Rising prices are, unfortunately, a sad fact of life nowadays, but we expect an increase in quality to justify the cost. However, this isn’t always the case; here are 17 examples of things that have declined in quality but gone up in price without anyone noticing.
Clothes
You probably buy new clothes more frequently now than in the past. That’s because clothes aren’t made as well as they used to be, so they won’t last as long. From unraveling fabric to inexplicable holes, clothes are a classic example of something that declined in quality whilst becoming more expensive.
Toilet Paper
We all need toilet paper in our homes, but even the previously ‘cheap’ brands are now pricey, and the quality doesn’t justify the cost. Toilet paper is getting thinner, with many brands selling two-ply, so people use more at a time, which means they need to buy new packs more often.
Fast Food
Fast food became popular for its convenience, but many can now only afford it as a rare treat. The Food Institute points out that fast food prices are now inflating more rapidly than ever before, yet despite this, portions are becoming smaller while the products are becoming even unhealthier.
Shampoo
Similarly to fast food, shampoo has become a victim of ‘shrinkflation,’ with bottles becoming smaller while prices rise. Shampoo’s ingredients are also becoming worse, with even the most expensive brands using ingredients that can cause scalp irritation and greasiness.
Candy Bars
Yet another victim of shrinkflation, candy bars are famously getting smaller while becoming more expensive. It’s not like only a few brands are doing this; the phenomenon concerns all of your favorite candy bars, leading to many people losing their sweet tooth.
Tires
Gone are the days when you could go years driving with the same tires… they’re just not as durable as they used to be! Road conditions have also declined, so tires are more susceptible to damage, which is ridiculous considering we’re in the 21st century!
Mattresses
Unfortunately, getting a high-quality night’s sleep now requires paying premium prices for a mattress. Many affordable options are even sold as ‘no-turn mattresses.’ This means that only one side is suitable for sleeping on, which would have sounded unbelievable and dystopian in the past.
Furniture
Furniture has taken a quality hit in recent years. According to Business Insider, mass-market furniture sold in the US has sharply declined in quality due to the use of cheaper materials, meaning customers no longer expect furniture to last. Despite this, prices have only increased, leading to the increasing popularity of second-hand furnishings.
Takeout Coffee
People turn to takeout coffee as a change from making it themselves, but they’re now paying more for lower quality without realizing it. Most major coffee shop chains now use cheaper coffee beans to save money, yet they haven’t let this stop them from increasing their prices every year!
Fresh Vegetables
Fresh vegetables should be a part of everyone’s diet, yet they’re reducing in quality and increasing in price. It’s been proven that today’s frozen vegetables aren’t as nutritious as fresh produce, yet when fresh vegetables cost so much, most people find themselves resorting to inexpensive frozen alternatives.
Cell Phones
Cell phones have always been expensive, but the latest models are now reaching insane prices upwards of $1,000! While the technology is undeniably becoming more impressive, even the latest models are being designed to break easily, yet they’re harder than ever to repair.
Shoes
When it comes to shoes, a higher price no longer indicates quality, yet people do not realize this. LinkedIn warns that mass manufacturing has led to an array of material defects in shoes these days, even among the most luxurious brands. Gone are the days when a big investment guaranteed durable and comfortable shoes.
Household Appliances
Many of us don’t realize how long household appliances used to last. They would sometimes be in our homes for decades, yet these days, we pay far more for appliances that sometimes won’t even last a year past their five-year warranties.
Healthcare
Despite education, research, and technology all improving exponentially, healthcare is only decreasing in quality while becoming more expensive. Sadly, this is due to services being stretched by funding cuts, leading to many people avoiding visits to the doctor due to the associated costs.
Ice Cream
Do you remember the glory days of Ice cream, when exciting flavors began to appear while costs remained low? We do, but sadly, companies now use artificial ingredients to cut costs, and many consumers complain that their ice cream just doesn’t taste the same. To add insult to injury, portions have gotten smaller, too!
Soda
Americans consume a lot of soda, but many haven’t realized they’re now paying more for lower-quality drinks. The Repository reminds us that the cost of soda has gone up 45% since 2019, a jaw-dropping increase considering how much smaller soda packs are these days!
Houses
Perhaps the most painful example is that US house prices have steadily risen for years, yet nothing is being done to improve the quality of the buildings. American houses have been criticized for being ‘flimsy’ due to the use of cheap materials. Sadly, this pain of modern life is hard to imagine disappearing.
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