Sticker SHOCK!

[canuk-gal]

Oh wait, I just thought of something else...ottomans. Have you ever noticed that an ottoman usually costs more than a chair? Why? It's smaller and can't possibly require that much more work to produce. I was looking at a chair for $600 and the ottoman was $850. WTF?

HI:

Of course--ottoman insanity! Prime example!

Only the ones that can double as a storage unit have some redeeming value.

cheers--Sharon

 

[canuk-gal]

Movies! Actually, movie concessions. DH went last week. The movie was $22 for two (3D). Our snacks were $25. Yikes.

Anything in Vegas. I was there 4 years ago and a lemon drop was $19.

Razor blades. C'mon, they are little pieces of sharpened metal. Why are cartridges $2-3 each?

Tires. My #1 least favorite thing to buy. We live in a snow area so I had to get good ones- just under $1k.

HI:

I actively seek happy hours when we are vacay--they can be worth it.

We also live in a high snow area--and for me snow tires are lifesavers. Luckily that is not an annual (price) shocker.

cheers--Shaorn

 

[iheartscience]

We can thank Congress & Mr. Obama for many increased prices. They're going up to cover the new gov't medical programs -- companies cannot pay those out of pocket & stay in business.

Bullshit! They can afford and would stay in business just fine, they are actively choosing to screw their employees and their customers to keep massive profit margins lining the pockets of their overpaid chief execs. Your government doesn't give a flying crap about it's citizens. It cares solely about it's big billionaire businesses that pay its "elected officials". Period.

And that's all I am going to say about that.

Yup. And last I checked, it's President Obama, not Mr. Obama.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Lemme guess, DF. Martell Cordon Bleu? I have switched to whiskey.

Underwear gets me every time. I think about wearing girls' sizes just for the price savings, but I haven't done it yet.

yup,it back off a little in the past 3 months.i was paying like $160 a bottle for a 750ml.. i remember paying $34 a bottle in the early 80's.

 

[Dancing Fire]

We can thank Congress & Mr. Obama for many increased prices. They're going up to cover the new gov't medical programs -- companies cannot pay those out of pocket & stay in business.

Bullshit! They can afford and would stay in business just fine, they are actively choosing to screw their employees and their customers to keep massive profit margins lining the pockets of their overpaid chief execs. Your government doesn't give a flying crap about it's citizens. It cares solely about it's big billionaire businesses that pay its "elected officials". Period.

And that's all I am going to say about that.

Yup. And last I checked, it's President Obama, not Mr. Obama.

either way i hope we can survive 4 more yrs of socialism.we are heading towards the way of Europe fast,17 trillion in debt and counting...

 

[MichelleCarmen]

The cost of toilet paper and paper towels is nuts. I buy MD double rolls and pay $5.99 for a 12 pack of the double rolls...I went to a different store than I normally do and they are charging $9.99 for the same package. That is crazy!

Also, food is just insanely priced. Both my kids like Clif bars and my DH eats them, too...I spent about $90 on them over the last month b/c I've started eating one after working out! Errr...

 

[aviastar]

I know this wasn't intended to get political and I'm really not trying to comment on any specific political anything... but can we be careful to differentiate between 'big business' and 'small business' please?

I own a small business (like small) and yea, I do have to look at increasing prices or I simply can't put food on my table. The area my cost of business has increased is in regulation and taxes. The mega corps might be able to stay solvent without raising prices because most of them don't pay any taxes- but I do! My company pays up to 40% in taxes! That's not coming out of my private jet fund, its coming out of my grocery budget! You don't like the way current tax law lets them off the hook stop supporting them- GE and Facebook are two that paid zero taxes this year.

So bitch all you want about the CEOs bonusing themselves into obscenity with money that should be going into paying taxes or raising the wage of their employees and I will join you- but to paint 'business' with one brush as some greedy scam is doing a massive disservice to all the millions of wonderful, hard working small and family owned businesses in this country that keep main streets open and customer service top priority. Current state and federal policies are not small business friendly and they are only getting worse. The new healthcare requirements will keep me from hiring this year, even though I would love to create the jobs and could really use the help. So Apple and Amazon might be able to absorb some of that cost (though they won't) but I simply can't. Policies this large do have an affect on business because our policy makers have chosen to place the burden for supporting them on businesses- how could that not have an affect on pricing?

