Swandives

Like many people, I’m always on the lookout for specials in the supermarket. As a consumer, I’m only loyal to a handful of brands (my loyalty is fierce, mind you) - the rest is all about whatever’s on special that week.

Sometimes, however, specials seem to defy common sense. Take this example:

Two for less than the price of one

A single pack of Golden Crumpets costs $2.59. If you buy two packs, it costs just $2. Bargain!

But whether it was some loss-leading marketing ploy or the store really needed to move those crumpet stocks quickly, I am in two minds about this special. The tight-arse in me loves that crumpets are just a dollar a pack. Another part is really quite appalled that it costs more to buy one item than two. It defies common sense. Plus, it encourages people to buy more than they need, which in turn leads to either to waste (if it’s not eaten and subsequently thrown away) or weight gain (assuming you do eat them, with lots of butter and honey…mmm…sorry, I’m projecting).

It’s a bit like when you go to the cinema, where buying smaller portion sizes often ends up costing more than ‘upsizing‘. My tastebuds love the idea, but my I have a sneaking suspicion it’s not as good as it seems on the surface.