# Things that should cost more than they do **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 21, 2021, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-should-cost-more-than-they-do/931090 "2021-01-21T13:12:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-should-cost-more-than-they-do/931090/21 "2021-01-21T22:37:42Z")
Pretty much everything at the dollar store seems like it should cost more than $1. The fact that it had to be manufactured, shipped from China or wherever it was made, brought to the store, and sold, plus the fact that the store has overhead expenses and salaries to pay…I don’t see how they get it done for so little. They have to sell tens of thousands of items to pay even _ **one** _ employee’s salary. That, and also the fact that inflation is ruthlessly eating away at the value of a dollar. How are they going to keep this up when a future dollar is only worth half what it is today? ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-should-cost-more-than-they-do/931090/22 "2021-01-21T22:38:15Z")
Dude! .[Order Pizza & Pasta Online for Carryout & Delivery - Domino's Pizza](https://www.dominos.com/en/) 2 topping pizza for $5.99 (cheese not considered a topping) 3 topping pizza $7.99 (same) ---
**Author:** ![SharltoCopley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sharltocopley/32/12309_2.png) [@SharltoCopley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SharltoCopley)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-should-cost-more-than-they-do/931090/23 "2021-01-21T22:44:17Z")
Reminded me of [this](https://www.wired.com/2017/03/humans-made-banana-perfect-soon-itll-gone/) ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-should-cost-more-than-they-do/931090/24 "2021-01-21T22:56:21Z")
[Scrivener.](https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview) It’s an incredibly complex long - form writing program. Along with the multitude of organizational and editing tools, it has the ability to spit your manuscript out in virtually any configuration. I would pay nearly any amount of money for it. $500/year? I’d make it work. It’s $50. Actually my last upgrade cost me only $25 since they give discounts to existing clients. ---
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-should-cost-more-than-they-do/931090/25 "2021-01-21T23:11:50Z")
> [@mikecurtis](#): > > Dude! > > .[Order Pizza & Pasta Online for Carryout & Delivery - Domino's Pizza](https://www.dominos.com/en/) > > 2 topping pizza for $5.99 (cheese not considered a topping) > 3 topping pizza $7.99 (same) That assumes you can eat that sh\*t. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2021, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-should-cost-more-than-they-do/931090/26 "2021-01-22T00:02:10Z")
> [@Ranch\_Dip](#): > > Stamps. That someone will take my correspondence to anywhere in the world for next to nothing. I remember when 1st class postage was 3 cents. And mail delivery was much more regular and reliable back then. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2021, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-should-cost-more-than-they-do/931090/27 "2021-01-22T00:14:58Z")
Cashews. They only grow in a few parts of the world, which don’t include the US. They grow on the end of an exotic fruit, surrounded by poison-ivy-equivalent leaves, so you’ve got to very carefully harvest them and clean them. And each of those fruits only gets you one nut. And yet, they’re only about twice as expensive as cheap, abundant peanuts? ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2021, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-should-cost-more-than-they-do/931090/28 "2021-01-22T00:40:03Z")
Where do you live? In my store eggs are twice that. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2021, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-should-cost-more-than-they-do/931090/29 "2021-01-22T00:43:47Z")
Coffee. People whined when the price went up several years ago but you have to harvest the berry when it’s ripe, get the seed out, clean it, roast it, package it. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2021, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-should-cost-more-than-they-do/931090/30 "2021-01-22T00:44:02Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > Aluminum foil- So they’re able to take a solid metal, convert it to a thin consistent sheet and package it for use… and sell it for $9.99? Seems like it should cost more. You’re paying 10 bucks for a roll of Reynolds Wrap? I’ve been getting it at the Dollar Tree. And it’s the name brand RW, not the generic stuff. I’m surprised you can buy a pack of gum for just 35 cents. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2021, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-should-cost-more-than-they-do/931090/31 "2021-01-22T00:46:58Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Bananas always feel like they should cost more given that they have to grow them and then get them from tropical climes to Chicago before they spoil. But they’re among the cheapest fruit options at the grocery store. Eat your bananas now. You’re eating the Cavendish banana. The fungus that has practically destroyed every other banana variety is on the verge of destroying the Cavendish. Once that happens, you may never eat another banana. Ever. ---
