Comments on: It’s new and improved!

By: John S

John S — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:28:54 +0000

Some types of things get better. Some get worse.

Cars – better.
Computers – better.
Furniture – worse.
Food – worse.

By: Beverly D

Beverly D — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:03:07 +0000

I *hate* it when they change the packaging on my favorite stuff. Especially at the grocery. I look for things by the label, and I’m not going to buy it if it’s not right. So I’m standing there saying “is this what I usually get? Why did they change it? Is it any different? No? Then why is the package different?” But I’m not sure if it’s the same thing, so I spend a few frustrated minutes looking for my usual package then go ahead and buy the new one and hope that it’s the right thing. There are so many choices anyway, it’s enough to get a headache. You can’t just buy bread, you have to choose between 6 or so different types before you find what you’re looking for.

By: ShopLittleGifts

ShopLittleGifts — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:49:32 +0000

interesting. i’m definitely a *new* thing searcher. it’s so exciting to discover something novel and different. i get what they mean by the sense of a reward – a sort of wow feeling, the heightened sensation of discovery.

By: Kris

Kris — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:06:56 +0000

I buy new stuff all the time. I’d never had Nutella … saw it, looked cool, bought it and now it’s a staple in our pantry. Same with mango chutney. Had never had it, bought it, now I can’t live without the stuff. I love trying new food items. I don’t know if this would be considered ‘improved’ but it’s certainly ‘new’ … and mango chutney is always an ‘improvement’ over ketchup.

By: battra92

battra92 — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 03:37:00 +0000

alpha – I think his book “Alton Brown’s Gear For Your Kitchen” is a good guide to know what you’ll need and what you won’t. It’s also good for those “Hey, I want gadget X but I don’t want to buy junk.”

I think it was on Good Eats where I first heard the term unitasker.

By: jon

jon — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:44:08 +0000

Look out for New, Improved which is still Traditional Recipe. You know it can’t be done. I know it can’t be done. Don’t tell that to a Marketeer.

By: alpha

alpha — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:48:56 +0000

Battra92

I agree – even Alton has changed his ideas “STUFFING IS EVIL”.

However – I am a sucker for his gadgets- I have bought the same, thermometer, kettle and colander. I’m saving up for the knives though.

By: laura

laura — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:23:03 +0000

As a graphic designer, I think I tend to notice new redesigns and changes in packaging than most. Has anyone noticed the new Kraft packaging/lables change? From a design point, it’s nice.

I, however, never got the “new and improved” thing. If it’s NEW how can it also then be IMPROVED??

By: Sheryl

Sheryl — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:10:23 +0000

Yes, I could certainly be swayed by a promise of “more caramel”, though that’s the LAST thing I need!

By: Battra92

Battra92 — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:33:50 +0000

Wow, such hostility. If that works for you, fine. I’m just thinking a lot of this “minimalism” is throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

By: becoming minimalist

becoming minimalist — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:36:04 +0000

in a general sense, i wonder how this hard-wiring relates to the ever-increasing amount of stuff that seems to collect in my/our homes?

is it the hard-wiring in my brain that causes me to buy a new spatula or new decoration or new shirt? even when the old works just fine…

By: leah

leah — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:17:30 +0000

I eat the same thing every week. I’m not sick of it yet. I’m not kidding. I buy the same things every time i’m at the store.

i’m also guilty of buying a milky way because it said “more caramel” (i actually almost fell for it twice!) …there is more caramel.

By: Eric

Eric — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:14:36 +0000

People with budgets and children for one.

I don’t eat the “same thing” every week, I find there is more than enough variety just mixing up the foodstuffs that I already buy on a regular basis. A new marinade, I have lemon and lime juice, wine, vinegar, and a cabinet full of spices… I think i can come up with something new myself.

By: Battra92

Battra92 — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:59:06 +0000

Honestly, I don’t see it breaking the bank if I try a new brand of yogurt once in a while or give a new flavor of marinade a chance.

I mean, who has the patience to eat the same old same old week after week?

By: Lauren

Lauren — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:22:16 +0000

I’ve studied Marketing for the past few years and changing the packaging is usually a very effective technique for increasing sales of mature products. This is why Coke is constantly changing their packaging because it helps them stay ‘fresh’ in the eye of the consumer. I was just discussing this very issue with my stepdad yesterday and he found it annoying that his trusted brand of dogfood changed their packaging. He said it was harder to find in the grocery store since he couldn’t recognize the can.