What do you think is a "rip off"?

[Wes]

the correct answer to any problem satisfied everyone

Who isn't satisfied with that answer?

 

[gruntlabor]

Who isn't satisfied with that answer?

Well, *I* for one am not. Math should always be double-checked, even triple-checked, lest error creep in. And one plus one of what? One quark plus one universe? --no, don't try to fool me now, son, it's not nice to bamboozle a witless old great-grandmother.

 

[NewlySenior]

Bedsheets and garbage cans

I had to replace my kitchen garbage can and decided to go for one of those metal cans with the lever that opens the lid? S60. It's not $60 worth of materials and I doubt it costs $60 to produce, so why the outlandish price?

Similarly bed sheets. It's a piece of cotton fabric with hems at either end. The cheapest 100% cotton sheets are usually $25 - $30 but to get a really nice set, expect to pay upwards of $50 to $100. Why? The materials and labor do not support the price.

ARRGH!

 

[Wes]

a witless old great-grandmother.

An old great grandmother is never to be judged as witless. Rather very wise, and always valued for that if not for love. My great grandmother impressed me that all such were as she was.

 

[Colleen]

I did and the agent said they are not offering any discounts at this time, even for seniors.

Wouldn't it be "cheaper" to cut the cord and get a streaming service? How much tv do you actually watch?

 

[Wes]

Why?

For bed sheets it is the quality of the fabric. The heavier the thread and the more of them in the weave the better, and thus the higher price. And, Bloomingdale's prices are always higher than Walmart's.

As for the trash bins, it may be for where they are made. Made in Bangladesh with cheap child labor, I'd expect a cheap price. But, made in the U.S.A. under all the labor and environmental regs I'd expect to pay more. Look at it this way: cheap may be less cost but requiring child laborers, but who wants to be promoting the exploitation of children?

 

[Colleen]

I dumped cable years ago, cancelled my land line, and bought a cell phone.

Bought a Roku stick for 50.00, plugged it into the back of my TV and enjoy many free or free with ads, channels, especially YouTube. I don't miss mainstream TV at all, I'd rather watch YT comedy, documentaries, history and so much more.

I don't really like movies all that much, but there are a few on YT that I've liked. I do pay 14.00 per month for Amazon Prime for movies, FreeVee and shipping for many items, especially dog food and some gifts.

Peacock is another streaming source. I found a promotion for 20.00 for one year, but sub sequentially, 60.00 per year after that. Cancel anytime. I canceled today and have until end of Nov. to watch some comedy shows they feature. One year for 20.00 isn't bad.

My Internet used to cost me nothing because when I was working, my company paid for it because I had to use it for work. After that, I paid 68.00 per month. ( 40.00 for phone is separate.) Then the Gov't gave us free Internet if you were below a certain income, which I am. For a few years I enjoyed free Internet. Now, they're talking about ending that program.

I will look into lowering my cell phone charges, I don't use it all that much.

This is exactly what I've done. I've had a Roku for years and enjoy Tubi and FreeVee. I'm not renewing my Amazon subscription in May to eliminate that expense. We use to watch movies on Prime but now there's so many that are rent or buy and commercials have become annoying every 10 minutes or so. I even got a message on Prime last night that I can go "ad free" for an additional $2.99/month. What the heck!??? No way.

I just got a landline (haven't had one in years) to have upstairs because I don't carry my cell phone around in my back pocket like most people so it ends up being downstairs and most of the time I don't even hear it.

I just got on the internet program that gives $30/month off but then last week I got a notice from Spectrum that that program might be cancelled because the government doesn't want to pay for it. Bastards!

 

[Colleen]

Most current rip off for are property taxes, just went up $500 per year. Living in a rural area I get no services but road maintainence, no water, sewer, gas, wifi, trash pickup, etc. The largest part of my tax bill is the local school tax, I calculated it and think it was 67% of the bill. I am in a township but still pay county tax, which is another rip off because the county provides zero services for where I live.

Agree. Property taxes are a huge rip off and school taxes are the major $$$$ amount. I talked to the tax office in my town the other day to ask if there were any reductions (other then homesteading) for widows or lower income, which I now am. She said the only other thing would be a rent/homeowners rebate. I looked it up to see if I'd qualify and I'd only get $380 back. It's not much, but I'm going to apply for it.

 

[Colleen]

Bedsheets and garbage cans

I had to replace my kitchen garbage can and decided to go for one of those metal cans with the lever that opens the lid? S60. It's not $60 worth of materials and I doubt it costs $60 to produce, so why the outlandish price?

