The 12 biggest ripoffs in america

[nova5]

“Many of us feel ripped off in our day to day spending, so much so that bringing up even a single rip-off story in a group of people is likely to trigger a flood of them from everyone else. Whether it’s at the movies, in restaurants or on vacation, we seldom believe we are getting as much for our money as we ought to. Of course, some rip-off stories are more debatable than others. Often times, what is called a ripoff is little more than someone’s subjective opinion of what they “really” deserve for their money, whatever that means. However, other purchases actually do appear, by all objective criteria, to be a raw deal just about all the time. Today, BillShrink analyzes 12 common ripoffs that most of our readers are likely to be well acquainted with.”
http://digg.com/d31JvpS

 

[burt-oh-my!]

I have an additional one: glasses frames. C'Mon - a little piece of plastic and steel and it sells for $150?

 

[winstar]

A girlfriend or wife should be at the top of that list.

 

[Stoo]

How about SC-VIP BJs. $150 for 46 seconds... Geez...

 

[ig-88]

movie theater popcorn - don't buy it, too salty, too oily

text messaging - don't need it

college textbooks - try amazon, try used, otherwise, bite the bullet ... a mind is a terrible thing to waste and all

painkillers - you shouldn't need to buy this on a regular basis with proper diet and exercise, but yeah, get generics like the article says, imo

free credit reports - you should only need to do this once in awhile (i.e. before buying a house, car, etc.), so just pay for a one-time service

restaurant wine service - except for special occasions, this is unnecessary ... go to a liquor store if you want

hotel mini-bars - totally avoid unless the world has ended, but sometimes, there may be mistakes due to overly sensitive mini-bar mechanisms

buffets - yeah, this is a rip-off, unless you haven't eaten in days, and it's not healthy either ... avoid

premium gas - avoid, don't need it

actively managed investments - avoid, don't need

in-room movies - avoid, don't need, go to Blockbuster or Redbox instead

health club membership - you need to shop around, and have the ability to walk out, if the gym's terms are not agreeable with you

printer ink - try getting better prices online, but sometimes, this is a necessary evil ... also try using electronic docs as much as possible

glasses - go with no-name brands, wal-mart, etc., vision insurance (in the states) or OHIP helps a little bit

 

[Tangwhich]

I don't agree with txt messaging. Yes, it's a rip off based on cost to carrier/cost to consumer but I wouldn't say you don't need it. I use it all the time, and I'm talking about business applications.

 

[Cycleguy007]

Good to see I don't fall for most of these things!

1. Movie theater popcorn - Never buy it... rarely go to the movies in fact- buy (or DL) the DVD or Blu-ray. Except in the case of a huge BIG screen type movie- e.g. AVATAR
2. Text messaging - I have an unlimited text in my monthly plan which I use all the time.
3. College textbooks - Ask me in a couple years when the kids are in post secondary.
4. Painkillers - Never touch the stuff.
5. Credit reports - never needed one
6. Restaurant wine service - I do indulge in a bottle of wine for the misses while we're out. Ya, the cost is 3X what it is in the liquor store, but Mrs. CG is worth it.
7. Hotel mini-bars - Never touch them... We BYOB.
8. Buffets - Rarely indulge in Buffets. Maybe once in awhile to take the family to Mandarin for a B-day for one of the kids. Aside from that- avoid them like the plague.
9. Premium gas - my truck (SFTU Tboy) doesn't require it, so I don't use it.
10. Actively managed investments - Nope
11. In-room movies - Don't need it- I have an extensive library, so I will bring a few DVD's with me if necessary
12. Health club membership - Please! Home gym in the winter and ride like the wind in the summer!
13. Printer ink - I have a friend in the biz, that gets me the generic refills dirt cheap.

 

[Bopper2]

Extended warranties

 

[FOOTSNIFFER]

Anything being shilled on latenight TV. ...'wait, there's more!!"

 

[blackrock13]

Looking at coughing up over 200 dollars to replace my printer ink, yah - its a rip off.

I would say you bought the wrong printer for your use. If I have to buy all the individual cartridges it cost me $110, but since I go through black ink 6x faster It cost a lot less as I only have to spend $12 every three months and the colours will run out in another year. You've got a buddy and that helps.

 

[blackrock13]

Anything being shilled on latenight TV. ...'wait, there's more!!"

What you don't own a Sham Wow or a Slap Chop?

 

[Lovemsog]

I order all my ink for 6 printers in the office from a comapny that sells generic type, I used it for years, they are under $10 a crack,regularly $40.
They even deliver free of charge.

 

[blackrock13]

I have an additional one: glasses frames. C'Mon - a little piece of plastic and steel and it sells for $150?

For crying out loud, how much do you want to spend? If that's how you feel think about bottled water? How much for a litre of that stuff and what is it really?

 

[blueflame]

ink- never buy it, always buy a new printer as i find its cheaper?

premium gas- have never pumped anything but.. its 12 cents or so more expensive but well worth it.. better mileage, better for the engine

 

[thecuriousgeorge]

printer ink, textbooks, and in room movies are a pain in the ass.....however

for me....perfume and colonge are the worst...its a small amount of pleasently scented water that u pay $60-150 for!! yea maybe u can justify by sayin it helps with the ladies or if you're a woman you can say it makes you more appealing....but it comes down to it being good smelling water!