Diet Rite Rant

[cc48510]

I came up with this while reading another topic...I figured it would be better as a rant unto itself.

It would seem, none of the stores around here seem to have the common sense to stock more Cola and less Tangerine, when it is very clear [and has been this way for sometime] that they run out of Cola within a day or two, yet always have dozens of extra Tangerine laying around just gathering dust.

But, I was told by one store manager [this was back in early 2003 before Wal-Mart and the like started carrying Diet Rite] that the Distributor in my area is the problem in that they refuse to stock the stores with more than a predetermined amount each time they come around [which is every couple weeks,] even if they sell out the same day they're stocked.

I had so much trouble finding them back then, because of this stupidity, and because there was only ONE store carrying them back then...I used to have my dad get 50-100 of 'em and bring them with him whenever he headed up my way.

But, here's what really gets me...Pic-N-Sav claims the prices they post are COST and then they tack on 10% over that. Their price for Diet Rites [12 pack] is just under $4. Yet, the price at Wal-Mart/Winn-Dixie in South or Central Florida is $2.50, which is significantly below what Pic-N-Sav claims is their wholesale price.

Interestingly, the price here in the Panhandle is nearly double the price in Orlando (450 miles) or Fort Lauderdale (650 miles.) In Northeast FL (Lake City,) the price is halfway in between. You can get them for a reasonable price in North AL (300 miles,) South GA (400 miles,) or Central TX (700 miles.) In fact, I think they may even be significantly cheaper in Central AL (170 miles.)

It makes you wonder why the wholesale price around these parts is significantly higher than the retail price in Waco, TX (700 miles WNW,) Leesburg, FL (415 miles ESE,) Margate, FL (650 miles SE,) and Hartsell, AL (?) (325 miles N.)

On a side note, the 2 Liters are about the same price everywhere, but noone seems to stock 'em anymore...Seemingly favoring instead the 12 Packs...which even those they don't stock enough of.

BTW, the stocking problem got so bad at one point that a few weeks ago, every store in Pensacola, Pace, and Milton just about was sold out. I ended up callign around until I found a Wal-Mart in Warrington with some in stock. Even then, they barely had enough to last me until I could find some elsewehere.

[bb6399]

I notice the same thing here, although the tangerine is usualy left it is the only one I have ever tried, is the Cola good? I like the tangerine, but would love to try the cola but by the time I make it to the local Walmart it is all sold out, there is also a red one that Ihaven't tried yet!?

[cc48510]

I notice the same thing here, although the tangerine is usualy left it is the only one I have ever tried, is the Cola good? I like the tangerine, but would love to try the cola but by the time I make it to the local Walmart it is all sold out, there is also a red one that Ihaven't tried yet!?

I like the Cola.

[Onelove]

it seems that you ahve some sort of addiction to soda. If possible it would be best to stay away for a little while.

[eskimissy]

Cola ALWAYS runs out here. Then I'm stuck with rasberry. Blah. It's good and all, but I love my cola. Or I can go to albertson's and pay five bucks for a twelve pack....nope, not gonna happen here.

[Lisa N]

Strange....up here in Michigan stores didn't carry anything but the cola flavor for ages and we had to campaign to get them to carry some of the other flavors like raspberry and tangerine (try them with a splash of heavy cream :yum: ). I always buy the 2 liters since they are more economical and generally I can get them for 99 cents each (less on sale).
In canned, they still only carry the cola, white grape and strawberry-kiwi flavors.
How odd that the distributors wouldn't stock more when the product is selling out between deliveries. Doesn't seem like very good business sense to me. OTOH, one way to keep demand high is to keep supply low. :idea:

[pecan]

i just quit buying diet rite...it is overpriced there. go into the dollar generals and get their brand of cola. it's made with splenda as well and costs $2 for a 12-pack. i would guess they all carry it, but i always bought mine at the one on michigan ave. across from albertsons.

[potatofree]

We're at the tail-end of the supply chain here. The wholesale price to our grocery store is 20% or more HIGHER than the store just 20 miles south of here. Does it cost THAT much more to send the truck that much farther? We can get the same flavors, but the Kiwi Strawberry and the WHite Grape are my least favorite, and they seem to have PLENTY. ;)

[rosencooki]

hmmmm.....I just bought 12 packs here cola and tang and rasp for $1.99 each on sale of course, but normally they run about $3.50 for a 12 pack....does not seem to be a shortage, I can usually get 2 liters at Safeway or WInco without problem....

what other brands are made with splenda???

