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Subway Sued Over Skimpy Sandwiches Advertised as Humongous

Longtime Mouse Print* readers will remember we wrote probably half a dozen articles about Subway being sued for allegedly not putting any tuna in their tuna sandwiches. We always thought that case was kind of flaky, and it was.

Now, however, a New York consumer and her clever lawyers are more rightfully going after Subway for serving skimpy sandwiches that look nothing like the ones they depict in advertising. In the app, for example, this steak and cheese sub is so overflowing with meat it looks like you could get a hernia trying to lift it.

Subway Steak & Cheese

But here’s what she got…

*MOUSE PRINT:

Subway Steak & Cheese actual

In the lawsuit, the lawyers allege the sandwich depicted in their advertisement contains more than triple the amount of meat as she was actually served. Had she known that in advance, she would not have made the purchase or would have wanted to pay less.

So the chain is being sued for misrepresentation, as well as misleading and deceptive business practices.

Back in the summer of 2023, we wrote about misleading fast food portion sizes, including showing an advertisement depicting a very fat Subway roast beef sub which really only had 2.5 ounces of meat in it. [See story.]

So this time around, we say to the class action lawyers, go get ’em.

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PayPal Knows What Kind of Underwear You Wear and Will Be Telling Everyone!

Soon whether you wear boxers or briefs will no longer be a closely-held secret because of a data privacy move by PayPal.

At the beginning of October, PayPal sent out an email to its members making a change to its legal agreements in late November.

PayPal update email

It doesn’t sound particularly unnerving because they are going to provide information to help you shop. The way that is going to be accomplished, however, has some people concerned. Their more detailed notice states:

*MOUSE PRINT:

The key update to the Privacy Statement (link 1, link 2) explains how we will share information with merchants to personalize your shopping experience and recommend our services to you. Personal information we disclose includes, for example, products, preferences, sizes, and styles we think you’ll like… [emphasis added]

How do they know what you like? According to the Wall Street Journal, they will review your shopping and purchase history, and then sell that information to advertisers.

In most states, your purchases made starting two days before Black Friday will be shared with others unless you opt-out. To opt-out, after you login to PayPay.com, click the settings gear, and then select:

PayPal opt out directions

How do you feel about PayPal sharing your very specific shopping information?

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Are Tostitos and Other Chip Brands Really Reversing Shrinkflation?

A few weeks ago, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Madeleine Dean wrote to the CEOs of several corporations, including PepsiCo, accusing them of a pattern of profiteering off consumers by shrinking their products and charging the same or higher prices. We’ve covered various PepsiCo products including Tostitos downsizings over the years.

Then last week, breathless headlines announced that PepsiCo, which also makes Ruffles, Doritos, Lay’s and other brands, was reacting to these accusations of shrinkflation, and was now going to add 20% more chips to certain bags.

PepsiCo headlines

In the CNN story, the company said:

A PepsiCo spokesperson told CNN that Tostitos and Ruffles “bonus” bags will contain 20% more chips for the same price as standard bags in select locations. PepsiCo is also adding two additional small chip bags to its variety-pack option with 18 bags, the spokesperson said.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Tostitos Bonus PackConsumer World AI Mock-up

Don’t jump to conclusions that PepsiCo has seen the light, is caving into governmental pressure and consumer anger, and plans to upsize all their products. PepsiCo is simply coming out with some “bonus” bags on some products in some areas it appears. By definition, a “bonus pack” is a temporary promotion whereby the new package has some additional content compared to the regular size. They did not announce a general upsizing of their products.

So, enjoy the extra chips while they last.

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