Can you think of anything that costs less now than say 20 or 30 years ago, or more.?

Question

I usually buy things to last which means a shock when it comes to replacing them. I've just treated myself to a new duvet, well 2 actually, summer plus spring/autumn equals winter. They cost me the same as I paid for one about 30 years ago, so I'm feeling a bit chuffed. I know back then duvets were a luxury item, and not many people had them.

I can think of another - computers, I bought my first one about 20 years ago for about £1000. That was before the days of internet and all the extras that are included now.

Now I'm waiting for the all singing, dancing TV's to come down in price before we go digital, and preferably before the current one packs up.

So, what pleasant surprises have you come across?

Suppose it should have been value for money not just cost.

Some of you have mentioned third world production, but what about supply and demand.

I forgot about my new microwave, much cheaper than my original one, but so light and flimsy compared to the solidly built 80's model!

Answer 1

Lots of electrical equipment is cheaper now. A toaster from Asda for £7 . works better than the £30 one it replaced. As you say computers. This new one cost £350. Trousers, quite good ones from Primark for £4 a pair. The first digital and HD ready TV's were very expensive. The prices are dropping all the time. DVD machines for only £20. I paid £350 for a DVD recorder, You can get them for under £100 now.OK a lot of things like accommodation and food are dearer. ,so on balance it probably costs more to live overall.

Answer 2

The cost of airplane flights. Just last night I was listening to Fox news "Neil Cavuto", and they were discussing this very same issue. They said that the costs of airplane flight tickets went down in price. Both domestic, and international, comparatively speaking than other products.

Any new invention, or product when it first comes out is always very expensive. Supply and demand is what reduces the price of it.

Truth to tell, we are not really saving any money on anything. Because if they don't get us with the computers, plane tickets, they get into our pockets with all the other new products that come out.

My brother who is now in his 80's used to go to the movies for a nickle, and they would bring their own chairs to sit on.

I remember when the price of a bus ride was a 10 cents. So basically most things go up, not down. I wish our salaries would go up according to the price index. But that will never happen to the average person.

Answer 3

Microwave ovens. My wife bought one nearly 20 years ago I think she paid about £350 for it. You can now get an equivalent one for about £40. However we are still using that microwave
I have never bought one but I believe that ships have come down in price, Certainly air travel has and if you are going actually value and not the price in pounds then lots of things have. There is a shop by the market selling new jeans for £4.99.

Answer 4

Our first, basic microwave cooker cost £200 - I think we were among the first people in this Town to have one. Curry's didn't know what we were talking about when asked for one.
Our first bread-maker (which we still use) was almost £100
Our cooker in 1959 was £85
Our Prestcold 6cu ft fridge was £99 18s. 6d. (1959) Husband's take home pay was £12 10s. 0d. per week
Our Morphy Richards yellow toaster was over £7 - we still have it and it still works, I think. A Wedding present from my Aunt so I couldn't throw it away.
I think my hoover twin tub was around £80, too, in 1960.
The shoes I wore in which to get married were 6p short of £3 when my take home pay was £3 8s. 6d. Gross, it was £3 12s.
In 1959 - chicken was 4s. 6d. a pound and butter was 6/- a pound.
In 1964 - we bought our first 2nd-hand, black and white T.V. which cost £12 10s. 0d. and I had to stand in a corner of the room holding an aerial high so that we could get a picture!
Times change, eh?

Answer 5

Let me offer one of the simplest and most common item today: the telephone call. Thirty years ago, a call over 25 miles (about 40 Km) would cost about 20 cents (about 10p, based on today's rate). Now I pay $30 (about 15 pounds) for all the calls I wish to make to the lower 48 states, Canada, and Puerto Rico. It also costs me 8 cents per minute (4p) to call England, whereas that would have been $3 per minute (1.5 pounds) not very long ago.

Answer 6

There are so many things that can be purchased for less today that 20 or 30 years ago the list would be too long to list, but here are a few; shoes, tires, flatware. Why? Because it is easier to find some poor third-world country whose population is working for slave wages to provide the rest of us what we want at a low price.

Answer 7

Microwave ovens...I bought my first one in 1980 for $499 (plus tax) for a 1.2 cu ft model. It lasted me until 1999, when I replaced it for $90--same size, more features.

HOWEVER--that one only lasted for 3 years before it died, and needed replacement--cost $120 (more features). THAT one died within 3 months of purchase, and I then got wise and bought a $50 one at WalMart. The rotating plate feature on the bottom stopped working the second time it was used, but otherwise it is still going 3 months into it's life span. (And I MAY be reimbursed for the purchase price of the $120 set that lasted only 3 months--the manufacturer is debating it.)

Answer 8

it not so much the price have gone up as it is that the price of money has gone down.. in our day the 1.00 was that a 1.00 i can remember when i use to go to work and get .25 cents a hr. and with that money i could do a lot.. i could go to the movie and get popcorn and a coke for 15 cents.. a loaf a bead my mom would send me for was 5 cents.. my first real job was working with my dad on the pipe line i was a gofer and i got 1.10 hr. but that would get me gas and food and clothes and i could go on dates.. that same job today start at 8 or better.. and that person well still get welfare food stamps and live in government housing.. why the money just doesn't go as far..

Answer 9

I know this sounds ridiculous, but am I the only one who has noticed that Chinese food has never gone up in price? You can still get an egg roll for a $1.00

A quart of chow mein is still 4-$5.00 It seems like it's still one of the cheapest meals even cheaper than fast food and the best part....it still takes 10 minutes! You can feed an entire family with chicken, pork or beef and vegetables and not spend $25.00.

Answer 10

I actually got my new laptop for quite a bit less than any other laptop in the past 15 years - with much more ability and memory.

Other things - comparatively, if you use cost of living then and now, basic home electronics cost much less now than they did 20-30 years ago. I bought my first toaster in 1984- I could go buy a better toaster today for less than what I paid for that first one.