Seriously, I just opened what used to be called a “bar” of soap and it’s now so concave on both sides that it’s half as thick in the middle. Go ahead and raise the price but give me the whole bar of soap!
“They”? You think there is a universal soap control council?
You can buy extremely concave soap now? Brilliant!
We’re all that much closer to solving the “soap sliver” conundrum that has haunted mankind ever since the first time a stong base was accidently applied to rendered animal fat. What a time to be alive!
I saw a news story on this phenomena a while back. When gas prices were extremely high, companies reduced the amount in each package and kept the price the same in order to make it look like they weren’t raising prices.
It’s been going on for a while now. They call it either “product downsizing” or the “grocery shrink ray”. Product manufacturers like doing it because it’s a simple way to fool consumers into paying the same price for less product.
Look at your other labels, it’s happening everywhere. Orange juice has shrunk from 64 ounces to an oddball 59. Half-gallon ice cream containers shrank to 1.75 quarts, and some have shrunk a second time to one and a half quarts. Cereal is down to 18 ounces from 24, yet the box is still the same size. Peanut butter, from 18 ounces to 16.3…propane, from 17 pounds down to 15…trail mix, now 28 ounces instead of 32…the list is endless.
Their in cahoots with the Universal Candy Bar Rip-off Council.
I saw a 12 ounce cereal box the other day being sold for five or six bucks. 12 ounces! That’s like one bowl!
I used to work for a snack food company that did this kind of thing. They reduce the size slowly over a couple of years and then bring out the “supersize” version so they can charge you more for the same amount of food you bought two years ago. Their costs go up too so I understand needing to either raise prices or reduce costs, though I for one would prefer that they just raise the price and leave the product alone. They tend to go for size reduction though because most people don’t notice that kind of thing but they notice immediately if the cost goes up a few cents.
I buy Soapworks soap (picture) at the health food store. There is no packaging, you get your bar out of a basket, so there is no such surprise. They are rectangular.
They sell gas in packages?
Yes, but I personally find the ZipLock Gas Baggies to be a bit leaky.
ETA: Not a good product for smokers, really.
Maybe I am getting ripped off but I like the new shape. Not as much of it melts away in the soap dish and it fits my body (areas that need it most) better.
Yes, but any sensible person buys it in the cardboard boxes with the plastic liners. Just be sure not to store it in the fridge.
While I’m sure the manufacturers aren’t shedding tears over being able to sell less for more, I think PlainJain’s opinion might be part of the reason for the change – children, the elderly, and people with small hands probably prefer the smaller, more egronomic shapes.
Eh, bite me. I’m not in the mood for smartypants BS today.
You’re buying your cereal at the wrong places. A big box of cereal costs me about $1.70.
And yet people keep on getting heavier. One to ponder.
I didn’t buy it. Just saw it.
That was especially annoying with Zest. the old shape was perfect for the hand, and perfect for lathering up a washcloth. The new one is too lumpy, so you can’t lather or hold it with that side.
Ugh. I always hated Zest. It felt slimy and smelled weird. Bar soap is for losers, anyway. It’s all about the Body Wash. White Rain is cheap at $1 per bottle, but Softsoap comes in a bigger bottle (18 oz. vs 12oz.) and lasts much longer since one squirt gets you a good lather, as opposed to the massive pile you need with White Rain.
Zest stops soap scum!