THE MORNING RANT: All These Businesses Had To Do To Not Lose My Business Was…Nothing

I am probably like most men over the age of 50 in that I stick with the same hygiene and toiletry brands out of familiarity and habit. To keep me as a customer, all the manufacturer has to do is…nothing. Even periodic price increases don’t affect my product loyalty.

Yet repeatedly in recent years I have had to switch brands because modern corporate business practices demand that products be altered, shrunk, or cheapened to goose short term profits, or be connected to offensively woke advertising campaigns.

Most recently, I have had to give up on Mitchum roll-on deodorant because three of the last five bottles I’ve bought had a ball that doesn’t roll. I had always liked the way it applied, it didn’t feel sticky, etc., and I didn’t even balk at price increases. But suddenly they have apparently changed their packaging such that the product can no longer reliably do its core function – transfer the deodorant from the bottle to my armpits.

To paraphrase Ian Fleming, one defective bottle is happenstance. A second defective bottle is coincidence. Three times is elite MBA action. It is evident that someone either at Revlon (maker of Mitchum) or at the vendor supplying the bottles decided to save a cent or two by reducing quality. Instead, they ran off the lifetime revenue stream of a loyal, repeat customer.

Of note, I switched to Mitchum a few years ago only because Dove ran me off with a transgender advertising campaign. I might still be using Dove anti-perspirant had they not run that disturbing campaign.

I started using Zest soap in my college years because it didn’t leave me with the industrial cleaning smell of the Dial Gold soap of my childhood. I then habitually used Zest for decades, and again, all they had to do to keep my business was…nothing. But they couldn’t help themselves. The product was shrinkflated a few years ago, which probably looked like a great idea on some spreadsheet – higher gross profit per ounce! But to me it was an annoyance, the bar was more frequently at the sliver stage and I had to grab a new bar more frequently. So, after all those years I came back home to Dial, now that it has an unscented option.

I shaved with Gillette razors for decades until Gillette ran its infamous woke ad campaign accusing its loyal customers of being sexual predators. For me, learning that Gillette was publicly fighting the reputation of being the brand of choice for sexual predators made switching to a competitor an easy choice. Once again, all Procter & Gamble / Gillette had to do to keep my business was…nothing. They could even jack the price up higher and it wouldn’t cause me to switch. But they had to insult me. Since that notorious ad campaign, P&G has had to twice write off billions of dollars in impaired assets for its Gillette brand, totaling almost $10 billion.

There is a crisis in corporate management in that it does not value the effective equity and long-term revenue stream of its most loyal customers. A customer for life is so much more valuable than a temporary increase in margin due to cheapening a brand. When the cost to keep a loyal customer is $0, but a corporation chases that customer away through destructive product gimmickry or offensive advertising, it is corporate malpractice.

Corporate boards need to start policing the destructors they have hired to run their companies.

On a lighter note, here’s a young Roger Clemens reminding you that you’re not really clean unless you’re Zestfully clean.

Have a great weekend.

[buck.throckmorton at protonmail dot com]

Posted by: Buck Throckmorton at 11:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Sponge!

Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 11:00 AM (5WDkb)

2 Missed first by that () much

Posted by: Skip at June 20, 2025 11:00 AM (+qU29)

3 Corgis called.

Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 11:01 AM (5WDkb)

4 What a clean thread!

Posted by: AlaBAMA at June 20, 2025 11:01 AM (A5bjg)

5 "the industrial cleaning smell of the Dial Gold soap of my childhood."

Dove unscented hypoallergenic is your friend.

Posted by: sudo touch --methere gp at June 20, 2025 11:01 AM (t9lPv)

6 Also Sponge!

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at June 20, 2025 11:02 AM (PiwSw)

7 I put corporate decision makers on the same level as politicians.

They both pay focus groups to tell them what to think and say, rather than looking out the window at their customers. It is only difficult to know which way the wind is blowing if you refuse to open the window.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at June 20, 2025 11:04 AM (lTGtQ)

8 Lume for the win!

Posted by: (There Can Be Only One) Elric Blade at June 20, 2025 11:04 AM (iFTx/)

9 It's amazing how strong the Progressive Religion is, and how much it pushes its adherents to proselytize.

Posted by: Formerly Virginian at June 20, 2025 11:04 AM (aPBRN)

10 I use good old fashioned Old Spice. In original scent. Deodorant only. The anti-perspirant leaves a gluey, metallic film on my skin.

Posted by: (There Can Be Only One) Elric Blade at June 20, 2025 11:04 AM (iFTx/)

11 This is about me, isn't it?

Posted by: Alissa Heinerscheid at June 20, 2025 11:04 AM (PiwSw)

12 The smell of Dial Soap, Mexsana foot powder and Lysol concentrate reminds me of boot camp.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at June 20, 2025 11:04 AM (gm9Sb)

13 I've used a Gillette Sensor since the 90s. Their stupid campaign made me realize a could find generic replacement cartridges online for less than half Gillette's price.

Thanks Gillette!

Posted by: Dr. Varno at June 20, 2025 11:05 AM (Y9UJs)

14 Soap and deodorant?? Forget them…. Go with Lume; just apply between your buttcheeks and on your privates and presto you’re as fresh as a daisy!!

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at June 20, 2025 11:05 AM (WdMlw)

15 Zest was made by by one of the biggies for years. And they dropped it. The brand was picked up by some boutique soap maker in Utah, as I understand it. I buy it because it works well in hard water. Most soaps don't.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at June 20, 2025 11:05 AM (MFYQF)

16 Harry's Razors lost my business when the went Full Rainbow and started supporting causes like The Trevor Project.

Right now, most of the stuff I buy has one simple condition: I don't know anything about your politics.

Posted by: NR Pax at June 20, 2025 11:05 AM (7xrfc)

17 I assume the problem is that "do what you've been doing" is no way for an MBA to get noticed and promoted. That's why they insist on doing something which will temporarily make the company an extra penny per unit, without really considering the downside. It's very similar to the problem with humanities professors. Is there really anything new to say about Shakespeare and Milton? No, but if you say they're really trannies, that will get you some attention.

