$3 for a Pepsi?

**eastland** · April-17-10, 06:01 PM

Anyone else think $3 for a bottle of Pepsi is excessive? That's what the convenience store at Cobo was charging today.

**p1acebo** · April-17-10, 06:11 PM

Isn't it more at Comerica?

**Ray1936** · April-17-10, 06:14 PM

Barnum was right, but that's the American way.

**313WX** · April-17-10, 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by eastland

Anyone else think $3 for a bottle of Pepsi is excessive? That's what the convenience store at Cobo was charging today.

That's definitely a sucker price.

Most stores in Metro Detroit sell the 2 liter bottle for $1.89 [[$2 with deposit) and I know for sure Vince's Party Store [[8 Mile & Schoenherr) sells it for $1.79 [[$1.89 with deposit). Also, many of the grocery stores sell the 2 liter bottles for $1.39 [[$1.49 with deposit). In addition, the 24 oz. bottels are generally $1.29 [[$1.39 with deposit).

I fact, I recall the price of a Pepsi was also outrageous at the store in Greektowm [[Trapper's Alley).

If I were you I would have just left that bottle right there at Cobo.

**Sstashmoo** · April-17-10, 07:14 PM

Quote: "Most stores in Metro Detroit sell the 2 liter bottle for $1.89"

And they're open 7 days a week and do a high volume. Cobo concessions are open a few hours a week. It costs more to sell you a Pepsi there.

**313WX** · April-17-10, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by Sstashmoo

Quote: "Most stores in Metro Detroit sell the 2 liter bottle for $1.89"

And they're open 7 days a week and do a high volume. Cobo concessions are open a few hours a week. It costs more to sell you a Pepsi there.

AND to finish my original point, if one wants a Pepsi really bad and thinks Cobo is too high, just purchase one [[and, if necessary, drink it) on your way to/from their. Whining about it won't solve very much.

As I'm sure you know, that's one of the many joys of American Capitalism.

lilpup · April-17-10, 07:57 PM

Let's not be dishonestly ingenuous here. Everyone knows you'll pay more at places like Cobo, the stadia and small, truly convenient stores like those in hospitals or large office complexes.

**Bobl** · April-17-10, 08:07 PM

Tried "room service", lately?

DC48080 · April-17-10, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by eastland

Anyone else think $3 for a bottle of Pepsi is excessive? That's what the convenience store at Cobo was charging today.

You don't pay $3 then you don't have no Pepsi. Eh? Don't buy from those people at Cobo. Bring your own in from outside.

DetroitDad · April-17-10, 09:04 PM

Originally Posted by Sstashmoo

Quote: "Most stores in Metro Detroit sell the 2 liter bottle for $1.89"

And they're open 7 days a week and do a high volume. Cobo concessions are open a few hours a week. It costs more to sell you a Pepsi there.

I call bologna assuming Cobo doesn't use a distribution warehouse that makes it more expensive than one in [blank]. I'm really not sure anyone cares enough to fact check this one...

lilpup · April-17-10, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by DetroitDad

I call bologna assuming Cobo doesn't use a distribution warehouse that makes it more expensive than one in [blank]. I'm really not sure anyone cares enough to fact check this one...

Having worked in a gas station/convenience store in the past - Pepsi often gives volume discounts on large orders. There's no way a small shop can handle orders of 50+ cases - aside from the shop's cash outlay storage space can be a real issue.

**cman710** · April-17-10, 09:28 PM

Low volume could be one reason for the higher prices. That said, if enough people did not buy Pepsi's, then they would need to lower the price [[or, if they had to lower the price below cost, not stock it at all). So enough people must be buying the $3 Pepsi's to keep them selling at that price.

DetroitDad · April-17-10, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by lilpup

Having worked in a gas station/convenience store in the past - Pepsi often gives volume discounts on large orders. There's no way a small shop can handle orders of 50+ cases - aside from the shop's cash outlay storage space can be a real issue.

Ah, so this is a small individual store operating on lease, and not the overall large "COBO"? Gotcha! I was thinking they were probably just putting pricing in line with competitors, as others speculated above, since COBO is an event destination, and not usually a house for neighborhood stores.

**Meddle** · April-17-10, 11:18 PM

Originally Posted by eastland

Anyone else think $3 for a bottle of Pepsi is excessive? That's what the convenience store at Cobo was charging today.

That's because you have to have one union guy remove it from the cooler, another hand it across the counter and a union safety rep watch you while you open it to make sure you do it according to safety regs.

