Wow. Thanks for the heads up.

I hate Amazon. That said, I do shop there. But only when absolutely necessary.

Thank you. I do watch unit prices, until I read your post I used the published unit prices, now I will calculate them myself.

Thanks for the heads up!

Confirming my dislike and distrust of Amazon in general...

And saw something earlier today about how much data they're scraping from their users, which they then presumably monetize.

I don’t shop for much on Amazon if I can get something elsewhere. What I really need is unit (per towel and per square) pricing for paper towels and tp!

I'm an inveterate comparison shopper - my calculators on my desktop and phone get used often

I noticed that long time ago not only amazon, Walmart and others too.. But it's easy to avoid that problem.

I made a simple spread sheet calculator to do the calculations whenever I need to do comparison shopping.

dcarch

You absolutely have to do the math yourself when deciding between quantities. The larger is not always the cheapest anymore!!!

^^^Yes, I’ve noticed that as well! Increasingly common. I wonder if there’s a reasonable explabation, or if they’re literally just trying to trick us. I’ve found the grocery stores’ unit prices are far more reliable, and usually when there’s an issue it’s easy to spot though rough calculations in my head.

I guess I do check the unit prices on Amazon, if just a bit of rough arithmetic. Some are obviously the price of the item, or some other thing. I think the listing makers do the unit prices, and then reuse the listing without updating it.

Re pricing, often the item with the greatest sell through has the best price.

I learned 'economy size' amounts aren't always a bargain years ago - not exactly sure why, but I feel like I did hear an explainer once upon a time. It may have to do with packaging costs...?

Or it may just be greed

The last time I bought canned tomatoes (6-in-One brand), which I always bought in boxes of six cans, I mistakenly ordered 105 oz cans instead of 28 oz cans - mainly because when I was shopping for them, the 105 oz cans were the price I had expected the 28 oz cans to be. I was shocked when they arrived, however. I bought them from a store, and they were delivered by Instacart, which I had never used before.

When I open one of the cans, I pour the contents into a large canning jar and then top it off with a good layer of olive oil. Then I refrigerate the jar, and the oil forms a seal on the top. If I want to store some jars for several weeks, I freeze them. I still have a couple of cans left from this purchase that I have not yet opened. I'm not sure how long cans are supposed to be good.

Mutti Passata is similar to 6-in-One in that both contain only tomato and a small amount of salt - no citric acid or preservatives. I avoid tomatoes that have citric acid, as I do not like the effect on the flavor.

I would try to buy some Mutti Passata if I did not have a large supply of canned tomatoes.

Incidentally, 6-in-One is the preferred brand of tomatoes by the folks at the Pizza Making Forum, and many of those people own pizza restaurants. I'm sure they would want to buy 105 oz cans.

Patriciae for the win.

Some of you just want to be upset. If you think of the billions of individual pieces of data and information on Amazon's site, how realistic is it to expect that every iota there to read is 100% correct? Easy answer, not it's not realistic at all. Info presented is amazingly reliable and useful but nothing is 100%

I greatly admire Amazon and buy from them every chance I get, including as a Whole Foods customer. I can think of no other company of comparable size that has customer service policies and practices that come anywhere close to what Amazon has and does. A quick search discloses that there are over 170 million Amazon Prime members in the US, so those ragging on the company would seem to hold a minority opinion.

I have to agree with Elmer - about 1/2 of the products we buy are purchased through Amazon. We live remotely and do not have many choices for groceries or consumer goods. During the pandemic we started buying pantry staples from them but two people can only eat so many cans of black beans so we have kind of backed off from some of that...We both have Amazon Prime VISA cards - we can transfer our $ awards directly to our checking account. I'm all for shopping local and supporting community business but when I can't find something I need after two or three expeditions I don't feel bad ordering from the big A, even though it has killed Main Street. We live in a tourist economy that isn't open about 8 months out of the year...

Elmer, I’d imagine at some point in your accounting career when you pushed more numbers than people, there would have been little tolerance for “oh well, yeah the numbers are wrong but I do a lot of these.” Your posting history suggests that Amazon could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and… oh never mind. 😉 While I certainly don’t join - or even understand - those who have such negative feelings towards Amazon, I do not see why this frequent error should be given a pass.

Unit prices are provided for one reason that I know of, and one reason only: to facilitate comparing prices. For it to be frequently incorrect is inexcusable in my book. Any more than if they were to charge a different price, or send a different product or different quantity than advertised. If they can’t handle it, they could just omit it and let people do their own math. That would be unfortunate, but better than leading people wrong.

ps - Just looking through my past couple months of orders, I can’t imagine where else I could find stuff so easily without spending hours driving around searching. These tomatoes are a perfect example. The organic line is not carried by my regular supermarkets, online searches led me to two other stores that didn’t have them after all (what a waste of time and gas) and in the end I’m getting these delivered for 3¢ more an ounce than I can buy conventional, locally. And it’ll be on my doorstep tomorrow. What’s not to love?

I agree about the finding and CS. OTOH, right before Christmas I ordered a simple (not ”luggage” style) duffle bag to hold a gift of camping items. I received some kind if garment. Sure, maybe it was seasonal help, and they have drop off returns, and did send the dufflebag, but sometimes they do send a different product. ;)

I figured these were different vendors, but still crazy. 1 unit from Amazon. 2 & 3 units from the same vendor fulfilled by Amazon.

When I got sick with Covid, I was able to keep my chest congestion and cough under control with Robitussin DM nighttime. After DH bought the first bottle at our local drugstore, I looked for it on Amazon, and it was ten dollars less than our local RiteAid. When you're drinking the stuff to stay alive, that's a big savings.

seagrass -- Yeah, but where will you get something you need *right now* when there is no local drug store -- because it's been put out of business by Big A or Costco?

I see the proposed merger of Kroger and Albertson's has been quashed; their plea about trying to compete with A and C being ignored. (I don'[t know if their argument holds water, but maybe...)

Love Amazon. Time is also money. I was out last night and one of the things on my list was a certain grade of motor oil. Three stores didn't have the exact product I wanted. Came home Amazon had it in stock and for 4 dollars less. Be here tomorrow.

I also needed some lambskin scraps and small tack sponges. Tractor Supply had one large sponge left on their shelf. I was able to find both products on Amazon.

So many items are not available in local stores any longer. I also like how Amazon gives you options of similar products to explore. Got some very useful items I have never seen in stores anywhere. I've also got some great warehouse deals on items. Light fixtures, truck parts and some plumbing stuff come to mind but there are many others.

Customer service is great. I had to return a bath seat I bought for DH. Never opened the box. Went to returns. Page kept taking me to troubleshooting and getting stuck there. So I opened chat. Five minutes later my refund was already processed to my account and they told me to keep the item.

@chisue - we live very remotely on outer Cape Cod and are held hostage by limited retail outlets, including groceries. If we were willing to drive 45 minutes up to the canal, we could lower our grocery expenses by about 20%. A lot of people do that, but for a household of 2 it's really not worth the time or gas. We pay more per gallon for gas than anyplace in the Commonwealth. We call all of our elevated cost of living expenses the "Bridge Tax". When you go on vacation to a beach community, you're happy to find cough syrup no matter how much it is...because there are more seasonal businesses that sell t-shirts and boogie boards.

" Elmer, I’d imagine at some point in your accounting career when you pushed more numbers than people, there would have been little tolerance for “oh well, yeah the numbers are wrong but I do a lot of these.” "

Food, It may disappoint you to learn that little to no time was spent in my career pushing numbers. Or counting beans. Or supervising people who did either predominantly. I was a strategic consultant/advisor. As any adviser to large and "want to be large" businesses, I needed to know accounting consequences of alternatives, but I was not responsible for determining or reporting them.

To that end, one of the most important foundation concepts in the accounting/financial reporting sphere is the notion of "materiality".

Materiality is a term of art. It's not quantitatively defined. It's a concept somewhat akin to "significant" but more. If something is materially correct or accurate, it means it is so to a degree that it's not misleading and any variations LIKELY TO EXIST would not, if identified or known, change anyone's perspective or view of what is presented.

