# "What the HECK" prices??? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 25, 2009, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-prices/497528 "2009-05-25T03:32:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![The\_Raven\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@The\_Raven\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Raven_1)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-prices/497528/41 "2009-05-27T16:20:34Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > I just have a Corolla but there’s some kind of chip in the key that the car recognizes? It isn’t even a security system but that’s what must cost a lot to replace. If it’s anything like GM’s setup, all that “chip” is is a resistor which has one of 16 (IIRC) possible values. I got a replacement at a hardware store for $35.00. They had to read the resistor on my old key to find the correct blank to use for the new key. ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-prices/497528/42 "2009-05-27T17:28:51Z")
> [@salinqmind](#): > > Air. From the machine at the gas station to air up the tires. Seventy five cents!!! I drive out of my way to the Hess station and wait my turn to use the free air machine. Though I’m told you can ask the clerk at the pay-for-air station to turn on the machine for you to use for free when you buy gas there. In CA, we have to give free air to people who purchase fuel. But honestly, just ask me like a human being, and I’ll just turn it on, whether you’re a customer or not. Buy a soda, sure, I’ll turn it on. Even if you don’t buy, just ask. Be a bitch, sorry, 75 cents unless you buy gas. Joe ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-prices/497528/43 "2009-05-27T17:39:40Z")
> [@wheresgeorge04](#): > > In CA, we have to give free air to people who purchase fuel. But honestly, just ask me like a human being, and I’ll just turn it on, whether you’re a customer or not. Buy a soda, sure, I’ll turn it on. Even if you don’t buy, just ask. Be a bitch, sorry, 75 cents unless you buy gas. > > Joe Fits my experience, too. I showed up on my motorcycle the other day at a station and asked the guy if he minded making change for my dollar so I could put quarters in the air machine, and he just turned it on for me. ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-prices/497528/44 "2009-05-27T17:51:03Z")
Almost had a damn heart attack when I saw cedar planks in the grocery store being sold for $11.00 :eek: The same material I use to make bird houses in my basement for which I pay about $1.50. And on the same trip to the store I saw a lady buy a pack of cigarettes for $10.03 A single pack! ---
**Author:** ![c\_goat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@c\_goat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/c_goat)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-prices/497528/45 "2009-05-27T18:02:50Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > I’ll jump on the Monster Cable bandwagon. That’s brilliant marketing. It seems like every reliable source says that you should NOT buy Monster cables, it’s all hype. Within reason, find the cheapest ones you can on the internet. What kills me about Monster cables is their markup is not just a little bit… say 10 or 20 % more… They’re like 400 - 500 % more than similar cables. Interesting article testing the capability of Monster cables [here](http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/hdmi-cable-battlemodo/the-truth-about-monster-cable-part-2-268788.php). It’s probably a little out of date, but the point is that for today’s signal, the cheaper cables are fine and handle 1080p, except if you needed a really long one (like 35ft). For the “future” requirements, the cheaper cables don’t work. So technically they ARE better, just that you don’t really need what they offer. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-prices/497528/46 "2009-05-27T18:37:33Z")
> [@Peanuthead](#): > > Almost had a damn heart attack when I saw cedar planks in the grocery store being sold for $11.00 :eek: The same material I use to make bird houses in my basement for which I pay about $1.50. If you want to amuse yourself, figure out the equivalent per/cord price of those little firewood bundles they sell at grocery stores in the winter. I did the math once a while back and I think it was $500 – $600/cord. Same kinds of results with the bags of soil and mulch – you’ll pay three or four times as much as if you bought it by the cubic yard and had it dumped in your driveway. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-prices/497528/47 "2009-05-27T18:57:50Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Yep. A copy of the key made from a simple blank won’t do you any good because the immobilizer won’t disengage when you try to start the car. Some cars have programming procedures you can do yourself to program the car to recognize a new key. Or program the key to recognize the car, I forget which way it actually works. Here is one Corolla procedure, not sure what years it applies to: [http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=42485](http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=42485) ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-prices/497528/48 "2009-05-27T21:02:41Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > Some cars have programming procedures you can do yourself to program the car to recognize a new key. Or program the key to recognize the car, I forget which way it actually works. Here is one Corolla procedure, not sure what years it applies to: [http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=42485](http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=42485) Yeah, depending on your vehicle, you can make more spares as long as you have TWO working current keys. So buy some blanks from ebay, have them cut, and then program them BEFORE you lose your spare. That way, if you lose your spare, you are OK because you have backup spares. ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-prices/497528/49 "2009-05-28T04:44:20Z")