Similarly bed sheets. It's a piece of cotton fabric with hems at either end. The cheapest 100% cotton sheets are usually $25 - $30 but to get a really nice set, expect to pay upwards of $50 to $100. Why? The materials and labor do not support the price.

ARRGH!

I just found that out about sheets. When my hubby died, I decided to move the queen bed from the guest room and take out the twin beds from our room and put them in the guest room. I needed queen sheets so I started looking on Amazon, Walmart, and Penneys. I couldn't believe the price! I just wanted cotton sheets. Nothing fancy. I detest those polyester sheets. Average price for cotton was at least $60+.

I'm a quilter so it shouldn't have surprised me too much how expensive sheets are because the price of 100% cotton for quilting per yard is now $14-$20 a yard. An average quilt backing takes about 5 yards and that doesn't account for what the actual quilt top costs. Needless to say, I don't buy fabric any more.

 

[Timewise 60+]

I just got on the internet program that gives $30/month off but then last week I got a notice from Spectrum that that program might be cancelled because the government doesn't want to pay for it. Bastards!

Colleen....we are the 'Government'!

 

[Wes]

I just found that out about sheets. When my hubby died, I decided to move the queen bed from the guest room and take out the twin beds from our room and put them in the guest room. I needed queen sheets so I started looking on Amazon, Walmart, and Penneys. I couldn't believe the price! I just wanted cotton sheets. Nothing fancy. I detest those polyester sheets. Average price for cotton was at least $60+.

I'm a quilter so it shouldn't have surprised me too much how expensive sheets are because the price of 100% cotton for quilting per yard is now $14-$20 a yard. An average quilt backing takes about 5 yards and that doesn't account for what the actual quilt top costs. Needless to say, I don't buy fabric any more.

For an 'alternative' to sheets's expense you might think about something else since you are now sleeping alone. Like a sleeping bag. All sizes and types are made today. Cheaper ones mean thinner for warmth. But, since you are sleeping on a bed simply use the blankets to stay warm over your sleeping bag. Buy a few and rotate them for hot and cold seasons and for when out for dry cleaning. Just a suggestion.

 

[Supernatural]

Online shopping sometimes... Item on special for £1 but delivery is £15.99!!! Seriously??? Time to walk away and look for a better deal. Aye right!

 

[Alizerine]

Bedsheets and garbage cans

I had to replace my kitchen garbage can and decided to go for one of those metal cans with the lever that opens the lid? S60. It's not $60 worth of materials and I doubt it costs $60 to produce, so why the outlandish price?

Similarly bed sheets. It's a piece of cotton fabric with hems at either end. The cheapest 100% cotton sheets are usually $25 - $30 but to get a really nice set, expect to pay upwards of $50 to $100. Why? The materials and labor do not support the price.

ARRGH!

Try the houseware section of Marshall's, T J Maxx or even Odd Lots. I have had some luck now and then at these stores.

 

[NewlySenior]

I just got on the internet program that gives $30/month off but then last week I got a notice from Spectrum that that program might be cancelled because the government doesn't want to pay for it. Bastards!

Yeah, got the same thing from my Obamaphone provider. I's an election year tactic they drag out every year "the big bad other side is going to take away your affordable internet and free cellphone and welfare and cut social security unless you vote for US ahhhh the sky is falling aahhhh"

It's gonna be fine.

 

[Wes]

Online shopping sometimes... Item on special for £1 but delivery is £15.99!!! Seriously??? Time to walk away and look for a better deal. Aye right!

So true. I find many like that. But have discovered something interesting about it. Not sure how it is where you live, but shipping is not taxed here. So, if you add both shipping cost and price and it comes out about the same as when you have free shipping you should realize that you are only paying tax on the price of the item. Lower price means lower tax. So actually paying for shipping may be cheaper overall.

 

[RadishRose]

Bedsheets and garbage cans

I had to replace my kitchen garbage can and decided to go for one of those metal cans with the lever that opens the lid? S60. It's not $60 worth of materials and I doubt it costs $60 to produce, so why the outlandish price?

Similarly bed sheets. It's a piece of cotton fabric with hems at either end. The cheapest 100% cotton sheets are usually $25 - $30 but to get a really nice set, expect to pay upwards of $50 to $100. Why? The materials and labor do not support the price.

ARRGH!

Fabric for bed sheets is cheaper or more expensive depending on how many threads per square inch.

Low thread count means less money, less durability , less softness.
High thread counts are naturally more expensive, last longer and are softer.

 

[Mstree]

Extraneous fees on every bill. We all know they're "garbage" fees, but you can't avoid them.

Recently I noticed a "delivery" fee on my natural gas bill. As opposed to what?

Just another way to add an extra $10 to the bottom line.