6 outrageously overpriced products

[Twisterdog]

I always buy popcorn at the theater. Yes, it's expensive ... but so is going to the theater, period. It's part of the whole experience. If you're going to blow $25 to see a movie, might as well blow another $15 on popcorn and a soda. But, we do it like once a year.

I will sometimes buy bottled water, if I'm in town and really thirsty. But at home, the tap is fine for me. Hasn't killed us yet.

College textbooks ... true. But again, you're paying tens of thousands of dollars for that education, what's a few hundred more for books? And a college education more than pays for itself.

Printer ink ... I buy the refill kits. Cheap, but messy.

Designer clothes - never. Unless I find them at a thrift store or yard sale. Silly.

[Roxyluvsme13]

I have to say I 150% agree on college textbooks. Mine were just a little over $700 this semester, however, I was lucky and my financial aid covered it all.

I agree greeting cards are expensive, BUT there's always dollar tree or the dollar store (at least here) where you can find them a lot cheaper and still get some pretty awesome/cute ones.

I only buy bottled water because there's a definite taste difference to me. The tap water in my hometown tastes really weird and off, as well as here at the university. Maybe it's just me, but the taste differences bother me :/.

Popcorn, also 150% agreed, but it's GOOOOD.

And brand name fashions, well, I used to be a 100% designer label girl, but if the clothing fits, looks cute, and is from Wal-Mart, who really gives a flip? Clothes are clothes. You probably have the same denim in a pair of Wal-Mart jeans as you do in a $600 pair of jeans, so really, the overpricing is stupid.

[moosmom]

Since I only go to the movies maybe once a year, I indulge myself in the saltiest, butteriest popcorn on the planet. Yes, I'm sure my arteries harden everytime. But I'll have a smile on my face.

Oh, and if some of you didn't know, in Michigan, they allow you to put your own butter on it AND give you refills of both popcorn and soda.

That is the ONLY thing I miss about Michigan (and my friends of course)

[Asiel]

Have to agree about the greeting cards. If I care enough about someone to send a card I want a really nice one that will convey my feelings so I don't mind paying for that. I agree they aren't that expensive when you look at everything involved in making the cards.

I don't eat popcorn so that doesn't cost me.

We have well water and get it tested every year. We were told it was so pure we should bottle it and sell it. It's always ice cold and tastes great. I can't stand drinking city water, so full of chemicals, We have friends who drive out and bring their water jugs to refill them over here rather than buy it at the store, that saves them quite a bit and they love the taste.

Asbestos in pipes...that is almost unbelievable. Asbestos has been banned here for over thirty years now. Anyone who has ever worked with asbestos gets tested every year for lung cancer or other lung damage. The heath care sends mobile units to every city and town and people get a letter telling them of the date they should show up.

[wombat2u2004]

Asbestos in pipes...that is almost unbelievable. Asbestos has been banned here for over thirty years now. Anyone who has ever worked with asbestos gets tested every year for lung cancer or other lung damage. The heath care sends mobile units to every city and town and people get a letter telling them of the date they should show up.

Same here. But the local govt says the pipes are finished internally in such a manner that the water that comes from those pipes won't harm anyone.
At the same time the local govt issue out stiff penalties to people who remove roofing made of exactly the same material.......go figure.

[Lady's Human]

Same here. But the local govt says the pipes are finished internally in such a manner that the water that comes from those pipes won't harm anyone.
At the same time the local govt issue out stiff penalties to people who remove roofing made of exactly the same material.......go figure.

Asbestos in situ isn't going to harm anyone. It's inert.

Where asbestos becomes a problem is that the fibers, when broken, are like microscopic needles. When they get airborne, they are so fine that most filtering face pieces won't contain them. When they get into the lining of your lungs, your body cannot dislodge them. It's there they cause problems.


The pipes are not an issue, as I don't think anyone's going to be shredding the pipes anytime soon.

Airborne asbestos=bad. Asbestos undisturbed in a building? Not a problem.

[wombat2u2004]

Asbestos in situ isn't going to harm anyone. It's inert.
Airborne asbestos=bad. Asbestos undisturbed in a building? Not a problem.

Not true. Asbestos cement breaks down over a period of time, and flakes away.
We all know that sawing or drilling it creates the air particles. But flaking pipes and boards and other building elements are just as dangerous. The flakes turn to dust.

[Asiel]

Same here. But the local govt says the pipes are finished internally in such a manner that the water that comes from those pipes won't harm anyone.
At the same time the local govt issue out stiff penalties to people who remove roofing made of exactly the same material.......go figure.

Not too hard to figure that one out...key word being the "government". They make rules to suit themselves, not our health and safety for sure.

[wombat2u2004]

Not too hard to figure that one out...key word being the "government". They make rules to suit themselves, not our health and safety for sure.

Hah !!! That is so true.
I remember a few years ago, they had water restrictions in Sydney because we had a particularly dry season, and immigration had let in a few gazillion immigrants with no thought given to upgrading the water infrastructure.
There was a burst water main one day, and govt. took their time in fixing it, they certainly were in no hurry.....the media got hold of it, and the govt. did a big panic and got it fixed in no time then....hee hee