starkers starkers

WTF!!! Only 160 Sheets?

WTF!!! Only 160 Sheets?

Ya know, I can remember a time in the not so distant past when the average toilet roll held 250 sheets and would cost about $2.99 for a pack 8.  And shoot, they'd last a week if your were sparing enough.  Yup, those were the good old days, when toilet rolls were substantial and did the job admirably.

Then toilet rolls went down to 240 sheets per roll and they ran out just that bit sooner, so one had to be vigilant for fear of being the one it ran out on.

Now I'm not normally the one to give greedy bastard businessmen the benefit of the doubt, but in this case I did.  I gave 'em the benefit of the doubt and put it down to their caring for the environment, protecting native forests and all that.

Then about a year or two later toilet rolls went down to 220 sheets.  Yes, that's right 220 measly sheets.  Crikey, even the sheets seemed to be smaller [no good if you have big hands/fingers]  

Again, I gave the bastards the benefit of the doubt. This time I put it down to the hole on the ozone layer, and how they figured cutting production would reduce the impact.

Hmmmph!!!  Well it wasn't too long before the humble toilet roll got slashed yet again, this time to just 200 sheets... and yeah, the sheets were definitely smaller than their predecessors, and as a result people spent more time washing their hands, to be sure, to be sure.

You'd think by now these toilet roll manufacturers would be happy - cutting down from 250 to 200 - but no.  The bastards!!!!  About a year later they cut 'em from 200 to 180.  Worse still, they're charging $6.99 for a pack of 8... more than twice the price of a pack just a few short years ago... and for a lot fucking less product.

No longer am I giving these pricks the benefit of the doubt, this is sheer greed.  There's no consioderation for native forests or the ozone layer here, this is unadulterated greed at its worst. Less paper = more rolls, and the more rolls the greater the sales/profits. 

Anyway, you guessed it.... they've done it again.  I'm fucking furious, let me tell you.  Not only did we inadvertently buy toilet rolls with only 160 sheets last week, I was the unlucky bastard who had one run out before the paperwork was finished. Yeah, they might look like bigger rolls n' all, with more than 160 sheets, but they're rolled more loosely just to look that way.... and that's where the bastards get ya. 

On appearance, they look like chunky rolls and value for money.... until you're shouting trough a crack in the toilet door: "Get me some fuckin' dunny paper, we're all out in here."  And why, because those tight bastards have been cutting sheet quantity and not clearly marking it on the packaging. It's there alright - "Each Roll Contains 160 Sheets" - but it's overwhelmed by floral patterns and in such tiny writing/numerals you need a fucking microscope to read it

Just when I had gotten used to the 180 sheet rolls, and learned to economise so as not to be caught short, they come up 20 sheets short, and here I are, looking for ingenious ways to avoid an embarrassing predicament.  I mean, I thought about separating the two ply and not pressing quite so hard... then folding the one remaining sheet in four and tearing out the corner, etc, etc, etc... and keeping the little triangle to clean under my fingernail.  However, I grew a set, plucked up the courage, swallowed my pride, forgot about the embarrassment and called out for a replacement roll.  The thing is, it shouldn't have been necessary.

That's right, I'm having a rant! I was told it was good for me.  In fact, I was told that I should let off steam before I march into Kleenex with my complaint... that it could be the difference between walking out under my own steam when done, or being frog-marched from the premises by security part way into my submission.  Yeah, I need to play it cool, no cussing; no threats of gonad removal; no calling him bastard... because places like that will give you heaps of shit if you complain nicely and compliment the staff member on their hair, suit, whatever it takes to get truckloads of free paper products.

And it's not like they don't owe me!  I was in there an hour on that cold hard toilet seat waiting to be extricated from my predicament... and when you have arthritic hips that's not a good thing, believe me  If we still had one of those backyard thunderboxes and no light, just a candle, I'd be askin' fer two truckloads of free paper products, which 'd help make up for all the short sheeted toilet rolls I've purchased over the years. 

Think I'm making a mountain out of a molehill?  Well you try sitting on a cold hard toilet seat without paper for an hour plus and see how jovial you are afterward. Then add that, you're so red with embarrassment your feet are freezing cold from a lack of blood.

