←back to thread

Dollar-stores overcharge customers while promising low prices

(www.theguardian.com)
510 points bookofjoe | 2 comments | 07 Dec 25 14:37 UTC | HN request time: 0.472s | source
Show context
parpfish ◴[07 Dec 25 16:30 UTC] No.46182908[source]▶
an interesting contrast that i think about a lot:

- in rural america, there are dollar stores everywhere that overcharge for small items. people treat them as a necessary evil and begrudgingly shop there.

- in nyc, there are corner bodegas everywhere that overcharge for small items. they are generally seen as beloved neighborhood institutions.

so... what's the difference? corporate owned vs family owned? length of time in community? presence of cute cat at the register?

replies(10): >>46182933 #>>46182953 #>>46182961 #>>46182973 #>>46183032 #>>46184745 #>>46184827 #>>46185888 #>>46200858 #>>46201477 #
1. bluedino ◴[07 Dec 25 22:24 UTC] No.46185888[source]▶
Hey, Starbucks charges $3.50 for a cookie, I could buy 4 at the local bakery or two at the farmers market for that much (and get a better cookie).
replies(1): >>46186672 #
2. pixl97 ◴[07 Dec 25 23:53 UTC] No.46186672[source]▶
>Hey, Starbucks charges $3.50 for a cookie

No, that's not what the article is about.

"Starbucks has a sign saying the cookie is $3.50. You are charged $5 at the counter".

That is the infraction here.