Posted by: Archimedes at June 20, 2025 11:06 AM (Riz8t)

18 >>>I shaved with Gillette razors for decades until Gillette ran its infamous woke ad campaign accusing its loyal customers of being sexual predators.

I then switched to safety razors and Taylor Of Old Bond Street sandalwood shaving soap. Thirty cents or less a blade.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at June 20, 2025 11:06 AM (i24o9)

19 Couldn't agree more Buck

Posted by: Skip at June 20, 2025 11:06 AM (+qU29)

20 Old Spice: If it was good enough for grandpa, it's good enough for me.

Posted by: Dr. Varno at June 20, 2025 11:07 AM (Y9UJs)

21 This post spoke to me. I was a loyal Harry's Razors customer until they decided to discontinue their ad deal with the Daily Wire, because Michael Knowles had committed the unpardonable sin of opposing the transgender craze. Harry's tweeted that DW "no longer aligned with [their] values". I sent a cancellation email with an estimate of my past spend with Harry's, noting that Harry's newly-discovered "values no longer aligned with mine" and thus they were losing a longtime customer over their social-media virtue signaling.

Posted by: Schnorflepuppy (OT but harmless) at June 20, 2025 11:07 AM (v23vE)

22 Soap and deodorant?? Forget them…. Go with Lume; just apply between your buttcheeks and on your privates and presto you’re as fresh as a daisy!!

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at June 20, 2025 11:05 AM (WdMlw)

If you wanted to smell like Gwenyth Paltrow's shriveled cooter, there's a candle for that.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at June 20, 2025 11:07 AM (i24o9)

23 I shaved with Gillette razors for decades until Gillette ran its infamous woke ad campaign accusing its loyal customers of being sexual predators.

Was that the cause of, or a reaction to, the recent appreciation of safety razors.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at June 20, 2025 11:07 AM (ExV1e)

24 Old Spice: If it was good enough for grandpa, it's good enough for me.
Posted by: Dr. Varno at June 20, 2025 11:07 AM (Y9UJs)

All the Spice Girls are getting long in the tooth, now.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at June 20, 2025 11:08 AM (MFYQF)

25 And just like that, hard wrought complete sentences comprising a cogent thought gone wisped away in a whirl of nood.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at June 20, 2025 11:08 AM (K9XnW)

26 Right Guard deodorant. "Two seconds by the clock, Right Guard, tik tok, two seconds gives you twenty four hours protection". Yeah, but some of you fucks have to remember it's not a pass on not showering.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at June 20, 2025 11:08 AM (gm9Sb)

27 Companies that lost my lifelong loyalty because of stupid decisions:

Ford, Kelloggs, Gillette, AB brewing, State Farm, Allstate, United Health Care, Target, Southwest Airlines, Puma. And the list goes on ...

Posted by: Joe Mama at June 20, 2025 11:08 AM (2sMLA)

28 A customer for life is so much more valuable than a temporary increase in margin due to cheapening a brand.

Not to me. -- this quarter's CEO

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at June 20, 2025 11:08 AM (ExV1e)

29 13 I've used a Gillette Sensor since the 90s. Their stupid campaign made me realize a could find generic replacement cartridges online for less than half Gillette's price.

Thanks Gillette!
Posted by: Dr. Varno at June 20, 2025 11:05 AM (Y9UJs)

Yeah but are those generic blades made of good old recycled American aircraft carrier steel scrapped by 10 year olds in India?

Posted by: Reforger at June 20, 2025 11:09 AM (LgDgc)

30 When the cost to keep a loyal customer is $0, but a corporation chases that customer away through destructive product gimmickry or offensive advertising, it is corporate malpractice.

------------

The #1 Rule of Customer Service: It can take months, sometimes even years, to gain a new customer -- and seconds to lose them (and once lost, they will generally NEVER come back).

Posted by: ShainS -- Busy Organizing 'Make Trump King' Protests at June 20, 2025 11:09 AM (nXhai)

31 On a lighter note, here’s a young Roger Clemens reminding you that you’re not really clean unless you’re Zestfully clean.

We were required to use Zest in Navy basic training because it didn't leave a film on the shower.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at June 20, 2025 11:09 AM (ExV1e)

32 I have no brand loyalties but I have noticed almost all are doing the shrinkflation.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2025 11:09 AM (VofaG)

33 What happened is that every industry hired 'consultants' and 'market experts' that told them AKSHUALLY the LGTBQDTAF

AVEWR++A+SFD+-!@ nonsense was POPULAR and THE FUTURE and they needed to go all in on it, and as the moron at Bud Light claimed the 'fratty, out of touch' culture was going away.

And it worked for a few years because the suits making decisions at this company do not consume their own product, have no actual interaction with the people that consume their product, and have NO IDEA what normies actually think, and they hated the fact that they had to appeal to the evil conservative market.

But of course the problem for the 'consultants' was that their promises of 'expanded markets' not only never materialized, as you say, they lost loyal life-long customers by openly insulting them.

Finally the corporate culture of 'our current customers are such evil racists, so we're going to magically get new customers to replace them' has conclusively failed so many times even the stupidest most obtuse leftist CEO understands that if zhe wants to keep zir job that they have to at least PRETEND to care about what their customers want.

Posted by: DudeAbiding at June 20, 2025 11:10 AM (lCHt6)

34 Roger Clemens was a good kid.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at June 20, 2025 11:10 AM (K9XnW)

35 Irish Spring - Manly yes, but I like it too!

Posted by: David Hogg, in a role that won't surprise you at June 20, 2025 11:10 AM (PiwSw)

36 The worst one is Penzey's Spices. What do spices have to do with politics, you ask? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Yet after I signed up with them, I was treated to an unbidden stream of unhinged e-mails about the evil that was Trump and other people who look like me.

To their credit, when I told them I no longer wanted their crap, spices or e-mails, they immediately discontinued their propaganda. How does this company stay in business?

Posted by: Archimedes at June 20, 2025 11:10 AM (Riz8t)

37 Of note, I switched to Mitchum a few years ago only because Dove ran me off with a transgender advertising campaign.

Old Spice.

Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 11:10 AM (5WDkb)

38 "There is a crisis in corporate management in that it does not value the effective equity and long-term revenue stream of its most loyal customers."

