Buyer Beware

[Cdog]

Yea, the amount hasn't changed on these powders. I'm pretty sure they've been that way from the start.

Besides, these powder marketers know we'll buy it!

A $15 lb of Universal is now $25+ and I'm still using it.

25 years ago when I started using Accurate brand powders they were priced well below the competition, not any more. I still use #5, #7, 2520, and their 4064.

 

[Johnnu2]

You guys and gals need to remember that the CEO's of these consumer companies have needs too.... It's only thru our contributions that they can keep up with rising prices. The cost of maintaining a yacht + fuel + insurance+ docking and winter storage.....And let's not forget the cost for annual maintenance on the family jet... + wash and wax once a year (used to be twice a year). It's up to US to help them thru these tough times.
IMHO of course,
J

 

[gwpercle]

Have you noticed a bag of white granulated sugar.
Used to be they came in 5 pound bags ..... then , overnight they all changed to 4 pound bags ... with no reduction in price ...
I bet no one , except us guys who cook and make "Shine" even noticed the old switcherroo !
And there was no sugar shortage just a greedy move ...
Keep you eye out for it ...the old give em less for more money is the new way to increase profits without having to do diddly squat.

what used to be 16 ounce cans are now 15 ounce cans...less for more ...the consumers are stupid .

We are smart and need our big payday's... lets take advantage of the dumb consumer .
Gary

 

[Jessie]

I agree with the OP...it's a truth in advertising thing

 

[mtgianni]

I thought it was great when 700X went from 8 oz to 14 oz bottles.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Seems that Hodgdon is the first to cave in and try to sneak one by on the consumers. I was lucky last week and found a place with a pretty fair selection of powders. Regular retail prices in the $26-29 range. I picked up some Varget, 700X, and Clay's. It has been awhile since I have been buying powder---most of mine is still in either metal or cardboard canisters. It was not until I went to put these new ones away in the cabinet that I noticed the change. I have bought a few of the Trailboss and most of us know that this comes in a 9oz bottle, and we realize why. Well both the Clays and the 700X are now in 14oz bottles. Yep, same size, same label, same shelf placement, same price, but now 2 ounces less than we have been buying. Maybe this is their way of spreading it around and getting more bottles out to the retailers. I personally find it sneaky and a huge break in tradition. Smokeless powders have been sold in 1lb containers since they were introduced. Now they go and pull a fast one following in the steps of every other product on the retail shelves. Why can't they just raise the prices and let us continue to pay the price and know what we are buying. They save nothing on packaging costs, machine time is increased, labor is probably increased, and all we get is less product taking up the same space in the cabinet.
If any of you marketing geniuses at Hodgdon happen to read this----I think it STINKS.

Just like Federal. Putting 20 shells in a shotshell box instead of the normal 25. And the way they pkg their bulk 22's. Makes you think you're getting a deal till you look at the quanity...............Check BACON......14 oz instead of a pound. All a big con.......

 

[fredj338]

You guys and gals need to remember that the CEO's of these consumer companies have needs too.... It's only thru our contributions that they can keep up with rising prices. The cost of maintaining a yacht + fuel + insurance+ docking and winter storage.....And let's not forget the cost for annual maintenance on the family jet... + wash and wax once a year (used to be twice a year). It's up to US to help them thru these tough times.
IMHO of course,
J

You are too cynical. It does cost money to produce products & no one does it for free, every business is in it to make money. Costs go up, raw matl, labor, govt regs, it isnt done for free.
I can remeber gas at 25c per hal, hamburger/coke/fries for under $1. You want so ething you cant make, you are pretty much at the manf mercy. One reason I started reloading 45y ago, I dont really care about the ammo supply. Though it is making components scarce, that is taken care of with proper planning.

 

[mikld]

Just normal business in America. Nobody is trying to "pull a fast one" on anybody and this has been happening for many, many years (not every manufacturer is out to screw their customers). Everything gets more expensive to produce, and not just the raw materials. I suppose if a manufacturer needed to be completely honest they might get smaller containers, but that would increase the costs quite a bit (designing and purchasing new containers), so they save by putting a little less in their stock container to keep their costs down and the containers are labeled with the new weight so there isn't a scam. Not "hiding" anything either. Anyone think about how much trouble it would be to change a price on a product? Besides the cost of printing new catalogs/price lists there would be quite a bit of "people time" involved in the actual price change and notifying all the distributors, dealers and vendors (employee time = $$$) . Many times to continue in business a manufacturer needs to use these cost cutting measures.

Ever wonder why you get shipments in way oversize boxes? The manufacturer/vendor isn't stupid, but is is a cost cutting measure. Instead of buying 6 different boxes to fit a variety of items, they buy one that works/fits all the products they pack and saves on $$$ and inventory storage...

