# What common item is most overpriced? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 17, 2022, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-common-item-is-most-overpriced/976681 "2022-12-17T00:07:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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:** [December 17, 2022, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-common-item-is-most-overpriced/976681/21 "2022-12-17T03:27:56Z")
If you mean poo storm that insulin is outrageously expensive and a ripoff of people who must have it I doubt you will get any argument. If you mean poo storm of people angrily complaining about insulin prices then yeah… Add in Epi-Pens. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2022, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-common-item-is-most-overpriced/976681/22 "2022-12-17T03:34:36Z")
Years ago, maybe in the 80s,I was doing some private nursing helping an elderly guy who owned a family pharmaceutical company. One day, talking about the cost of things, he mentioned that many drugs are surprisingly cheap to manufacture, “For instance, the blister pack that our aspirin comes in costs more than the aspirin does.” ---
**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:** [December 17, 2022, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-common-item-is-most-overpriced/976681/23 "2022-12-17T03:41:56Z")
It is bad in the US: > …pharmaceutical companies can price a vial of insulin at about $300 when it only costs about $6 to make. SOURCE: [Insulin costs increased 600% over the last 20 years. States aim to curb the price](https://www.npr.org/2022/09/12/1122311443/insulin-costs-increased-600-over-the-last-20-years-states-aim-to-curb-the-price) That said, I am not sure how we define “common” that the OP asked for. People using insulin are certainly not uncommon…but not exactly common either. ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2022, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-common-item-is-most-overpriced/976681/24 "2022-12-17T03:51:02Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > When spending other people’s money it’s actually rather hard for one person to actually eat $500 of food Hold my beer… ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2022, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-common-item-is-most-overpriced/976681/25 "2022-12-17T04:17:19Z")
Standard 12 V car batteries. They’re $200. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2022, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-common-item-is-most-overpriced/976681/26 "2022-12-17T05:27:08Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Bottled water. I strongly disagree. I’ve seen bottled water sometimes characterized as an example of fools paying for something that comes free out of a tap, but that is far from universal. I’ve never liked that tap water anywhere I’ve lived. The chlorine in it is probably a factor but by no means the only factor. Whereas around here, bottled spring water really is spring water, not filtered tap water, and the label cites the specific water source as well as a full analysis. And the taste is so far superior to tap water that it’s almost a different substance. Once when I ran out of spring water I poured some tap water into an empty spring water bottle. When I took a swig of it later, having forgotten it was tap water, I almost puked. And real spring water is not expensive – often as low as $1.99 for a case of 24 500 ml bottles. It’s especially lovely in winter when I keep the cases in the garage, and bring in a bottle that’s nicely chilled. ---------------------------------------- \*\*\*\*\*\* ----------------------------------------------------- On the subject of the OP, I’m going to cite prescription drug prices in America. I see that insulin was already mentioned, but the problem exists pretty much across the board. A comparison with prices of the same drugs in Canada is often very information – it can be ten times more expensive in the US – or even more. The argument that it pays for expensive pharmaceutical research is disingenuous. Sure research is expensive, but drug companies do research in Canada and Europe, too. Not mentioned in the cost-of-research arguments is that drug companies also do a tremendous amount of expensive advertising, lobbying, and profiteering. The main reason prescription drugs cost so much less in Canada is very simple: there is a federal price review board that requires pharmaceutical companies to justify their prices. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2022, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-common-item-is-most-overpriced/976681/27 "2022-12-17T06:35:18Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I strongly disagree. I’ve seen bottled water sometimes characterized as an example of fools paying for something that comes free out of a tap, but that is far from universal. I’ve never liked that tap water anywhere I’ve lived. The chlorine in it is probably a factor but by no means the only factor. Whereas around here, bottled spring water really is spring water, not filtered tap water, and the label cites the specific water source as well as a full analysis. > > And the taste is so far superior to tap water that it’s almost a different substance. Once when I ran out of spring water I poured some tap water into an empty spring water bottle. When I took a swig of it later, having forgotten it was tap water, I almost puked. And real spring water is not expensive – often as low as $1.99 for a case of 24 500 ml bottles. It’s especially lovely in winter when I keep the cases in the garage, and bring in a bottle that’s nicely chilled this why I pay for an arrowhead cooler and water but ramen noodles for me … there’s no reason for them to be over the 5- 15 cents a pack that they used to be … ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2022, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-common-item-is-most-overpriced/976681/28 "2022-12-17T06:48:39Z")
On top of it, people buy insulin expecting to use it, and Epi-Pens hoping that they will NOT use them. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2022, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-common-item-is-most-overpriced/976681/29 "2022-12-17T07:38:08Z")
Cheese. ---
**Author:** ![iamatractorboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iamatractorboy/32/21261_2.png) [@iamatractorboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamatractorboy)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2022, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-common-item-is-most-overpriced/976681/30 "2022-12-17T07:42:13Z")
Houses (in the UK) ---
**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:** [December 17, 2022, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-common-item-is-most-overpriced/976681/31 "2022-12-17T09:11:59Z")
Bottled water is very expensive. Period. Full stop. If you live somewhere that only bottled water is safe then I guess you have no choice. I’d recommend you buy a water filter. Less expensive than bottled water. Also worth mentioning if you are buying bottled water you are wrecking the planet. Plastic bottle waste, transport of water (heavy), taking water from places that may need it and so on. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2022, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-common-item-is-most-overpriced/976681/32 "2022-12-17T09:51:42Z")