You know those glass turn table plates in microwaves? I broke mine. They wanted $50 for a new one (I didn’t even ask what the shipping would be)–the whole damn microwave was about $70 new! It’s just a clear glass plate! ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-prices/497528/50 "2009-05-28T05:19:28Z")
> [@The\_Raven](#): > > If it’s anything like GM’s setup, all that “chip” is is a resistor which has one of 16 (IIRC) possible values. I got a replacement at a hardware store for $35.00. They had to read the resistor on my old key to find the correct blank to use for the new key. Not all chips are like that (not even GMs any longer) ---
**Author:** ![JpnDude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@JpnDude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JpnDude)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-prices/497528/51 "2009-05-28T12:05:30Z")
In McDonald’s restaurants in Japan: Single cheeseburger: 120yen (approx US$1.20) Double cheeseburger: 290yen (US$2.90) なんてことだ！(nan-te-ko-to-da! = “what the f\*\*\*!” in Japanese) ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-prices/497528/52 "2009-05-28T12:41:13Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Cables are possibly the biggest ripoff in a brick and mortar store. > > 6’ HDMI cable at box store: [$30](http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8427106&type=product&id=1181832627516) > > 6’ HDMI cable at internet store: [$3.50](http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8427106&type=product&id=1181832627516) I picked one up from [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com) for $0.65. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-prices/497528/53 "2009-05-28T14:06:01Z")
> [@Peanuthead](#): > > Almost had a damn heart attack when I saw cedar planks in the grocery store being sold for $11.00 :eek: The same material I use to make bird houses in my basement for which I pay about $1.50. If they’re cooking planks, they’re not quite the same as the stuff you use in your basement. Cedar for cooking has to be treated to remove some of the resin and stuff- if you just stick a piece of cedar from a lumberyard on top of your grill and put some tilapia on it, you’ll get sick. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-prices/497528/54 "2009-05-28T14:40:51Z")
> [@Renee](#): > > You know those glass turn table plates in microwaves? I broke mine. They wanted $50 for a new one (I didn’t even ask what the shipping would be)–the whole damn microwave was about $70 new! It’s just a clear glass plate! I wonder if you could find something like that at Goodwill? ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-prices/497528/55 "2009-05-28T14:51:50Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > Are you saying I can “transcribe” my music cassettes to a computer? That would be sweet. All you need is a cable with two mono RCA plugs on one end and a 1/8" stereo plug on the other. Plug the RCA plugs into the “line out” jacks of your cassette deck or amplifier, and the stereo plug into the microphone jack of your computer. Then download some freeware (the learning curve for the software isn’t steep; I recommend Audacity), and you’re good to go. ---
**Author:** ![tumbleddown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tumbleddown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tumbleddown)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-prices/497528/56 "2009-05-28T15:22:17Z")
Silicon keyboard protectors are a fun little racket. After a sneeze with a mouthful of tea killed my $65 Apple Pro keyboard in 2004, I got a pretty pink silicon cover for the new one from [iskin.com](http://iskin.com). $25 plus shipping and handling. Granted, five years later, it’s still doing the basic job of protecting the keyboard, even though my fingernails have gouged rips over the most frequently used keys. 2008 comes and I buy a new MacBook and know that this keyboard needs protection too. But this time I get smart. Instead of dropping $21 for the cover plus S&H from iSkin this time, I looked on eBay, and a guy was selling them for $1. The S&H was actually 5 times the cost of the product. But $6 versus $21? For the exact same product which works the exact same way? No brainer. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-prices/497528/57 "2009-05-28T16:20:32Z")
Once you’re aware of the actual cost of soda, the prices start seeming a little outrageous. The local convenience store has started selling 32 oz fountain drinks for 59 cents as a summer deal, and they’ve still got to be making 50 cents profit on every one sold. And that’s incredibly cheap as fountain prices go. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-prices/497528/58 "2009-05-28T16:27:54Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Once you’re aware of the actual cost of soda, the prices start seeming a little outrageous. The local convenience store has started selling 32 oz fountain drinks for 59 cents as a summer deal, and they’ve still got to be making 50 cents profit on every one sold. And that’s incredibly cheap as fountain prices go. Yep, I used to buy those 16 or 20 ounce drinks from convenience stores, $1.29 or more! Same with getting drinks at fast food places, over a dollar for a small drink. You can usually get a whole 2-liter for $1.00 if you watch for sales. Or just switch mostly to water, which is much better for you. And movie drinks and popcorn are completely off the charts. They sell 10 cents worth of soda for $5.00, and 5 cents worth of popcorn for $6.00. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-prices/497528/59 "2009-05-28T17:03:36Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > Or just switch mostly to water, which is much better for you. And pay $1.50 a bottle? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-prices/497528/60 "2009-05-28T17:04:49Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > And pay $1.50 a bottle? :eek: Tap water you silly head! Well water to be more specific. And if you want bottled, you can get 24 bottled waters for $4.00 if you shop around. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-prices/497528.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-prices/497528.md?page=4)