If the selling price shown were incorrect, that would be a material mistake. If the food inside were known to be contaminated with arsenic or have a too-high level of lead and this description was unstated, that would be a material omission.

An incorrect per unit figure is not significant to a knowledgeable potential buyer. In my opinion, of course. The error is obvious as patriciae explained.

Doesn’t matter what you were so sorry for misunderstanding.

And we do disagree. There’s a certain assumption of accuracy on the online platform of a business built on its online presense. While the top of the head math may be easy for many in the case of comparing two shopping options, it becomes less straight-forward when comparing a list products in various package counts and sizes. You’re literally saying it doesn’t matter that the tool they provide to do this comparison quickly and efficiently is not accurate. I’d find that shocking, if it weren’t Amazon we’re discussing.

No, I said that in my view, a one in a million (or less likely) error for what I consider to be an insignificant side description, the obvious mistake being as easily spotted as it was, wasn't a big deal. Big picture view, not a material problem.

Edit to add:

Know anything about 6 Sigma? A process and set of concepts that caused a managerial tidal wave when it came out. The 6 Sigma goal is attaining outcomes within 6 standard deviations of the mean. 3.4 errors or mistakes per million. 3,400 per billion. That's considered essentially error-free.

Little or nothing in human or IT conduct ever approaches anything near that.

If these are one in a million, I need to play the lottery.

We are fortunate to live in an area with many choices, when it comes to groceries and other necessities. Most stores have online ordering, so I can easily check if something's in stock ( and compare prices) without having to drive all over in search of it. I can also order online and pick up at the store at my convenience - either inside or have it brought to my car - many stores around here do that now. Delivery to my home is also an option for many stores.

I also like buying online from places that I can easily return something to. It can be such a PITA when an internet-only vendor's order isn't right.

It's funny to think that we seem to have come full circle in re: retail shopping. Brick and mortar retail is in decline since the pandemic, and online retail is booming. Once upon a time, before supermarkets, a household commonly rang the butcher, grocer or druggist to order and it was delivered to their door.

food, I think whether it's right or wrong, it's an inconsequential bit of information. Everyone or anyone can disagree.

If you need 12, don't buy 3. If you need 3, don't buy 12. So how does it matter?

No shortage of shopping here, either. 18 supermarkets within five miles, plus countless smaller food stores. Some of the bigger ones have web sites where you can search all their products, but not all. I don’t buy much foodstuff off the internet, mainly just what’s harder to find locally.

If you need 12, don't buy 3. If you need 3, don't buy 12. So how does it matter?

The other day we were discussing tax refunds and I said I don’t mind loaning the government money, you seemed to think this was a bad idea. I guess we’re both fortunate not to have to worry too much about money, but we still choose where to pay attention. I might not have wanted to store 9 extra bottles all at once if the total cost difference were a buck or two, but for $2.60 per bottle difference, I’ll find a spot and they won’t go to waste.

Yes, the tax overpayment discussion. My simple response is that in addition to not overpaying expenses before they're due, I also try not to buy things at a time when or in a quantity I don't need. Especially true for food.

Food is a funny thing. Some people for some reason have a need or find security from hoarding large stocks of food. We don't buy in advance or in quantity (other than items that come in large packages, such as TP or paper towels). Same concept, it seems foolish to pay for something before you need it. With plenty of stores nearby (as you say you have), I'll let them keep inventories of food I can tap into when needed.

I don’t stock up on food, either, if it’s readily available. Or if I’m unlikely to use it. Not even for the week, as plans change and perishables perish. Rare is the day that I don't set foot in a supermarket. But the passata, that expect go through within the next two months, max. But even if plans change, it’s good for at least a couple years. And it does NOT seem to be available locally. No reason that I csn see, not to save $31.20.

" No reason that I csn see, not to save $31.20. "

To bring in the prior conversation, why do you see no reason to save $500 each year (I understand, hypothetical numbers in your response) but you jump at $30?

Are you referring to thr phone? Yeah, thanks for the reminder. I need to look into that. I’ll have to see how it affects my overall bill to pull out of the triple deal. I’ll have to look into what it takes to convert to the system you mentioned. And then decide how I feel about switching my number, if that's required. Nothing insurmountable by any stetch but certainly more effort than putting nine extra bottles of sauce on a shelf!

