How to Cheat Consumers (even more) in the Recession

Skippy should change their name to "SKIMPY"
Photo credits: Mouse Print

I think this is a very informative post to share with all of us general public called CONSUMERS and CUSTOMERS. So we are all affected by the economic crisis right now, correct? Every cent matters as we all say, we have to cut down on this and that, give away some of our favourite luxuries, and keep a tab on whatever we spend on.

Food manufacturers and companies too must do that to stay afloat. The buzz word in the food industry (and in all industries now for that matter), is cost control, production efficiency, and reduction of waste. The whole big matter is how to stretch your company's budget.

How about we add "CHEAT CUSTOMERS" to the list of to-dos?

The picture above shows the Skippy Peanut Butter product from Unilever. So how do they manage to "cut costs" during these hard times? By sneakily reducing the amount of peanut butter in their product, YET maintaining the same old price. As we can see, the old weight of 18 oz. is reduced to 16.3 oz, which is around 3 tablespoons less of the product.

HOW do they manage to do that? As you can see from the picture above, there is no noticeable difference in the package: same diameter and height. But tip the bottle upside down, and......

Yes, Skippy INCREASED the bottom indent of the peanut butter bottle to nearly half an inch!
Photo credits: Mouse Print

I am totally appalled by such tactics! Not that 3 tablespoons mattered too much, but is this the sort of attitude the food companies are treating their customers?? Be aware too, such "downsizing" tactics are done on many other food items too, like ice cream, ketchup, alcoholic beverages, canned goods and even fast food and restaurants!

This report was brought to you by Mouse Print. Read more consumer reports from Mouse Print. It is a very informatively good site if I might say so.