Recession Pricing

[FUEGO]

In the last week I have seen at least two restaurants advertise recession specials. Cici's pizza buffet, formerly at $4.49 or $4.99, is now offering their all-you-can-eat pizza buffet for $3.99 and calling it a bailout plan for your wallet or something.

Similarly, KFC has a new recession menu that is basically a drinkless combo meal with 2 pc chicken plus biscuit or 3 pc strips plus biscuit for $2.49.

I have also seen some airlines offering free cancellations if you get laid off before you take your vacations.

Obviously these are mainly marketing gimmicks to get people in the door and drum up business, but also good values for many. Have you seen any other promotions that are playing off the current recession/depression?

 

[FinanceDude]

Not really, although the local shows for home-building and remodeling and such are a little cheaper this year.......

 

[ziggy29]

Not really, although the local shows for home-building and remodeling and such are a little cheaper this year.......

I wish I felt like I could pull the trigger on some home improvement projects this year. Man, there are going to be some aggressive estimates, I'll bet, but I can't get myself to decrease my emergency fund from already bloated levels...

 

[youbet]

I wish I felt like I could pull the trigger on some home improvement projects this year. Man, there are going to be some aggressive estimates, I'll bet, but I can't get myself to decrease my emergency fund from already bloated levels...

That's a pragmatic example that insurance isn't cheap! You're holding funds in low return accounts and forgoing purchasing at bargain prices because of the economic unknowns.

I'm doing the same thing......

 

[OAG]

Just saw a TV add for a very expensive restaurant here in Columbus offer some type of lower cost menu. I think the objective is to get people to try them, where most would not have went there due to high cost, with the hope they will be come regulars.

 

[ziggy29]

Just saw a TV add for a very expensive restaurant here in Columbus offer some type of lower cost menu. I think the objective is to get people to try them, where most would not have went there due to high cost, with the hope they will be come regulars.

Yeah, I've seen some restaurants opening up their cheaper/smaller portion "senior menus" to everyone and creating all-new reduced portion/reduced price meals, too.

 

[FUEGO]

Yeah, I've seen some restaurants opening up their cheaper/smaller portion "senior menus" to everyone and creating all-new reduced portion/reduced price meals, too.

I've seen that in the expansion of dollar menus or value menus at fast food, and more "half portion" or "three course" soup/salad-entree-dessert options at full service restaurants that get you a decent meal for typically under $10-12 out the door.

 

[FUEGO]

I guess a "fancy" restaurant can't go too far out of their way to play on the recession meme going on right now. Credulity of the typical consumer only goes so far. "Hey, instead of blowing $40 on this steak dinner, it's only $30 now because we are in a craaaazy recession!! So come in today, this recession won't last forever."

 

[mja]

Not really, although the local shows for home-building and remodeling and such are a little cheaper this year.......

And by a little cheaper, he means free At least where I am, which is 70ish miles from FinanceDude.

Other than that, I've not seen any special "recession deals"; but I don't pay much attention to advertising if I can help it.

 

[ziggy29]

I guess a "fancy" restaurant can't go too far out of their way to play on the recession meme going on right now. Credulity of the typical consumer only goes so far. "Hey, instead of blowing $40 on this steak dinner, it's only $30 now because we are in a craaaazy recession!! So come in today, this recession won't last forever."

Well, I don't know how much this is hitting the typical person for whom those high-end dining experiences are commonplace. Maybe it is, but some businesses have built part of their reputation as catering to the higher-end crowd, and in their case, advertising discounts and cheaper items would be potentially brand-destruction. Hard to see that as a growth industry in the next couple years, at least...

 

[FUEGO]

Well, I don't know how much this is hitting the typical person for whom those high-end dining experiences are commonplace. Maybe it is, but some businesses have built part of their reputation as catering to the higher-end crowd, and in their case, advertising discounts and cheaper items would be potentially brand-destruction. Hard to see that as a growth industry in the next couple years, at least...

Exactly. You don't sell the steak, you sell the sizzle and status.

 

[JOHNNIE36]

Couple notes relative to resession type "dining". Went to grandson's graduation today (tech school). On the way stopped by McDonalds to grab a small bite on the way (take out). Wife likes their parfeits (spell?) and I did a McGriddle. Both of these items were about half the size they once were. SURPRISE!!! After graduation the graduates and their families went to lunch at the Olive Garden. I've always liked that place but was never there for lunch. Talk about a great deal! We both had soup and salad (always loved their salads). We aren't big lunch people but we were stuffed for $6.95. Unlimited soup and salad and bread sticks. Can't beat that for lunch. We're going back for that deal.

 

[FUEGO]

Couple notes relative to resession type "dining". Went to grandson's graduation today (tech school). On the way stopped by McDonalds to grab a small bite on the way (take out). Wife likes their parfeits (spell?) and I did a McGriddle. Both of these items were about half the size they once were. SURPRISE!!! After graduation the graduates and their families went to lunch at the Olive Garden. I've always liked that place but was never there for lunch. Talk about a great deal! We both had soup and salad (always loved their salads). We aren't big lunch people but we were stuffed for $6.95. Unlimited soup and salad and bread sticks. Can't beat that for lunch. We're going back for that deal.

Olive Garden and Chili's have had that unlimited soup/salad/bread for $6 locally for quite a while. Good eats for that price!

 

[freebird5825]

I heard a memory sparking radio commercial the other day. It was for Campbell's soup. The words "we all need to save money right now" caught my attention. The speaker lavishly described the aroma of nice hot tomato soup and watching your kids dipping a grilled cheese sandwich (made with Kraft American cheese) into the soup. It took me right back to those Campbell soup and grilled cheese commercials from the late 60s. Recycled advertising!

 

[ziggy29]

I heard a memory sparking radio commercial the other day. It was for Campbell's soup. The words "we all need to save money right now" caught my attention. The speaker lavishly described the aroma of nice hot tomato soup and watching your kids dipping a grilled cheese sandwich (made with Kraft American cheese) into the soup. It took me right back to those Campbell soup and grilled cheese commercials from the late 60s. Recycled advertising!

Well, I'm long both CPB and KFT, so that's fine with me. Just don't go TOO cheap and use the store-brand stuff!