HitchDied

Culture Shock of the Day #8

| 5 Comments

I know sometimes people say that one of the reasons plus size clothing costs more is that more fabric is used, but in the US there is almost never a price difference between, say, a small and a large (or a XXL and XXXL).  So it still struck me as really odd that there was a price bump for each increased size on these robes at Woolworths. R25 is only like $3 USD, but it still raised my fat-accepting hackles.

5 Comments

  1. Also – wtf does “recommended price” mean??

    Is there a bargaining culture at Woolworths?

    • I can’t say for sure, but I sorta kinda doubt that you can haggle down the prices at Woolworth’s. Even though they stole the name from a 5 and Dime chain from the US, it’s pretty much the fanciest department store in South Africa. I think “recommended price” just indicates “price before sales.” But I have no idea.

      • I think you’ve got the idea right, Robin – the term reminded me of MSRPs here, most commonly seen in regards to cars, but have seen them on other things too.

        “The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), list price or recommended retail price (RRP) of a product is the price which the manufacturer recommends that the retailer sell the product. The intention was to help to standardise prices among locations. While some stores always sell at, or below, the suggested retail price, others do so only when items are on sale or closeout/clearance.” (from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suggested_retail_price )

        As a plus sized woman, it IS lame that things cost more, but I think the “costs more because it uses more fabric” argument makes more sense in a place where each size up costs more, like there. The fabric difference between an XL and an XXL is less than between that same XL and a Small, but that’s not how they’re usually priced (Stateside anyhow).

  2. I’m from South africa and woolies /woolworths is not fanciest department store er they more of a rip off I’d say ,does the same apply for shoes,becuase its rise per size here

    • Ooh… what IS the fanciest department store?!

      I mainly noticed the prices being a rip off at the Woolworths food market. Very reminiscent of Whole Foods (often called “Whole Paycheck”) back in the states. But I admit on the days I feel lazy about cooking I go to Woolies and get the nearly-prepared foods (the ones labeled “ready to bake” or “ready to micro”) even though they’re so much more expensive than food at Pick N Pay or Shoprite.

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