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Groceries! I have three adult sized men (one DH & two sons) to feed plus myself. We go thru a lot of food. I spend about $200 a week. Milk, meat, fresh fruits & veggies are outrageous.

We spend at least that much too. I have a fred meyer reward card and I do get my household items there, too, and it looks like I spend about $1000 a month there on food, tp, candles, cleaners, etc, according to my tracked points. Then I go to safeway and trader joes and spend a couple hundred there, as well. My kids sometimes eat so much. One day, my son had 2 smoothies (homemade with organic fruit & yogurt), organic homemade burger and organic fries, plus an Amy's burrito all w/in a 1 1/2-hour period. I got a stomach ache just watching him eat all of that!

 

[ame]

We can thank Congress & Mr. Obama for many increased prices. They're going up to cover the new gov't medical programs -- companies cannot pay those out of pocket & stay in business.

Bullshit! They can afford and would stay in business just fine, they are actively choosing to screw their employees and their customers to keep massive profit margins lining the pockets of their overpaid chief execs. Your government doesn't give a flying crap about it's citizens. It cares solely about it's big billionaire businesses that pay its "elected officials". Period.

And that's all I am going to say about that.

Yup. And last I checked, it's President Obama, not Mr. Obama.

either way i hope we can survive 4 more yrs of socialism.we are heading towards the way of Europe fast,17 trillion in debt and counting...

Dude, we've been socialist for centuries. You have and want roads and running water, don't you? Say hello to your socialism.

 

[Dancing Fire]

So bitch all you want about the CEOs bonusing themselves into obscenity with money that should be going into paying taxes or raising the wage of their employees and I will join you- but to paint 'business' with one brush as some greedy scam is doing a massive disservice to all the millions of wonderful, hard working small and family owned businesses in this country that keep main streets open and customer service top priority. Current state and federal policies are not small business friendly and they are only getting worse. The new healthcare requirements will keep me from hiring this year, even though I would love to create the jobs and could really use the help. So Apple and Amazon might be able to absorb some of that cost (though they won't) but I simply can't. Policies this large do have an affect on business because our policy makers have chosen to place the burden for supporting them on businesses- how could that not have an affect on pricing?

yup,agree 101%...

 

[ame]

I know this wasn't intended to get political and I'm really not trying to comment on any specific political anything... but can we be careful to differentiate between 'big business' and 'small business' please?

I own a small business (like small) and yea, I do have to look at increasing prices or I simply can't put food on my table. The area my cost of business has increased is in regulation and taxes. The mega corps might be able to stay solvent without raising prices because most of them don't pay any taxes- but I do! My company pays up to 40% in taxes! That's not coming out of my private jet fund, its coming out of my grocery budget! You don't like the way current tax law lets them off the hook stop supporting them- GE and Facebook are two that paid zero taxes this year.

So bitch all you want about the CEOs bonusing themselves into obscenity with money that should be going into paying taxes or raising the wage of their employees and I will join you- but to paint 'business' with one brush as some greedy scam is doing a massive disservice to all the millions of wonderful, hard working small and family owned businesses in this country that keep main streets open and customer service top priority. Current state and federal policies are not small business friendly and they are only getting worse. The new healthcare requirements will keep me from hiring this year, even though I would love to create the jobs and could really use the help. So Apple and Amazon might be able to absorb some of that cost (though they won't) but I simply can't. Policies this large do have an affect on business because our policy makers have chosen to place the burden for supporting them on businesses- how could that not have an affect on pricing?

Uh, I am a small business owner as well. And I was pretty clear about who our government cares about when I said big billionaire business. That means everyone else gets screwed.