The fact is, we're getting 90 sheets less than we were 5 - 6 years ago, and we're paying more, double in fact, and there's no justifying it with the preservation of native forests off the table.  Yup, not only am I going to petition for the cessation of shortening the rolls, I'm going to petition to have them restored to the 250 sheets of yesteryear.... and not just for myself... for my fellow man.... and woman.

:-"

 

25,946 views 93 replies
Reply #51 Top

Wonder how Dumbo feels. Butts don't come no bigger unless you're a jolly green giant. Oohhh...TMI

Reply #52 Top

Quoting Jafo, reply 45
Starkers...nice try.

That's just your arse getting fatter..
End of Jafo's quote

Oi, that's a low blow... and totally uncalled for.  While it is preferable to always tell the truth, this is one exception to the rule.  ;)

Quoting Fuzzy, reply 47
I don't know which is sadder: another thread about bodily functions or someone unrolling a toilet roll to count the squares
End of Fuzzy's quote

Some people count sheep when they have difficulty sleeping, I find counting sheets of toilet paper lower maintenance than sheep.... cheaper and less to clean up in the morning.

 

Reply #53 Top

Unless you're a redneck then counting sheep is a ....... never mind.

Reply #54 Top

Quoting Uvah, reply 53
Unless you're a redneck then counting sheep is a ....... never mind.
End of Uvah's quote

Are you suggesting that people other than Kiwis..... er, find sheep attractive? :-"

Reply #55 Top

Quoting starkers, reply 54
Are you suggesting that people other than Kiwis..... er, find sheep attractive?
End of starkers's quote

Not my words. RnD might decide to come here just to clobber me. lol

Reply #56 Top

 Capt'n, you could always move to India.... just remember, don't shake hands with a lefty. :omg:

Reply #57 Top

Quoting Fuzzy, reply 50
Of course, it could be that toilet rolls don't appear to last as long because you have a bigger arse...
End of Fuzzy's quote

or he's just full of shit.

 

What?!

 

Someone was gonna say it sooner or later.

Reply #58 Top

Better you than me. :rofl:

Reply #59 Top

Quoting Uvah, reply 55

Quoting starkers, reply 54Are you suggesting that people other than Kiwis..... er, find sheep attractive?

Not my words. RnD might decide to come here just to clobber me. lol
End of Uvah's quote

There again, he might bribe you with one of his best looking ewes to keep you quiet. :-"

Quoting CarGuy1, reply 56
Capt'n, you could always move to India.... just remember, don't shake hands with a lefty.
End of CarGuy1's quote

Wouldn't be shaking hands with anyone there.... would never know who's ambidextrous. :-"

 

Reply #60 Top

Well...you can always teach them pocket pool. :w00t:

Reply #61 Top

Quoting PoSmedley, reply 57

Quoting Fuzzy Logic, reply 50Of course, it could be that toilet rolls don't appear to last as long because you have a bigger arse...

or he's just full of shit.

 

What?!

 

Someone was gonna say it sooner or later.
End of PoSmedley's quote

You, Smedley, are sooooo on THE LIST.

What?   Think you're the only one with a list?

What makes you think you have a monopoly on lists?

George Bush had several, apparently... and Sarah Palin still has several.

One would imagine Obama has a list or three, but our Juliar Gillard... well she's just on everyone's list.

In fact, I've got a special list just for her.... and one for bankers... and one for Google... AND one for toilet paper manufacturers.

Thing is, toilet paper manufacturers aren't the only ones short-sheeting us.  Hundreds upon hundreds of grocery items have less product than they did just a short while ago.  Tin and packet foods have notoriously been short-weighted, as have cleaning products and toiletries such as soap, shampoo, deoderants. 

Take a can on SPC pear halves, for example.  Used to be 440 grams, now 420 grams.  Used to contain 5 - 6 pear halves, now contains only 4.  Used to contain less syrup, now contains more syrup to make up the weight.  Same with their baked beans... were 440 grams, now 410 grams and 10% more sauce to reduce that actual product weight..

Here's another sneaky one supermarkets use to maximise profit for less product.  When it comes to seafood and fresh meats, they add shaved ice rather than turn down the refrigeration to keep it cool.  If you ask why there's small slithers of shaved ice [thus more water] in the product, you will be told it is to provide you the freshest product possible.  Bollocks!!!  What happened to turning down the fridges/coolers to a level which maintains freshness.  Well they're not going to do that because it costs more to run.  No, the department heads are instructed to test cabinet temperatures several times daily, not to ensure they're cold enough, but to ensure they're not chewing more power than budgeted for.