I think the old concept of keeping loyal customers was mostly discarded decades ago, when all the gimmicky, trendy corporate and marketing bullshit was coming out. The old tried-and-true corporate and marketing methods were considered trite and uncool.

I think the new idea was to constantly change and rearrange things in a bid to get new customers. Dumb as fuck, but there was a lot of very dumb ideas floating around corporate America in the 1980s and 90s.

Posted by: (There Can Be Only One) Elric Blade at June 20, 2025 11:10 AM (iFTx/)

39 I started to notice 20 years ago, maybe more, in my industry very young folks out of college were obviously slotted from the very beginning for the fast track to executive. Never in any one slot more than 6 months to a year and always had to “mix things up” in that short time to make their mark. Zero long term thinking.

I never figured out why the particular people were fast tracked. It wasn’t like they were all uniformly impressive and intelligent. It’s a mystery to this day… I think that approach to fast tracking youngsters right out of college leads to this

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at June 20, 2025 11:10 AM (WdMlw)

40 Yeah but are those generic blades made of good old recycled American aircraft carrier steel scrapped by 10 year olds in India?
Posted by: Reforger at June 20, 2025 11:09 AM (LgDgc)

Painstakingly filed down from old Morris Minor leaf springs.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at June 20, 2025 11:10 AM (MFYQF)

41 32 I have no brand loyalties but I have noticed almost all are doing the shrinkflation.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2025 11:09 AM (VofaG)

I was in the pool!

Posted by: The Economy at June 20, 2025 11:10 AM (PiwSw)

42 Their stupid campaign made me realize a could find generic replacement cartridges online for less than half Gillette's price.

If'n ya switch to safety razors you can get them for about $0.10 per blade.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at June 20, 2025 11:11 AM (ExV1e)

43 As a corarallery, I have been drinking Tropicana OJ pretty much every day for the last... oh... 60 years, there is literally no reason for them to change there packaging or advertising.

I'm switching to any other brand and I don't really know anyone that promiscuously switches brands.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at June 20, 2025 11:11 AM (XV/Pl)

44 Companies that lost my lifelong loyalty because of stupid decisions:

Ford, Kelloggs, Gillette, AB brewing, State Farm, Allstate, United Health Care, Target, Southwest Airlines, Puma. And the list goes on ...

Posted by: Joe Mama at June 20, 2025 11:08 AM (2sMLA)

-------------

MBAs killed the Marketing Star.

Posted by: ShainS -- Busy Organizing 'Make Trump King' Protests at June 20, 2025 11:12 AM (nXhai)

45 Strong enough for a man...

Posted by: Dr. Varno at June 20, 2025 11:12 AM (Y9UJs)

46 Is there a central list that some website has as to which products to boycott because I don’t know which all the companies are and what are the alternatives are.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at June 20, 2025 11:12 AM (2GCMq)

47 I have no brand loyalties but I have noticed almost all are doing the shrinkflation.

Pasta used to come in a 1 lb box. It was easy to know how much to use. Now, they're something like 11 and 3/4 oz. GFY.

Posted by: Archimedes at June 20, 2025 11:13 AM (Riz8t)

48 Q-tips

Posted by: Django at June 20, 2025 11:13 AM (Ef4Ak)

49 40 I was reading about business in Vietnam, and one of their movers and shakers got his start making scissors for the garment industry. Out of left behind 6X6 (deuce and a half) springs.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at June 20, 2025 11:13 AM (gm9Sb)

50 Most US multi-nationals got sick on MBA educated CFO promoted to CEO spreadsheet managers.

I've pretty much come to the conclusion that the easiest way to ruin a business is to put a former CFO in charge, unless your business is actually money - banking and insurance.

If your business is making things, your CFO trained CEO doesn't give a rat's ass about your product, he only cares about numbers on a spreadsheet. Promote them to the top spot at your own peril.

Posted by: Black JEM at June 20, 2025 11:14 AM (GZYu7)

51 The worst one is Penzey's Spices. What do spices have to do with politics, you ask? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Yet after I signed up with them, I was treated to an unbidden stream of unhinged e-mails about the evil that was Trump and other people who look like me.

To their credit, when I told them I no longer wanted their crap, spices or e-mails, they immediately discontinued their propaganda. How does this company stay in business?
Posted by: Archimedes at June 20, 2025 11:10 AM (Riz8t)

I believe it was discussed here a few years ago. Bill (IIRC) Penzey is the moonbat. He retains the Penzey's name for his spices. His non-insane siblings founded Spice House. Same products, no moonbat politics.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at June 20, 2025 11:14 AM (MFYQF)

52 I liked Ironhead Heyward's Zest ads.

*sarcastic voice* "But Ironhead, aren't body washes for ladies?"

Posted by: Pug Mahon at June 20, 2025 11:15 AM (PSEDc)

53 Strong enough for a man...

Posted by: Dr. Varno

I had assumed that if we cannot define a woman, we also could not define a man.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at June 20, 2025 11:15 AM (lTGtQ)

54 Pasta used to come in a 1 lb box. It was easy to know how much to use. Now, they're something like 11 and 3/4 oz. GFY.
Posted by: Archimedes

Same box. Just lighter. Easier to fill less than change the machines for different box size.

Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 11:15 AM (5WDkb)

55 I have a list on the bottom of a pile of important papers which contains the names of Corporations that support Planned Parenthood.

Nope. Not gonna buy their shit.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at June 20, 2025 11:16 AM (ZmEVT)

56 Finally the corporate culture of 'our current customers are such evil racists, so we're going to magically get new customers to replace them' has conclusively failed so many times even the stupidest most obtuse leftist CEO understands that if zhe wants to keep zir job that they have to at least PRETEND to care about what their customers want.
Posted by: DudeAbiding at June 20, 2025 11:10 AM (lCHt6)

On the plus side, we can add AI to it and jack the price 20%. -- idiot CEO

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at June 20, 2025 11:16 AM (ExV1e)

57 Roger Clemens is not a nice guy in my brief interactions with him or with my friends. I might have caught him on a bad day.

