Each month's collection of mods is highlighted in this bundle.
The product's quantity shrinks, but the cost remains constant. Ultimately, customers end up paying a lot more for a product without noticing the change easily. Luckily, we have the Consumer Advice Center Hamburg, which exposes such scams.
Aldi Nord's "Biscotto Waffle Thins" have earned the title of "Scam of the Month" from the Consumer Advice Center Hamburg (VZHH) this month. The product's price has doubled due to a substantial decrease in the quantity provided. Aldi Nord is renowned for its reasonably priced items.
As per the VZHH, Aldi Nord currently offers "Biscotto Waffle Thins" in Dark Chocolate and Milk Chocolate flavors. Regular buyers of the waffle treat might be taken aback. After the summer break, Aldi Nord merely halved the quantity of the product. Instead of 200 grams, there are now only 100 grams of the chocolate treat in the package: two plastic containers of 100 grams each have combined into one. The price, however, remains the same at 1.99 euros, which translates to a hidden price surge of 100%.
Beware of the term "offer"
Please note, do not confuse the term "offer" and do not be deceived by the red price tag in this situation. Aldi Nord's "Biscotto Waffle Thins" are not a promotional offer. Instead, Aldi Nord offers products that are temporarily available for sale but not permanently included in their range.
Upon request, Aldi Nord confirmed this significant price hike: "(...) The reduced content from 200 to 100 grams is easily recognizable to our customers through new packaging size and shape. With the adjustment, we adhere to the common packaging size on the market. Due to the significant increase in cocoa prices - our Biscotto Waffle Thins consist of 82% chocolate - we sell the 100-gram item, like the 200-gram item in the past, for 1.99 euros."
Are raw materials twice as expensive?
The VZHH views Aldi Nord's explanation as weak. While cocoa prices have indeed increased considerably in recent years, a 100% price surge cannot be justified by higher raw material costs. In fact, in recent months, the trend in cocoa prices has been going downwards. This is also reflected in the current price reduction of the chocolate brand Moser Roth, which is also sold by Aldi. Interestingly enough, the prices for sugar and wheat flour, the other two crucial raw materials for waffle thins, have also decreased. The VZHH suspects that Aldi Nord aims to establish a new price level for its "Biscotto Waffle Thins" and make a profit.
Consumers often encounter hidden price surges. Unfortunately, they often only discover them. The VZHH offers the opportunity to bring attention to such products, exposing them, and crowning them as the scam of the month and year.
- The Consumer Advice Center Hamburg (VZHH) has expressed concern over the foodstuff "Biscotto Waffle Thins" from Aldi Nord, as the quantity of the product has significantly decreased while the price remains the same.
- Foodstuff shoppers might unknowingly pay more for Aldi Nord's "Biscotto Waffle Thins" due to a hidden price surge, as the quantity of the product has reduced despite the cost remaining constant.
