New packaging with hidden price increases

Neuverpackungen mit verdeckten Preissteigerungen

For some time now, I have been observing how Migros has been pushing through hidden price increases with new packaging. The most recent example: I am make-up remover. The "old" tin contained 150 ml and cost Fr. 4.30. The new one contains only 125 ml but costs Fr. 4.60. Converted, this corresponds to a whopping price increase of 28.4%. This is not "my" Migros, as propagated in the advertising. There are plenty of examples of hidden price changes like this. Perhaps you have some of your own to report.

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All replies (6)

sirio60

According to my calculations, if both prices are correct, the mark-up is a good 33.7%. 100 ml of the product cost CHF 3.44 before and CHF 4.60 after. Difference = CHF 1.16 = 33.72% of CHF 3.44.

Such tricks have probably been around for as long as there have been sellers, products and packaging. Suppliers - not just Migros - try to talk their way out of it by changing formulas and using similarly unconvincing arguments ("even more skin-friendly"). A change in the formulation is often used as an alibi, but this does not automatically mean that the quality or the effect of the product must be better, and if so, in a similar proportion to the price increase.

I can remember how in the 1980s a Nivea product that had previously been contained in a plastic bottle was suddenly offered in an opal glass bottle with less content and at the same time exorbitantly more expensive. Beiersdorf responded to my letter with a letter along the same lines and a generously filled product package. Well, how do we react? I still buy the product in question today.

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ice-breaker

You are right about the original figures of 125ml for Fr. 4.30 and 100ml for Fr. 4.60. However, in the heat of the moment I entered the quantities incorrectly and have since corrected them. The correct figures are:
before: 150ml for Fr. 4.30 (100ml for Fr. 2.86)
now: 125ml for Fr. 4.60 (100ml for Fr. 3.68)
This brings us back to a price increase of "only" 28.4 %.
The following is also interesting: If the price increase had been made with the same quantity, the 150ml product would
the 150ml product would cost over CHF 5.50 today. A magic limit of CHF 5 would probably have been exceeded and people would have noticed immediately. So it's better to reduce the quantity.
This sometimes leads to strange quantities such as 68 dishwasher tabs at M-Budget etc.

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M-Infoline

Hello both of you, let me shed some light on this. Based on your descriptions, we assume that you are referring to two different products.

One is our newly launched I am Face 2-phase eye make-up remover https://bit.ly/2OfikSQ. And the other is our previous I am Face eye make-up remover https://bit.ly/2Jrpfrc.

Due to the different composition, the price cannot be compared 1:1. And you still have the choice between the two products. Try them out to see which one suits you better. And perhaps you would like to share your experiences with us afterwards? Best regards, Sina

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sirio60

Just to clarify: I have never used a make-up remover, do not know the old product and certainly not the new one. I simply assumed that the information provided by ice-breaker was correct (as a journalist I should have checked this, but I am not one). My other statements are independent of the specific case, which now seems to have vanished into thin air.

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ice-breaker

Thank you for the clarification. Unfortunately, we could no longer find the "old" product in two Migros stores (Migros Uznach and Dübendorf), only the new one. I guess that goes into the topic of products with "new quality". It is also difficult to get to grips with the constant repackaging of Migros products. Perhaps someone knows where the "old" product (white can containing 150 ml) can still be found. Incidentally, I'm curious to see how long this product will still be available.

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M-Infoline

Hello ice-breaker, according to my information, the Uznach and Dübendorf stores each have enough I amAugen Make-Up Remover in stock. You can also check this on the product website by entering your zip code. However, as stocks can change quickly, I recommend that you contact the store by phone before your visit. You can also find the contact details on our website. There are currently no plans to change the availability in the stores.

If you can't find the make-up remover on the shelf the next time you go shopping, speak to a sales assistant quickly. Perhaps the remover is unfortunately still hiding in the warehouse or is currently sold out. The staff can check both. Best regards, Sina

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