I do remember a one sided interaction with his wife about 20 years ago. I was shopping at Whole Foods ( walking distance from my abode) and I saw a blonde in tight jeans with her back turned to me down one of the aisles . I decided to go up the opposite aisle and come around and see if the face matched the smoking body. As I turned the corner I came face to face with Clemen’s wife. A quick nod and on my way.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2025 11:16 AM (VofaG)

58 A customer for life is so much more valuable than a temporary increase in margin due to cheapening a brand.

Sure, if you're not cashing out your stock options.

Posted by: t-bird at June 20, 2025 11:16 AM (nYrjk)

59 Liquid soap is the only way to go.

Posted by: butkus51 at June 20, 2025 11:16 AM (+yda9)

60 I was reading about business in Vietnam, and one of their movers and shakers got his start making scissors for the garment industry. Out of left behind 6X6 (deuce and a half) springs.
Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at June 20, 2025 11:13 AM (gm9Sb)

Spring steel is good stuff for making knives and other cutting implements.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at June 20, 2025 11:16 AM (MFYQF)

61 What is crazy about Harry's and their woke nonsense is that a lot of us went to them when Gillette imploded. For them to turn around and do the same thing but with a different topic is def MBA action.

Posted by: thesgm at June 20, 2025 11:17 AM (cVZbB)

62 Dial for Men 3 in 1 Body Wash took the for Men part off.

Posted by: Boss Moss at June 20, 2025 11:17 AM (1IUvn)

63 It still amazes me how companies will make incredibly stupid decisions based solely on metrics for the next quarter.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at June 20, 2025 11:17 AM (lTGtQ)

64 Hey, keep it clean.

Posted by: Dr. Varno at June 20, 2025 11:17 AM (Y9UJs)

65
If'n ya switch to safety razors you can get them for about $0.10 per blade.

Now there's a misnamed product if ever there was.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at June 20, 2025 11:17 AM (63Dwl)

66 I used fragrance enhanced chicken fat for soap. A great turkey basting use too.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at June 20, 2025 11:17 AM (g8Ew8)

67 Painstakingly filed down from old Morris Minor leaf springs.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at June 20, 2025 11:10 AM (MFYQF)

That's a lot of filing to go from leaf spring to razor blade.

Posted by: Reforger at June 20, 2025 11:17 AM (LgDgc)

68 Irish Spring - Manly yes, but I like it too!

Posted by: David Hogg, in a role that won't surprise you at June 20, 2025 11:10 AM (PiwSw)

------------

Old & Busted: Soap-on-a-Rope.
New Hotness: Soap-on-a-Mope.

Posted by: ShainS -- Busy Organizing 'Make Trump King' Protests at June 20, 2025 11:18 AM (nXhai)

69 I'm right here.

Posted by: Great Value products at June 20, 2025 11:18 AM (lIgBp)

70 55 I have a list on the bottom of a pile of important papers which contains the names of Corporations that support Planned Parenthood.

Nope. Not gonna buy their shit.
Posted by: no one of any consequence

We could use less customers.

Posted by: Corporations that support Planned Parenthood at June 20, 2025 11:18 AM (Dv3i1)

71 I believe it was discussed here a few years ago. Bill (IIRC) Penzey is the moonbat. He retains the Penzey's name for his spices. His non-insane siblings founded Spice House. Same products, no moonbat politics.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon

Not to be confused with Pendery's World of Chiles & Spices out of Ft. Worth, Texas. pendrys.com

Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 11:19 AM (5WDkb)

72 No need to get in a lather about it.

Posted by: Dr. Varno at June 20, 2025 11:19 AM (Y9UJs)

73 It still amazes me how companies will make incredibly stupid decisions based solely on metrics for the next quarter.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at June 20, 2025 11:17 AM (lTGtQ)

-------------

* Perverse Incentives have entered the chat *

Posted by: ShainS -- Busy Organizing 'Make Trump King' Protests at June 20, 2025 11:19 AM (nXhai)

74 The worst one is Penzey's Spices. What do spices have to do with politics, you ask? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Yet after I signed up with them, I was treated to an unbidden stream of unhinged e-mails about the evil that was Trump and other people who look like me.

To their credit, when I told them I no longer wanted their crap, spices or e-mails, they immediately discontinued their propaganda. How does this company stay in business?
Posted by: Archimedes at June 20, 2025 11:10 AM (Riz8t)

I believe it was discussed here a few years ago. Bill (IIRC) Penzey is the moonbat. He retains the Penzey's name for his spices. His non-insane siblings founded Spice House. Same products, no moonbat politics.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at June 20, 2025 11:14 AM (MFYQF)
________

I've been trying to get all my spices from foreign sources, in part to avoid all the American-company woke poison. So I started getting stuff from Israel, Jamaica, Cambodia, etc. And you know what? The spices are better.

Posted by: (There Can Be Only One) Elric Blade at June 20, 2025 11:19 AM (iFTx/)

75 Pasta used to come in a 1 lb box. It was easy to know how much to use. Now, they're something like 11 and 3/4 oz. GFY.
Posted by: Archimedes

Same box. Just lighter. Easier to fill less than change the machines for different box size.

Posted by: rickb223

My recent favorite was the muffin mix that proudly stated on their box that the contents made 11 muffins. Do I need to buy a new tray?

Posted by: Thomas Paine at June 20, 2025 11:19 AM (lTGtQ)

76 Yes, also ditched Gillette way back when. Went with Dollar Shave Club for the past several years. Much cheaper, and I haven't heard them dabble in politics, so staying with them.

Posted by: Grapefruit LaCroix at June 20, 2025 11:20 AM (AsQbD)

77 That's a lot of filing to go from leaf spring to razor blade.
Posted by: Reforger at June 20, 2025 11:17 AM (LgDgc)

I kid, I kid.

You know, that would make a great Forged in Fire episode: give the contestants a pile of scrap, and challenge them to make a safety razor blade.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at June 20, 2025 11:20 AM (MFYQF)

78 I do remember a class in High School were I read in the text book that one of the titans in the 1900’s ( can’t remember who) looked at his production line of canning tuna fish and decided to reduce the amount of oil used by one or two cent cost per can and increased the total revenue by X amount of dollars.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2025 11:21 AM (VofaG)

79 It still amazes me how companies will make incredibly stupid decisions based solely on metrics for the next quarter.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at June 20, 2025 11:17 AM (lTGtQ)
____

That's how executives get paid. It's all about bonuses and stock incentives. Juice the shit now, pocket as much as you can, and worry about the future when it comes. You might not even be there in a year.

