Rip off Britain ... or are we the mugs?

[Workingman]

I would say that it is a bit of both.

Which? magazine has had a long running campaign about prices versus sizes/quantities/weights of products. It is now reporting another batch of products where the price has gone up or stayed the same for less of the product, these include Andrex toilet rolls, Tropicana juice, Dettol wipes and McVitie's digestives.

So right, these companies are taking the Mickey, and we have know for ages that is what they have been doing, but what are we doing in return?

I buy the majority of things loose or by weight so I know the price per lb/Kg and can see whether it has gone up. But I also have to buy some things pre-packed such as toilet rolls, cleaners, shampoo etc. When I see these charlatans pulling a fast one I move brands: I have absolutely no loyalty. It is time for us consumers to take matters into our own hands.

[Kaz]

It does pay to keep a sharp eye on the weights and price per kilo. I try to do this and it is surprising how sneaky the manufacturers can be

[Suff]

We get what we are willing to pay for. Remember when the price of butter skyrocketed and people switched to margarine which then kick started the huge market of different margarines in the UK??

Where are our shoppers who simply won't put up with the games people are playing today.

I was researching the whole Mars Bar size thing today and it's incredibly hard to get the actual facts as loads of "unofficial" facts abound. But reality is this. Portion sizes shrink as prices say the same. This is only logical as inflation has not stopped.

We need more people willing to go out of their way to buy something else rather than just take what they find in the supermarket on the first shelf offered. Until that time we will get exactly what we are willing to put up with..

[Workingman]

I see a few of us already are aware and acting, but good for Which? to keep pushing this to the fore. Hopefully others will take note and stop being so brand conscious.

[Aggers]

I was researching the whole Mars Bar size thing today and it's incredibly hard to get the actual facts as loads of "unofficial" facts abound. But reality is this. Portion sizes shrink as prices say the same.

Surely, that is not such a bad idea, when we have this obesity problem?

[TheOstrich]

Well yes, Aggers - but it's the "not coming clean" by the manufacturers that grates.

[Kaz]

Yes, agreeing with Ossie, If they'd made it clear, or reduced the price accordingly fair enough, but this is just sneaky

[Workingman]

Yes, agreeing with Ossie, If they'd made it clear, or reduced the price accordingly fair enough, but this is just sneaky

That's why Which? keeps on at this, and good on them. However, things will not change unless we, the consumers, take our own action.