[TheProf83]

5.00 a 12 pack is definitely considered cheap in new york city

[cc48510]

i just quit buying diet rite...it is overpriced there. go into the dollar generals and get their brand of cola. it's made with splenda as well and costs $2 for a 12-pack. i would guess they all carry it, but i always bought mine at the one on michigan ave. across from albertsons.

I used to do that when I couldn't find Diet Rites, but they [The Dollar Store] have since switched from Splenda to Nutraweet. So, I don't buy their Diet Cola anymore. Walgreens has a Diet Cola made with Splenda, but I have only been able to find it in the 16/20 oz. Bottles, which actually works out more expensive than Diet Rite by the 12 Pack.

[pecan]

I used to do that when I couldn't find Diet Rites, but they [The Dollar Store] have since switched from Splenda to Nutraweet. So, I don't buy their Diet Cola anymore. Walgreens has a Diet Cola made with Splenda, but I have only been able to find it in the 16/20 oz. Bottles, which actually works out more expensive than Diet Rite by the 12 Pack.

dollar general? are you sure? that seems ridiculous; to switch from the demand (splenda) to aspartame which everyone seems to recognize as dangerous.

well, i suppose these companies are thinking in terms of cost. no wonder so many end up going out of business!

[potatofree]

Not everyone thinks Nutrasweet is dangerous, and if that was the issue, wouldn't the "big" companies like Coke and Pepsi have made the switch by now? I wonder....

[Jiggerz]

A 12 pack of Diet Rite runs around $3.99 (but... in Michigan we have the 10 cent return on every can, so that adds another $1.20). There's no trouble in the stocking... cola, white grape, red raspberry, tangerine and kiwi-strawberry are always there.

Even my husband commented that at his work they stock the 20 oz. bottles of white grape, red raspberry and tangerine in the food machines of the cafeteria. I didnt even know they came in 20 oz.'ers...he also said they're the new rage in diet pop.

[cc48510]

Even my husband commented that at his work they stock the 20 oz. bottles of white grape, red raspberry and tangerine in the food machines of the cafeteria. I didnt even know they came in 20 oz.'ers...he also said they're the new rage in diet pop.

I've seen the 20 oz. Bottles in North/Central AL (Montgomery and Hartsell); Southeast GA (Just South of Vidalia); and Central TX (Waco.) I have never found them anywhere in Florida for some reason. I had figured it was because those areas (of the south) have more RC Cola fans, and Diet Rite is basically Caffeine Free Diet RC. But, if they have them in Michigan, that blows that theory.

[cc48510]

dollar general? are you sure? that seems ridiculous; to switch from the demand (splenda) to aspartame which everyone seems to recognize as dangerous.

I don't remember which Dollar Store it was for sure. It was either Dollar Tree or Dollar General. Their store brand is Clover Valley. I bought them in the early Summer and they were still being made with Splenda, but recently [when all the local stores ran out of Diet Rite at the same time] I went to buy some and noticed the PKU Warning. I Read the ingredients and sure enough they'd changed to Aspartame. I looked to see if there were any of the old ones left at that store, but couldn't find any. I would've bought any I could find. But, by then they'd already replaced the entire stock. So, I was out of luck.

[cc48510]

it seems that you ahve some sort of addiction to soda. If possible it would be best to stay away for a little while.

I drank only Water for about a month before I discovered Diet Rite. If I absolutely can't find any or just don't have any money at the time, I'll make Kool Aid (0 Carbs as long as you use the unsweetened envelopes and a non-fillered sweetener.)

Its good also, but since it grows mold in a few days if not refrigerated (unlike Diet Cola.) I can't make extra and just leave it on the counter until there's room in the Fridge.

[ThinMe2B]

12 packs of Diet Rite run about 4.29 plus 1.20 deposit here in Michigan. I wish I could find it cheaper. I am trying to cut back to one soda per day! :D
I see on the Diet Rite website there are other flavors like black cherry and rootbeer. I wish we had those flavors available here...

[BBQman]

I don't see root beer listed on the website, but I would kill for some Diet Rite Root Beer!!!

[CheriYM]

12 packs are $4 and change here in NYC - I can usually find the 2 litre bottles pretty easily, although the cola does go faster. I've tried the tangerine (tastes like orange to me), red raspberry and black cherry. My favorite is the cola followed by tangerine, black cherry and red raspberry. The fruity flavors seem to have more of an aftertaste to me.
I've recently found Boylan brand (sold in individual 12 oz bottles) at Gourmet Garage in NYC that has the following flavors and they are all sweetened w/ splenda and are great:
Cream Soda (really creamy)
Birch Beer (tastes like root beer to me)
Black Cherry (way better than Diet Rite's BC, IMHO)

They're a little pricey, but worth the indulgence once in a while.