**Author:** ![Bootb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@Bootb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootb)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2021, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-should-cost-more-than-they-do/931090/32 "2021-01-22T01:22:44Z")
> [@Mallard](#): > > That assumes you can eat that sh\*t. It tastes neither worse nor better than pizza from any other chain. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2021, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-should-cost-more-than-they-do/931090/33 "2021-01-22T01:41:30Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > You’re paying 10 bucks for a roll of Reynolds Wrap? I’ve been getting it at the Dollar Tree. And it’s the name brand RW, not the generic stuff. I don’t cook and am single so I might buy 1 roll a year, and the largest sq. ft. size available, so I don’t really compare prices. But thanks for the tip, as I may just pick up a roll next time I’m near the dollar store near me. I go in there just to buy $1 bags of Wiley Wallaby licorice. Addictive stuff that should also cost a whole lot more, just to make me buy less of it! ---
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2021, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-should-cost-more-than-they-do/931090/34 "2021-01-22T01:42:54Z")
> [@Bootb](#): > > > [@Mallard](#): > > > > That assumes you can eat that sh\*t. > > It tastes neither worse nor better than pizza from any other chain. OK, fair enough, I don’t eat chain pizza anymore. Years back, Pizza Hut was the best of the worst and Dominos was the absolute worst. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2021, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-should-cost-more-than-they-do/931090/35 "2021-01-22T01:48:22Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > Eggs. What are they feeding chickens that they can produce, clean, package, and ship such delicate items for a buck a dozen? It’s not so much what they’re feeding them, it’s how they’re treating them. Small farmers who treat their hens right (sunlight, grass, bugs, room to move) usually charge more like $4 to $7 a dozen, around here. That is why I keep chickens, non-chicken-torture eggs are too expensive. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2021, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-should-cost-more-than-they-do/931090/36 "2021-01-22T01:49:09Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > Tires. Buy some decent mountain bike tires, you’ll change your mind. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2021, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-should-cost-more-than-they-do/931090/37 "2021-01-22T01:52:52Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > Eggs. What are they feeding chickens that they can produce, clean, package, and ship such delicate items for a buck a dozen? They’re loss leaders. > Some examples of typical loss leaders include milk, eggs, [rice](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice), and other inexpensive items that grocers would not want to sell without the customer making other purchases. While some customers may have the discipline to only buy the loss leaders, the loss leader strategy works because a customer who goes into a grocery store to buy an inexpensive bread or milk item may decide to buy other grocery items. > **[Loss leader](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loss_leader)** > > A loss leader (also leader) is a pricing strategy where a product is sold at a price below its market cost to stimulate other sales of more profitable goods or services. With this sales promotion/marketing strategy, a "leader" is any popular article, i.e., sold at a low price to attract customers. > One use of a loss leader is to draw customers into a store where they are likely to buy other goods. The vendor expects that the typical customer will purchase other items at the same time as the loss ... I haven’t bought a computer printer in years…they used to give the things away so they could sell really expensive ink cartridges. Is that still the case? ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2021, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-should-cost-more-than-they-do/931090/38 "2021-01-22T02:00:46Z")
I bought eggs for 0.68 as recently as October. Today they were 0.99 at the same store (Aldi). ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2021, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-should-cost-more-than-they-do/931090/39 "2021-01-22T02:11:40Z")
Aldi is definitely selling loss-leader eggs. Not that there’s anything wrong with their eggs as eggs. Or with loss leaders as a general matter. But we know can’t say much about the price of the Aldi’s egg product being related to the actual cost of sales of that product. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2021, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-should-cost-more-than-they-do/931090/40 "2021-01-22T02:13:06Z")
Stamps/mail was my thought as well. For all the bitching people do about stamps when the price goes up a nickel or whatever, I just want to slap them over the head with a wet fish. Mail feels _absurdly_ cheap to me. For a buck twenty I can get physically mail something almost 10,000 miles to my cousins in Tasmania. That’s incredible to me. Yeah, you have email now, as well as phone calls, but there’s something special about receiving something physical, something that’s been written upon in human hand by another, and touched by another. All for the cost of a candy bar. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-should-cost-more-than-they-do/931090.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-should-cost-more-than-they-do/931090.md?page=3)