How do I know all this?  I used to work for a large supermarket chain, and I saw the cheating tactics used to part customers from their money for less product. With king prawns, for example, the added ice would save the store I worked in up to 40 - 50kg per day... and at 29.90 per kg at the time, that's a massive difference to what should have been sold, had they been honest. Imagine the savings to the store/entire chain on fresh food items right across the board

In fact, we should name and shame companies that 'short-sheet' products while continuing to bump up prices.  What d'yer reckon? 

That's right, step right up and have a gripe. :w00t:

Reply #62 Top

Quoting starkers, reply 61
In fact, we should name and shame companies that 'short-sheet' products while continuing to bump up prices. What d'yer reckon?
End of starkers's quote

I'd like to start by calling out Crossborder Pharmacy for shorting Starkers on his Thorazine and Prozac.

Reply #63 Top

Quoting PoSmedley, reply 62
I'd like to start by calling out Crossborder Pharmacy for shorting Starkers on his Thorazine and Prozac.
End of PoSmedley's quote

You are still sooooo on THE list.  In fact, because you suck so much, I might have to create a separate list especially for you.

Right!  It's done.... and you already have 11 entries to your discredit. :O

AND FYI, I do not take Prozac.  Apparently it messes with the desired effect of Viagra... not that I can afford Viagra, but if ever I accept a donation of a few dozen tabs, I don't wanna be doped up on Prozac.

Anyhow, back to naming and shaming...

One company I'd like to call out is Arnotts - a once proud Aussie biscuit company bought out by 'US interests - for short-weighting packs of biscuits across its range.  Packs of chocolate biscuits like Tim-Tams used to be 250 grams before the takeover, but shortly thereafter they all went down to 200 grams.  Those same packs are now 165 or 180 grams, depending on the variety.  That's almost half in less than 10 years... but the f**king price still goes up.  When I first bought Tim-Tams back in the 70's they were 250 grams and around 72 - 75 cents.  A 165 gram pack now is closer to $4.00.  My daughter-in-law bought some on special for $3.55 today, down from the regular shelf price of $3.95.

Reply #64 Top

Starkers you creep into my head at the oddest times.

I was sitting here shredding a bunch of that garbage paper that the banks insist on sending me (fear not, I recycle it) and I thought to myself "Yep, there's Starkers' tp right there.  At least it should have been." |-)  

Reply #65 Top

Next time save the shreds. starkers will appreciate the additional savings even if he has to stitch them together first or super glue them.

Reply #66 Top

I suppose a person could just use them shredded and get a little "tickle your fancy" perk. :P

Reply #67 Top

Or get a little excited yes. Imagine that.

Reply #68 Top

Here ya go.

 

 

Now quit your bitching.

Reply #69 Top

Quoting DaveRI, reply 64
Starkers you creep into my head at the oddest times.
End of DaveRI's quote

So long as you're not blaming me for causing you nighmares. ;)

Quoting DaveRI, reply 64
I was sitting here shredding a bunch of that garbage paper that the banks insist on sending me (fear not, I recycle it) and I thought to myself "Yep, there's Starkers' tp right there.
End of DaveRI's quote

My bank doesn't charge me for those quarterly statements [in fact, my account attracts no fees] but I know of people who are being charged between $2.50 and $5.00 for theirs... so it'd make for some pretty expensive shredding, wouldn't it.  F**king bankers... always finding ways to apply fees and charges to everything.  A woman writing to our local rag a few days ago was complaining that her bank had just charged her $20.00 to replace two cards that had been stolen in a purse snatching.  Heartless bastards, certainly know how to kick a person when they're down.

As for bank statements being recycled as toilet paper?  Being that it's 'bank related' it's likely to aggravate my haemorrhoids.  So while I appreciate the thought, Dave, thanks but no thanks.

Quoting Uvah, reply 65
Next time save the shreds. starkers will appreciate the additional savings even if he has to stitch them together first or super glue them.
End of Uvah's quote

Um.... no.   While I have a little more time on my hands these days, it would aggravate me immensely if I were to piece one of Dave's statements together and notice that his bank had applied money grubbing fees... given my love-hate feelings for bankers.  Yep, that's right! I love to hate 'em.

