var json_comments = new Array("
\"user-pic\"
Anonymous
January 28, 2009 4:25 PM
Moderate | Flag for review

It's too eariy in the morning to try and dissect that re-naming scheme.

Reply
3 replies
\"user-pic\"
doctor_cos wants you to remain calm
January 28, 2009 5:14 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@ArlenSparrows: It's the money thing. How many people pay attention to how much? They won't notice until they've already paid (especially at the drive through).

Here's wishing a large size hurt on BK for this scam.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
Con Seannery hates Facebook and Trebek
January 28, 2009 11:56 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@doctor_cos: My mom does this. EVERY. TIME. She can't be bothered to realize that there's a 40 cent upcharge or whatever it is or that the drink went from a standard conical type deal to one of the flared out at the top ones.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
j-o-h-n
January 28, 2009 5:40 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@doctor_cos: Our local BK has several well-placed signs illustrating the new sizes -- I have very limited sympathy for people who can't pay attention. Other BK's may have done a poorer jobs with the signs YMMV.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
j-o-h-n
January 28, 2009 11:26 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@changed my name: Ah, if you're that farkin lazy what do you care :) :) :)

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
Repique
January 28, 2009 4:26 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I found this a little confusing the first time and still baffling because the \"small\" is now a pretty enormous drink. I'm used to it now but is there a word for the opposite of the shrink ray? I wonder if the primary object of this isn't so much to confuse people into ordering the wrong thing once but to make them feel better about ordering larger and larger amounts of food for of course only a small surcharge.

Reply
6 replies
\"user-pic\"
Kevin Carlyle
January 28, 2009 5:13 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

At some stores I point at the size I want. It's quicker than guessing. Where I worked in the past some of the stores have a label on the cups giving the sizing convention.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
TheBursar
January 28, 2009 4:42 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Repique: No the object is for the customer to order a medium and pay for (and receive) a large.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
mac-phisto
January 28, 2009 8:40 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@TheBursar: correctamundo.

i actually read about this marketing strategy not too long ago. it's based on a study that found that when people are faced with a series of choices, most choose \"medium\" or \"regular\".

by shifting the sizes up, they effectively increase their upsells using mental manipulation. pretty interesting actually.

this isn't anything new. i believe the study was published in the 80's & wendy's was the first restaurant to implement the strategy. it increased their sales significantly, from what i remember.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
balthisar
January 28, 2009 5:14 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@TheBursar: That's ridiculous. How long will it take for everyone to know about? Unless they change the names every couple of weeks.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
joe18521
January 28, 2009 5:24 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@balthisar:

Actually I agree with TheBursar. You'd surprised how slow some people can be in realizing this sort of thing. Even if each customer gets tricked once that still adds up pretty handsomely for BK. No-lose situation.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
YeaYuh
January 28, 2009 5:48 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@joe18521: The burger king that I entered had a sign above the cash register that explained the change.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
Repique
January 28, 2009 5:12 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@TheBursar: Except that strategy basically makes you an extra forty cents or so once after which point the customer will know that things have changed and order with that knowledge in the future. And all it would take is the person being miffed and making their next lunch--and only the next lunch--McDonald's instead and you've lost that much over again.

Unless there's a long-term strategy here that doesn't rely on people just being too stupid to notice a bigger meal but rather that people would be happy to buy more food if it were socially acceptable to do so.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
Con Seannery hates Facebook and Trebek
January 29, 2009 12:01 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Repique: You fail to understand the fundamental rule of life: PEOPLE. ARE. RETARDED. I bet you anything that 90% of people will never realize the sizes or prices are different. On occasion, people who DO realize will slip up, too.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
Repique
January 29, 2009 12:47 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Con Seannery hates Facebook and Trebek: I don't have a *lot* of faith in the intelligence of the masses, but I do have to admit that yes, I'm pretty sure even the marching morons can tell the difference when they get handed a cup that's nearly a full can of soda larger than the one they got last week.

I hope. I could, I admit, be wrong, but I don't want to think about that too much.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
mac-phisto
January 28, 2009 8:42 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Repique: that's the key - people want to be socially accepted (at least subconsciously, if not consciously). they are more likely to order a medium (even if it is actually a large) to maintain that acceptance.

of course, not everybody falls for the trick, but as long as it works for the majority, it works.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
TheBursar
January 28, 2009 4:44 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@TheBursar: Basically a hidden up sell. This could be a new marketing philosophy.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
The Cynical Librarian
January 28, 2009 4:51 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@TheBursar: Value = 16 oz. Small = 22 oz. Medium = 32 oz. Large = diabetes.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
dragonfire81
January 28, 2009 4:28 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

This reminds of that episode of Seinfeld where Elaine is at the theater trying to order popcorn and is being told by the clerk that the sizes are not what they seem (medium is small).

I don't know why this has to be confusing. Just stick with small medium and large across the board.

The renaming bugs me because some people don't like BIG drinks I often order smalls...or should I say mediums?

Reply
4 replies
\"user-pic\"
Hank Scorpio
January 28, 2009 5:23 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@dragonfire81:
That's exactly what I thought of!

\"Do adults ever order the child size?\"

Reply
\"user-pic\"
Ajh
January 28, 2009 6:53 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Hank Scorpio: If I'm stuck with fast food I've found kids meals are a remarkable value, getting the milk and fruit (instead of fries) options most fast food places offer and pairing the meal with a v8 from the gas station next door makes it not so bad a meal.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
Hank Scorpio
January 28, 2009 7:14 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Ajh:
@pecan pi:

Whoosh!! (That's the sound of the joke going over your heads!)

Elaine Benes: Can I have a medium diet coke?
Concessionaire: Do you want the medium size or the middle size?
Elaine Benes: What's the difference?
Concessionaire: Well, we have three sizes: medium, large, and jumbo.
Elaine Benes: What happened to the small?
Concessionaire: There is no small. Small's medium.
Elaine Benes: What's medium?
Concessionaire: Medium is large and large is jumbo.
Elaine Benes: Ok. Give me the large.
Concessionaire: That's medium.
Elaine Benes: Right! Can I have a small popcorn?
Concessionaire: There is no small. Child size is small!
Elaine Benes: What's medium?
Concessionaire: Adult.
Elaine Benes: Do adults ever order the child size?
Concessionaire: Not usually.
Elaine Benes: Ok. Give me the adult.
Concessionaire: Do you want butter?
Elaine Benes: Is it real butter?
Concessionaire: It's butter flavored!
Elaine Benes: But what is it made of?
Concessionaire: It's yellow!

Reply
\"user-pic\"
gStein_*|bringing starpipe back|*
February 2, 2009 4:20 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Hank Scorpio: i haven't seen that episode, but it reminds me of this video blog i came across a few weeks ago:


(on another note, it would be nice if consumerist had a page listing how to use some of these \"cool\" features, like embedding youtube videos, or using those stylized quote boxes)
Reply
\"user-pic\"
pecan 3.14159265
January 28, 2009 6:29 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Hank Scorpio: I do, and I try to order off the children's menu too, just because I want to minimize the damage I'm doing to my body just because I want a pack of fries or some nuggets. It's usually because I'm hitting the road and it's too late to stop for a real meal.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
Corporate_guy
January 28, 2009 4:53 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@dragonfire81: But medium is now large. I think you really wanted a \"value\".

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
tc4b
January 28, 2009 4:29 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

\"...they have done a terrible job educating consumers.\" ...and it's employees. How hard is it to understand: \"CHEESE ONLY.\" They get it right nearly half the time.

BTW henever I order a \"large\" or \"medium\" at Starbucks they know which size I mean.

Reply
11 replies
\"user-pic\"
the dodo, the cuckoo, and the nene
January 28, 2009 8:53 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@tc4b: I don't mind the Starbucks lingo, but I can't stand Coldstone Creamery's sizes: like it (small) or love it (large). gah. I always say small every time.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
Con Seannery hates Facebook and Trebek
January 29, 2009 12:04 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@the dodo, the cuckoo, and the nene: I order the \"mildly impressed by it but not big enough of a fan to eat it very often\" size.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
floraposte
January 28, 2009 9:48 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@the dodo, the cuckoo, and the nene: The whole proprietary naming thing bugs me. You companies can call your sandwiches McLizaMinelliKingDoubleJrSliders if you want, but I'm really not that eager to live in these little fantasy worlds of Food Fun, and I'm not getting paid to.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
Skeetz
January 28, 2009 6:53 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@tc4b: SB's always knows what I mean as well.. but I get the snarky \"oh you mean a grande\" response.. it's hella annoying.. large is universal language.. you wanna say grande to the guy making it? Fine! but leave me out of it.. at least Licks only repeats my order in song to each other and leaves me out of it.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
jenl1625
January 28, 2009 11:09 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Skeetz: I think I frustrate the baristas, because my reaction to \"you mean you want a grande blah-de-blah\" is to say \"I mean I want a large coffee, thank you\".

Reply
\"user-pic\"
ailema
January 28, 2009 8:55 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Skeetz: I've been snarky when people have ordered a whopper or a big mac at Licks. Store specific names don't always match up with another stores sizes. Also, you are taking for granted that the cashier is familiar with that chains sizing. If someone never buys coffee at a Starbucks 'vente coffee' means nothing to them.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
pecan 3.14159265
January 28, 2009 6:30 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@tc4b: Yeah but sometimes people ask for a tall, grande or vente at a Seattle's Best and they get glared at. I take care to change my vernacular depending on what kind of coffeeshop I'm in, but it's annoying when you do mess up and you get a glare from the cashier.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
DreamTheEndless: Death's little brother
January 28, 2009 7:34 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@pecan pi: easy solution for starbucks and all other coffee shops...
I refuse to use their meaningless vocabulary to describe sizes because there is no guarantee that I will get the drink I want. Instead, I simply state the size cup I want in ounces. (8, 12, 16 and 20 ounce are the standards at coffee shops.) I've seen the word \"tall\" correspond to 12, 16 and 20 ounce cups before, so now I always just order a triple 12 ounce latte. If they say to me \"Do you mean 'tall'?\" I respond \"No. 12 ounce please.\"

Reply
\"user-pic\"
Hank Scorpio
January 28, 2009 5:25 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@tc4b:
Try ordering a burrito with no tomatoes at Taco Bell. Good luck.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
ShizaMinelli
January 29, 2009 9:00 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Hank Scorpio: It depends. I absolutely loathe the refried beanpaste crap they use and always order food without it, and I'm a sucker for the mexican pizza. One place ALWAYS puts beans on, and gives me crappitude when I ask for it to be replaced, but there's another TB that's w/in 2 miles of it that never screws up the order and makes the food as good as they possibly can.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
tc4b
January 28, 2009 6:15 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Hank Scorpio: No doubt. I always consider it some kind of cosmic punishment telling me I shouldn't be eating that shit in the first place.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
CajunGuy
January 28, 2009 4:29 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I have far less a problem with naming and more of a problem with delivery.

It really gives me a case of the \"chu rouge\" when I order a large fry my wife orders a medium fry and the amount in my large is the same as her medium. Basically I'm paying more for a bigger container not more food.

I do agree though that all the name changing is misleading to those people who aren't paying attention.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
JRB
January 28, 2009 4:30 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I can understand that the change itself is what led to confusion but I hope they keep it and others follow suit. The old was is far more confusing to those of us who aren't in Burger King on a daily basis.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
flyingphotog
January 28, 2009 4:30 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Heh \"Frypod.\" That's clever. I don't eat at BK so I'd never seen that.

Reply
2 replies
\"user-pic\"
mac-phisto
January 28, 2009 8:50 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@flyingphotog: i do entirely too much. let me tell you the wonder of the frypod - it fits in your car's cupholder. i don't know who came up with that, but the guy is a freakin genius.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
Preyfar
January 28, 2009 4:32 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@flyingphotog: Heh yeah... I found that far more hilarious than I probably should have.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
DustoMan
January 28, 2009 4:30 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I don't have a problem ordering the right size I have a problem getting the right size from the people working. Then again at the Burger King I usually go to they can never get my order right.

Reply
1 replies
\"user-pic\"
Changed my name to \"I like potatoes\"
January 28, 2009 6:22 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@DustoMan:
And here is my complaint about Burger King: At our local BK, when you order a coffee, they place the cream and sugar in a separate bag WITH the coffee. Who the hell wants a cup of steaming hot coffee in a paper bag? I always complain, but they don't see the problem with it.

Also, their coffee sucks and is made from a liquid mix, not grounds.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
Skybolt
January 28, 2009 4:30 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Even I don't see much to blame BK for here. The new sizes seem easier to understand. Obviously any change is going to cause some degree of disruption.

Reply
1 replies
\"user-pic\"
Preyfar
January 28, 2009 4:33 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Skybolt: The naming convention is stupid but I imagine Burger King may be trying to shy away from the \"super size\" stigma.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
badgeman46
January 28, 2009 4:31 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

At least they aren't vente fries or whatever those losers at fivebucks call it.

Reply
3 replies
\"user-pic\"
tc4b
January 28, 2009 6:16 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@badgeman46: You don't have to use those terms. Just order a large they'll know what you mean.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
Telekinesis123
January 28, 2009 4:37 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@badgeman46:

I know I consider that whole ordering scheme pretentious I always just say small medium ect.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
MauriceCallidice
January 28, 2009 5:32 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Telekinesis123: And by small, do you mean \"tall\", or do you mean the unadvertised \"short\" size?

Reply
\"user-pic\"
Telekinesis123
January 28, 2009 5:59 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@MauriceCallidice:

Lol guess I'm going to have to go to Starbucks and order their Value size then.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
Telekinesis123
January 28, 2009 4:32 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Its probably meant to get people to buy more since most would consider \"value\" size as somehow being cheap and or kiddie sized but in fact its just the small which before was considered smart. The same thing goes with the now large that was the king size before people probably felt like pigs ordering a king size but not so much a large.

Reply
","","","
\"user-pic\"
Courteous_Gentleman
January 28, 2009 4:35 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Paul Rudd's rant in Role Models appropriately encapsulates my feelings about shitty size-naming conventions.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
Ash78 ain't got time to bleed
January 28, 2009 4:35 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

value small medium large and ELEVEN.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
davere
January 28, 2009 4:37 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I often forget about this at Wendy's.

\"What size?\"
\"Medium\"

Next thing I know they charge me like 70 more cents and they give me a drink large enough to put out a 5 alarm fire.

Reply
2 replies
\"user-pic\"
microcars
January 28, 2009 4:59 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@davere: and that is the purpose behind the name change!
Wendy's combo meals used to have a \"medium\" drink as default.

then they changed the sizes (actually increased the size of the cups) and the standard combo meal now had a \"small\" drink but the size was still the \"old\" medium.

I used to fall for this \"do you want a medium or large?\" trick too I wised up.

\"Education of the consumer\" is not the goal there or at BK extracting as much money as possible from the consumer is their job.
If they did a \"re-education\" program on their new sizes and prices it would be counter-productive....for them.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
magic8ball
January 28, 2009 5:27 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@microcars: I can't remember which of the innumerable fast food joints it was but I swear I've been to a drive-thru where there WAS NO SMALL. There was like medium large and whatever they called the extra-large but there was no option for anything smaller than \"medium.\" Confused the hell out of me.

Reply
","","
\"user-pic\"
Borax-Johnson
January 28, 2009 4:38 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I tried to order a venti size fries and the Burger King guy just stared.


Go figure.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
cluberti
January 28, 2009 4:39 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Seems like a (rather ingenious) way to sell more medium-sized stuff as \"small\" for a bit more coin.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
jamesdenver
January 28, 2009 4:41 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

A was at some fast food place years back and I asked for a \"small soda\"


The counter guy said \"We don't have small only medium and large.\"


Annoyed I said \"Wouldn't that then make your medium a small and void the MEDIUM drink - since by definition a medium is just that - a medium between two things?\" (or something smart ass like that.)


I don't usually argue about stupid stuff like that but if I was doing the job the medium would just be a small.

