We're all about fair pay. But we're also aware of greedy companies exploiting people and cutting corners wherever they can for maximum profit. And while it's ridiculous to pay $5 for a T-shirt, as there's no way in which it could have been made ethically, it's also absurd to pay $140 for insulin in the US.
And it's not just companies selling products. In the last 3 years, rents have increased by 2.61% on average per year, which is 169% faster than the real average wage in the US. Also, in the last decade, rent inflation outpaced currency inflation by 40.7%. And it feels like we can do nothing but watch. One Reddit user, Coach_Carter_on_DVD, asked people what things are so overpriced, it sounds (and in most cases should be) illegal. The users were eager to vent about the most insanely expensive things, with prices that have no explanation but disgusting greed.
Over 21.2k comments later, Bored Panda selected the most popular responses on this topic. And even though they're infuriating, we hope that they can also serve some educational purpose. Maybe you've been paying this insane amount of money without ever thinking about how unfair it is, or maybe they will encourage you to take action, vote for politicians who are doing something about the cause, and look for cheaper and more ethical alternatives. Either way, don't forget to upvote your favorites, and be sure to share anything infuriatingly overpriced that we missed on this list!
This post may include affiliate links.
Insulin.
Looking through this list, one thing sticks out: pharmaceuticals and everything medical is over the top expensive in the USA. I can't understand why anyone still wants to live there.
Human pharmaceuticals. My dog needed a chelation medication that my vet specifically said was on the pricy side but recommended a pharmacy that she worked with. I called with prescription in hand, and they quoted $3,000+ for a month’s supply. Then the rep stated they accidentally read the cost for humans. Dog cost was actually $60. Same dosage, same pill count, but adding chicken flavor and putting a little dog on the label dropped the price 98%.
If you live in America, you should identify as a dog! You get 98% discount on meds. Totally worth it!
Feminine sanitary products. Or just products targeted towards women in general. Especially in the US, I never realised how much women there were paying for pads until I visited family there. Might as well use dollar bills as pads at this stage.
It's not a luxury. Women use them because we have to. Pricing them so high is indeed cruel.
Ink jet cartridges.
I used to work in the industry. At one time, HP ink was $5,300 a litre. There was another printer (I think an Epson) that used 2% of its ink EVERY TIME IT WAS SWITCHED ON to clean the heads. We told people to never switch them off.
Airport food and drinks. $7 for a granola bar. $6.95 for water. $22 for beer. $17 for a chicken wrap. $9 for trail mix. It’s criminal.
I always bring a fold up empty water bottle and fill up with drinking water after security, every airport I've been to either has a designated free water station or shops will happily fill it up for me. Plus always handy to have with you when travelling out of the airport too!
Members of Congress. Only the corporations and billionaires can afford them.
Rent.
This has a lot to do with nimbyism (Not In My Back Yard). This is why housing costs are so high. We all want affordable housing to exist, but nobody who owns a home wants it anywhere near them. So you end up in decades long legal battles
Dentistry in North America. Seems like most other countries understand having decent teeth is a human right, North America just sees dollar signs.
Apparently in North America being healthy isn't a human right, but you do have the right to bear arms, priorities!
Anything with the word "wedding" attached; photographer, cake, etc.
Inhalers. I have a cr**py high deductible plan and pay $220 a month for something I need to breathe.
Americans need to start giving a lot more s**t to their politicians, that is just f*****g ridiculous my inhaler costs 2.80€ ( +/- 3 USD ) Over the counter price, I would be frikking dead by now in that country, i honestly don't know how in all the f***s do you ppl take that s**t like you do.
Frames.
Not sure if this comment will get deleted or not, but look up internet eyeglass sites like zennioptical[dot]com. They have quality glasses at decent prices. Strike a blow against the Luxottica mafia!
Epi-pens in the U.S. I mean, at least it's not something I need to use regularly, but those things are SO expensive. I'm just trying to not die if I accidentally eat a peanut. Thankfully I found a much cheaper alternative, but they're hiking their prices now too.
Sounds like you have to be a millionaire to afford to be an asthmatic diabetic with a peanut allergy in the USA.
