When buying our products, as customers, we like to feel like we can have trust in our retailers and providers, right?
That’s why when stories like this emerge it really does tick me off! Often, the business world isn’t pretty and if someone is given the chance to rip you off, they probably will.
Last year, Spice seller Watkins Inc. sued McCormick after discovering that the competitor had removed 25 percent of their product, despite the fact they were using the same tins.
When compared side by side McCormick seems to have more pepper than the Watkins container. However, it is all just an optical illusion.
Don't be fooled by appearances.
Note to self: this is why it pays to have attention to detail.
The two appear to be the same size, but the one on the left contains 8 ounces of product, while the one on the right contains only 6.
McCormick have been using the same size container to package less product. Sneaky.
This is a stunt some manufacturers use to trick their consumers into buying the product without them knowing they are getting less bang for their buck.
Watkins is arguing that McCormick is deceiving their customers by reducing the amount of pepper in their non-see-through containers while not changing the size of the tin.
And we say good on them!
I like to know what I'm buying and to feel like I can trust my providers.
It is written in tiny font at the bottom of the product but it is so small that only the most astute shoppers would notice it.
Do you think this is a deceptive marketing practice? What are your thoughts? We would love to hear from you.
Do you think it's misleading? Or is it up to the customer to be more astute?
