The Laughable Feast

Up with a Twist

The Price Isn't Right

Eric Stromquist's avatar
Eric Stromquist
Dec 15, 2023
∙ Paid

Can I tell you something?

I’m old enough to remember when everyone paid the same price for things. What we forked over for goods and services was based on what it cost the company to make or deliver them, cover their overhead, then realize a reasonable profit. Retailers communicated the price for consumer goods on a tag attached to the product and that’s what everyone paid if they wanted one, until such time as that item went on sale and then the price would be slashed – literally with a Sharpie – then everyone paid the same new reduced price scrawled on the tag.

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Eric Stromquist
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture