Mary Bach, consumer advocate, visited the Macungie Institute recently.

This event was initiated by Laura McCready of Kalmbach Memorial Park, Macungie.

Bach spoke at the institute about the topic “Are you getting what you paid for?” From product-downsizing to paying state taxes properly, Bach shared her knowledge.

As for state taxing of products, Bach said it is a very complicated system. From no taxes on clothes, drugs and food to taxing of flavored water but not bottled plain water, the complicated system is very difficult to follow. For example, toothpaste and toothbrushes are not taxed but dental floss is taxable. Another interesting fact is men’s work gloves are taxed but women’s are not.

Retailers can be sued over incorrect taxing. Bach sued Walmart over incorrect taxing of slippers. While these lawsuits are small, they do prove a point. There are mistakes but such mistakes should be corrected.

Another tactic is reducing product size while charging the same amount. Coffee used to be 16 ounces, now is 13 ounce size. Ice cream used to be a gallon, now is a quart and a half.

Another issue involves ingredients.

Some Breyers ice creams are now called “frozen dairy dessert” with ingredients being replaced with chemicals which no longer meets Federal Drug Administration approval.