Retail

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Detergent and Cookies Downsized

The latest products to downsize have keep the same old package, but decided to put less product inside.

P&G has just downsized its largest containers of Cascade dishwasher detergent ActionPacs.

*MOUSE PRINT:

In surprisingly large print, the company decreased the number of loads you get from each container from 110 to 105. The trouble is that most consumers have not memorized the number of loads that each size container of Cascade provides, so they are not likely to recognize they are now getting less for the same price.

Also downsizing but keeping the package the same is Mrs. Freshley’s.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Here, instead of getting 12 Buddy Bars in each box (six packages of two), you now get only eight (four packages of two) — a decrease of one-third! Most people, including MrConsumer would not have noticed this because the boxes are the exact same size. Mrs. Freshley’s indicated that in fact they make both eight bar and 12 bar products, but that it is the retailer who decides which to carry. In this case, it was Dollar Tree which apparently decided it could make more money selling the eight pack for a dollar.

Thanks to Cathy B. for spotting the Mrs. Freshley’s change. She also notes that Mrs. Freshley’s Swiss Rolls are being cut similarly, but the box is smaller.

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Staples Retreats on Free Shipping Threshold Increase

Back in May we reported that Staples inconspicuously raised the minimum order size to over $75 in order to qualify for free shipping.

In the second week of August, barely three months later, the company did an about-face, just as inconspciously:

*MOUSE PRINT:

The new trigger point to get free shipping is for orders over $45, and that is even $5 lower than their original “over $50” order rule.

So why did Staples abandon the $75 order minimum to qualify for free shipping:

“After hearing customer feedback, we decided that the $45 level is best for our customers looking for fast and free delivery.” –Staples spokesperson.

MrConsumer suspects the $75 minimum to qualify for free shipping must have really negatively affected sales considering the other two office superstores kept their free shipping offer at orders of $50 or more.

Thanks to Clarence C’s eagle eyes for spotting this change.

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Extreme Couponing Backlash: Manufacturers, Stores Limit Coupon Use

If you have ever watched “Extreme Couponing” on TV, you know that shoppers on the program demonstrate how they received hundreds if not thousands of dollars worth of merchandise for only a few dollars (if that) by using coupons. They will buy dozens of the same item, using dozens of identical high value coupons (often doubled in value by the store) to accomplish this feat.

Now some manufacturers and retailers are fighting back. Look what P&G is now printing on its manufacturers coupons.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Here the manufacturer is imposing a limit of four identical coupons that can be used when buying the same product. But now some retailers are getting in on the action too.

*MOUSE PRINT:

“Rite Aid may accept up to 4 identical coupons for the same number of qualifying items as long as there is sufficient stock to satisfy other customers within the store manager’s sole discretion.” – Rite Aid Coupon Acceptance Policy, May 2011

“You may double a maximum of 4 identical manufacturers’ coupons. For example: if a customer purchased five boxes of Cheerios and presented 5 manufacturers’ coupons for 50¢, the first four coupons would be doubled to $1. The fifth coupon would only be redeemed for 50¢. Up to an additional 12 identical manufacturers’ coupons/items will be redeemed at face value for a total of 16 identical manufacturers’ coupons.” — Stop & Shop and Giant coupon acceptance policy.

If these practices are actually enforced, and other companies jump on the bandwagon, extreme couponing may become a thing of the past.