Quoting PoSmedley, reply 68
Now quit your bitching.
End of PoSmedley's quote

I just created that list just especially for you - like just yesterday - and you've accumulated more entries tha ALL the people on the other list put together.   And when I look at that avatar of you, smugly grinning away there, I feel like adding a double breach of your double double probation and bringing disciplinary charges in the court of appeals.  Yes, I will appeal that you're not entitled to look that smug.

Oh, and the toilet roll, right, bottom row, has 3 sheets less that all the others... take it back and demand a replacement with the correct # of sheets.

:-"

Reply #70 Top

Reply #71 Top

Quoting starkers, reply 69
As for bank statements being recycled as toilet paper? Being that it's 'bank related' it's likely to aggravate my haemorrhoids. So while I appreciate the thought, Dave, thanks but no thanks.
End of starkers's quote

I figured you'd like the idea of wiping your *** with bank products. \o/

Quoting starkers, reply 69
it would aggravate me immensely if I were to piece one of Dave's statements together and notice that his bank had applied money grubbing fees...
End of starkers's quote

No worries there.  Avoiding bank fees as much as I possibly can is one of my many (and one of my more productive) hobbies. ;)   A penny saved is a penny earned, and a penny rescued from the clutches of a banker or an oil company is a satisfying penny indeed. :smitten:

Reply #72 Top

And they do add up unlike bumwadden which is a one use only type thing. Unless you're really into frugal. x_x

Reply #73 Top

Quoting Uvah, reply 72
Unless you're really into frugal.
End of Uvah's quote

I get a laugh while I'm peddling my bike to the grocery store.  I picture an oil speculator with a big Cuban hanging out of his mouth, saying "Where's Dave's penny?  D***it, where's Dave's penny?"

What can I say, it keeps me going.  I have my own image of my publicly-known speculator I like to piss off, I'll let you pick your own.

Protest, Hell, I'm too busy living. :blush:   Having fun at it too, thank you very much.

Reply #74 Top

Quoting DaveRI, reply 71
I figured you'd like the idea of wiping your *** with bank products.
End of DaveRI's quote

A banker's tie or a banker's moustache, perhaps, but bank statements are printed on rather coarse paper [probably to coincide with the rough news they deliver regarding fees] and I'm not gonna tempt fate or a sore ringhole.

Quoting DaveRI, reply 71
Avoiding bank fees as much as I possibly can is one of my many (and one of my more productive) hobbies. A penny saved is a penny earned, and a penny rescued from the clutches of a banker or an oil company is a satisfying penny indeed.
End of DaveRI's quote

Same here, though I don't have to worry about fees on my accounts anymore, as my bank does not charge them on certain account types.  I have one of those,  a Plus 55 account designed to assist retirees and pensioners, and the only fee I ever pay is the currency conversion fee which everyone pays on overseas transactions.

It wasn't always like that, however.  I was with a bank that charges a $5.00 per month account keeping fee if your account balance falls below $2000.  That's right, hit those lowest on the socio-economic scale.  While I had a savings account that was always above that threshold, my working account, though attached to my savings, attracted the $5.00 fee because it often fell below the $2000 when I paid bills, bought stuff, etc.  Not only that, I was being charged $2.50 every time I used the ATM over 5 times per month. 

The final straw came when they started charging $2.00 for each over-the-counter transaction beyond the 2nd in each month. I went in to get a couple of cheques written for some purchases I made, but when I discovered it was going to cost me $15.00 in charges [$6.00 of that in over-the-counter charges] before I even began, I withdrew all my money and hooked up with my current bank, but only after grilling the clerk for half an hour on what I could expect.

In going through my final statement from my former bank, I tallied up all the fees for that quarter and all up I paid a total of $72.00 in account keeping fees; excess ATM usage fees; using a competitor's ATM fees; over-the-counter fees, and [increased] cheque writing fees.  Apart from the cheque writing charges, which had doubled since previous cheques, all the fees were new and daylight robbery IMO.  A quarterly statement from just 3 years earlier showed zero account keeping, over-the-counter and ATM charges. I've been with my current bank for 12 years now, and I've still not paid $2.00 in charges, much less $72.

Reply #75 Top

Holy shit Starkers.

I'm gonna spray that at about 85 degrees left.  Later