Biggest price ripoff's in America

Rico · July 31, 2011, 10:14:28 AM

I'm not sure this listing only applies to America, but I kind of liked what they had to say. Things like movie theater popcorn, in hotel room movies, college textbooks and so on. I know people need to make a buck, but some of these things are just ridiculous in price.

http://www.billshrink.com/blog/7636/the-12-biggest-ripoffs-in-america/

Geekyfanboy · July 31, 2011, 10:51:26 AM

Great article.. and so true.

ElfManDan · July 31, 2011, 01:20:51 PM

I agree as well.

Definitely on the Text Books, but the nice thing about that is where I went to school I could sell them back for pretty close to what I bought them for used. But I once bought a used Math book for $120. A. Used and B. Paper can't cost that much. And there is always Ebay for many of them.

Gym Membership, I suggest join a gym like Gold's Gym, big franchise they usually have really good rates (or in my case become a fitness instructor and you get it for free).

Medications are way over priced. What's funny is my mother (who's a veterinarian) can get the same exact stuff for animal usage for in most cases 10 times less.

Gas prices, well duh and Popcorn it's been years since I've had popcorn in a movie theater, and for the rest I think if you can avoid it just avoid it. It's not worth bothering.

ElfManDan · July 31, 2011, 01:22:46 PM

Oh and actually one thing when it comes to the "all you can eat buffets," in my case with as much as I eat that is not a ripoff.

turtlesrock · July 31, 2011, 01:28:34 PM

interesting article. can't say that i didn't predict the popcorn being on the list.

Dangelus · July 31, 2011, 01:47:55 PM

It's funny that popcorn is on that list.

In the UK popcorn in cinemas is extortionately priced so when my wife and I were in California and we went to the movies we were quite surprised how cheap it was.

We ordered a "medium" popcorn because we just wanted a reasonably sized one to share but not too big. It turned out the the US medium is like the XL size in the UK! Then the person serving us told us we could get free refills with it! This is something we don't have at home as far as I know. we looked at each other then at the huge popcorn bucket and said "people really get through this come back for more?"

Lol

Rico · July 31, 2011, 02:58:40 PM

How much was this "cheap popcorn" in California you got Dan? I'm guessing maybe for a medium $7-8, which is at least 5 pounds after the conversion. You pay more than that for popcorn? And I don't know what theater you went to, but a medium isn't really big. See the second smallest cup size here, that's a medium (like I usually see).

Dangelus · August 01, 2011, 02:06:17 AM

Well perhaps "cheap" was the wrong word but I remember it being a reasonable price the size we ended up with. I think the fact it was refillable added a lot to the value for money.

I'd say we pay around £5 for popcorn too so perhaps it's a universal ripoff! :)
We get ripped off with soft drinks too. It is cheaper to drink alcohol in cinemas and pubs etc.

Rico · August 01, 2011, 05:17:52 AM

The popcorn refill thing varies a bit here. Some places will charge a tiny fee, like $0.25 for a refill - or it's free. But normally I don't like getting up during a movie anyway - even if I bought a popcorn (which is rare).

Bryancd · August 01, 2011, 06:20:08 AM

I LOVE movie theater popcorn. I always get a medium with butter (at least it's referred to as butter, more like a hot, salty oil, yum!). And a water. They always try and up-sell me to the large or massive size for only a dollar more but I defer, this stuff is not good for you and the quantities in the large popcorn and soda are obscene! Seriously, how do people eat and drink all that in one sitting?!