Posted by: (There Can Be Only One) Elric Blade at June 20, 2025 11:21 AM (iFTx/)

80 If'n ya switch to safety razors you can get them for about $0.10 per blade.
--------
Now there's a misnamed product if ever there was.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at June 20, 2025 11:17 AM (63Dwl)

I used to use a space-age multi bladed razor with advanced ultra shaving cream... always got razor burn yet still had stubble.

Now I use a safety razor. I dry shave, shave against the grain, do all kinds of stupid shit. No stubble, no burn.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at June 20, 2025 11:22 AM (ExV1e)

81 There is a crisis in corporate management in that it does not value the effective equity and long-term revenue stream of its most loyal customers. A customer for life is so much more valuable than a temporary increase in margin due to cheapening a brand.

But it gives the suits bigger bonuses and that's the only thing they give a fuck about.

Posted by: Shit products + poor wages = C suite bonus! at June 20, 2025 11:22 AM (TbWk/)

82 I do remember a class in High School were I read in the text book that one of the titans in the 1900’s ( can’t remember who) looked at his production line of canning tuna fish and decided to reduce the amount of oil used by one or two cent cost per can and increased the total revenue by X amount of dollars.

Posted by: polynikes

What if we feed mayonnaise to the tuna before we put them in the can?

Posted by: Thomas Paine at June 20, 2025 11:22 AM (lTGtQ)

83 Every once in a while you find a ten cent Bic that will go for months. Some won't get you threw one shave.

Posted by: Boss Moss at June 20, 2025 11:22 AM (1IUvn)

84 Is Old Spice still ok?

I find their tongue-in-cheek overly masculine product names self-depreciatingly funny in a way you don't see in most of the corporate world these days and I'd hate to have to go back from Bear Wrestler to Cool breeze or whatever.

Posted by: joe, living dangerously at June 20, 2025 11:23 AM (B9Prs)

85 I have no brand loyalties but I have noticed almost all are doing the shrinkflation.

I still use 20-Mule Team Borax after working in the shop. If they go below eight mules, I'm not sure it'll still work.

Posted by: t-bird at June 20, 2025 11:23 AM (YiWOf)

86 I decided to go up the opposite aisle and come around and see if the face matched the smoking body.

------------

I'm not the only guy who does that (still after some five decades)? lol

My path through grocery stores aisles occasionally looks like a rat in a maze ..

Posted by: ShainS -- Busy Organizing 'Make Trump King' Protests at June 20, 2025 11:23 AM (nXhai)

87 Not to be confused with Pendery's World of Chiles & Spices out of Ft. Worth, Texas. pendrys.com
Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 11:19 AM (5WDkb)

Apparently, that would be penderys.com

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at June 20, 2025 11:23 AM (ExV1e)

88 What if we feed mayonnaise to the tuna before we put them in the can?
Posted by: Thomas Paine at June 20, 2025 11:22 AM (lTGtQ)

As long as it's not Miracle Whip. Some of us have standards.

Posted by: Charlie the Tuna at June 20, 2025 11:24 AM (MFYQF)

89 Irish Spring deters flies from your trash can. Not perfectly, but it lessens the number of them and their disgusting maggots that if you live in the south you get. We have trash can cleaning services because it is so gross.

Posted by: Piper at June 20, 2025 11:24 AM (pZEOD)

90 77 Fabrique Nationale had a requirement for their tool and die apprentices. During their four year education, they had to make a set of parallel blocks by hand with file and saw.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at June 20, 2025 11:24 AM (gm9Sb)

91 My recent favorite was the muffin mix that proudly stated on their box that the contents made 11 muffins. Do I need to buy a new tray?

But they put the number of servings right there on the box of most food. What comprises a serving? Who the hell knows?

Posted by: Archimedes at June 20, 2025 11:24 AM (Riz8t)

92 --Hits Blunt
What if we feed mayonnaise to the tuna before we put them in the can?

I think that's what you meant there...

Posted by: Grapefruit LaCroix at June 20, 2025 11:24 AM (AsQbD)

93 What if we feed mayonnaise to the tuna before we put them in the can?

Posted by: Thomas Paine at June 20, 2025 11:22 AM (lTGtQ)

*perks up*

Posted by: Kanye West at June 20, 2025 11:24 AM (i24o9)

94 What if we feed mayonnaise to the tuna before we put them in the can?

Posted by: Thomas Paine at June 20, 2025 11:22 AM (lTGtQ)

Night Shift is a favorite.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2025 11:25 AM (VofaG)

95 Granny's lye soap will clean you up.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at June 20, 2025 11:25 AM (63Dwl)

96 Sefton, why did you ruin a great post by including that massive douchebag Clemens?

Posted by: YCRT_TX at June 20, 2025 11:26 AM (qzwD+)

97 Is there a central list that some website has as to which products to boycott because I don’t know which all the companies are and what are the alternatives are.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at June 20, 2025 11:12 AM

I just wait until one offends me. No need to go seeking products to avoid.

Posted by: toby928 at June 20, 2025 11:26 AM (jc0TO)

98 I think the bar soap is being denatured.

Posted by: Boss Moss at June 20, 2025 11:26 AM (1IUvn)

99 You want people eating that fish?! You use ranch, not mayo.

Posted by: Dr. Varno at June 20, 2025 11:26 AM (Y9UJs)

100 You know who else likes mayonnaise in the can?

Posted by: Pete Buttigeig at June 20, 2025 11:26 AM (MFYQF)

101 There are corporations wanting to squeeze every dime out of consumers that they can, not sure how that will work out for them, probably not very well. Reminds me of the English aristocrats that tried to do the same thing with their estate farms, how many of those estates still exist? Then their are the companies run by the clinically insane, insanity has permeated so many walks of life in the US since mental institutions were shut down. Sad, very sad.

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at June 20, 2025 11:26 AM (2NHgQ)

102 Is there really anything new to say about Shakespeare and Milton? No, but if you say they're really trannies, that will get you some attention.
Posted by: Archimedes
========
I watched from another department, the smoldering trash dump fire in the English Department during my entire academic career as a professor.

Basically, none of the professors wanted to teach basic English Comp 1101 and 1102 but all wanted to teach upper division elective courses where they could let their freak flag fly. As their faculty grew, more and more of the basic classes were taught by poorly paid adjuncts while the number of tedious narrowly focused lit courses proliferated. At the same time, the number of students willing to become English majors took a major downturn.

And thus the whole department was in a spiral of circular firing squads for decades based on avoidance of teaching cootie filled non-major classes.

Posted by: whig at June 20, 2025 11:27 AM (ctrM5)

103 Morning.

I use Irish Spring. I don't watch TV anymore and I pay no attention to advertising. If they hate their customers I'd like to live in blissful ignorance.

Posted by: Robert at June 20, 2025 11:27 AM (4jjip)

104 Safety razor and feather blades from Japan. Been saving a ton of money for decades now.

Fifteen bucks I think for 100 blades and I can shave about five times per blade.

Try that with your ten dollar, five blade Gillette.

Posted by: AlaBAMA at June 20, 2025 11:28 AM (A5bjg)

105 Same box. Just lighter. Easier to fill less than change the machines for different box size.

Posted by: rickb223

------------

I recently bought a bag of air, and found a few potato chips in it.

Posted by: ShainS -- Busy Organizing 'Make Trump King' Protests at June 20, 2025 11:28 AM (nXhai)

106 ***Corporate boards need to start policing the destructors they have hired to run their companies.
-----------------

There has been much talk, here, lately on destructive MBA's.
I worked for a company that was taken over by MBAs by death of the owner who had built a multi-million dollar company from scratch, literally.

In the short five years that they ran the company they succeeded in escorting six other companies, that I know of, into bankruptcy before going bankrupt themselves.
Never did the customer base or customer loyalty enter into their minds. They were despicable, loathsome people.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at June 20, 2025 11:28 AM (K9XnW)

107 I never figured out why the particular people were fast tracked. It wasn’t like they were all uniformly impressive and intelligent. It’s a mystery to this day… I think that approach to fast tracking youngsters right out of college leads to this
Posted by: LinusVanPelt

Did ya ever notice that to pull the anointed putz from a particular position never impacted the work accomplished by that team? If anything, it got rid of a drag on productivity.

There's a lesson there but one that upper management refuses to see.

Posted by: Tonypete at June 20, 2025 11:28 AM (cYBz/)

108 Apparently, that would be penderys.com
Posted by: I used to have a different nic

Yeah. Typo. Sorry.

Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 11:28 AM (5WDkb)

109 I would like to use Irish Spring, but I like to go more than twice a week.

Posted by: Boss Moss at June 20, 2025 11:28 AM (1IUvn)

110

Folgers coffee,12 oz is a pound in their eyes, McDonalds sausage biscuits smaller, didn't change the taste though. All the other burger offerings shrank also and the Mac isn't as good tasting.

Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at June 20, 2025 11:29 AM (hKoQL)

111 Just In Time Inventory is another ‘don’t give a crap about the customer’ MBA classroom theory to increase profits.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2025 11:30 AM (VofaG)

112 Did ya ever notice that to pull the anointed putz from a particular position never impacted the work accomplished by that team? If anything, it got rid of a drag on productivity.

There's a lesson there but one that upper management refuses to see.
Posted by: Tonypete

You nickname those people "foreskin". Because they always seem to disappear when the work gets hard.

Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 11:30 AM (5WDkb)

113 101 There are corporations wanting to squeeze every dime out of consumers that they can, not sure how that will work out for them, probably not very well. Reminds me of the English aristocrats that tried to do the same thing with their estate farms, how many of those estates still exist? Then their are the companies run by the clinically insane, insanity has permeated so many walks of life in the US since mental institutions were shut down. Sad, very sad.
Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine
========
This is often the case where the cuts in product quality provide an obvious and immediate increase to the bottom line but have long run negative consequences. In many companies, those departments actually making the product are overwhelmed by the finance, HR, marketing, and legal departments.

Ditto for other dysfunctional organizations like public schools, police, etc. The ancillary departments become the tail that wags the productive dog.

Posted by: whig at June 20, 2025 11:30 AM (ctrM5)

114 Since that notorious ad campaign, P&G has had to twice write off billions of dollars in impaired assets for its Gillette brand, totaling almost $10 billion.

I'm glad I helped them to get there.

I've been a Schick man since that infamous ad, along with you.

I still use Right Guard deodorant (the clear gel type), but I'm sure P&G will screw that up soon enough.

And Dove soap all the way.
My skin would probably freak out if I switched soap brands.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at June 20, 2025 11:30 AM (6ydKt)

115 I use Irish Spring because Palmolive smells like privation and child abuse.

Posted by: Makes me shudder to this day at June 20, 2025 11:30 AM (TbWk/)

116 Schlick Injectors -

They quit selling them for years.

A lab supply company still had unbranded blades. Apparently biologists use the blades for shaving thin specimens for slides.

Great shave. Close as you want and can takes off a weeks growth w/o clogging.

Posted by: New Name at June 20, 2025 11:31 AM (/lPRQ)

117 >>>I don't watch TV anymore and I pay no attention to advertising. If they hate their customers I'd like to live in blissful ignorance.
Posted by: Robert
---------------------

Hear, hear. Stopped watching everything except football.
When they took a knee the TV went into the closet.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at June 20, 2025 11:31 AM (K9XnW)

118 110 The latest thing seems to be the smash burger. You get a patty that's very thin with a cool name. Looking at you, Sonic.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at June 20, 2025 11:31 AM (gm9Sb)

119 18 I then switched to safety razors and Taylor Of Old Bond Street sandalwood shaving soap. Thirty cents or less a blade.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at June 20, 2025 11:06 AM (i24o9)
---------------

Safety razors are the way to go, but there's no need to spend extra money on specific soap. I use Kirk's Castile bar soap for everything - washing, hair, and shaving. It goes on nicely with a brush and lathers well.

For an additional sort-of endorsement, Albert Einstein used the same bar of soap for washing and shaving because he thought having two kinds of soap was inefficient and complicated.

