the two buds are connected to each other via a wire, but are NOT connected to the device). I’ve never had those last more than about 4 months, which is very frustrating. A regular wired headset - that plugs into the device - is a lot more reliable. I agree with you on the Beats. I’ve never heard anything about those that suggests they are worth the price. A headset has to have REALLY good features to warrant that kind of money (my Bose QuietComfort set is just about worth it). ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2022, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-cost-way-more-than-they-should/972196/100 "2022-10-12T12:03:56Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Then Dr. Dre took a break from slapping women and started up a headphone company. And his headphones cost over a hundred dollars. There was no significant breakthrough in the technology. Sure there was - they figured out that they could put lumps of zinc inside the earphones for the sole purpose of making them feel heavier, and thus higher quality. Cite: [https://www.cnet.com/culture/the-four-bits-of-metal-that-make-beats-headphones-feel-less-flimsy/](https://www.cnet.com/culture/the-four-bits-of-metal-that-make-beats-headphones-feel-less-flimsy/) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-cost-way-more-than-they-should/972196.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-cost-way-more-than-they-should/972196.md?page=6)