No, I was thinking about needlessly overpaying withholding taxes during the year. Does it apply to your family's state withholding as well? If so, factor that in too.

I guess I haven't been paying attention. I was going to say I sometimes owe one and receive from the other, for a net refund. But now that I'm looking back, 2016 was the last timr I wrote a check. Since then it's been refunds on both sides. I'll ask my tax preparer what he recommends, to stay safely ahead but drop a bunch. Thanks for bringing it up again, perfect time of year to think about these things.

But yes, saving monry on everyday expenses is more in my face and easy.

Here's some free tax advice, worth far more than you'll be paying for it.

Taxpayers are required to make tax payments through the year (whether through withholding, quarterly payments, or both) against their accumulating tax liability. You can't simply pay nothing and then the whole thing when filing the return. Penalties are imposed for what's called "Underpayment of estimated tax" if not enough has been paid timely through the year.

Because no one has a crystal ball or knows along the way whether their income will be up, down, constant, or if they'll get a huge bonus in December, there are safe haven amounts that, if paid, will protect from the imposition of penalties on any resultant underpayment determined when the return is finalized. One safe haven is having proportional payments totaling 90% of the year's tax (Ie, the balance due is less than 10% of the total). Another one for most people is to pay an amount equal to 100% (110% for those with income >$150K) of the prior year's tax. That number isn't known until your 2023 return is prepared. Use that 2023 total tax liability to target withholding for the year.

Withholding amounts (and so instructions to payroll departments) are adjustable, though some employers are not flexible in that regard even though they're supposed to be.

Another one for most people is to pay an amount equal to 100% (110% for those with income >$150K) of the prior year's tax.

I went to an online tax estimator, for simplicity sake put in $250K salary, single, no dependents. Fed tax came to about $55,000. So to put 110%, all things equal they’d have to overpay by $5,500? My wife’s earnings are very variable, with a bonus and stock coming at various times of the year, plus options that have to be exercised at some point. So as I see it, this option requires recalculating a target several times a year and adjust withholding, or overwithhold and not worry about it.

I agree we need to change something, I just need it to be simple.

On another note, the tomatoes arrived. Assuming I like them as I expect, I’m gonna need to try harder to find them locally. I’m simultaneously appreciate of and dismayed at the packaging:

It doesn't quite work as you said or require the attention you describe. If a large bonus is paid at the end of the year, adjust the withholding on it. One way or the other, tell your accountant you'd prefer to avoid having a large refund when your return is filed. Follow their advice for 2024.

Regarding Mutti organic passata.... Perhaps the formula sold in the US is different, but I don't buy it. I find it far too salty.

floral, funny you should say that because while I never noticed it on the label to compare with other brands, I’ve definitely noticed that I’ve been adding less or, frequently, no salt to my finished products. I guess I adjust by taste. Organic and conventional has the same amount. I can see it being objectionable if you’re particularly sensitive to salt. I’m only moderately sensitive.

I don't think I'm particularly sensitive to salt. I don't make any particular effort to avoid it. But if one is used to almost entirely home cooked food and then tries a commercial product, salt really makes itself known. As does sugar. I find that even cookies taste salty if you're not used to eating them.

Just out of interest I googled Mutti salt content. It's .5 gr per 100gr. The organic supermarket own brand I have in the cupboard contains > .05gr per 100gr. So Muittii has 10 x more salt than the supermarket one. My taste buds weren't misleading me.

Yep, I get it. Some brands like Mutti and the 6 in 1 mentioned above seem to have a lot more sodium than other brands. Quick math, the total sodium of the soup I’ve been concocting lately in total still has less than any of the commercial brands I just looked at. Which of course isn't saying much!

Maybe I'll keep an eye out for other citric acid free brands with less salt before the next time I shop. I'm supposed to be watching my sodium, so it can't hurt to try.

Is there an issue with citric acid?

While I haven’t compared brands side by side and logged detailed notes, my impression has been that the canned tomato products I haven’t liked tend to contain citric acid. I don’t like fighting that taste.