New, "improved" versions!!! (rant)

Have you ever used a product for years and years because you're satisfied with it, only to find that the manufacturer brings out an "improved" version that's of inferior quality?

This really got to me today while I was dumping and cleaning the litter box. I thought I'd found the perfect litter: a very fine, unscented clumping litter that I bought for a decade. The producer unfortunately decided to have several versions in the product range, with various scents (baby powder, lavender), different colors (the old gray, and a new white version) and with or without crystals. I've tried them all, and they're nowhere near as good as the original was. They're dustier, don't clump as well, don't control odor as well, and Mogli smells like baby powder. I'm switching brands.

I also had a Litter Locker I for about 13 years and would have kept using it if the refills were still available on this side of the Pond. Instead, I got version II three months ago, and I'm really dissatisfied. The design is an improvement at first glance (no more wheel to turn), but it doesn't keep the odor inside like the old one did. The plastic is thinner - so chintzy that there's no way it'll hold up for 13 years. The refills for the old one lasted for two or three months; now I'm going through a refill in three or four weeks!

Don't get me started on make-up! :lol3:

Don't get ME started on make-up!! I found the perfect mascara, and now it seems they quit making it. I have barely any lashes, so I was using Maybeline's Extensions mascara: Now I can't find it anywhere, so I got Loreal's extension mascara instead - which doesn't work nearly as well. I also have been having a hard time finding the foundation that I use & like so well..

Glade's "new & improved" air freshener cans suck, too. Half the time they don't spray like they should, or the top of the can busts off and you can't use it at all!

I think it all comes down to corporate profits.  They make something cheaper and label it as new and improved.  They can then justify keeping the price the same or even increasing the price.

KittKatt said:

Don't get ME started on make-up!! :soap: :lol3: I found the perfect mascara, and now it seems they quit making it. :angry2: I have barely any lashes, so I was using Maybeline's Extensions mascara: Now I can't find it anywhere, so I got Loreal's extension mascara instead - which doesn't work nearly as well. I also have been having a hard time finding the foundation that I use & like so well..:disa:

Glade's "new & improved" air freshener cans suck, too. Half the time they don't spray like they should, or the top of the can busts off and you can't use it at all! :frusty:

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I'm still bummed out that L'Oreal stopped making its stick foundation. There's a liquid version now that's pretty good, but it's in one of those "practical" pump bottles that you can't get all the foundation out of unless you break the lid off. :lol3:

Denice said:

I think it all comes down to corporate profits.  They make something cheaper and label it as new and improved.  They can then justify keeping the price the same or even increasing the price.

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Sometimes they cut their own throats doing that. I think that was definitely the case with the LL II; the biggest online pet product supplier in Europe is no longer offering it due to the poor reviews.

jcat said:

I'm still bummed out that L'Oreal stopped making its stick foundation. There's a liquid version now that's pretty good, but it's in one of those "practical" pump bottles that you can't get all the foundation out of unless you break the lid off.

 

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 I've noticed that with the liquid bottle forms of foundation: the darn stuff won't come out of the bottle - no matter how hard you bang on it to get it out. I've had to put water in the bottle to soften it up some just so it's fluid enough to come out.

Denice said:

I think it all comes down to corporate profits.  They make something cheaper and label it as new and improved.  They can then justify keeping the price the same or even increasing the price.

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        for me too.  They've found the wording works, so they use it whenever they've found a cheaper way to do things.

I remember buying really good knickers from Target about 15 years ago...  They discontinued them, and their 'new, improved' ones fell to pieces within the month. 

Now they have 'aloe vera impregnated briefs'!! WHAT!??  Why on earth do I want my cotton coated in aloe vera?  And pay more for it?  What addled lingerie-designing brain came up with that one?

i've always used Dawn dishsoap. it used to be a really thick liquid, like molasses and you didn't have to use very much at all.  i think the current version is about the 6th improvement they've done. now it's "overnight soaking in 5 min & advanced cleaning power". now it's thin like water, doesn't clean half as good and you have to use twice as much.

One have my asthma inhalers has a new improved " cartridge" that it goes into. It doesn't work anywhere near as well as the old one.

goonie said:

i've always used Dawn dishsoap. it used to be a really thick liquid, like molasses and you didn't have to use very much at all.  i think the current version is about the 6th improvement they've done. now it's "overnight soaking in 5 min & advanced cleaning power". now it's thin like water, doesn't clean half as good and you have to use twice as much.

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I've noticed that with shampoos & body washes, too.

The same with my favorite lavender bubble bath, too. It used to be like honey, now it is like cheap syrup. In thickness, I mean. What is a guy (or gal) to do?