weyes' wisdom of the day - 9/13/03

[weyes]

ever buy a new kind of razor only to find that it doesn't function the way it says it does on the package? has a company ever discontinued your favorite scent of body wash?

well, be a responsible consumer! it may seem silly to write (and/or call) companies, but that's why they put their addresses and telephone numbers on the packages. make companies make good on their promises, and get your vote heard when it comes to the discontinued stuff; enough of an outcry may convince those who matter that continuing the manufacture of the item may be more profitable than they thought and that they just have to market it differently (or something). at any rate, giving that a shot doesn't hurt.

and another thing, doing this keeps people employed!!! we've got such a shitty economy right now; i like to make management see the validity of and need for everyone's jobs.

so, after your letter or the return of your dissatisfying product, one always gets a response. i have always gotten a letter back, and two companies called me (though i don't quite recall if i gave them my phone number...). and always, always, i have gotten free stuff - even if it's for a product that's just similar to the one they're discontinuing and that i loved so much.

i had 2 pairs of patent leather converses (way back in the day) that tore apart within a month, and, not only did converse replace them with a pair of whatever i wanted after that, a guy called me on the phone just to chat for an hour or so. i was then surprised with another pair of shoes, totally free.

anycrap, moral of the story: be an involved consumer and everyone wins in their own little ways .

tune in tomorrow.