PRICES HIGH

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31235, 6 December 1966, Page 13

PRICES HIGH

Christmas Crackers Christmas crackers are criticised as “nothing more than the epitome of deceptive packaging,” in the latest issue of “Consumer,” official magazine of the Consumers’ Institute. “Without putting up the price, we believe the standard of contents could be improved and that an honest description of the contents of the crackers should b e on the box,” says an article slating some of the products for their almost valueless contents and high prices. The report is the result of investigations into complaints received from members of the Consumers’ Institute. “One member sent us a sample of the contents of a box of six crackers at Bs—a paper hat, a plastic whistle made in Hong Kong (it didn’t whistle), and a puzzle printed on a slip of paper,” the maga. zine added. “‘Consumer’ took this matter to the retail store which sold the crackers. The store’s buyer was most concerned and showed us the contents of another box returned by another dissatisfied customer. The small plastic trinkets were worthless and could have been dangerous in the hands of small children.

“ ‘Consumer’ points out that members have been dissatisfied with the standard of contents of crackers over a number of years and at least one member has resorted to making his own. As an exercise, ‘Consumer’s’ investigators looked around the local shops and found delightful trinkets that would fit into crackers, ranging in retail cost from a penny to sixpence.” The report concludes with advice to members of the institute on what to look for and what to guard against when purchasing Christmas crackers.