Reply
4 replies
\"user-pic\"
ailema
January 28, 2009 9:04 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@jamesdenver: Because cashiers choose the names of their products. The counter dude probably had this exact same conversation ten times that day. If you want to waste your time lecturing someone about nonsense they have no control over, have fun!

Reply
\"user-pic\"
TheUncleBob
January 28, 2009 5:34 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@jamesdenver: But then people would complain that the \"small\" is too large to be a \"small\" and that they're paying forty cents more than they should have to...

...or something....

Reply
\"user-pic\"
MrsLopsided
January 28, 2009 5:31 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@jamesdenver: I had a similar experience. A local fast food counter only had small and medium - no large.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
Changed my name to \"I like potatoes\"
January 28, 2009 6:27 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@MrsLopsided:
That just happened to me at Burger King - ordered a large coffee and it rang up as medium so I asked the girl again for a large and she said \"medium is the large size\" and I told her to just give me the largest cup of coffee they offered which....is a medium size. So stupid.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
thrashanddestroy
January 28, 2009 4:42 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Yeah now I haven't actually eaten fast food in several years but if memory serves...at the counter most chains have all cup sizes on display. Whether they're labeled or not shouldn't be a problem as most logical people should be able to distinguish the sizes based on the price increase found on the menu DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THEIR FACES.

Then again I'm assuming that the majority of consumers actually know how to read a sign. After working years in retail I should know better.

Reply
6 replies
\"user-pic\"
Changed my name to \"I like potatoes\"
January 28, 2009 6:29 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@thrashanddestroy:
Drive-thru windows try to give you as little information as possible.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
thrashanddestroy
January 28, 2009 10:57 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@changed my name: The health freak in me says anyone getting fast food at a drive-thru deserves their clogged arteries and all sizing-trickery, but the sensible part of me has to agree with you.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
Changed my name to \"I like potatoes\"
January 29, 2009 1:59 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@thrashanddestroy:
Four kids in a minivan, two in car seats. Get out to go inside? I think not.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
Outrun1986
January 28, 2009 5:22 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@thrashanddestroy: Most stores do have the cups labeled with the sizes. I love asking though (if its not shown on the menu or a menu board) because its like its so hard to pull out a cup and show me the size I am getting before I spend my money on it.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
magic8ball
January 28, 2009 5:29 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Outrun1986: I have been known to ask how many ounces are in the small/medium/whatever when I'm at the drive-thru. I'm sure it annoys the employees but if everybody's going to call a 22-oz drink something different ...

Reply
\"user-pic\"
Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!)
January 28, 2009 5:00 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@thrashanddestroy: \"at the counter most chains have all cup sizes on display.\"

Few do anymore at least around here. And this is what I really wish they WOULD do because every freaking place names the sizes differently and being able to see the cups solves the problem.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
supercereal
January 28, 2009 5:16 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Eyebrows McGee: You can always ask how big the sizes are before you order them. Worst case is that you're out a total of 40 cents for one visit -- on subsequent visits you'd know what the sizes are and wouldn't be \"duped\" as people put it.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!)
January 28, 2009 8:03 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@supercereal: I do ask, but it annoys me when they don't have the examples up, and it frequently annoys the cashier that I'm slowing the line down to ask about sizes.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
Baccus83
January 28, 2009 4:42 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Value is not a quantity. I don't want to say \"I'll have a value-sized fries.\" That just sounds ridiculous.

Reply
1 replies
\"user-pic\"
Rectilinear Propagation
January 29, 2009 3:04 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Gene Gemperline: Equally ridiculous, in my opinion, is having a size smaller than small.

I rarely get to Burger King but I'll be asking for the smallest size instead of value-size. Or maybe I'll ask for a size 0.

Reply
","","
\"user-pic\"
Brain.wav
January 28, 2009 4:44 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

This isn't anything new. I remember when McDonald's current medium was the large and the current kids' size was the small.
You mess up ordering once or twice then you remember that the sizes are different and adjust accordingly.

Reply
3 replies
\"user-pic\"
tbbx
January 29, 2009 3:08 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Brain.wav: The Burger King medium is now the same size as the (formerly shocking) 7-11 Big Gulp.

