Minnow Prices, "Got educated today"

I realized today how long it's been since I used minnows. A scoop/handful of minnow set me back $8.50. Yowzer!
Most of us on the ice would not likely ever fall into the category of "being cheap" -- given our floater suit(s), boots, auger(s), spud, huts, multiple rods and reels, more tackle than one person should probably own,.... -- but, I had to give the lower jaw a hand to lift it when I heard the price.
I realize that these shops have bills to pay, show make an earning for their time, etc., so please don't jump all over this thread for that "economic" reality (I stayed and paid my the bill). I stopped buying minnow for the convenience of not having to make the extra stop in the morning, or lugging/spilling a bait bucket, or freezing my hands in the winds, etc.
I'm just going to have to figure out a way to put the correct spin on the price of minnow to convince the wife just how much money I've been saving the family for some time now. (P.S. - "It would be just for "maritial exercise",... she's not going to buy it! No.")

8.50 is quite costly. ive seen places typically around 5$ a scooop

Depends where you buy. 5 bucks a scoop into your own bait bucket is one thing. Now you get charged for bag and air and put tax on top of that and there is easily 8 dollars. The suppliers raised their prices as well the last 2 or 3 years so unless the distributor is catching their own they have to keep up with the price increases as well.

That's what I was expecting to pay. I brought my own bucket - so no added expense for bag, oxygen, etc.

Very well written... great sense of humour sir.

been goin to jacobs early in jan and was 5$. went to lefroy general store paid 5$ a scoop and the minnows were like pin heads. definately not goin back to lefroy. i heard the gilford convenience has decent size minnows just not sure what she charges..

Last year believe it was 7 dollars, don't quote me, also could have changed since then.

depends on the size i think, i go there often so i dont know.

$5 a scoop is what I'm used to paying.... 8.50 is definitely a little high I'd say

Get used to it gentlemen .. Unfortunately it is the trend..

Agreed. We also face high gas prices which add to the cost of an outing.

Gas prices affects all retailers too. It's a chain reaction.

It's a Wynne Wynne situation if you ask me.

Yup.

It was a very "intimate" scoop of small shiners. By mid-morning I pretty much had names assigned and was apologising to each as I stuck a hook through -- "Eddy was a favourite: strong character and a good swimmer...." (OK. A bit to far. But you get the point on how many = a scoop.) I'll comment no more.