Posted by: Pennsyltucky at June 20, 2025 11:31 AM (QdGJh)

120 The Gillette bodywash was good and got dropped by Kroger and Walmart.

Posted by: Boss Moss at June 20, 2025 11:31 AM (1IUvn)

121 Folgers coffee, 12 oz is a pound in their eyes

Almost all one-pound bags of coffee have been shrinkflated to 12 ounces.

Now I order bulk beans online.

Posted by: Grapefruit LaCroix at June 20, 2025 11:31 AM (AsQbD)

122 Safety razor and feather blades from Japan. Been saving a ton of money for decades now.
Posted by: AlaBAMA

Yep. And I use the shaving soap in a mug and a good bristle brush too.

Posted by: Tonypete at June 20, 2025 11:31 AM (cYBz/)

123 When I find something I like I stick with it until they begin to promote some DEI or other woke bullsh*t. Then I look for something different.

Great topic Buck. Thanxs.

Posted by: Typical Stormtrooper at June 20, 2025 11:32 AM (W/lyH)

124 Staying drier is nice with a little Tickle.

Posted by: Dr. Varno at June 20, 2025 11:32 AM (Y9UJs)

125 Did ya ever notice that to pull the anointed putz from a particular position never impacted the work accomplished by that team? If anything, it got rid of a drag on productivity.

There's a lesson there but one that upper management refuses to see.
Posted by: Tonypete at June 20, 2025 11:28 AM (cYBz/)

That's because they're anointed putzes themselves who anoint other putzes

Posted by: Anointed putzes all the way down at June 20, 2025 11:32 AM (TbWk/)

126 Yep. And I use the shaving soap in a mug and a good bristle brush too.
Posted by: Tonypete at June 20, 2025 11:31 AM (cYBz/)

Bingo. Best shave I have ever had this side of a straight razor.

Posted by: AlaBAMA at June 20, 2025 11:32 AM (A5bjg)

127 The latest thing seems to be the smash burger. You get a patty that's very thin with a cool name. Looking at you, Sonic.
Posted by: bill in arkansas

Smash Burger hardest hit.

Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 11:33 AM (5WDkb)

128 Alberta VO5. Still a buck a bottle.
Speed Stick. Up to two bucks a stick.

Posted by: New Name at June 20, 2025 11:33 AM (/lPRQ)

129 Stick deodorant. Simple. You know how much is left- you can see it right there.

No clear, clammy gel.

No firehouse of blown powder.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at June 20, 2025 11:33 AM (bss/y)

130 Several years ago my car insurance agent called to give me the heads up over a price increase. It was large like >20% or so. I said you do realize Ive been a customer for x years and have never filed a claim. He acknowledged but it was out of his hands. I give the agent points for the call but still changed carriers. Again... all they had to do was nothing and keep cashing checks. I was a cash cow...

Posted by: Triple at June 20, 2025 11:33 AM (m9VQL)

131 Ivory soap because it's 99.44% pure

Posted by: Ben Had at June 20, 2025 11:33 AM (ZIggv)

132 What eez dees "soap" and "deodorant"?

Posted by: Pierre at June 20, 2025 11:34 AM (phEsr)

133 Deodorant? You spend money on deodorant? Baking soda works.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at June 20, 2025 11:34 AM (K9XnW)

134 Alberta VO5. Still a buck a bottle.
Speed Stick. Up to two bucks a stick.
Posted by: New Name

Deer nuts. Still under a buck.

Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 11:34 AM (5WDkb)

135 The latest thing seems to be the smash burger. You get a patty that's very thin with a cool name. Looking at you, Sonic.
Posted by: bill in arkansas
-

Bojangles is now slicing their chicken breasts in half (thin).

All while the breakfast biscuit combo price goes up by three dollars.

Posted by: Boron Quidquid - Men are the romantic sex, with no concern for a mate's income or potential at June 20, 2025 11:34 AM (I57y9)

136 Ivory soap because it's 99.44% pure
Posted by: Ben Had at June 20, 2025 11:33 AM (ZIggv)

You know who else wanted things 99.44% pure?

Posted by: Yep, that's right. at June 20, 2025 11:35 AM (TbWk/)

137 .56 schlock.

Posted by: Boss Moss at June 20, 2025 11:35 AM (1IUvn)

138 I want my Right Guard deodorant in the silver cans damnit!!!

Posted by: Cow Demon at June 20, 2025 11:36 AM (vm8sq)

139 $1.25 Tree.

Posted by: Boss Moss at June 20, 2025 11:36 AM (1IUvn)

140 Ivory soap because it's 99.44% pure
Posted by: Ben Had

And it floats.

Posted by: Tuna at June 20, 2025 11:36 AM (lJ0H4)

141 Having sat in on a few focus groups, they all follow this pattern:
a third of the participants will dominate the conversation.
a third will have opinions but they won't really share them out of deference to the first group.
the last third just came for the swag and the $20.

Posted by: J. Frank Parnell at June 20, 2025 11:36 AM (eb5mD)

142 101 There are corporations wanting to squeeze every dime out of consumers that they can, not sure how that will work out for them, probably not very well. Reminds me of the English aristocrats that tried to do the same thing with their estate farms, how many of those estates still exist? Then their are the companies run by the clinically insane, insanity has permeated so many walks of life in the US since mental institutions were shut down. Sad, very sad.
Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine

Molding corps into the generic is partly to blame. Management in corporations becomes managing the production of widgets. "Back to School" Rodney Dangerfield explains the failure of that approach in real life.

You see the same phenomenon with puffed up types like Tom Friedman that see the world as 'flat' from their clouds.

To these people, customers are sheep to be shorn, workers are to be treated as robots, corporate culture is to be homogenized to whatever the current business school trend tripe is taught, consultants like McKinsey are worshipped as gods, and corporations are essentially viewed as a means of extricating maximum returns for the executive level officials

Posted by: whig at June 20, 2025 11:37 AM (ctrM5)

143 Ben Gay isn't.

Posted by: Damn straight at June 20, 2025 11:37 AM (lIgBp)

144 Dr. Squatch's soap for me!

I can't recommend any shaving razors, though.