7-11 has moved on to the Super Big Gulp at 44 oz, the Double Big Gulp at 64 oz and the Hogshead Big Gulp at 54 gallons.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
ChrisC1234
January 28, 2009 6:08 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Brain.wav: Yeah I believe McD's did that when they decided to get rid of their \"Supersize\". They didn't get rid of it they just renamed it.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
Brain.wav
January 28, 2009 6:56 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@ChrisC1234: No, it happened before that. I think when they got rid of supersize, they just got rid of supersize.

Reply
","","
\"user-pic\"
crouton976
January 28, 2009 4:44 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Here is my question... Why even have a \"value size\" at all? I mean if you're going to have 4 different sizes of fries/drinks why not make the sizes small medium large and extra large?

Oh wait I forgot... extra large is kin to super size and we wouldn't want fat people suing because they felt that it somehow degraded them when in reality they have done it to themselves.

*TO ALL OVERWEIGHT PEOPLE: The above comment was only directed at those who are obese AND would have the audacity to sue a fast food joint over something as stupid as the name of their enhanced and upgraded sizes. I have no grudge against all those who are overweight just those who are stupid and ignorant... come to think about it anyone of any size who is stupid and ignorant.*

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
ScottRose
January 28, 2009 4:47 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I for one like this new scheme. On more than one occasion I have ordered a \"King Size\" at Wendy's a \"Biggie\" something at McDonalds and a \"McLarge\" (or whatever the hell) at BK. This will alleviate confusion.

Now I'm no fast-food connoisseur (thanks for the spell check FF) but I'm thinking that perhaps they made up the \"Value Size\" in order to have it better mesh into the dollar menu. (Even though it is more than a dollar which of course is not proper of them!)

As for educating consumers the word \"educating\" does not fit in well with the fast-food paradigm in general.

Reply
1 replies
","
\"user-pic\"
Meathamper
January 28, 2009 4:51 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

They should rename large to \"big-ass\".

Reply
1 replies
\"user-pic\"
ogremustcrush
January 28, 2009 5:41 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Addicted To Chocohol: I could really go for some Big-Ass fries! Afterwords I'll go to Starbucks and get a \"latte.\" FTW.

Reply
","","","","","","
\"user-pic\"
chiieddy
January 28, 2009 5:10 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Seriously enough with the Starbucks snark. If you order a 'large' they'll give you the 20 oz venti size and won't say a word about it. I've never heard anyone lambasted for ordering small medium or large in a Starbucks.

PS The new BK sizes seem to match existing Wendy's sizes. I always order a small there instead of medium.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
pyehac
January 28, 2009 5:12 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

They have a picture of the new sizes at my local AAFES burger king for about a month or two now.

The only thing I got mad about was the value meal for breakfast - the drink and hash browns was too small

Reply
","","","","","
\"user-pic\"
econobiker
January 28, 2009 5:15 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Heck when eating at the restaurant just ask for the smallest drink available and get up for free refills from the drink machine...


What you urban dwellers don't get free refills because too many people would rip off the place or homeless people would bath in the soda drip pan? I guess we now have another reason of why people in the Southeastern USA are getting obese alot quicker...

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
joe18521
January 28, 2009 5:16 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Looks like most people are missing the point of their \"change.\" All they're trying to do is trick as many people for as long as possible to order a larger size than they actual mean to. While they're not raising the prices they are intentionally and misleadingly upselling.

Reply
","","
\"user-pic\"
SabreDC
January 28, 2009 5:18 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I don't eat at BK regularly (maybe once every 3 months if that) but I recently stopped in for a Rodeo Cheeseburger last week. For anyone who thinks BK is trying to scam people out of more money by sneaking in an up-sell I'd just like to point out that BK has MANY MANY signs around the store on the menu board hanging from the ceiling on the window on the drive through and on the wall by the Kid's Meal toy display notifying customers of this change. Big pictures with the three sizes that say \"Medium - Previously Small\" or something to that effect.

Not to mention that when they put a big ass thing of fries on your tray you can easily say \"May I please order a small instead and get a refund of the difference? I didn't realize the sizes changed.\" and they will do it. Just don't touch the tray or the fries first.

