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!
That whole 'my new pronouns' schtick where someone picks 2 words that arent even pronouns is really not nice. Whether that person is being intentionally cruel or not, its basically making fun of people whose pronouns have changed. Like they arent already dealing with enough c**p from people who are ununderstanding or downright bullies about who they are, now it's become a punchline. Its rude an insensitive, imo, and I wish people would stop it.
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Former vet tech and former pharmacy tech here, while yes animal medications are cheaper, and they seem to be exactly the same, they are not. For veterinary medications, the quality standard is a bit lower so more bug parts and other contaminants are allowed in veterinary medications than are allowed in human medication. So if you're ok with a whole spider being allowed in the medication, go ahead and get the veterinary meds.
I'm sure lots of people would happily swallow a spider if it meant the difference between affording their medication or death because they couldn't afford it.
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Welcome to capitalism, where health is a commodity and not a right
Welcome to end-stage capitalism, where people die so their spouses aren't saddled with insurmountable medical debt.
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I have a form of lupus( just the superficial skin is affected- right now on my back, inner ear and scalp) very itchy-rashly, it’s called discloid lupus) the singer Seal has that that affected his face, I was on a medication to help with the spread of it, due to job changes and lack of insurance, I couldn’t afford it anymore-plaquinil was generic, now it’s spreading so much faster, hey either pay for the meds or food and rent.
I have the exact same Lupus. I refuse to take the medication although in Australia it costs less than $30 per prescription, thanks to Australia's "Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme ". Prescription drugs are subsidised by the government. What I do instead is take liquid "Olive Leaf Extract " every morning. My itchy attacks as I call them have dropped by 95%. I still use the Advantan ointment when I do get the itchy attacks though. I hope this helps.
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My dog's epilepsy med was $186 for 90 pills at the local pharmacy. Got it online from a pet supply site for $18. Same. Exact. Pill.
If you didn't get the medication for him, he'd probably throw a fit.
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Pharmaceuticals companies are crooks. They have the cure for all diseases but choose not to give it because they can't make a profit off of it. They over price all needed medications but give out narcan to drug addicts for free. Diabetics shouldn't have to choose between buying groceries for the month or buying insulin. It's just ridiculous! Also pet medicine is just the same as our medicine just a smaller dosage but they're extremely high priced
Same for antibiotics. Aquarium stores sell the same products for fish at a fraction of the ones labeled for humans.
I had the opposite situation. My liquid medication, which is 20 bucks for a pint (2 cups), and is a month's supply, but the vet prescribed the same thing for my cat and his 1/2 cup (4ounces) Rx was $88! So I went back and forth with her, asking hypothetical questions (bcuz otherwise it'd be illegal), as to how much to give my kitty from my own supply because I live on disability and can't afford an $88 prescription. If kitty's Rx was for the same amount as mine, that would've been $354. Compared $20 for mine.
If they can do that for dogs, why can’t they do it for humans. I’d probably really like the chicken flavor too.
So this medicine is for dogs and humans but the only difference is a bit of flavouring and packaging??
On the other hand, my late dog needed a medication that was quite expensive, but I would pay that for him. The pharmacist said he used a different med for his dog, and asked for permission to call my vet. She agreed with him, and the med worked just fine for about 10% of the cost of the original med.
THAT is bloody evil!! Now I am ever more surprided that he entire USA po;pulation (apart from the filthy rich do not have a peoples' revolution,.
On the same token, the reverse is usually the case. Over half the meds prescribed to my cats were human meds that I got at a cheaper rate. Guess it depends on the specific medications.
i've had a slightly opposite experience. once my gerbil needed painkillers, and the vet was going to prescribe tramadol. i happened to be taking it myself at the time (in scotland we get our prescriptions for free, so i didn't have to pay for it). i asked the vet if it was ok to use that instead, he said yes, because it'd cost a fortune to prescribe basically a single pill for the gerbil. so he gave me CLEAR instructions on how to take the capsule and mix it with juice, and use a syringe to get the teeny tiny dose for the gerbil. (DO NOT TRY THIS YOURSELF!). saved me probably like £30
This is the opposite in my country, animal medication is waaay more expensive then human medication. We go to the pharmacy for our animals medication!
Apparently, if you ask for an itemized receipt, you aren't charged anywhere near as much. The American healthcare system tacks on extra costs wherever possible. (I haven't tried this- yet- but it's what I've heard around the web.)
