Strange Pricing from Tesco
December 19th, 2006
Never before has the axiom “Less is More” been demonstrated so clearly as via this curious sandwich pricing by Tesco.
Perhaps if you’re bored, you’d like to suggest the formula used for pricing these sandwiches? More strange sandwich pricing can be seen here.
Thanks to Keith Thomason for taking this pic!
Entry Filed under: General
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7 Comments
1. Me | December 20th, 2006 at 12:23 pm
I AM bored. But I dont feel like giving you anything.
A sandwich mabye… but not a formula.
2. Ithika | December 21st, 2006 at 2:37 am
In the spirit of these things, the formula should be something like:
L + ((Fm + Fv + Fs) * Bo * Bv * Bq)
where
L = loaf type (white, brown, granary)
Fx = fillings: m(eat), v(egetable), s(pread)
Bx = bonus multipliers: o(rganic), v(egetarian), q(uality range)
Obviously this is just the first draft and I encourage other commenters to work in some natural logarithms or maybe a cube root. Some more variables (possible with a divisor or two?) would also be very handy.
Whatever you do, make no attempt to put units or methods of measurement to this formula. Nothing spoils a good formula so much as quantitative analysis.
3. Frank the SciencePunk | December 21st, 2006 at 10:37 am
I like it!
That formula is very good, but won’t give the above prices unless mustard has a negative value… This is a bother.
Perhaps amend it thusly:
L + ((1 ÷ (Fm + Fv + Fs)) * Bo * Bv * Bq)
so that adding fillings reduces the value? Some cube roots would be good though….
4. Ian | December 23rd, 2006 at 12:51 am
Hmm, still doesn’t explain why the customer is given money off for accepting mustard does it? Perhaps they could sell the sandwiches for £1.14 with the mustard in a separate sachet, and keep everyone happy…
PS Frank, Keith will send you an invoice for the photo when he’s back from Dubai ;)
5. Alley | January 8th, 2007 at 12:47 am
From the folds on the ‘Just Ham’ it’s clearly to do with the price:surface area of meat ratio.
The mustard is merely a means to dispose of excess Christmas stock so it’s monetary value can be left out of the equation.
6. Keith | January 8th, 2007 at 11:44 am
I’m off to make my millions in the “sandwich separation industry”; could even sell the mustard as a by-product back to the manufacturers – the perfect crime…
…on second thoughts, I’d probably just dump it in a nearby river because it was easier.
7. pajh | September 11th, 2008 at 12:27 am
I think they may be marketing it at people like me.
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