When I was in PetSmart a few years back I found alfalfa hay in a cute little bale for feeding your bunny. I forget the particulars of weight and price but I worked it out at $3,300 for a 70-pound bale. This was when we were grumbling about alfalfa being bumped to $120 a ton, delivered. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2022, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-common-item-is-most-overpriced/976681/33 "2022-12-17T12:11:34Z")
Expensive, yes, but not a good comparison, since they are in a free market and you can sell yours for £1 if you want to. I vote fro crisps, especially the fancy ones that "_are made from thinly sliced, organic Spanish potatoes and flavoured with extra-virgin olive oil and just a touch of natural sea salt."_ at over 5p per gram > **[Bonilla a La Vista Patatas Fritas Crisp Tin, Vegan, 500g](https://www.fortnumandmason.com/patatas-fritas-crisp-tin-500g)** > > Produced in Spain for over 80 years, Bonilla a La Vista Patatas Fritas are perfect for parties and picnics. Shop Crisps at Fortnum's ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2022, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-common-item-is-most-overpriced/976681/34 "2022-12-17T13:55:55Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Bottled water is very expensive. I quoted the cost (the frequent sale price for a case of 24 store-brand spring water). Do the math. It works out to just over 8¢ for a half-liter bottle. That’s not “expensive” for a _ **beverage** _. I don’t water the lawn with it. I use it only for drinking, not even for coffee or cooking. A case of 24 often lasts me a month. That’s less than $24 a year. ---
**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:** [December 17, 2022, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-common-item-is-most-overpriced/976681/35 "2022-12-17T13:59:59Z")
> [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > many drugs are surprisingly cheap to manufacture, Years ago, someone pointed out to me that doxycycline (an antibiotic) was ridiculously cheap, cheaper than empty gelatin capsules. At the time, veterinarians would buy doxycycline, empty the capsules, then reuse them to compound medications. Since that time tick carried diseases have increased exponentially. They are treated with doxycycline, which at times has been impossible to source and when available is very expensive. ---
**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:** [December 17, 2022, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-common-item-is-most-overpriced/976681/36 "2022-12-17T14:08:12Z")
Maybe my math is bad but: My local market’s cheapest price on water (on sale too) is [$0.01/ounce.](https://www.jewelosco.com/shop/product-details.108200133.html) Pretty cheap. My city water is [$0.000034/ounce.](https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/supp_info/utility-billing/water-and-sewer-rates.html) That’s waaaaaay less than store bought. Not to mention the pollution of all those plastic bottles you are buying. ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2022, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-common-item-is-most-overpriced/976681/37 "2022-12-17T14:42:00Z")
On that subject, is tap water really “free” anywhere? My water and sewer bill is not cheap. Like you’ve pointed out, bottled water from supermarkets works out to 10-20 cents per pint at most. People who pay the $1-2 per bottle convenience cost for individually chilled servings may get “ripped off” but you can say that about anything people chose to pay more for. Like my co-workers who pay $2.29 for an individual serving of chips that costs $3 for a 12 ounce bag. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2022, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-common-item-is-most-overpriced/976681/38 "2022-12-17T14:44:50Z")
I wouldn’t consider that a common product. It’s more like gourmet wannabe stuff that’s always overpriced. I think I saw like a 3 oz box of Pringles like potato chips at Williams Sonoma for $15. I’m sure they had a teaspoon or so of real cheese while the Pringles are “cheese flavored” but good god! ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2022, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-common-item-is-most-overpriced/976681/39 "2022-12-17T15:13:51Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > My local market’s cheapest price on water (on sale too) is [$0.01/ounce.](https://www.jewelosco.com/shop/product-details.108200133.html) Pretty cheap. > > My city water is [$0.000034/ounce.](https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/supp_info/utility-billing/water-and-sewer-rates.html) > > That’s waaaaaay less than store bought. That stuff is labelled “purified water” which suggests that it’s filtered tap water, not spring water. The spring water I get around here is frequently on sale for about half that price. We’re fortunate to have abundant local spring water. The economics may be quite different elsewhere. Anyway, the comparison to city water costs is kinda silly. It’s a totally different product with a totally different use. To repeat, I don’t water the lawn with spring water. I don’t shower with it. I don’t even cook with it. It’s a beverage, and costs around 8¢ a bottle for 500 ml (about 17 ounces). That’s incredibly cheap for a beverage. And since I hate the taste of tap water, it’s well worth it to me. A very bad example of an overpriced item, at least in my case. More an example of an excellent value, compared, say, to Coke which is at least 5 to 10 times more expensive and less healthy. > [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Not to mention the pollution of all those plastic bottles you are buying. The plastic bottles are always recycled, and are themselves made from recycled plastic. So in fact this particular plastic may have already been recycled multiple times. > [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > I’d recommend you buy a water filter. Less expensive than bottled water. If you look at the initial cost plus installation of even an under-sink single-tap good reverse osmosis system, not counting any required maintenance, at my low rate of usage I could buy enough real spring water for that amount to keep me supplied for 20 to 30 years. And I’m not sure I would like the filtered product as much. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2022, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-common-item-is-most-overpriced/976681/40 "2022-12-17T15:33:24Z")
> [@phs3](#): > > Software. Marginal cost close enough to zero to be unmeasurable, at least since we stopped shipping media. The **marginal** cost on anything that’s purely digital is practically zero, but it does **not** follow that it’s necessarily overpriced. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-common-item-is-most-overpriced/976681.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-common-item-is-most-overpriced/976681.md?page=3)