Quilted Northern, Economics, Psychology and Marketing

Any business with a product to market should understand the intertwining of economics, psychology and marketing.

This is where Quilted Northern missed the target. With the case of the smaller toilet paper roll, it's a quite simple example.

If you raise the price of each roll of toilet paper 2 cents, it is unlikely that your consumer will even notice the 10 to 25 cent raise in their toilet paper package, especially if you raise it slowly over time. The consumers that do notice will either stop buying the product or they will decide they don't care and continue to buy. The ones who stop will be a small percentage and may have stopped buying anyway.

On the other hand a consumer that pays the price they have been paying for their toilet paper but opens it and finds a smaller roll feels cheated and ripped off. The actual visual of a smaller product has a major impact on buying decisions, especially when there is a somewhat standard size for toilet paper.

This also effects any loyalty the consumer may have with the brand. They think "this brand cheated me" and will most likely never come back to it.

This intense feeling of being cheated by a company turns viral and you have rip off reports and blogs like mine reporting this feeling.

You never see rip off reports or blogs reporting their toilet paper now costs 15 cents more per package.

The way I see it, Georgia Pacific and Quilted Northern could use a good refresher in the importance of the psychology behind consumer purchases and marketing.

Quilted Northern - the tiny roll

I have long been a buyer of Quilted Northern toilet paper, you know you have your favorites....

Last week I opened a package and did a double take. It looked smaller. Alot smaller. I put it away and didn't think about it for a couple of days. Then when I got it out to put on the holder I could really tell it was smaller. A 1/2 inch shorter and and smaller in girth. But.....the price was the same.....what's happening here??

When I first researched this I found a press release from Georgia Pacific that I can no longer find, however someone posted a "ripoff report" , which made me laugh a little, but the reply from Georgia Pacific was the same as the press release I had found earlier.

We understand you may have some concerns about the roll width and/or sheet count of Quilted Northern Soft & Strong(r). As noted at the bottom of the package, Quilted Northern Soft & Strong(r) is about 1/2 inch narrower than before, and we have slightly reduced the sheetcount.

Because of today's economy, cost is a factor. We made the decision to slightly reduce the roll to bring you the bathroom tissue you trust and not raise our price to retailers. Quilted Northern Soft & Strong continues to provide the cleanliness and comfort you have come to expect, making it a great value in today's economy. As always, Quilted Northern Soft & Strong(r) is thick, absorbent, and gentle on your skin. The bathroom tissue features strength and durability for cleanliness, with softness and thickness for comfort. With Quilted Northern Soft & Strong(r), you do not have to compromise comfort for clean."

http://www.ripoffreport.com/Miscellaneous-Companies/Georgia-Pacific-CRC/georgia-pacific-crc-toilet-pa-e2647.htm

So no more purchasing the Quilted Northern, any suggestions?

RC and Moon Pie Festival

I completely forgot to blog about the RC and Moon Pie Festival in Bell Buckle Tennessee. Somehow, someone from Bell Buckle arrived on my blog.....and it reminded me.

Several months ago I was doing some benchmarking for the Chamber of Commerce. While searching I ran across the RC and Moon Pie Festival in Bell Buckle. See excerpt from press release.

Tucked away among the rolling hills, farmland and Walking Horse country of Tennessee lays the historic town of Bell Buckle where every year on the third Saturday in June, the Souths two most honored traditions are celebrated, RC Colas and Moon Pies.

This years performance will be The Ball is in Your Court, starring who else but the lovely little Moon Pie and the charming RC with guest appearances by GooGoo Cluster, Coke, as well as a host of fairies and soldiers

Click Here for More Information and Pictures

I thought it was adorable! Who wouldn't like a deep fried moon pie while watching the synchronized wading?

Green Cleaning

I'll be updating Bit a Bliss Cleaning soon to reflect, the all non toxic cleaning products we will be using.

Did you know that Tea Tree Oil is a disinfectant? It is!

That was my big concern with trying to do all non-toxic cleaning, you have to disinfect especially during flu season. I am happy to say I have found the solution.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_tree_oil

Bit a Bliss Cleaning Service Dallas, Plano, Frisco and Little Rock, Arkansas

If you live in the Dallas area and need a maid or cleaning service, call Bit a Bliss Cleaning!

And how could I forget LITTLE ROCK. The phone number will be coming soon, in the meantime you can email stephanie@bitabliss.com to set up your service.

http://www.bitabliss.com/

214-390-3907

Starbucks - Pay It Forward

I got a Starbuck's this morning in the drive-thru.

When I got to the window to pay I was told the car in front of me already paid for it and said "Have a good day". Of course my mouth fell open and I was shocked. Evidentally it happens several times a day at my Starbucks drive thru.

I bet they wish I didn't love $4 coffees.....

So now I will make someone else's morning and buy their coffee.

Intuit To Acquire Mint

Intuit will acquire the free online personal finance service Mint, we’ve confirmed from a source close to the deal, for around $170 million. Silicon Alley Insider first reported a rumor on this. The deal should be announced in the next few days.
Update: CEO Aaron Patzer has just confirmed the deal on-stage at TechCrunch50, and written a guest post describing The Value of TechCrunch50 that contains more details.


Go to the following link to see my post on Mint almost a year ago. http://consumptionfunction.blogspot.com/2008/11/mint-manage-your-money.html