Wasn't this a Seinfeld episode decades ago? Kramer and the dog had the same cough.... guess things don't get better
My cat needed diazepam (Valium) for his 6 month car trips to the vet for a seizure disorder and fireworks nights. We had to get them from the local "human" pharmacy and they were the exact pills prescribed to humans. We just had to split them. We also at one point needed a gentle laxative that was $50 thru the vet or $3 thru the local pharmacy. Same formula, different packaging. The US meds are so weird.
I would totally take the dog medication. I can handle chicken flavor.
Sure they are ”free” if you are a child who doesnt pay for anything… doubt pharmaceuticals are free anywhere.
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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.
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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.
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US healthcare. And if you adjust for what people earn and stop thinking in US dollars or EU? There's a lot of places where people live in condemned buildings (around the whole world, unforunately) and think 500 of their currency is a meal. Because that's whawt it is. One. Meal. We gotta do better, as a species. Humanitarian rant over.
I took my (VW Group) car for its first service this week. It had 4.3 litres of engine oil replaced. Cost 169.62€. Roughly US$ 180. Felt like I had been mugged.
I thought 100.00 for a oil change on my 6 cyl Toyota sienna was high until my daughter told me she paid 250.00 on a 4 cyl Mercedes.SUV.
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Bras for bigger chests are ridiculously expensive and u are supposed to get a new one every year. £100 just for a basic value bra in a bigger size, £1000s if you want to get one tailored so it actually fits and is comfortable.
also in the UK it is super difficult to get chest reductions covered by the NHS there are all sorts of stories of women suffering horribly and still being denied. Bigger chests can be awful and a serious pain. All those women get is sexualised, its sad
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We all know it's Health Care the real problems, while guns are getting cheaper and cheaper. Priorities guys...
Where are guns getting cheaper? Maybe the ratio of paycheck to cost is getting lower but that doesn't mean they are getting cheaper.
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Childcare, health care, time away from work, formula & food, bottles and/or nursing support items/pump, additional insurance, safety gear and furniture, diapers and toiletries.... nevermind activities and toys... yes. (Worth it when you absolutely adore them).
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Nearly the entire list is 'American Healthcare." When are we going to fix this?
Never visited a another country so don't know how expensive or inexpensive in a another country. But I agree, living here in the U.S. is expensive.
Gluten free food in the US. I have celiac disease so I don't have a choice not to eat it but it's so expensive! I understand the process is different but it's food! I need it to live!
In the Netherlands also. Gluten free food is so expensive.
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People everywhere have issues with their life. If anyone here has answers for the problems talked about; please send us the solutions. Thanks for your help from all of us.
For me it's the cost of doing a degree in the UK now. 10k may not seem much in other countries, but if you want to change your career and you can't get a government loan; you're screwed here.
My dad underwent Chemo (covered previous condition, same cancer he's had before) But Chemo gave him rheumatoid arthritis... NOT COVERED because it was from the chemo... NEW problem. Humera prescription $3000 a month
HEARING AIDS!!! Health insurance in the USA doesn't cover for children.... midrange can be $5k-10k cuz hearing is optional!!!
Cosmetics should be on this list. When you do the math of what a tube of mascara costs by volume, it's shocking.
Razor blades cost a small fortune. Brita water filters cost a lot these days as well, a pack of 3 in Tesco cost £33
6 for £23 on Amazon. https://amzn.eu/d/5TwGT8N
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Follow Scotland! Make period products free! They are a necessity! Not a luxury!
Car insurance in the Republic of Ireland - it's so expensive for younger drivers that that annual cost frequently exceeds the value of the vehicle. 3000 euro per year isn't unusual and for a basic enough vehicle.
Give the US a break its a newer country compared to these other ones it's still a toddler learning to dress itself after the wrong person tried teaching it and you gotta realize how big it is there's no way it can be perfect but just as long as everyone keeps calm and doesn't start calling people or countries out it should be fine these debates always get out of hand
Same BP trash with pathetic people trying to make themselves feel better talking s**t about America.
Superfoods. Organic quinoa, avocados, whole grains, honey...etc. They are far less processed, so they are healthier, but geez, they cost so freaking much! You'd think because they aren't processed as much, they'd be cheaper than the refined bleached stuff...
Some of these were universal others US targeted, surprising, no. But you know what would be refreshing, a post about positive things about the US, how novel that would be. How about the support the US gives or has given to the countries you all are living in. We all have our problems where we live and we all have our attributes.