I know everybody is going to give better answers, but for the life of me, I cannot understand why suitcases are so expensive.
They're just plastic shells, a zip and some wheels, yet they sell for hundreds.
Adobe software.
It used to be overpriced when it was still a "buy it and own it" type of deal, but with the current subscription model? It's robbery.
My husband needs rituximab infusions due to a rare kidney disease. They are $16,000 each. That's $16,000 per four hour infusion. And they aren't covered by our insurance.
Eyeglasses. Because of a blatant monopoly.
“Luxottica controls 80% of the major brands in the $28 billion global eyeglasses industry….” (Forbes)
Bottled water. Seriously it's water. Turn the tap and it's free.
Diapers should NOT be this expensive especially considering how often they’re used.
Unpopular opinion from me I'm sure, but disposables are a convenience. Could always go cloth, but then you spend TONS of time doing laundry.
Health insurance that actually covers anything without $15,000-$20,000 In deductibles/copays and Insulin.
In Spain, the cost of insulin is between €8 and €18, depending on your income
On a small scale? Hummus. Seems like everywhere in the US, a small tub of hummus is like $5 or more and marketed like it's some kind of exotic, bougie foreign condiment.
Dude, hummus costs nothing to make, I would almost wager it's cheaper to make than ketchup. And it takes almost no time. You pretty much throw s**t in a blender and you're done. I had some friends over, and one of my friends didn't believe me. I walked into the kitchen and 10 mins later walked out with a massive bowl of hummus that just about everyone agreed was the best hummus they'd ever had (because they'd only ever had storebought c**p).
It's super cheap, super easy, and I promise you, your homemade hummus will likely taste better than that Sabra b******t.
I use a quick simple 1-1-1-1 recipe. One can chickpeas, one clove garlic, juice of one lemon and one big spoonful (Tbsp) of tahini. Blend with a drizzle of oil (or a little water if you want non fat) till it is the consistency you like
Mattresses!
Not the cheapest, but Sleep Number or other inflated mattresses don’t have springs to wear down and sag. Springs are the parts that wear, so eliminate them. Used to be able to flip a mattress head to toe and also bottom to top. Now like a lot of couch cushions only one side is finished. Cutting your wear in half. I have a couple Sleep Numbers pushing 20 years with no issues. (Or leaks) Even the 3 foot tall cheap Amazon inflatables give you your money's worth.
Childcare.
Problem is, the child minder needs to be paid a decent wage. I agree that some places charge way too much, however this is your child. Surely you want to pay the minder a living wage at least so you don't need to worry about the standard..
Gas prices.
Except when Covid was rampant and we were all told to stay home and not even drive anywhere cause we might stop to use a public restroom or have to go in a gas station to buy gas...then it was over half the price it is now....odd........*edit* my point is that gas (like lots of stuff we rely on) doesn't NEED to be that high in price. It's not priced that way because it costs that much to refine it, or bring it to consumers, it is priced high because someone is willing (must) pay that much. That was my point...not a conspiracy theory or whatever Bacon Bit thinks I am talking about.
Anyone Christmas shopping right now might notice how ridiculously expensive kids toys are.
Buy used. Toys are generally forgotten by kids pretty quickly anyway.
Underwear.
My wife jumps in and adds: "a good fitting bra can cost the ladies a half of a fortune."
Beer at an event.
Note: this post originally had 38 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.
Is it just me, or do posts like these really paint a horrible picture of the US?
They paint a realistic picture. And yes, it is horrible.
Load More Replies...
Sometimes I hate living in the UK, then I see threads like this and realise how lucky I am not to live in Murica. Thank Bevan for our NHS.
Specifically fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, cheeses and meats.
Load More Replies... Is it just me, or do posts like these really paint a horrible picture of the US?
They paint a realistic picture. And yes, it is horrible.
Load More Replies... Sometimes I hate living in the UK, then I see threads like this and realise how lucky I am not to live in Murica. Thank Bevan for our NHS.
Specifically fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, cheeses and meats.
Load More Replies...