[WSJ] Big Banks Show Consumers Remained Resilient Heading Into Tariff Turmoil

Cleaned the thread up a little bit

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Purchase a new Dell computer 3/31 to be able to upgrade to Windows 11 before Win10 EOS in October. Same model and configuration now increased $116.

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I had started to order some jeans, and saw that the price had already jumped. Checked just now, and since the tariffs got “paused”, price is back down to only a bit more than last time I bought. So ordered 2 pair; should last me a while.
But apparently, it’s impossible to get cheap t-shirts in light blue anymore…

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Enter the unaccounted for concept of corporate greed. People want to talk about/ blame politics, economics, supply chains, etc. but they always seem to leave out the sociopathic greed of corporate leaders who will use ANY excuse to raise prices even when supply or demand are unaffected.
Nobody wants to ever ask what are the corporations going to eat their share of the consumer economic uncertainty sandwich. Instead they bump everything up because quarterly earnings are coming out, and instead of not ripping us off they just hire more private security and flip us off from their yacht.
200w

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Actually when the big inflation surge hit us, Pepsi decided to raise prices more than its competition.

Pepsi has fallen to the number three position in the carbonated beverage market. Number 1 is still Coke, but Dr. Pepper is now second.

Dropping prices and funding more promotions by retailers has not led to a recovery of share.

P.S. if the goal was to drive the price of their stock up, it did not succeed.

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Interesting what AI replied with…
“However, the company’s strong dividend policy and stock repurchase programs help maintain shareholder returns, particularly for income-oriented investors.”

Not sure which decision was the yacht or the middle finger. Stock buybacks mean there was capital on hand. Also most executive bonus/pay is tied to shares last time I checked.

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When prices went up, we became a generic soda (and snacks) family. If it’s not a store brand 2 liter for $1.50 or less, I am not buying.

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Just took delivery of two sets of Made in China OTC hearing aids with bluetooth.

Under $150 each from sellers who did not raise the price on their private label version of one with a bunch of good reviews.

Decided this was as good a time as any to find out if they work. They look like air buds. not sure if I am hip enough to wear them in public.

They arrived from FBA in the original manufacturer’s packaging with no sign of the brand it was sold under.

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I use my wife’s Apple earbuds with her iphone hearing app but am hesitant in restaurants as it looks like I’m one of “those people”. It works ok and is helpful at the movies.

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I have determined at this age, that I should remove the forest of hair that now grows from my ears, so people are less likely to notice as the earbuds don’t make ear hair into a peacock with a white background. Not something I had to consider 20 years ago.

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I’ve not drank soda for years, but I did consider getting some Coke since there is still some of the cane-sugar version at the store. Then I saw the price - $3.49 for a 2 liter! So nope, no Coke.

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Pepsi periodically offers product made with real sugar in packs of 12 ounce cans for the same price as their other cans. I bought some two weeks ago.

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I the Coke had been in cans, I would have bought a 6-pack or two for that price, or even a bit more. But a 2-liter is something I’m not likely to finish before it goes flat; however, having a can around is nice, as it’s amazing how effective it can be when hay-fever strikes (I think a combination of the caffeine and the bubbles).
We used to be able to get cans of Passover Coke, but haven’t seen it in probably 15 years (although not always looking).

And I hear people saying that there is no difference, as the sugar breaks down to the same things anyway. But I find that if I drink a can of Coke with corn syrup, I’m still thirsty when I finish the can, so want more. But with sugar, I might not even finish the can; not because I don’t like it, but because it’s far better of a thirst-quencher.

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