Mabee Market has been through a lot since I entered Trinity University as a first-year. Everything has changed: the name, the breakfast place and most importantly the items available along with their prices. As I walked in recently to pick up a snack, I took a look around at all the products and thought I should share my two cents.
Gillette Venus vs Bic Razors
As much as I appreciate the market offering razors, there’s no need for a pack of four to cost $14.89. While Gillette is a good brand that I opt to buy regularly, the same thing would cost me $5.97 at Walmart. What’s worse is the Bic alternative that appears to be targeted at men costs only $10.59 for the same number of razors. Although both men and women are free to purchase either brand, the obvious upcharge for a product aimed at women is abhorrent. Granted, this isn’t entirely Mabee Market’s fault as this product costs less than its Venus counterpart at Walmart, Walgreens and Target as well. The university could, however, avoid stocking products that are priced with bias.
Whipped Soaps
Bella and Bear whipped soaps are vegan, cruelty-free, sustainably packaged and free from parabens, phthalates and genetically modified organisms. While I haven’t tried this soap yet, these claims pique my interest. I’m always looking to be more sustainable where I can and support small businesses. Priced at $7.99 each, it would certainly be cheaper to buy other soaps, but this is to be expected from smaller brands. These soaps look adorable and smell divine, though their little size and steep price may make them more of a luxury product than your run-of-the-mill Dove or Aveeno.
Always panty liners and Carefree pads
Kudos for the variety and even the prices on this one. Period products are famously overpriced, but the Mabee Market actually kept prices down to what you would see in regular stores. However, charging $5.99 for 20 liners and upwards of $12 for 28 pads makes menstruation unreasonably expensive, and this is a problem that goes far beyond Trinity. Change needs to happen nationwide to stop taking advantage of the 26% of the population who need to buy period products every month.
Tampax Pearl tampons
I hate Tampax tampons. They were literally designed by a man so of course they never work. They’re awkwardly shaped, jam-packed with chemicals and absorb maybe one drop of blood before becoming both uncomfortable and useless. I wouldn’t pay a dime for this worthless product, much less $10.89.
Neutrogena makeup wipes
Makeup remover wipes are unnecessary. Almost everyone I know uses micellar water or a good facial cleanser to do the job without introducing extra chemicals to their faces. That being said, it drives me insane to pour water onto cotton pads and scrub away at my face or have to cleanse three times to feel like my makeup is actually gone. Wipes are unnecessary, but very convenient. Neutrogena wipes have also never irritated my face instead leaving it feeling soft and hydrated. At Walmart, these come in a two-pack for around $10 but at the Mabee Market, a single pack is $15.89 — an upcharge far more inconvenient than just washing my face.
Personal Alarm
This, a bright pink keychain that acts as a siren alarm, was easily the product I was the most surprised to see at the market. On top of producing a 120-decibel sound that can be heard from 1,280 feet away, the packaging reads “Your Purchase Supports NATIONAL BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION, INC.” While $16.29 for a keychain that screams is a bit steep, this product has the potential to scare off creeps that prey on women and support a good cause. I would feel a wave of comfort and assurance carrying this around on my keys.
Colgate Optic White toothpaste and Crest Scope mouthwash
OK Trinity, what is going on here? A single tube of toothpaste costs $12.79. I have to pay three times the normal price to maintain proper dental hygiene. While I can (somewhat) understand an upcharge on more frivolous items like makeup-removing wipes, a basic commodity as essential as toothpaste should be far more accessible. If hotels can give out little travel tubes for free, why can’t the school we pay thousands of dollars to at least match store prices? As for the mouthwash, its $7.99 price tag surprisingly isn’t too far off from what you would find in stores. See Trinity, it isn’t so hard to price things reasonably.
Midol and Advil
As I’m sure most of us on this campus are aware, Midol is a miracle pill for period pain relief. I’m pleasantly surprised that such a targeted type of pain medication is available at the market, alongside more general medications like Advil. These are my top two when I’m feeling any type of pain, so I appreciate that they’re easily available for purchase in case I need them. Paying $4.99 for a four-count when I’m in a bind doesn’t sound too shabby.
