Are we silly or what??

Obviously, you must stock shelves where you work.

That used to drive me nuts when I was stocking at a grocery department and a product came out with a different packaging (usually, as you say, 'new and improved').

Customers, usually old ladies, would hunt me down with both boxes in their hands. They would say, "Excuse me, sir. Are these the same products? Why are they in different packages?"

I would kindly (Thank God they couldn't read my mind) recommend to them, "The one box is the new and improved product. However, many customers tell me they prefer the old product better. I would suggest you purchase both boxes and experiment. Decide for yourself. Because, if you like the older one better, you better stock up. We will not have any to sell in the near future."

This usually worked and they bought both. Many times they returned and stocked up because they said they took my advice and they preferred the old product. Sheesh!

Another point to your observation, they bragged for years how great their product was before, yet it was improved? That's not saying much for their previous boasts, is it?

Actually, I know a guy that is a consultant for the chemical that makes a cleaning product new. He sells this chemical to multiple companies and they all make a "new & improved" version of their product. Technically, the product does change . . he says wether it's better or not depends on the item being cleaned.

He works for a company called ChemTech

One word- MARKETING! You want people to keep using the product you are pushing but do not forget about the original. Why? In case it backfires on you, you can recover with minimal damage. PRIME EXAMPLE= Coca Cola. Coke with the original formula or new formula coke2? Enough said. If a product fails, you want to have it dissappear REAL fast and everyone forgets about it. Do you remember Pepsi Blue? The people from Pepsi make a big deal about it and even pushed it in a movie ( Italian Job) so people will know about it. TRY to find Pepsi Blue today. Like I said, MARKETING. Invest the least possible and turn a profit but if it goes wrong, make it dissappear fast so no one remembers.

They need to keep the name "tide" in the public eye or they will buy something else that is advertised.

And they can't think up new ads all the time, so they change the smell or the color and say new Improved to get your attention

Well, it actually IS a new product.

It has a new scent.

They just want other customers to continue buying their products.

They're afraid that if they don't like what the new product smells/tastes/looks like, then they will stop purchasing.

So that's why they leave old scents/tastes/looks on market, and they bring out new ones in order to appeal to new customers.

Which means more $$$.

Sales drop and so they revamp the old model as you described to up their sales. Bottom line is always the same, profit.

We are only silly if we go out and buy the 'new' pretty one without checking out as to what is bigger, better and brighter than our old one.

You sound like an astute shopper so you wont be fooled.

Hmm..makes you wanna buy it. i do it all the time! guess it works! lol