Support? You mean support to coup d'état in all Sul-America, Africa etc..?
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How do you know that they "Don't want to work"? How do you know that they even CAN work? And given the actions of the US Supreme Court and the GOP, women are being FORCED to have children they cant afford.
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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... US healthcare. And if you adjust for what people earn and stop thinking in US dollars or EU? There's a lot of places where people live in condemned buildings (around the whole world, unforunately) and think 500 of their currency is a meal. Because that's whawt it is. One. Meal. We gotta do better, as a species. Humanitarian rant over.
I took my (VW Group) car for its first service this week. It had 4.3 litres of engine oil replaced. Cost 169.62€. Roughly US$ 180. Felt like I had been mugged.
I thought 100.00 for a oil change on my 6 cyl Toyota sienna was high until my daughter told me she paid 250.00 on a 4 cyl Mercedes.SUV.
Load More Replies... Bras for bigger chests are ridiculously expensive and u are supposed to get a new one every year. £100 just for a basic value bra in a bigger size, £1000s if you want to get one tailored so it actually fits and is comfortable.
also in the UK it is super difficult to get chest reductions covered by the NHS there are all sorts of stories of women suffering horribly and still being denied. Bigger chests can be awful and a serious pain. All those women get is sexualised, its sad
Load More Replies... We all know it's Health Care the real problems, while guns are getting cheaper and cheaper. Priorities guys...
Where are guns getting cheaper? Maybe the ratio of paycheck to cost is getting lower but that doesn't mean they are getting cheaper.
Load More Replies... Childcare, health care, time away from work, formula & food, bottles and/or nursing support items/pump, additional insurance, safety gear and furniture, diapers and toiletries.... nevermind activities and toys... yes. (Worth it when you absolutely adore them).
Load More Replies... Nearly the entire list is 'American Healthcare." When are we going to fix this?
Never visited a another country so don't know how expensive or inexpensive in a another country. But I agree, living here in the U.S. is expensive.
Gluten free food in the US. I have celiac disease so I don't have a choice not to eat it but it's so expensive! I understand the process is different but it's food! I need it to live!
In the Netherlands also. Gluten free food is so expensive.
Load More Replies... People everywhere have issues with their life. If anyone here has answers for the problems talked about; please send us the solutions. Thanks for your help from all of us.
For me it's the cost of doing a degree in the UK now. 10k may not seem much in other countries, but if you want to change your career and you can't get a government loan; you're screwed here.
My dad underwent Chemo (covered previous condition, same cancer he's had before) But Chemo gave him rheumatoid arthritis... NOT COVERED because it was from the chemo... NEW problem. Humera prescription $3000 a month
HEARING AIDS!!! Health insurance in the USA doesn't cover for children.... midrange can be $5k-10k cuz hearing is optional!!!
Cosmetics should be on this list. When you do the math of what a tube of mascara costs by volume, it's shocking.
Razor blades cost a small fortune. Brita water filters cost a lot these days as well, a pack of 3 in Tesco cost £33
6 for £23 on Amazon. https://amzn.eu/d/5TwGT8N
Load More Replies... Follow Scotland! Make period products free! They are a necessity! Not a luxury!
Car insurance in the Republic of Ireland - it's so expensive for younger drivers that that annual cost frequently exceeds the value of the vehicle. 3000 euro per year isn't unusual and for a basic enough vehicle.
Give the US a break its a newer country compared to these other ones it's still a toddler learning to dress itself after the wrong person tried teaching it and you gotta realize how big it is there's no way it can be perfect but just as long as everyone keeps calm and doesn't start calling people or countries out it should be fine these debates always get out of hand
Same BP trash with pathetic people trying to make themselves feel better talking s**t about America.
Superfoods. Organic quinoa, avocados, whole grains, honey...etc. They are far less processed, so they are healthier, but geez, they cost so freaking much! You'd think because they aren't processed as much, they'd be cheaper than the refined bleached stuff...
Some of these were universal others US targeted, surprising, no. But you know what would be refreshing, a post about positive things about the US, how novel that would be. How about the support the US gives or has given to the countries you all are living in. We all have our problems where we live and we all have our attributes.
Support? You mean support to coup d'état in all Sul-America, Africa etc..?
Load More Replies... How do you know that they "Don't want to work"? How do you know that they even CAN work? And given the actions of the US Supreme Court and the GOP, women are being FORCED to have children they cant afford.
Load More Replies...