Re: Target unit pricing - Here's the real point

In article <MPG.22d001326708406f98b6d4@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>,
 Stan Brown <the_stan_brown@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:

> Fri, 27 Jun 2008 23:39:48 GMT from Lou <lpogoda@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>:
> > There was an assortment of sizes that were aerosol cans, and the
> > unit price was given per ounce. ... The unit price for the pump
> > sprayer was given in pounds. Again, easy enough to figure out what
> > was the most economical pump sprayer. But impossible to tell if the
> > pressurized can or the pump spray was the most better buy.
> 
> Well, if you know the best pump sprayer's unit price and the best 
> aerosol's unit price, multiply the latter by 16 and compare to the 
> former to find which is "most better". While I agree with you that it 
> would be better if both were in ounces, it's hardly "impossible" to 
> compare them, just less convenient.

Now try doing that and crossing the english/metric divide _and_ cross 
the weight/volume dimension at the SAME TIME.   Another thing you'll 
notice is the wildly varying amounts -- we just took a look at the first 
three boxes of cereal we could find.  17, 18, 19 oz.  respectively --  
no common denominator.  

Or, my favorite, take something that is priced in a two container 
bundle, then compare that to the same exact branded product in slightly 
different sized containers, bundled in a three pack. One is per liter 
(but the containers are labled in fractional liters) and the other is 
per "each", "each being the bundle price.

So I'm going to have to disaree.  I'm passingly good with arithmetic, i 
use it at work a great deal, and do a fair amount in my head.  I almost 
certainly have a great deal more day-to-day experience and practice with 
applying arithmetic than most people, and yet,  i find myself being 
bewildered and confounded with unit pricing, especially when trying to 
hold three or four mutually hostile unit pricing ploys in my head at 
once for a single, simple product choice.

If it's too hard for me, it's too hard for a great many of people. 

So I carry an HP reverse polish calculator ... when i remember. 

Unit pricing as been perverted into a bald-faced contemptuous 
obfuscation and would benefit from a pointed remediation.  This is a 
sentiment i feel often at the grocery store, and not simply this week as 
a result of this thread.  My long-suffering better half will gladly 
attest to this fact.

..max

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