Same Product, New Name
“Dear Jill, I have used liquid fabric softener for as long as I can remember, but now I can’t even tell what the coupons are for. They say things like ‘fabric conditioner’ and ‘fabric wrinkle releaser.’ I think these are supposed to be the same thing as fabric softener, but perhaps not. Honestly, I don’t know what I can even use these coupons on because I just want to buy fabric softener. I think the coupons may be having the wrong effect because I stopped using my brand of many years. I don’t want ‘conditioner.’ I went to another product that still calls itself ‘fabric softener.’”
—Melissa B.
You’re right that a few well-known brands of fabric softener have rebranded themselves. According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, the millennial generation is not purchasing fabric softener with the same frequency as previous generations.
In order to try to capture this segment of the audience, several brands have gone through a name change. Banking on the fact that most consumers know that hair conditioner makes hair softer and provides a pleasant scent, these products have rebranded as “fabric conditioners” in an effort to further tout the benefits of softer clothing to these consumers. Labeling a former fabric softener as a “wrinkle releaser” is another tactic to explain the benefits of using the product.
If you enjoy using fabric softener, I believe you can rest assured that these products are the same “fabric softener” products you’ve been using for years.
While I was researching this column, I was unable to find any evidence supporting that these products are inherently different than their formerly labeled “fabric softener” selves. The same product is simply being referred to with new terminology.
“Dear Jill, I have been shopping more online and am considering joining a large shopping website that has a one-year flat rate shipping of $99. Do you think this is worth it? I used to only want to support brick and mortar stores but sometimes I find things on this website for better prices. I am wondering if the extra yearly cost of shipping is really worth it.”
—Marshall R.
This is a difficult question to answer without knowing your shopping habits.
The annual cost of joining the website works out to $8.25 per month. Are you currently spending more than that each month on shipping? You did not mention the name of the website, but based on the details in your email, I’m guessing it’s the site that shares its name with a large river in South America. Currently, if you are not an annual subscriber, you must buy $25 worth of products to qualify for free shipping.
If you place orders for a few, low-cost items at a time, you’re likely facing shipping charges for each order, and these can quickly add up. Why ship one item for $7.99 when $8.25 per month gets you free shipping on as many items as you’d like? However, if you only place orders sporadically, you may pay a monthly fee during months in which you don’t buy anything.
Consider whether you may also enjoy the additional benefits of membership with the shopping site. The site I’m thinking of also offers free streaming movies and television shows to its members, which may appeal to you if you enjoy this kind of content.
Other factors to consider? If you make frequent trips to the store, which you’d replace by shopping online, you’ll save time and gasoline. If there are any health or lifestyle issues that make in-person shopping difficult, the logistics of online shopping may be easier for you as well.
Perhaps you sustained an injury that prevents you from shopping outside the home. Or, if you have a new baby at home, it might be easier to order diapers online during those first few seemingly sleepless months.
As with any purchase, weighing all of these factors will help determine if joining a shopping site makes the most financial sense for you.
© CTW Features Jill Cataldo, a coupon workshop instructor, writer and mother of three, never passes up a good deal. Learn more about Super-Couponing at her website, www.jillcataldo.com. Email your own couponing victories and questions to jill@ctwfeatures.com. Your weekly money-saving advice column Jill Cataldo saves hundreds on groceries by making the most of the common coupon. You can, too.
Here’s how.
—Melissa B.
You’re right that a few well-known brands of fabric softener have rebranded themselves. According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, the millennial generation is not purchasing fabric softener with the same frequency as previous generations.
In order to try to capture this segment of the audience, several brands have gone through a name change. Banking on the fact that most consumers know that hair conditioner makes hair softer and provides a pleasant scent, these products have rebranded as “fabric conditioners” in an effort to further tout the benefits of softer clothing to these consumers. Labeling a former fabric softener as a “wrinkle releaser” is another tactic to explain the benefits of using the product.
If you enjoy using fabric softener, I believe you can rest assured that these products are the same “fabric softener” products you’ve been using for years.
While I was researching this column, I was unable to find any evidence supporting that these products are inherently different than their formerly labeled “fabric softener” selves. The same product is simply being referred to with new terminology.
“Dear Jill, I have been shopping more online and am considering joining a large shopping website that has a one-year flat rate shipping of $99. Do you think this is worth it? I used to only want to support brick and mortar stores but sometimes I find things on this website for better prices. I am wondering if the extra yearly cost of shipping is really worth it.”
—Marshall R.
This is a difficult question to answer without knowing your shopping habits.
The annual cost of joining the website works out to $8.25 per month. Are you currently spending more than that each month on shipping? You did not mention the name of the website, but based on the details in your email, I’m guessing it’s the site that shares its name with a large river in South America. Currently, if you are not an annual subscriber, you must buy $25 worth of products to qualify for free shipping.
If you place orders for a few, low-cost items at a time, you’re likely facing shipping charges for each order, and these can quickly add up. Why ship one item for $7.99 when $8.25 per month gets you free shipping on as many items as you’d like? However, if you only place orders sporadically, you may pay a monthly fee during months in which you don’t buy anything.
Consider whether you may also enjoy the additional benefits of membership with the shopping site. The site I’m thinking of also offers free streaming movies and television shows to its members, which may appeal to you if you enjoy this kind of content.
Other factors to consider? If you make frequent trips to the store, which you’d replace by shopping online, you’ll save time and gasoline. If there are any health or lifestyle issues that make in-person shopping difficult, the logistics of online shopping may be easier for you as well.
Perhaps you sustained an injury that prevents you from shopping outside the home. Or, if you have a new baby at home, it might be easier to order diapers online during those first few seemingly sleepless months.
As with any purchase, weighing all of these factors will help determine if joining a shopping site makes the most financial sense for you.
© CTW Features Jill Cataldo, a coupon workshop instructor, writer and mother of three, never passes up a good deal. Learn more about Super-Couponing at her website, www.jillcataldo.com. Email your own couponing victories and questions to jill@ctwfeatures.com. Your weekly money-saving advice column Jill Cataldo saves hundreds on groceries by making the most of the common coupon. You can, too.
Here’s how.
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