Quality Control

Why don't they make quality products like they used to? Think about the indestructibility of paper clips, bobby pins, silver ware, tupperware...tractors. Seriously, these things last forever. My mom has a mixing bowl that I swear she's had for at least 30 years.

I saw a commercial the other day for Stride gum (that was actually really funny, people in kilts punching the guy... I digress). Their marketing niche is long lasting flavor. So naturally their ad campaigns suggest that the flavor lasts so long that they are losing money because people chew the gum for so long and don't buy new packs. That's a pretty good angle. It also brings to light the fact that there is no business sense in creating a good, quality, long lasting product. Similar to the concept of all iPods mysteriously breaking around the 2 year mark... or my conspiracy against Chaptstick making your lips drier so you'll use more of it. Genius. The marketing atmosphere is reminiscent of cigarettes and nicotine.

When does doing the best job you can become superseded by making the most money from it?

What about the products that have been around forever without any recent development? Clearly, these products were well thought out, created with care, and good enough to beat the competition and remain profitable. Elmer's Glue. Cracker Jacks. Shoe Polish. Crayons. Not one thing has changed about the Crayon since the addition of the Mac N Cheese color in 1982. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Literally and actually, using Elmer's Glue.