Caveat Emptor Watermelon Prices

[Pepperhead]

Being an engineer, I am over analytical. Sometimes this is a curse, sometimes a blessing. The other day, I was shopping for watermelon in Publix (I have determined that what I am about to tell you is true for Winn-Dixie too) and needed to decide whether to buy the whole melon, 1/4 melon, sliced melon, or chunks.

The whole melon was out...did not need that much. So my initial reaction was to go for the pre-chunked package.....after all, it is damned convenient that way.....but then the engineer voice in my head told me to analyze.

Quarter melon wrapped in plastic was .79 a pound.
If they slice that 1/4 melon, slap it on some styrofoam and wrap it, the price goes up by $1.00 per pound.
If they cut it into chunks and stick it in a cheap plastic container, the price goes up to $3.79 per pound.




Some quick math results in this.....they value the labor to chunk that melon at about $300.00 per hour.
I buy the quarters.
Yes, I do have too much time on my hands.

[Peachie]

Being an engineer, I am over analytical. Sometimes this is a curse, sometimes a blessing. The other day, I was shopping for watermelon in Publix (I have determined that what I am about to tell you is true for Winn-Dixie too) and needed to decide whether to buy the whole melon, 1/4 melon, sliced melon, or chunks.

The whole melon was out...did not need that much. So my initial reaction was to go for the pre-chunked package.....after all, it is damned convenient that way.....but then the engineer voice in my head told me to analyze.

Quarter melon wrapped in plastic was .79 a pound.
If they slice that 1/4 melon, slap it on some styrofoam and wrap it, the price goes up by $1.00 per pound.
If they cut it into chunks and stick it in a cheap plastic container, the price goes up to $3.79.

Some quick math results in this.....they value the labor to chunk that melon at about $300.00 per hour.
I buy the quarters.
Yes, I do have too much time on my hands.



Yes, you may have too much time on your hands but you gave me a good laugh. I'll keep this information in mind, thank you! :wave:

[Debfrommaine]

Being an engineer, I am over analytical. Sometimes this is a curse, sometimes a blessing. The other day, I was shopping for watermelon in Publix (I have determined that what I am about to tell you is true for Winn-Dixie too) and needed to decide whether to buy the whole melon, 1/4 melon, sliced melon, or chunks.

The whole melon was out...did not need that much. So my initial reaction was to go for the pre-chunked package.....after all, it is damned convenient that way.....but then the engineer voice in my head told me to analyze.

Quarter melon wrapped in plastic was .79 a pound.
If they slice that 1/4 melon, slap it on some styrofoam and wrap it, the price goes up by $1.00 per pound.
If they cut it into chunks and stick it in a cheap plastic container, the price goes up to $3.79.




Some quick math results in this.....they value the labor to chunk that melon at about $300.00 per hour.
I buy the quarters.
Yes, I do have too much time on my hands.

Thanks for the info - informative for sure!

[babbs455]

Thanks for the chuckle!

[CFrance]

Wow. Thanks for doing that math. I bet it holds true for all the pre-sliced fruits too.

[jblum315]

probably cheaper to buy the whole melon and throw away half of it!