I’m being downvoted for each comment I make on the topic but anyway … I found a source article [0] about how the Bureau adjusts the cost for features with a “h

I’m being downvoted for each comment I make on the topic but anyway … I found a source article [0] about how the Bureau adjusts the cost for features with a “hedonic” score. So yes, a new feature (a Netflix app? AI? Voice recognition? Soundbar?) is counted as an improvement with value and that in turn affects a prior. On another BLS page: “if a television in the CPI is replaced by one with a larger screen and higher price, the BLS can make an adjustment to the price difference by estimating what the old television would have cost had it had the larger screen size.” I bought a 42” mid range TV in 2012 for 900, a 55” mid range in 2017 for 900, and a 55” mid range in 2024 for £1200. Although this is a 30% or so discount (in inflation adjusted terms) the BLS can call it 80% because it has Smart Features like OLED and internet connectivity and so forth. [0] https://www.bls.gov/cpi/quality-adjustment/questions-and-answers.htm https://www.bls.gov/cpi/quality-adjustment/questions-and-ans...