Companies that have maintained quality and chose to increase price over time?

[SZR48207]

I am looking for examples of established companies that have chosen to raise the price of the product over the years while keeping the product quality the same or improving it.

Some examples include:

Coca Cola & Pepsi (not counting the earlier days when they used an older formula) - Coke for the most part has tasted the same for my entire life, but I remember when it was typical to buy a "cube" which was a 24 can pack for $5. Now they sell 20 packs for $7.

Dillion Reloading - Their presses are known to be top grade and they pretty much just raise the price as needed, and people still buy them.


It can be any industry.. just need examples.

 

[Andrew1972]

Toyota.....

 

[Quattro Pete]

but I remember when it was typical to buy a "cube" which was a 24 can pack for $5. Now they sell 20 packs for $7.

Does inflation not exist in your scenario?

All products will cost more over time, even if quality stays the same. For example, a loaf of bread cost $0.50 in 1980. It was $1.98 in 2013.

 

[maximus]

whirlpool.

 

[zzyzzx]

Toyota.....

So you are saying that Toyota isn't using things like plastic valve covers, plastic intake manifolds, and plastic oil pans like everyone else?

 

[Quattro Pete]

You can still get a store brand bread loaf for $0.69 cents.

Sure, and you can also get a loaf of bread for $7 or more. What I cited was the average.

BTW, the stuff you get for $0.69 shouldn't be allowed to be called bread, IMO.

 

[JeffKeryk]

So you are saying that Toyota isn't using things like plastic valve covers, plastic intake manifolds, and plastic oil pans like everyone else?

Yes, but how many manufacturers have the "Toyota tax" ?

 

[The Critic]

So you are saying that Toyota isn't using things like plastic valve covers, plastic intake manifolds, and plastic oil pans like everyone else?

I would have to agree. Haven't seen a plastic Toyota oil pan or a plastic Toyota valve cover....yet. Service campaigns and warranty extensions are still better than any other OEM. Technician labor times are one of the best in the business for a mainstream brand.

 

[Trav]

So you are saying that Toyota isn't using things like plastic valve covers, plastic intake manifolds, and plastic oil pans like everyone else?

What is the problem with composites? You can call them plastic if you like but they are anything but like the cheap plastic goods that the word "plastic" is comes to ones mind.
Would you really want an all metal drill, skil saw, sawzall or other power tool? Not me, I used those tools and wouldn't want one as a gift.
Composite covers have been around for more than 35 years with the AMC 238 and were no problem.

Most composites today are either glass or carbon fiber reinforced and stronger and more resistant to corrosion than aluminum in many applications.

 

[Leo99]

So you are saying that Toyota isn't using things like plastic valve covers, plastic intake manifolds, and plastic oil pans like everyone else?

My 2003 Corolla had a plastic intake manifold. valve cover and oil pan were metal.

 

[y_p_w]

Coca Cola & Pepsi (not counting the earlier days when they used an older formula) - Coke for the most part has tasted the same for my entire life, but I remember when it was typical to buy a "cube" which was a 24 can pack for $5. Now they sell 20 packs for $7.

How far back are you going to the "older formula". It was the 80s when they started going to high-fructose corn syrup even though they weren't specifically required to list this since it was legal to call it just "sugar" back then. I saw some news piece that was talking about how the Coca-Cola Company had started shifting to different mixtures of sucrose and HFCS and were finally at 100%. And it's most definitely different because HFCS is sweeter for the same amount. The amount has to be adjusted, and there's going to be a different mouthfeel.

And I know there are those places where one can get Coke with sucrose, like so-called "Mexican Coke" made with cane sugar. Which is really not an apt description since most Coke in Mexico uses HFCS. It's just that a lot of Americans have taken to buying bottled Coke from Mexico to the point where it's officially imported to the US now with Coke's blessing. I've heard of "Kosher Coke" (although US Coke is Kosher) that's made with sucrose for consumption on Passover.

All of these are really made by Coca-Cola in the United States. They ship the syrup around the world meeting the sweetner requirements of the bottlers.

 

[aquariuscsm]

I notice the exact opposite. Formulas change getting cheapened while the prices go up.

 

[rob1715]

One word: Planned Obsolescence

 

[SZR48207]

I feel like a lot of you are fixating on my examples rather than providing examples of companies who basically said "our product is solidly built and we are NOT going to cheapen the materials to keep it selling at the same price. if we have to increase the price then so be it".

 

[Dave9]

What is the problem with composites? You can call them plastic if you like but they are anything but like the cheap plastic goods that the word "plastic" is comes to ones mind.
Would you really want an all metal drill, skil saw, sawzall or other power tool? Not me, I used those tools and wouldn't want one as a gift.
Composite covers have been around for more than 35 years with the AMC 238 and were no problem.

Most composites today are either glass or carbon fiber reinforced and stronger and more resistant to corrosion than aluminum in many applications.

Corrosion isn't the problem, rather long term the heat makes them brittle and they crack or crumble.

It's especially common on intake manifolds or thermostat housings, where people often pay over $100+ more for an aftermarket metal one when available.

 

[M56959]

Thanks to those who tried to discuss this topic, however the off topic posts and axe grinding kept that from happening.