**Bigb23** · April-18-10, 12:28 AM

Originally Posted by Meddle

That's because you have to have one union guy remove it from the cooler, another hand it across the counter and a union safety rep watch you while you open it to make sure you do it according to safety regs.

As compared to a four year old in an Asian country, working a 12 hour shift with her mother and little brother in the store serving Pepsi.

I guess over statements run both ways, Meddle.

**Meddle** · April-18-10, 12:56 AM

But there you only pay 15 cents for the Pepsi.

**Bigb23** · April-18-10, 01:13 AM

Well, I guess your statement wins, Meddle. Enjoy your cocktail.

**wolverine** · April-18-10, 02:55 AM

Originally Posted by Sstashmoo

Quote: "Most stores in Metro Detroit sell the 2 liter bottle for $1.89"

And they're open 7 days a week and do a high volume. Cobo concessions are open a few hours a week. It costs more to sell you a Pepsi there.

That is not the reason.

**Hermod** · April-18-10, 06:11 AM

Unfortunately, pure capitalism is not allowed.

I purchase a 32 bottle flat of bottled water at Costco for $1.90 and keep it in my house. After a natural disaster like a hurricane, I sell it to my neighbors at $1.00 per bottle yielding a nice profit to myself. The sheriff will then come and arrest me for "price gouging".

I go to an auto show or a boat show at the county government owned and operated convention center. I get thirsty and go to the concession stand to purchase a bottle of water. The price is $4.00. The sheriff will not arrest them for "price gouging".

Socialism can charge whatever they want, but if a capitalist does it, it is illegal.

**Zacha341** · April-18-10, 06:45 AM

For sure! The sucker price is all around. My work/ career requires me to go to conferences, meeting and workshops at places like cobo, ren-cen, and other hotels conference centers this and that and I just pack bottled water and energy bars or what all into my bags or tote. I just can't afford the "event" fee for junk I can get half off normally. The only exception I will make is to get the over-priced coffee...

Originally Posted by 313WX

That's definitely a sucker price.

Most stores in Metro Detroit sell the 2 liter bottle for $1.89 [[$2 with deposit) and I know for sure Vince's Party Store [[8 Mile & Schoenherr) sells it for $1.79 [[$1.89 with deposit). Also, many of the grocery stores sell the 2 liter bottles for $1.39 [[$1.49 with deposit). In addition, the 24 oz. bottels are generally $1.29 [[$1.39 with deposit).

I fact, I recall the price of a Pepsi was also outrageous at the store in Greektowm [[Trapper's Alley).

If I were you I would have just left that bottle right there at Cobo.

**Hermod** · April-18-10, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

For sure! The sucker price is all around. My work/ career requires me to go to conferences, meeting and workshops at places like cobo, ren-cen, and other hotels conference centers this and that and I just pack bottled water and energy bars or what all into my bags or tote. I just can't afford the "event" fee for junk I can get half off normally. The only exception I will make is to get the over-priced coffee...

When I woas working and had to go to a conference/meeting/symposium/convention in a hotel, my primary maxim was "Don't eat in the hotel restaurant."

I always regarded hotels as ripoffs. Among my colleagues, my early morning jaunts to an affordable breakfast place were legendary.

**Goose** · April-18-10, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by Hermod

Unfortunately, pure capitalism is not allowed.

Socialism can charge whatever they want, but if a capitalist does it, it is illegal.

if you price your product below the competition they will say you are predatory pricing and undercutting

if you price your product above the comepetition, they will say you are price gouging

if you are in line with the competition price then they will accuse everyone of price collusion...

the only price that is acceptable is that set by the government......

DetroitDad · April-18-10, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by Goose

if you price your product below the competition they will say you are predatory pricing and undercutting

if you price your product above the comepetition, they will say you are price gouging

if you are in line with the competition price then they will accuse everyone of price collusion...

the only price that is acceptable is that set by the government......

Amen reverend.

It's the same reason drugs are illegal... but that's another topic for another time.

**Gistok** · April-18-10, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by Meddle

But there you only pay 15 cents for the Pepsi.

Not to mention that they sweeten it with Ethylene glycol!

**Sstashmoo** · April-18-10, 02:30 PM

Me: "And they're open 7 days a week and do a high volume. Cobo concessions are open a few hours a week. It costs more to sell you a Pepsi there."

You: " That is not the reason."

So you think they should fire up a few hours a week and make a few pennies profit on product, compared to another outlet that can justify this by increased hours of operation? And also by doing a higher volume get a much lower wholesale cost? People in party stores make minimum wage, what does the person working the concessions at Cobo make?