Your examples cover one of the problems: When the cheaper same old shoe is rarely on the shelf, then what? And are they as enthusiastic at removing value as the

Your examples cover one of the problems: When the cheaper same old shoe is rarely on the shelf, then what? And are they as enthusiastic at removing value as they are at adding value (i.e. when then "same old" shoe is not same old but faster wearing) They actually do describe this "If the BLS data collector is forced to replace a short-sleeve cotton/poly shirt in the CPI sample with a long sleeve 100% cotton shirt..." but they provide no answer aside from [well the one on the shelf now is better]. So that the buyer of the "common" shoe, shirt or TV pays more. It's easy to argue that it's possible to dig deep and find that "older" cheaper item but that doesn't change that the "basic basket" is now more expensive. The second problem is one of perception - and perception really matters in this case. And CPI doesn't solve that problem.