Wendy's, "dynamic pricing" and their subsequent "clarification"

[DaaQ]

Number of locations, and BK is just the worst of the worst. It's been over a decade since I was in one. The crew was friendly and upbeat. I watched them make everything we ordered, none of it was sitting around. The Whoppers, chicken strips, and fries, were the worst quality crap possible. It leaves you wondering after a bite "Is this even meat? What is that odd and unpleasant seasoning? Did these fries come from potatoes?"

Wendy's? it's probably been at least that long or longer since I've ordered there. Got my kid a baconator combo and it was over $14. Could have perfectly flat ironed a 16oz ribeye with garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus for him and spent less.

Steak-n-Shake $4.44 double burger combos are probably the only fast food burgers I've had since. Unless you count 5 guys as fast food. I consider them fast casual since it takes longer and the quality is superior.

Sorry couldn't figure out how to edit in a quote on mobile.

We only have a MCD's, BK, and a Sonic around here. A BBQ place which is only open certain days and only accepts cash. 2
Mexican restaurants a Chinese Buffett (this just shouldn't exist imo) and a 24 hour truck stop with a diner in it.

Wendy's or Taco Bell is 45 miles away. So those are eat in the car or on site because would be horrible by the time you get home. So they kinda feel like a luxury. White Castle is even further. Into hour drive to get there territory.

All of that aside. The McDonald's here was horrible for getting orders correct, or even hot food. They have got better the past few years.
But I absolutely would not go to it if it was after schools let out for the day, or if it was summer break ect.
It was noticeably different quality and service if it was a time or day where people trying to supplement their social security or was their second job type thing working the shift.

 

[Brainonska511]

I had suspicions. 👍

Even though "Shrinkflation" is real.

Shrinkflation has been going on forever. I worked in a grocery store in high school in the mid-2000s and I clearly remember a few things getting smaller while largely remaining the same end price per item sold: OJ containers went from 64 oz to 59 oz, ice cream containers went from half gallons to some slightly smaller size, cereal boxes got narrower.

I would bet that from companies' market research, consumers are extremely price conscious, but not as conscious of the unit price. From the seller's point of view, it was probably better to shrink the amount of product sold versus actually raising the price and keeping sizes the same.

 

[hal2kilo]

Shrinkflation has been going on forever. I worked in a grocery store in high school in the mid-2000s and I clearly remember a few things getting smaller while largely remaining the same end price per item sold: OJ containers went from 64 oz to 59 oz, ice cream containers went from half gallons to some slightly smaller size, cereal boxes got narrower.

I would bet that from companies' market research, consumers are extremely price conscious, but not as conscious of the unit price. From the seller's point of view, it was probably better to shrink the amount of product sold versus actually raising the price and keeping sizes the same.

You notice if you cook regularly from older recipes. Does anyone sell a 16 oz. can anymore?

 

[MrSquished]

Guinness is one of the least good stouts I've ever had, and pasta in general is just "meh". I'd rather just have cheese/sauce on bread, bread is fantastic. Pasta is just a squishy mass in my mouth, I get tired of the texture really quickly.

Guinness was my gateway stout and started my mission to try more stouts. And once I did, I never bought Guinness again unless I had no other good options lol

 

[DaaQ]

Shrinkflation has been going on forever. I worked in a grocery store in high school in the mid-2000s and I clearly remember a few things getting smaller while largely remaining the same end price per item sold: OJ containers went from 64 oz to 59 oz, ice cream containers went from half gallons to some slightly smaller size, cereal boxes got narrower.

I would bet that from companies' market research, consumers are extremely price conscious, but not as conscious of the unit price. From the seller's point of view, it was probably better to shrink the amount of product sold versus actually raising the price and keeping sizes the same.

I agree, I worked in a meat dept in a grocery store back when they actually cut and packed meat onsite. Early 1990s.

I had a manager that back then said that butcher was/is/would be a dieing skill. That they would eventually move to cutting and wrapping at the source. He was right.
And to think that 9 dollars an hour was low back then. 1990-1994 I was around 11.xx when I left it for good. I remember the $3.35 hr minimum wage.

I would bet it was more about increasing margins than having to raise the prices though. From the sellers point of view.

Due to working in a supermarket starting at 15yrs old. I became and will actually calculate out the unit price.
Dollar general has that one aisle where things are actually a dollar or 2. We were broke and needed dishwashing pods. Wife uses Cascade Platinum only. She told me get the 2 pack in the clearance aisle. (I was looking in wrong spot) They have a 5 pack bag for 7.95, the 2 pack ones are 2 dollars per pack. So you can get 6 of them for 2 dollars less.

I think they (sellers) got people so used to thinking the larger portions you buy the cheaper it is per whatever you're measuring by. Which generally holds true. But you would be surprised at how many items are cheaper per oz, g, fl oz, or actual units, than to jumbo sized items.

Also at least rural areas, not sure if holds true in cities anymore but it is hard to find a store that actually still does the meat cutting on site. All the big stores is Walmart, Dollar General Market, ect just use pre packaged meat. Steaks, hamburger, roasts. The packages are filled with nitrogen and sealed to keep the bloom longer. To make it appear brighter red.

 

[SteveGrabowski]

The only way this would work is if all the chains did it together but that's illegal collusion. I guess if Trump got back into power they could probably get away with it but any normal president would shut that shit down.

Market consolidation through mergers and buyouts would allow it just like we see in groceries where most products only have two to four companies making one type of good so they can easily raise prices together.

 

[SteveGrabowski]

I think they (sellers) got people so used to thinking the larger portions you buy the cheaper it is per whatever you're measuring by. Which generally holds true. But you would be surprised at how many items are cheaper per oz, g, fl oz, or actual units, than to jumbo sized items.

Walmart does this with the bagged cereal. The generic giant bag of cereal has been as expensive per ounce as the name brand boxed cereal for years. Although Walmart's new scam is to charge you more than the item is marked on the shelf if you use the self checkout, thinking you won't notice if your hot dogs are 36 cents more or your cereal is 18 cents more than marked.

 

[Paratus]

Shrinkflation has been going on forever. I worked in a grocery store in high school in the mid-2000s and I clearly remember a few things getting smaller while largely remaining the same end price per item sold: OJ containers went from 64 oz to 59 oz, ice cream containers went from half gallons to some slightly smaller size, cereal boxes got narrower.

I would bet that from companies' market research, consumers are extremely price conscious, but not as conscious of the unit price. From the seller's point of view, it was probably better to shrink the amount of product sold versus actually raising the price and keeping sizes the same.

Mentioned it before but the most blatant shrinkflation I’ve seen was for spreadable cheese balls.

A year or two ago they had the 10oz $4.50 cheeseballs on close out for $2.69. Next to them was the ‘new!’ cheeseballs for $4.50.

They were 6oz. The new ones looked like a golf ball next to a baseball.