Sneaky Carrots

Saturday afternoon I was trolling the produce at my favorite market.  As I chose some limes, my husband (who rarely shops with me) went for the carrots.  There were three choices with signage which read:

5 lbs. $3.99, 2 lbs. $2.99, 2 bags $1. 

Now, I couldn’t help but notice what was happening; the shoppers choosing carrots were going for the 5 lb. bags.  My husband even fell for it.  While standing next to the 2/$1 bags I overheard one woman say aloud, “These bags are so small, why would anyone buy these?” The one thing the sign over the small bag of carrots didn’t mention was the weight.  I’m betting the store was banking (literally) on shoppers just glancing at the size of the bag, determining that it was too small and go for the larger bag.  It took me only 2 seconds to walk over, pick up the bag (the weights were all turned under, clever buggers) and see that the bags were a pound.  So, breaking down the unit prices, the carrots were priced as .79 lb, 1.49, and .50 lb.  If things were listed for sale this way, we’d never have an issue.

It’s easy to look at the prices here and think it through, but when you’re shopping do you do this?  Advertising is tricky and stores really hope you’re too busy and too stressed to think it through.  Don’t be ashamed to carry a small calculator with you when shopping, it can really help you see just how sneaky those prices can be. 

Dang those math teachers, they were right; you will use math every day of your life!