 

[Dancing Fire]

We can thank Congress & Mr. Obama for many increased prices. They're going up to cover the new gov't medical programs -- companies cannot pay those out of pocket & stay in business.

Bullshit! They can afford and would stay in business just fine, they are actively choosing to screw their employees and their customers to keep massive profit margins lining the pockets of their overpaid chief execs. Your government doesn't give a flying crap about it's citizens. It cares solely about it's big billionaire businesses that pay its "elected officials". Period.

And that's all I am going to say about that.

Yup. And last I checked, it's President Obama, not Mr. Obama.

either way i hope we can survive 4 more yrs of socialism.we are heading towards the way of Europe fast,17 trillion in debt and counting...

Dude, we've been socialist for centuries. You have and want roads and running water, don't you? Say hello to your socialism.

yes,but not a wasteful government.
http://www.google.com/search?q=jeff+neely&hl=en&qscrl=1&rlz=1T4GGHP_enUS445US445&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=puVJUYC3L8K0iwLawICoDA&sqi=2&ved=0CDIQsAQ&biw=1097&bih=532#imgrc=CxuphyhA_nh1pM%3A%3Bo2pgPbHgkSfikM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.glittarazzi.com%252Fimages%252FBLOG-MAIN%252Fjeff_neely_2012_4_17.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.glittarazzi.com%252Fplayers%252F112607-jeffrey-neely-vegas-gsa-photos.html%3B600%3B416

 

[ame]

We can thank Congress & Mr. Obama for many increased prices. They're going up to cover the new gov't medical programs -- companies cannot pay those out of pocket & stay in business.

Bullshit! They can afford and would stay in business just fine, they are actively choosing to screw their employees and their customers to keep massive profit margins lining the pockets of their overpaid chief execs. Your government doesn't give a flying crap about it's citizens. It cares solely about it's big billionaire businesses that pay its "elected officials". Period.

And that's all I am going to say about that.

Yup. And last I checked, it's President Obama, not Mr. Obama.

either way i hope we can survive 4 more yrs of socialism.we are heading towards the way of Europe fast,17 trillion in debt and counting...

Dude, we've been socialist for centuries. You have and want roads and running water, don't you? Say hello to your socialism.

yes,but not a wasteful government.
http://www.google.com/search?q=jeff+neely&hl=en&qscrl=1&rlz=1T4GGHP_enUS445US445&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=puVJUYC3L8K0iwLawICoDA&sqi=2&ved=0CDIQsAQ&biw=1097&bih=532#imgrc=CxuphyhA_nh1pM%3A%3Bo2pgPbHgkSfikM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.glittarazzi.com%252Fimages%252FBLOG-MAIN%252Fjeff_neely_2012_4_17.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.glittarazzi.com%252Fplayers%252F112607-jeffrey-neely-vegas-gsa-photos.html%3B600%3B416

He was appointed by W, just an FYI. And is not the only one who misbehaves in power. I think you seem to miss (or actively choose to ignore) that just as many republicans and teabaggers do this crap, if not more, as the dems you continue to blame for it all.

Wanna talk about wasteful spending? IRAQ WAR.

 

[Sparklelu]

Ame I do not usually post when it gets political but your posts in this thread offend me. The correct trem is Tea Party. Calling them by the other name is disrespectful. That is the beauty of this DEMOCRACY we are free to have opinions, but name calling is childish.

 

[Sparklelu]

AS far as sticker shock.. RAZOR BLADES!!! thanks for the explanation. Holy Cow you would think they were hand made signed art pieces with the prices they charge!
I am shocked by the price of milk also, here it costs less to put a gallon of gas in the car!

 

[Dee*Jay]

City parking! I just (as in YESTERDAY) moved back to Chicago and I'm paying $650/month to park my cars. I could have had two unreserved spots for $225 each instead of the $325 each I'm paying, but this way I get to park Billy Ray between a concrete wall and my own Lexus. I fugure I will save on the door dings i dont have to get repaired, but still...

 

[aviastar]

I know this wasn't intended to get political and I'm really not trying to comment on any specific political anything... but can we be careful to differentiate between 'big business' and 'small business' please?

I own a small business (like small) and yea, I do have to look at increasing prices or I simply can't put food on my table. The area my cost of business has increased is in regulation and taxes. The mega corps might be able to stay solvent without raising prices because most of them don't pay any taxes- but I do! My company pays up to 40% in taxes! That's not coming out of my private jet fund, its coming out of my grocery budget! You don't like the way current tax law lets them off the hook stop supporting them- GE and Facebook are two that paid zero taxes this year.

So bitch all you want about the CEOs bonusing themselves into obscenity with money that should be going into paying taxes or raising the wage of their employees and I will join you- but to paint 'business' with one brush as some greedy scam is doing a massive disservice to all the millions of wonderful, hard working small and family owned businesses in this country that keep main streets open and customer service top priority. Current state and federal policies are not small business friendly and they are only getting worse. The new healthcare requirements will keep me from hiring this year, even though I would love to create the jobs and could really use the help. So Apple and Amazon might be able to absorb some of that cost (though they won't) but I simply can't. Policies this large do have an affect on business because our policy makers have chosen to place the burden for supporting them on businesses- how could that not have an affect on pricing?

Uh, I am a small business owner as well. And I was pretty clear about who our government cares about when I said big billionaire business. That means everyone else gets screwed.

And I didn't name any specific posters, on purpose. It was a general request for differentiation because the conversation was moving in a direction that suggested 'business' and it's practices in the current political climate would be a focus. And I get really angry when people who have never run a business assume that because I own one I must be living high on hog and crushing the little people under my diamond studded shoes to get there. I'm sure you've run into that misconception, too, so while we probably would disagree on how some of the issues facing small business today should be addressed (opinions- everybody has 'em!), I'm also sure we would be able to come up with lots of things we do agree on, like many of the challenges facing self employed and small business owners right now.

 

[maccers]

This thread is perfect timing for me, I get to vent about the banks! Their outrageous banking and administrative fees really get my goat to no end. I've recently experienced additional sticker shock at their mortgage assessment pricing. We've bought a new house and the banks now send an assessor to 'value' the house prior to approving the mortgage. The cost? $300-400. I can't believe we have to pay an additional fee for that considering they're going to be making a ton of interest off of us. Granted, this isn't a fee that we'll have to pay again for awhile but it seems to me that companies are less likely to absorb costs like this as part of doing business.

ETA: I should also say this house assessment is a relatively recent thing...when I bought five years ago, an assessment was not needed. Now the banks do it for all properties. I don't know why it's not enough to look at comparables and the % downpayment:mortgage.

 

[ame]

Ame I do not usually post when it gets political but your posts in this thread offend me. The correct trem is Tea Party. Calling them by the other name is disrespectful. That is the beauty of this DEMOCRACY we are free to have opinions, but name calling is childish.

So because you don't agree with facts, you're offended? Or is it only that ONE post that offends you? If more people would get offended by the state of the country and the way our government works and rips us off while making our elected officials and millionaire big business execs even richer, instead of fighting against equal rights for all, maybe this country would be less of a disaster.

Just to point more facts since you pointed it out:
I am only being as "disrespectful" as the members of the "Tea Party" themselves, as they themselves decided to refer to themselves with that word. Only after that started--again BY THEMSELVES--did the other party start mocking it and turning their use of the word on them.

Use of term "teabagger"
The term teabagger was initially used to refer to Tea Partiers after conservatives used tea bag as a verb on protest signs and websites. Members of the movement adopted the term, and referred to themselves as teabaggers. Shortly thereafter, however, others outside the movement began to use the term mockingly, alluding to the sexual connotation of the term when referring to Tea Party protesters.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_Party_movement#Use_of_term_.22teabagger.22

And with that, I am done with this thread. I just responded to someone else's political inaccuracies.

 

[rubyshoes]

Spa and salon services!!! I like to be well-groomed so it's important for me to get stuff done but I refuse to pay 60 bucks for a haircut, 35 for just a pedicure etc etc. So I do my nails at home, henna my hair by myself, use an Epilator at home, and use groupons for haircuts.

