This is a post my wife did the other day. I am reposting it here as she got a bunch of very smart comments from her readers. Instead of being discouraged and frustrated about the value of the P&G coupons, they were optimistic about trying new items.
From Jamie:
I switched to Arm & Hammer about 2 years ago and my only reason for doing so was the price. Where I live a big bottle of Tide sells for any where between $18.00 and $24.00. The same quantity of Arm & Hammer costs about $9.00 (sometimes they run sales on the smaller bottles for $2.00, so I buy 3 smaller for $6.00 and the quantity of 3 smaller bottles is the same as 1 big bottle so it is like getting a big bottle for $6.00). So instead of buying 1 big bottle of Tide I can get 2 or 3 or sometimes even 4 big bottles of Arm & Hammer for the same price.
From Lisa:
I just read today that P&G’s profits are down due to their recent price increases. They are planning on lowering their prices in order to increase their market share: http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2012/04/27/pg-cuts-outlook-as-price-increases-dont-stick/
When I read this, I told my husband it may be too late. Most of us have already switched to other brands that we now like just as well, or better. Looks like I’m not the only one!
From Lili:
Lucky for me I do not use Tide anymore since I started using coupons. I grew up with Tide and when I was on my own I always used Tide, too. Couponing has allowed me to try new detergents that i like as well or better than Tide.
This is what Tiffany wrote:
Really? Really Tide???? You have the corner on the laundry detergent market, people STEAL your detergent and you only offer a $.20 off coupon?????
Dear Marketing Genius at P&G,
Offering consumers $.20 off a $12 bottle of Tide is a really ineffective marketing tool. It actually just makes us mad. It also makes us more willing to try the OTHER brands that are cheaper and offer a MUCH higher value coupon, making the overall price over 50% less than Tide. With the rising gas prices and overall rise in groceries, dropping the value on coupons does not make any sense. You are also actually hurting the grocery stores that you partner with. I can get the same Tideonline at Amazon, cheaper, no TAX, and get it shipped free to my home. Why would I want to spend the time and money to go to the grocery store with a $.20 coupon? Apply this to all the products that you offered PATHETIC coupons for this weekend.
Signed,
A old Tide, P&G product customer, NEW other brands customer!
