The rising cost of living: a burden on consumers
Business has become deceptive
You cannot buy a 10kg bag of potatoes or onions anymore. Now they are sold in 7 or 8kg pockets, says the writer.
Image: File
THESE are hard times. Everything goes up. Even death is expensive. But Finance Minister Ernest Godongwana couldn’t care less when he wanted to push up VAT by 1 % to fund a bloated cabinet and a wasteful and corrupt public service.
And look how deceptive, cunning and greedy business has become. In many cases manufacturers and retailers have stealthily reduced the size and quantity of their products but not the price. In nearly everything the price has gone up. You cannot buy a 10kg bag of potatoes or onions anymore. Now they are sold in 7 or 8kg pockets. No more 10kg rice but 8, 7 and even 5kg. But the price has not dropped.
Many of the pre-cooked, convenience foods are sold in odd quantities like 400 or 600 grams. And look how few biscuits or sweets come in a packet. Baker’s famous Marie Biscuit is now wafer thin but the price has gone up considerably. In some instances, the packaging is deceptive. Manufacturers have kept the size of packaging the same but not the price.
Look at a tub of ice cream. It’s no more 2kg but 1.8 kg. But the price is not cheap anymore. You think you are picking up cooking oil for a bargain but when you go home, you find it’s not 5 litres but 4 litre. You got conned by a marketing gimmick.
We know these are tough economic times and business has to find ways and means to survive. But it should also consider the plight of the poor consumer; not only worry about its balance sheet and profitability. Look at what fat cheques their CEOs earn. Look what flashy lifestyles they lead, in what mansions they live and what big luxury cars they drive. They are so greedy and selfish!
THYAGARAJ MARKANDAN
Kloof
** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.