We hope you have enjoyed the SRGC Forum. You can make a Paypal donation to the SRGC by clicking the above button

Author Topic: Are manufacturers robbing us?  (Read 3518 times)

David Nicholson

  • Hawkeye
  • Journal Access Group
  • Hero Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 13117
  • Country: england
  • Why can't I play like Clapton
Are manufacturers robbing us?
« on: March 13, 2011, 08:27:17 PM »
Has anyone noticed that apart from the odd "special, special offer" prices of bags of compost from garden centres are surprisingly similar wherever you go. Is it me just being an old cynic or is there the possibility that there is some price control being exercised by the big manufacturers ???

In the last few years I have been using the Green Ore brand of John Innes composts (used to be used at Wisley before the peat eco-warriors struck!) and enduring a roughly 190 mile round trip to buy it. Given the price of deisel these days (my cheapest is 133.9p per litre) this makes the cost prohibitive so I've gone back to using the J. Arthur Bowers brand of JI's from a local garden centre. Went to get some today to find the bag size has gone down from 25ltr to 20ltr and the price is much more than I used to pay for 25ltrs.
David Nicholson
in Devon, UK  Zone 9b
"Victims of satire who are overly defensive, who cry "foul" or just winge to high heaven, might take pause and consider what exactly it is that leaves them so sensitive, when they were happy with satire when they were on the side dishing it out"

Gerry Webster

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2571
  • Country: gb
Re: Are manufacturers robbing us?
« Reply #1 on: March 13, 2011, 08:37:44 PM »
You old cynic David. How could you possibly think such a thing?
Gerry passed away  at home  on 25th February 2021 - his posts are  left  in the  forum in memory of him.
His was a long life - lived well.

Richard Green

  • Journal Access Group
  • Sr. Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 333
  • Country: scotland
  • SRGC Treasurer
Re: Are manufacturers robbing us?
« Reply #2 on: March 13, 2011, 09:22:46 PM »
I have noticed exactly the same thing with hen food.  Layers pellets are now in 20kg bags for about the same price as a 25kg bag used to be.  But of course the seller explained that they are much easier to carry into the car.  So that's all right then!
Richard Green - Balfron Station, West Central Scotland

Maggi Young

  • Forum Dogsbody
  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 44564
  • Country: scotland
  • "There's often a clue"
    • International Rock Gardener e-magazine
Re: Are manufacturers robbing us?
« Reply #3 on: March 13, 2011, 09:25:58 PM »
Bird seed is in 20kg bags now instead of 25kgs.

And then there's the case of the shrinking chocolate bars........ :'(
Margaret Young in Aberdeen, North East Scotland Zone 7 -ish!

Editor: International Rock Gardener e-magazine

mark smyth

  • Hopeless Galanthophile
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 15254
  • Country: gb
Re: Are manufacturers robbing us?
« Reply #4 on: March 13, 2011, 09:57:09 PM »
my bird food - sunflower hearts - comes in 25kg bags
Antrim, Northern Ireland Z8
www.snowdropinfo.com / www.marksgardenplants.com / www.saveourswifts.co.uk

When the swifts arrive empty the green house

All photos taken with a Canon 900T and 230

angie

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3167
  • Country: scotland
Re: Are manufacturers robbing us?
« Reply #5 on: March 13, 2011, 10:22:32 PM »
Bird seed is in 20kg bags now instead of 25kgs.

And then there's the case of the shrinking chocolate bars........ :'(

Surly not Maggi, anything else but not our beloved chocolate bars  ;D

Angie :)
Angie T.
....just outside Aberdeen in North East Scotland

Neil

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 621
  • Country: england
  • Hardy Orchid Grower
    • The Hardy Orchid Society
Re: Are manufacturers robbing us?
« Reply #6 on: March 13, 2011, 10:32:50 PM »
Is all about price points, if you reduce the weight of a pre-packed item, and keep the price the same, not many people notice it. 
Interested in Hardy Orchids then join The Hardy Orchid Society
Wanted Hardy Orchid Seed please pm me if you have some that you can spare
Sussex, England, UK Zone 9a

David Nicholson

  • Hawkeye
  • Journal Access Group
  • Hero Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 13117
  • Country: england
  • Why can't I play like Clapton
Re: Are manufacturers robbing us?
« Reply #7 on: March 14, 2011, 09:29:25 AM »
Is all about price points, if you reduce the weight of a pre-packed item, and keep the price the same, not many people notice it. 

Elderly, cynical Yorkshiremen do ;D
David Nicholson
in Devon, UK  Zone 9b
"Victims of satire who are overly defensive, who cry "foul" or just winge to high heaven, might take pause and consider what exactly it is that leaves them so sensitive, when they were happy with satire when they were on the side dishing it out"

davidunderwood

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 7
Re: Are manufacturers robbing us?
« Reply #8 on: March 16, 2012, 06:41:06 PM »
Another example of rip off Britain ???
David

ArnoldT

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2075
  • Country: us
Re: Are manufacturers robbing us?
« Reply #9 on: March 16, 2012, 08:15:58 PM »
I don't the rip off is solely occurring in UK.

Have a look at the size of a can of peas or chick peas.  Smaller by the minute and more expensive.
Arnold Trachtenberg
Leonia, New Jersey

brianw

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 809
Re: Are manufacturers robbing us?
« Reply #10 on: March 16, 2012, 11:26:28 PM »
My sunflower hearts come as 2 x 13kg or 1 25kg for similar prices ordered online. What amazes me still is I get free next day delivery, sometimes before 10am. Think it is still free in Aberdeen but it might take a little longer to get there, not free for N. Ireland; sorry.
Edge of Chiltern hills, 25 miles west of London, England

Martin Baxendale

  • Quick on the Draw
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2849
  • Country: gb
  • faster than a speeding...... snowdrop
Re: Are manufacturers robbing us?
« Reply #11 on: March 16, 2012, 11:44:49 PM »
Are manufacturers robbing us?

Do bears pooh in the woods?
Martin Baxendale, Gloucestershire, UK.

ronm

  • Guest
Re: Are manufacturers robbing us?
« Reply #12 on: March 22, 2012, 09:25:13 PM »
Manufacturers... generally no! Its all inbetween. Usual formula is , manufacturer - just above cost ( 20% is excellent ), next - +200%, next - +200%, next = retail in Uk, + 300%. We pay for the adverts etc ( and CEO bonuses ) that they use to sell to us!! How Ironic 8) 8)

 


Scottish Rock Garden Club is a Charity registered with Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR): SC000942
SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal