The totally off-topic thread

[Flashback]

Went to Brisbane DFO yesterday again for day out. Slightly hungry and we decided we'd buy the overpriced calamari and large potato chips. We sat down and wife asked why I didn't get sauce. I said they are charging 80c for sauce. She said we don't need sauce.

I know most people don't care but 80c for a bit of sauce to go with $6.50 overpriced large chips? I could have walked to Woolworths and bought a bottle of sauce that would last us years for not much more.


I try to avoid tofu where possible unless it is hidden in one of my meals.

Yes, but most people find that inconvenient so if they really want sauce, will pay the 80c.

Exactly - paying for the convenience. It's a market of supply and demand ... others may be paying it, so therefore will continue to be offered at a cost.

 

[anat0l]

I endured bullying at an all boys private school - I attended from Year 6 to 12. l wasn't in any of the "cool" groups, didn't live in the "correct" suburbs or play the "required" Rugby Union (although I got some kudos for playing cricket but not soccer/football). That has shaped my idea not to send my son there (plus it's on the other side of BNE from where I live now).

I think we need to get our daughters together more often. Sounds like peas in a pod, but I think she has been spared the worst of the bullying, as we also keep a close eye on things. A pity that my cousin just applied for the substantive principal role, got to the final interview stage but lost out to the acting principal. He'd have been a good influence

As a teacher at an elite private single gender school, I'm disheartened by the bullying that can occur in the cohort, usually very secretively and covertly (but consequently also cutting very deep). Because you don't usually ask about it, can't probe for it and can't dig too deep into it, you don't "see" it, until it surfaces, perhaps too late or rather explosively. I respect our heads of years and schools very much for their pastoral roles in helping to rout out such behaviour.

 

[anat0l]

Exactly - paying for the convenience. It's a market of supply and demand ... others may be paying it, so therefore will continue to be offered at a cost.

It's also a bit of capitalism at play.

If people will pay for it at that price, there is no practical reason to reduce it, even if there may be a moral one.

If people will pay $10 for a bottle of water to the point that a self-sustaining profit can be earned on such a venture, a capitalist business person would say there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

The basis of capitalism is why the business lobby in countries like Australia tend to abhor regulation and are somewhat critical of consumer protection laws.

 

[Milboo]

I can do without the sauce.


The calamari was $7 for 6 small-medium rings. I wouldn't buy either as I can wait until I get home. Wife and daughter were hungry.

I understand labour costs are high in Australia. I was interested in why the sauce was so expensive. Here are some prices if they do indeed use the packets of sauce

- Masterfoods Tomato Sauce portion control 14g carton 100 = $23.15 or 23 cents each
- Kraft Tomato sauce portion control 11g Box 50 = $7.55 or 15 cents each

And that's me buying retail. If your business can't wear the cost of 1 packet of sauce there is something wrong.

And if they have to give away 50 a day to all the buyers of chips - that's close to 20,000 a year. They cost a retailer approx. 30 cents a unit. So a small business owner should be handing out $6k worth of free goods?

 

[straitman]

Went to Brisbane DFO yesterday again for day out. Slightly hungry and we decided we'd buy the overpriced calamari and large potato chips. We sat down and wife asked why I didn't get sauce. I said they are charging 80c for sauce. She said we don't need sauce.

I know most people don't care but 80c for a bit of sauce to go with $6.50 overpriced large chips? I could have walked to Woolworths and bought a bottle of sauce that would last us years for not much more.

They could simply have charged you $7.30 and included the sauce.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Is it just me? How can a modern US (or any other) warship 'accidentally' be in a collision with a merchant vessel? Especially two different vessels in two months leading to very unfortunate loss of life of the navy personnel?

 

[Bundy Bear]

Happy sun chasing day to those in the US looking to find a spot of totality.

On August 21, 2017, all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun

I will go to bed like most Australians and watch the highlights in the morning.

 

[blackcat20]

Happy sun chasing day to those in the US looking to find a spot of totality.

On August 21, 2017, all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun

I will go to bed like most Australians and watch the highlights in the morning.

We should be somewhere near Dallas when it occurs.

 

[RooFlyer]

I missed it too. So I'm an overnight 'Senior'. If I'm going to be tagged like that, I'd much rather it be 'Relaxed and comfortable' or maybe 'Mildly sozzled' .

How about PAAN description for most of those who post on the wine forums?

How does it feel to be part of the 'Establishment'? :shock:

 

[TheRealTMA]

How does it feel to be part of the 'Establishment'? :shock:

LOL. Anarchy Rules!

 

[RooFlyer]

Went to Brisbane DFO yesterday again for day out. Slightly hungry and we decided we'd buy the overpriced calamari and large potato chips. We sat down and wife asked why I didn't get sauce. I said they are charging 80c for sauce. She said we don't need sauce.

I know most people don't care but 80c for a bit of sauce to go with $6.50 overpriced large chips? I could have walked to Woolworths and bought a bottle of sauce that would last us years for not much more.<snip>

My bolding. Like the many examples you give in a similar vein, you seem to price your time at zero. Why didn't you walk to Woolworths and buy a multi-use bottle of sauce? For me, the answer would be that I have better things to do and if I really wanted sauce I would have paid the 80c.

<snip>I understand labour costs are high in Australia. I was interested in why the sauce was so expensive. Here are some prices if they do indeed use the packets of sauce

- Masterfoods Tomato Sauce portion control 14g carton 100 = $23.15 or 23 cents each
- Kraft Tomato sauce portion control 11g Box 50 = $7.55 or 15 cents each

And that's me buying retail. If your business can't wear the cost of 1 packet of sauce there is something wrong.

My bolding. So, you think that you are the only customer they offer sauce to? Just you... just one lousy packet?

And if they have to give away 50 a day to all the buyers of chips - that's close to 20,000 a year. They cost a retailer approx. 30 cents a unit. So a small business owner should be handing out $6k worth of free goods?

Ah. Light is shone on reality. Also, the business for some reason may dislike holding large stocks of sauce, so they price it to discourage consumption, meaning they may only need to hold a lower quantity.

 

[cove]

I think I might go to Melbourne to see if the Fremantle Dockers can lose a third game in succession by more than 100 points in the AFL.

 

[Flashback]

I think I might go to Melbourne to see if the Fremantle Dockers can lose a third game in succession by more than 100 points in the AFL.

Freeeeo, way to go!

 

[rogerkambah]

One of my symptoms was a persistent dry cough. The other symptoms were quite mild and and almost undefinable - just a feeling that I wasn't feeling as well as I thought I should - until it got to the point where a CT scan was ordered.

Please see your medical practitioner or get a second opinion.

Using Dr Google to figure out why Ive had this dry cough for the past 2 or 3 months. I can almost stop myself from coughing but otherwise, its every hour or so. Drives me nuts. I dont smoke, havent been sick, staying hydrated, never had asthma and its most noticeable during the day because of air con and at night because of temperature changes (we dont use aircon at home).

Dr Google hasnt declared me dead or dying yet so thats always a plus when using it.
Edit: I take it back, I just got to the Mayo website for Dr Google Dead or Dying....

 

[JohnK]

They could simply have charged you $7.30 and included the sauce.

Or they could charge $6.50 and include the sauce for free?

My bolding. Like the many examples you give in a similar vein, you seem to price your time at zero. Why didn't you walk to Woolworths and buy a multi-use bottle of sauce? For me, the answer would be that I have better things to do and if I really wanted sauce I would have paid the 80c.



My bolding. So, you think that you are the only customer they offer sauce to? Just you... just one lousy packet?

Oh come on RooFlyer give me some credit.

I bought hot chips that were cooked by someone, the cooking requires electricity or other power source plus some lard and put in an aluminium tray and kept warm, then put in a cardboard container by someone serving asking me twice whether I wanted plain salt or chicken salt, serviettes were supplied and the person serving also put the order into an iPad tablet of some sort, collected my money and gave me change from the till that is used to store the cash. All of these were included in the price of the hot chips which was $6.50 but they charge extra for the sauce.

As I gave example previously why not include the 15c they paid for the sauce in the price and sell the hot chips for $6.65? Component pricing (ala fuel surcharges) when you only charge extra for a single component over every other component is silly.

Oh and I was at the DFO and Woolworths was ~200 metres away and we went shopping there after eating. As I said I don't need sauce on my hot chips when I have to pay >500% mark up.

 

[whatmeworry]

I think I might go to Melbourne to see if the Fremantle Dockers can lose a third game in succession by more than 100 points in the AFL.

Quite a few teams under Essendon praying Freo perform a miracle.

 

[cove]

If you want the new home cooking book by Nigella Lawson called At My Table I think you can look it up on her website nigella.com. It seems lots of folks think she is a goddess of the kitchen. If you are in the UK her first book signing will be at Waterstones in Canary Wharf in one month.

 

[cove]

I think Essendon might get a percentage boost by playing the Fremantle Dockers this next weekend. I think CE will be pleased as he is a supporter.
Of course it means it will be easier to get tickets to the new stadium to watch the Dockers next year.

 

[Pushka]

Freeeeo, way to go!

Go Crows. Go Power.

 

[GarrettM]

I think I might go to Melbourne to see if the Fremantle Dockers can lose a third game in succession by more than 100 points in the AFL.

Surely it's a shorter walk down to the MCG cove, for a game with more relevance.

Although you could be watching Ross's last game in charge. Another huge flogging and all that talk about him going to Collingwood may gain momentum.