10 September 2004 10:17 AM

New and Improved

Every time that I read those two words, or even one of the two, on any consumer product, I cringe. It has been my experience that new and improved to most companies is not quite as good to me. Perhaps more companies should retain their classic products like Coca-Cola eventually did. Unfortunately, most products don’t have the same passionate following that Coke has.

My most recent example of a modified product is my shampoo. Geoff returned from the grocery store with my shampoo among other items. At the top of the bottle is written:

new!
fragrance and formula

I think, “Uh oh,” and into the shower the shampoo went.

Every morning this week, I have been awoken a bit more than usual in the shower, thinking “What is that smell? Oh yeah, my new shampoo fragrance.”

Often, the other options available to me are no better, so I am just stuck with “new and improved” products that I believe are inferior to the old. However, other times I do find a better product and switch my allegiance. I’m not sure what I’ll do when the shampoo I have in the house is nearing empty, but it might mean a switch after seven or eight years.

Posted by carolyn at September 10, 2004 10:17 AM