I also think Starbucks is the biggest joke on the planet. 4 dollars for a coffee, are you kidding me?

Also, shipping costs when you buy things online. For eg. I just bought 2 own-root rosebushes from a nursery in TX. The cheapest standard shipping was $19.

I never begrudge medical or veterinary costs though. I don't mind paying for the expertise.

I'll gladly pay a $20 co-pay to my REBT therapist, but I refuse to pay $40 for a dog wash. I have a tub and a showerhead, and a yummy smelling strawberry dog shampoo! but I can't talk myself out of my problems, you know?

 

[rubyshoes]

City parking! I just (as in YESTERDAY) moved back to Chicago and I'm paying $650/month to park my cars. I could have had two unreserved spots for $225 each instead of the $325 each I'm paying, but this way I get to park Billy Ray between a concrete wall and my own Lexus. I fugure I will save on the door dings i dont have to get repaired, but still...

YES. OMG, how did I forget Chicago city parking? We live in the burbs and thankfully have a Metra train walking distance away so when we have to go to the city, we just take the train. Parking rates are CRAZY. A lot of my friends in the city don't own cars anymore, they use Zipcar when they need one. Also, welcome back to the Windy City

 

[diamondringlover]

I just got sticker shock on replacing windows!! my house is 100 years old and it has the original windows, so we finally decided it was time to think about replacing them...I have 13 windows and I have gotten quotes that start at 5000 and go up to 9000

 

[TC1987]

Tuition cost at Penn State, even the branch campuses. It's obscenely high. University Park is rated the highest in the USA, the most expensive 4-year public university per collegecost.ed.gov. Now $15,250 per year!

Back in 2009, I took one undergrad 4cr microbiology class at the local PSU branch campus, and it cost me $2010 tuition and fees plus about $460 for the books. The local community college only charged $740 + $375 for books for their 4ct microbiology class. But their classes were always full and not seats available, for some strange reason. So I had to take it at Penn State. lol

 

[canuk-gal]

[

g and crushing the little people under my diamond studded shoes to get there. I'm sure you've run into that misconception, too, so while we probably would disagree on how some of the issues facing small business today should be addressed (opinions- everybody has 'em!),


Oh these sound awesome! I want some but am afraid of sticker SHOCK! Just kidding of course.

I thought you were very well spoken.

cheers--Sharon

 

[lovebug1031]

Tuition cost at Penn State, even the branch campuses. It's obscenely high. University Park is rated the highest in the USA, the most expensive 4-year public university per collegecost.ed.gov. Now $15,250 per year!

Back in 2009, I took one undergrad 4cr microbiology class at the local PSU branch campus, and it cost me $2010 tuition and fees plus about $460 for the books. The local community college only charged $740 + $375 for books for their 4ct microbiology class. But their classes were always full and not seats available, for some strange reason. So I had to take it at Penn State. lol

I realize this isn't comparable...but wow I would've loved to have paid $15,250/year in undergrad (mind you I graduated in 2005) - My freshman year it was at $19,700, then up to $27,500 my senior year! Granted I also went to a tiny private school in SW Virginia...this tiny private school is also the cheapest private school in the state!

 

[JewelFreak]

Ame, please try to express your opinions without insulting others for theirs. It can be done. We've discussed this in other threads. Rudeness does NOT make your points more pointed.

Honestly, it hurts my feelings to get replies like yours. Is that your goal, or would you rather persuade people? You can't do both. DF, Aviastar, Elisateach & others (me too) who think differently from you have an equal right to say it out loud -- and nobody has been rough on you here.

I'm so disgusted, I think I'll take a break from Pricescope. And please do not reply with more antagonism. I'm done for a while.

--- Laurie

 

[missy]

Ame, please try to express your opinions without insulting others for theirs. It can be done. We've discussed this in other threads. Rudeness does NOT make your points more pointed.