I don't think they are trying to be sneaky; I just think (like was suggested above) that they are trying to get rid of the whole negative \"super size\" stigma.

Reply
","","","","","","
\"user-pic\"
pockygt
January 28, 2009 5:28 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I did it ONCE. After that it was pretty clear what had happened.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
Outrun1986
January 28, 2009 5:29 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

If they label it properly then its not being sneaky. I don't like blaming the victim but if your too stupid to see the signs when they are hanging high above you then its your own fault if you feel you have been \"duped\" into ordering a larger size. Its not like they reduced the sizes either when you order a large you get more fries than when ordering a medium. You are still getting what you pay for even if you may not want the larger size.

Now if they took the size that was previously medium and was now calling it large and raised the price a few cents in the meantime we would have something to argue about here.

This is much better than nickle and diming customers for every single condiment that they want some of which should come with the meal but they still have the nerve to charge and extra 11 or 30 cents for I am looking at you McDonalds.

Reply
","","","","","
\"user-pic\"
csdiego
January 28, 2009 5:36 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Horrors... now we'll have to read the menu before we order.

All I can say is I'd step up to the counter and order the Teeny-Weeny Wimpy McSippyCup if it meant getting a modestly-sized and -priced drink. Looks like chances of that are slimmer and slimmer.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
ogremustcrush
January 28, 2009 5:39 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I could have sworn they just got rid of the king size fry. The last time I ate at BK I ordered the large fry the largest size offered on the board and it was significantly smaller than the king size used to be. I'm sure somebody will probably say I shouldn't need to eat that many fries but as often as I eat at fast food places (every 3 months) I don't really feel bad about indulging. Just give me my 2000 calories worth of fries!

Reply
","","","
\"user-pic\"
craptastico
January 28, 2009 5:42 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

the people that complain about this are the same people that made us put a \"do not use in the shower\" tag on hairdryers. is there no end to the coddling of the american consumer? and then people wonder why the majority of consumers are uneducated and uninformed about their purchases. maybe if people had to rely on themselves to make decisions we'd have never had so many people buying houses they couldn't afford.

Reply
","","
\"user-pic\"
Erika Price
January 28, 2009 5:51 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

HOW BOUT WE ORDER IN OUNCES INSTEAD OF ARBITRARY WORDS KTHANX BYE.

Reply
1 replies
\"user-pic\"
floraposte
January 28, 2009 9:52 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Erika Price: No! That might lead to an outbreak of numeracy.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
WEGGLES90
January 28, 2009 5:56 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Is it that hard to pay attention to what you're spending your money on? They have those boards with the sizes on them look at the one you want and ask for that one.

Reply
","","
\"user-pic\"
savdavid
January 28, 2009 6:06 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

\"Educating consumers?\" Please. They are deceiving their consumers. Why change names except to confuse the customer into paying more? If they want to add a new size have an extra-small that is smaller than the current small or an extra-large which is larger than the current large. Nope ripping off customers for that extra nickel for short term gain is all that counts.

Reply
","","","","","","","","","
\"user-pic\"
xamarshahx
January 28, 2009 6:30 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

so true about starbucks, you say smallest cup and their like, blah blah blah, whatever their sizes are, which don't make sense anyway.

Reply
","","
\"user-pic\"
Plates
January 28, 2009 6:38 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I remember when the current \"small\" size soda was the large.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
coren
January 28, 2009 6:43 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I've never been to a Starbucks, ever, where they didn't know what large coffee is. I will never understand why they catch so much shit - yes their stuff is expensive, but if you want regular coffee it's reasonably priced. It's fancy pants drinks that'll cost ya

Reply
1 replies
\"user-pic\"
ailema
January 28, 2009 9:11 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@coren: I agree. I'm sick of watching people order a large specialty drink and then complain about spending $5 on coffee. No one tricked them into buying a more expensive product. They looked at the menu and decided to spend the extra three dollars on flavor syrup. A chain shouldn't be responsible for your stupid decision making.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
Ajh
January 28, 2009 6:47 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I wanted a drink so I went to the burger king nearby and got a small unsweetened tea...and I made a note to ask for the children's size next time. Who needs that much stuff?!

