Sara emailed in the following tip:
My husband has been using the same deodorant for years, so when we find a good deal, we stock up!
He recently opened a package of deodorant that I had purchased months ago, and to his dismay, the formula had changed. The cap was a different color, but other than that, there was nothing to signal us that something was different.
Unfortunately, the new formula wasn’t as effective, and the scent was nowhere near as pleasant.
I didn’t think I’d have much luck, but I reached out to the manufacturer to see if the old formula was still available. I was informed that it was entirely discontinued.
But, instead of just being shrugged off by an enormous manufacturer (whose name is not synonymous with “customer service”), I was offered a complete refund for my entire stock-up purchase, no questions asked.
In the past, I probably would have thrown them right in the trash, but thanks to one quick email, we received our full purchase price back. I am donating the unopened containers to those less fortunate, and am now on a quest to find a new formula for my husband. 🙂
It just goes to show that it never hurts to ask!
Karen says
Reminds me of my grade school days and writing to a dish scrubbie manufacturer about being stuck doing dishes for a family if six (oh, the torture I thought I was experiencing!!). I was so delighted and amazed when a large box arrived for me full of assorted dishwashing products and a letter thanking me for my input!!
I keep telling myself I need to get back in the practice of feedback.
Brooke says
I agree, never hurts to ask. We had our wedding guests stay at a hotel, and we were promised the bridal suite for our wedding night. Needless to say, we were disappointed to be in a normal hotel room, which we might have overlooked had it not been an adjoining room to my new mother in law, 3 sisters in law, and niece. Way to kill the mood. My husband wanted to get our money back for just that night, but I said we should ask for the entire stay (he was there a few nights prior to the wedding in a different room). We asked, and our entire stay was compensated.
Uma @ Centsible Indian says
That’s so nice of you to donate to less fortunate. In the past if something is wrong or totally not working, I’d contact the manufacturer. Never thought about contacting the manufacturer and providing feedback for things such as change in formula. It’s a really good idea
WilliamB says
Oh, my, the things I’ve gotten just by asking politely. Some of the best examples:
1. An affiliation discount (for being a member of AAA), IN ADDITION TO the bulk discount, for drain drilling. The two discounts together gave me a 25% discount. Since a drain drilling with all the frills (which the drains needed) was $400, that was a big relief to my budget.
2. 50 lbs of bruised, unsellable bananas for $2.
3. A free remote from the manufacturer, for the deeply discounted DVR I bought. (Part of the discount was because there was no remote.) Remotes were selling for $25-30 online for a used one; I figured I might as well buy a new one from the manufacturer for that price. The manufacturer said the product was still under warranty so the remote replacement was free. I said no, I was already compensated for the missing remote (with the discount). The manufacturer said that was between me and the seller, as far as they were concerned, the DVR was damaged and they were obliged to fix their damaged goods.
Luba says
Great job for asking, Sara. 🙂
My husband used several different brands, and each one would stain his clothes. Then we found one that would not, and was I ever happy!
Sara says
Which one does he prefer, Luba?
Adrienne says
Not Luba but my husband really likes the high endurance line by old spice.
I stock up too… I really hope it doesn’t have a different color label next time I buy it!
Sara says
That’s the brand he loves too! The formula he prefers is being phased out.
Stock up while you can! 🙂
Adrienne says
Thank you! Will do!
Emma says
Great idea! How did you reach out? Phone, e-mail, Facebook, something else?
My Bright Blue House
Sara says
I went to their website and contacted them that way. They responded right away!