Honestly, it hurts my feelings to get replies like yours. Is that your goal, or would you rather persuade people? You can't do both. DF, Aviastar, Elisateach & others (me too) who think differently from you have an equal right to say it out loud -- and nobody has been rough on you here.

I'm so disgusted, I think I'll take a break from Pricescope. And please do not reply with more antagonism. I'm done for a while.

--- Laurie

Laurie, please don't take a break. We love you and want you here. Please stay-remember you are my PS twin and I will be missing my better half if you take a break!

ETA: I just got home from work and am catching up on PS but quickly reading this thread through I can see it's the same issue-people who just cannot help but be disrespectful of others beliefs. It's not OK to be rude no matter your beliefs. And in fact, when they express opinions so rudely I just ignore them.

 

[canuk-gal]

Ame, please try to express your opinions without insulting others for theirs. It can be done. We've discussed this in other threads. Rudeness does NOT make your points more pointed.

Honestly, it hurts my feelings to get replies like yours. Is that your goal, or would you rather persuade people? You can't do both. DF, Aviastar, Elisateach & others (me too) who think differently from you have an equal right to say it out loud -- and nobody has been rough on you here.

I'm so disgusted, I think I'll take a break from Pricescope. And please do not reply with more antagonism. I'm done for a while.

--- Laurie

Laurie:

I know how you feel--I too have become disenchanted with threads/posts/responses; and I also took a break recently from PS when I read something that "got" to me.

Of course I cannot tell you what to do, but please don't feel you "need" to go.

cheers--Sharon

 

[ame]

Ame, please try to express your opinions without insulting others for theirs. It can be done. We've discussed this in other threads. Rudeness does NOT make your points more pointed.

Honestly, it hurts my feelings to get replies like yours. Is that your goal, or would you rather persuade people? You can't do both. DF, Aviastar, Elisateach & others (me too) who think differently from you have an equal right to say it out loud -- and nobody has been rough on you here.

I'm so disgusted, I think I'll take a break from Pricescope. And please do not reply with more antagonism. I'm done for a while.

--- Laurie

Hey now--wait a minute...

You and Elisa are accusing me of being deliberately hurtful and offensive as if I posted anything to try to persuade anyone to change their opinions, even though this entire discussion was started because you said something offensive to others and political in tone, which was not even going on prior to your own post, a statement which is also inaccurate, so how does that make me the antagonist? And if anyone says anything directly about it to you in correction with facts, and personal opinion with facts, to back their statement, you get to mope about it and be "offended" instead of explaining your reasoning for your statement and tell them they are offensive, pointed, rude and hurtful? Give me a break! You're doing exactly what you just accused me of doing and trying to do so as if you're a martyr.

With Elisateach's post, I pointed out, with a fact, where I got that information, and posted it. I have never said or implied you or anyone else that might think differently than I do is not allowed to think that way, nor am I trying to convince to change your mind as you are accusing me of and insinuating, but if you're going to make blanket statements, at least have some basis in fact and some factual evidence with the post to back it up.

I don't need to worry too much about DF since he knows he is starting a barkfest back and forth, he starts tons of threads to spark conversation and debate. And he also knows who is on which side of the aisle.

It is HYSTERICAL to me that I am not allowed to disagree with someone else and back up my arguement with facts without being considered rude and offensive.

 

[NOYFB]

City parking! I just (as in YESTERDAY) moved back to Chicago and I'm paying $650/month to park my cars. I could have had two unreserved spots for $225 each instead of the $325 each I'm paying, but this way I get to park Billy Ray between a concrete wall and my own Lexus. I fugure I will save on the door dings i dont have to get repaired, but still...

Parking in Chicago is outrageously expensive. I'm lucky enough that I don't live in a neighborhood that I have to pay for monthly parking, but I'm still annoyed at how much I have to park on the street to go shopping at my fave store or eat at my fave restaurant.

My biggest sticker shot is groceries. DH and I are vegetarians and our grocery bill is so flippin' high......it's so annoying!!! I spent at least $200/week on groceries and it's only the 2 of us!