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
Rob Weddle
January 28, 2009 6:52 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Slightly off-topic: I stopped at a Whataburger for the first time since forever ago, and they asked me if I wanted a \"large\" drink. I said \"No, thanks\" but the guy next to me apparently said \"Yes.\" When they brought out his bucket of cola, I was rather glad I stuck with \"regular\" size, which was already far too large.

Under-naming the actual size might make Americans feel better about eating too much, but it isn't doing any favors for the country's obesity epidemic.

Reply
","","","","
\"user-pic\"
Skeetz
January 28, 2009 7:02 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Perhaps it's to accomodate the \"growing\" population:


value = skinny (like starbucks?)
small = fat
medium = obese
large = you broke my wii fit!

Reply
","","
\"user-pic\"
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
January 28, 2009 7:28 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Makes it even harder to avoid the evil High Fructose Corn syrup!

Reply
","","","
\"user-pic\"
RochelleDisco
January 28, 2009 8:32 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Are you really complaining about this? These are people shoving objects into their mouth... Something one should be careful about. If they are not reading the menu they deserve what ever ill befalls them.

Reply
1 replies
\"user-pic\"
Rectilinear Propagation
January 29, 2009 3:07 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

These are people shoving objects into their mouth... Something one should be careful about.

@RochelleDisco:

...

What?

Reply
","","","
\"user-pic\"
Trencher93
January 28, 2009 8:42 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

My BKs have given up and just give me a king size when I order it - I think this renaming would make George Orwell proud.

Reply
","","","","","","
\"user-pic\"
ailema
January 28, 2009 9:16 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

This should only be a problem once. If you order a medium and it's larger than it was last time, tell them you were unaware that they had changed their sizes and would like the equivalent of the old medium. Continue to order that size.

Reply
","","","
\"user-pic\"
Major-General
January 28, 2009 9:53 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Rule #3 of retail: Customers are idiots.

Reply
","","","
\"user-pic\"
radiochief
January 28, 2009 11:13 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I like the renaming convention. Either do this or just let us order our fries and drink in weights and volumes...

Reply
","","","","","
\"user-pic\"
Corporate-Shill
January 29, 2009 12:03 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

Does B-K really need 4 sizes of drinks?


How about: Kiddie, Small and Regular ?

Reply
","","
\"user-pic\"
eskimo81
January 29, 2009 12:30 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

If I understand correctly, it's like this:

Ask for this -> Get what used to be this
Large -> King
Medium -> Large
Small -> Medium
Value -> Small

So basically, unless you're paying close attention, you're going to buy something more expensive than you would have normally.

They're playing games, and quite frankly the fact that it'll work is disgusting.

Reply
","","
\"user-pic\"
sumgai
January 29, 2009 1:04 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

If I were Burger King, I'd call my fry sizes Tall, Grande, and Venti. Starschmucks already socialized people into thinking that method is acceptable.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
thrid001
January 29, 2009 1:40 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

How about this, ask for the number of ounces you want, and go from there. I go to order any drink and I ask how many ounces is each size. I then know what I am actually getting. The only way to determine true value is to know how much you are paying, and quite honestly large, venti, grande, Big Gulp mean nothing to anybody

Reply
","","
\"user-pic\"
battra92
January 29, 2009 1:29 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I've been craving Bking for a while but I tend to only buy the Kids meal. I hope those don't go up in price as well.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
tbbx
January 29, 2009 2:50 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

The new sizes and sugar punch for a Coke

Value - 16 oz = 10 packets of sugar
Small - 22 oz = 14 packets
Medium - 32 oz = 20 packets
Large - 42 oz = 26 packets

Reply
","","","","","
\"user-pic\"
fever
January 30, 2009 4:03 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

How brain-dead do you have to be to think that medium is going to be small?

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
Metricula
February 1, 2009 8:11 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

I'm down with ordering by ounces. I work at an indie coffee shop (I'm a real barista, not a Starbucks-button pusher) and we finally had to write the Starbucks-style sizes on our display cups because people didn't understand small, medium, and large. Our large is 22 oz. but people still call it venti. Drives me crazy.

Reply
","");