How Much Does a Mile of Tape Cost?

Here is an excerpt from my thesis “The Cost of One Mile of Tape – a Critical Comparison” that I wrote for my Master's in What the Hell Is the Matter With You. Enjoy.

All prices taken from first item listed on Amazon.com on 05/13/11.  All items are “new” to allow for a meaningful comparison between the items – apparently, "thriftier" shoppers can buy used packing tape from them:

Here's the list:

• Audio (90 min)    $5.03
• VHS (T-120)      $11.30
• Caution               $33.00
• Masking (1”)       $57.20
• Painter's (1”)       $105.97
• Duct (1.87”)        $132.88
• Crime Scene        $157.10
• Packing (1.88”)   $225.30
• Scotch                 $386.50
• Hockey (3/4”)     $501.60
• Gaffer's (1.87”)   $510.11
• Electrical (3/4”)   $525.60
• Surgical (3”)       $542.52

One alarming thing that came up during my research is the following when I did a search for “Surgical Tape”:

“Ow. Ow ow ow ow stop it stop it! Oh, this isn't helping at all! I am sooo rating this “one star” on Amazon.”