 

[fredj338]

Just normal business in America. Nobody is trying to "pull a fast one" on anybody and this has been happening for many, many years (not every manufacturer is out to screw their customers). Everything gets more expensive to produce, and not just the raw materials. I suppose if a manufacturer needed to be completely honest they might get smaller containers, but that would increase the costs quite a bit (designing and purchasing new containers), so they save by putting a little less in their stock container to keep their costs down and the containers are labeled with the new weight so there isn't a scam. Not "hiding" anything either. Anyone think about how much trouble it would be to change a price on a product? Besides the cost of printing new catalogs/price lists there would be quite a bit of "people time" involved in the actual price change and notifying all the distributors, dealers and vendors (employee time = $$$) . Many times to continue in business a manufacturer needs to use these cost cutting measures.

Ever wonder why you get shipments in way oversize boxes? The manufacturer/vendor isn't stupid, but is is a cost cutting measure. Instead of buying 6 different boxes to fit a variety of items, they buy one that works/fits all the products they pack and saves on $$$ and inventory storage...

100% Too many people just have no business experience. The great thing is most things we buy are options, not necessities. We can say no & move on if we think we are getting screwed.

 

[Fishslayer]

Just normal business in America. Nobody is trying to "pull a fast one" on anybody and this has been happening for many, many years (not every manufacturer is out to screw their customers).

Then why not just sell the same amount at a higher price? It costs money to change from 16 oz to 14 oz.

 

[glenwolde]

Not a conspiracy. They have a specification for how much air to leave in a can to prevent spillage when pouring. They don't want to go to the expense of having a different container for just one or two powders. They pack what they can in their standard container.

If you have two cans from the same lot take one and fill the other one up. Now try to pour the full one. 700-X has been that way since Hodgdon got it.

 

[jag22]

There was in fact a sugar shortage in the 70s, demand far outstripped supply for many reasons and prices skyrocketed. Sound familiar? It was so bad that restaurants removed the little sugar packets from tables, you had to ask for them. I think the change to the 4 pound was to prevent "sticker shock" when housewives went to the store. Everyone new they were getting less because the bags were obviously smaller.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Then why not just sell the same amount at a higher price? It costs money to change from 16 oz to 14 oz.

Because most consumers will look for a cheaper alternative . . .

 

[Ed Fowler]

Where is Ralph Nader when we need him?

 

[Krogen]

Why not call 'em up and ask? I bet it's a question they rarely hear. Could be telling by the answer they give, or don't give.

 

[mikld]

Then why not just sell the same amount at a higher price? It costs money to change from 16 oz to 14 oz.

A manufacturer, just doesn't start charging more for their product (and adjusting a machine to drop 14 oz. rather than 16 oz probably takes one person 10 minutes). Besides the accounting department having to adjust all their costs/prices, etc, (people time = $$$), all the distributors, dealers, and vendors would have to be notified (people time - $$$). New price lists would have to be produced, printed and sent out, or digitally assembled and sent out (people time=$$$). Then they would have to listen to all the paranoid reloaders scream about the manufacturer trying to screw them...

 

[mtgianni]

Then why not just sell the same amount at a higher price? It costs money to change from 16 oz to 14 oz.

Can size is the same. Does anyone have a picture of a 16 oz bottle of Hi-scor 700X? I don't recall seeing one.

 

[dmar]

Seems to be standard practice now to reduce the amount of the product in the package but keep the price the same. Ever notice how bacon typically comes in a 12oz package now instead of 16oz? You are still getting charged the same price you used to pay for 16oz but now you're only getting 12oz.

Most people don't recognize it as such, but this dynamic is simply another example of inflation. In the consumer packaged goods industries, they tend to shrink package/content along with increasing prices. It's inflation; you're getting less for the same price, or higher price.

The government is printing money at a record pace, our National debt keeps climbing (I believe it's tripled in the last 4 years alone...), this devalues our currency. There are consequences to printing money and driving up debt, nothing is "free." We the consumers, and taxpayers, will pay for these Covid "stimulus" checks to everyone (not me), and Covid "stimulus" bailouts to companies and organizations. It's only going to get worse. Inflation is really just a tax on all consumers, not many understand it as such, but it's true.

 

[BlackTalonJHP]

Can size is the same. Does anyone have a picture of a 16 oz bottle of Hi-scor 700X? I don't recall seeing one.

Agreed. There's a reason Clays has always come in a 14 oz. can. Perhaps the OP can post a picture of his 16 oz. can of Clays or correct this thread.

 

[Igiveup]

Jag22, it was 1974, remember it well. I worked in the agricultural end of the beet sugar business. Prices climbed high. I think it was the reason the soda pop business finally switched over to high fructose corn sugar in their drinks. The good ole' days.