General Discussion

Enrique

(27,461 posts) Tue Jun 5, 2012, 04:18 PM Jun 2012

Pricing of soda sizes is really messed up

I think a lot of people who might just want a small soda look at the prices and say, wow if I get a small i'm really getting ripped off. I could get a large for just a dime more, or whatever it is. So they get the large.

So my point is that a lot of people are talking as if the soda law is aimed at the consumer and limiting their freedom. But it's not. It's aimed at the restaurants and how they package their product, which is a marketing issue. Marketing people came up with the giant sizes, and their aim was to move more soda, not to save customers money. That strategy has caused some people to drink more soda.

So this law is aimed at the restaurant, and regulating how they package their product. It's more like labeling laws rather than like Prohibition which is a completely off-base comparison that's being made.

6 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Pricing of soda sizes is really messed up (Original Post) Enrique Jun 2012 OP

Doesn't worry me because I never drink soda. RebelOne Jun 2012 #1

Yuck Ter Jun 2012 #2

I sort of like the approach McD's took with coffee - one price, any size. HopeHoops Jun 2012 #3

Which is why I try to buy 2 liter bottles at the store instead of smaller containers. LiberalFighter Jun 2012 #4

Exactly. TheWraith Jun 2012 #6

It isn't like labeling at all and it is the consumer taking the hit and the vendor getting the TheKentuckian Jun 2012 #5

RebelOne

(30,947 posts)

1. Doesn't worry me because I never drink soda.

Reply to Enrique (Original post)

Tue Jun 5, 2012, 04:26 PM

Jun 2012

Whenever I eat at a restaurant, I always just drink water.

Ter

(4,281 posts)

2. Yuck

Reply to RebelOne (Reply #1)

Tue Jun 5, 2012, 04:59 PM

Jun 2012

HopeHoops

(47,675 posts)

3. I sort of like the approach McD's took with coffee - one price, any size.

Reply to Enrique (Original post)

Tue Jun 5, 2012, 05:47 PM

Jun 2012

Their coffee isn't terrible, but face it - the shit is just water to them. The one price thing makes sense. If you want to get wired all to hell, go for it. If you just want a small, you're going to pay that amount anyway. Soda's dirt cheap as well. They make a shitload off of sugar water and yes, the pricing is designed to get you to buy the mega half-gallon cup instead of the mere mega piss-inducer size.

LiberalFighter

(51,137 posts)

4. Which is why I try to buy 2 liter bottles at the store instead of smaller containers.

Reply to Enrique (Original post)

Tue Jun 5, 2012, 06:03 PM

Jun 2012

I have smaller bottles at home if I need something to pour it into if I need something on the road and don't want to pay higher per ratio cost at the store.

TheWraith

(24,331 posts)

6. Exactly.

Reply to LiberalFighter (Reply #4)

Tue Jun 5, 2012, 07:17 PM

Jun 2012

Around here you'll pay almost twice as much for a 20 ounce bottle, chilled, as you will for a generic 2 liter. The "convenience fee" of having it cold and drinkable is insane.

TheKentuckian

(25,029 posts)

5. It isn't like labeling at all and it is the consumer taking the hit and the vendor getting the

Reply to Enrique (Original post)

Tue Jun 5, 2012, 07:14 PM

Jun 2012

benefit.

Your premise is the larger sizes move more soda, which makes little sense when you acknowledge the consumer gets the large for little more than the small. The small is the higher profit item, you get more (often significantly more) product for near the same price point hence greater value to the buyer.
I see no way around this increasing the cost per ounce to the consumer and making hay for the seller. Concession stands will make tons more.

The aim isn't moving raw onces of drink, it is about cost per ounce to the person buying it. I don't get this perception of the business model. How is getting more money per ounce taking aim at the restaurants (and certainly theaters)?

Label laws give the consumer information on their purchase, they don't dictate purchases in any way. I see no comparison, it may not be an outright ban but it is controlling how the buying takes place for sure, kinda like the allergy medicine limits.

Reply to this discussion