Posted by: Sasquatch, the Original Trans-Wookie at June 20, 2025 11:37 AM (e9cFD)

145 Having sat in on a few focus groups, they all follow this pattern:
a third of the participants will dominate the conversation.
a third will have opinions but they won't really share them out of deference to the first group.
the last third just came for the swag and the $20.

-

Jury duty but not required by law.

Posted by: Boron Quidquid - Men are the romantic sex, with no concern for a mate's income or potential at June 20, 2025 11:37 AM (I57y9)

146 This is often the case where the cuts in product quality provide an obvious and immediate increase to the bottom line but have long run negative consequences. In many companies, those departments actually making the product are overwhelmed by the finance, HR, marketing, and legal departments.

Posted by: whig at June 20, 2025 11:30 AM (ctrM5)

-- --

GM, Ford, and Chrysler all proved this in the 70s and 80s, but apparently nobody paid attention to what happened to them.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at June 20, 2025 11:37 AM (6ydKt)

147 Irish Spring FTW.

Posted by: Cow Demon at June 20, 2025 11:37 AM (vm8sq)

148 138 I want my Right Guard deodorant in the silver cans damnit!!!
Posted by: Cow Demon at June 20, 2025 11:36 AM (vm8sq)

Hi guy!

Posted by: Chuck McCann at June 20, 2025 11:37 AM (Y9UJs)

149 CEOs used to be visionaries. Now they are stewards, judged and compensated on stock performance.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at June 20, 2025 11:37 AM (2UnvF)

150 141 Having sat in on a few focus groups, they all follow this pattern:
a third of the participants will dominate the conversation.
a third will have opinions but they won't really share them out of deference to the first group.
the last third just came for the swag and the $20.

Posted by: J. Frank Parnell
======
No different than criminal or civil juries really.

Posted by: whig at June 20, 2025 11:37 AM (ctrM5)

151 The latest thing seems to be the smash burger. You get a patty that's very thin with a cool name. Looking at you, Sonic.
Posted by: bill in arkansas

Smash Burger hardest hit.
Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 11:33 AM (5WDkb)
_________

I don't get the "smash" thing. Seems gimmicky. I like nice fat juicy burgers.

Posted by: (There Can Be Only One) Elric Blade at June 20, 2025 11:38 AM (iFTx/)

152 I am a Paper Towels addict . The cost unfortunately is ridiculous and you have to be a mathematician to figure out what you’re buying.

6 rolls = 12
6 rolls =18
12 rolls = 18
12 rolls =24

Etc.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2025 11:38 AM (VofaG)

153 Know what else floats?

Posted by: My 12yo self at June 20, 2025 11:38 AM (lIgBp)

154 Tuna, I like it because it isn't filled with cheap perfume smell.

Posted by: Ben Had at June 20, 2025 11:38 AM (ZIggv)

155 You know what else flosts?

Posted by: Boss Moss at June 20, 2025 11:38 AM (1IUvn)

156 98 I think the bar soap is being denatured.
Posted by: Boss Moss at June 20, 2025 11:26 AM (1IUvn)

Me too. They recently stopped making my lifetime use soap in bar form. The last few went for like $30 on Ebay.
I just use head and shoulders now as a body wash. Which in a way I was doing all along as I would scrub down twice. Once with shampoo when I washed my hair and once with bar soap.
So I'm saving time and money with this new "let's make everything liquid and put it in plastic bottles with pumps" thing.

Posted by: Reforger at June 20, 2025 11:38 AM (LgDgc)

157 Sees rainbow-emblazoned purple Listerine in store.

"Oh, thank Gaia, my mouthwash validates my sexual kinks!!"

Does one really need every last product endorsing their particular flavor of deviant sex? Really?

*I know, it's about submission, not validation. But still. . .

Posted by: Lizzy at June 20, 2025 11:39 AM (6o/o0)

158 Hear the one about the antifa who had bad body odor, but only on the left side? She couldn't find any Left Guard.

Posted by: (There Can Be Only One) Elric Blade at June 20, 2025 11:39 AM (iFTx/)

159
I spent 45 years being the friendly guy who fixed your car right the FIRST time, one by one building a customer base over time and hired people who shared my views on customer service. When I retired, I gifted 2 associates my customer list with the caveat they continue my practices in their newly started partnership.

They did and now have a thriving repair facility with all the business they can handle.

Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at June 20, 2025 11:39 AM (hKoQL)

160 You know what else flosts?
Posted by: Boss Moss

We all float down here.

Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 11:39 AM (5WDkb)

161 I use Everyone Soap because it's inclusive. Also because it's cheap.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, And You're Not at June 20, 2025 11:39 AM (L/fGl)

162 GM, Ford, and Chrysler all proved this in the 70s and 80s, but apparently nobody paid attention to what happened to them.
Posted by: SpeakingOf

Because the locusts that are in management today are simply out to get what they can while pleasing the investment fund managers. It is somewhat archaic to describe 'shareholders' as at fault because for the most part, massive fund managers like State Street, Vanguard, etc are the effective owners that company executives answer to.

Posted by: whig at June 20, 2025 11:40 AM (ctrM5)

163 Is there really anything new to say about Shakespeare and Milton?

Don't write this down, but I find Milton probably as boring as you find Milton. Mrs. Milton found him boring too. He's a little bit long-winded, he doesn't translate very well into our generation, and his jokes are terrible.
(Bell rings, students rise to leave)
But that doesn't relieve you of your responsibility for this material. Now I'm waiting for reports from some of you... Listen, I'm not joking. This is my job!

Posted by: Prof Jennings at June 20, 2025 11:40 AM (D0HYP)

164 GM, Ford, and Chrysler all proved this in the 70s and 80s, but apparently nobody paid attention to what happened to them.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at June 20, 2025 11:37 AM (6ydKt)

Also right around the time when DC decided they wanted to build cars, because they could make them better than Detroit.

Posted by: Cow Demon at June 20, 2025 11:40 AM (vm8sq)

165 To me its a value added thing. Generics have gotten really good, so if the brand is not completely known for better products and service, I'm not paying extra money for it.

Posted by: From about That Time at June 20, 2025 11:40 AM (n4GiU)

166 "Oh, thank Gaia, my mouthwash validates my sexual kinks!!

Obviously the mouthwash serves a real and vital purpose here.

Posted by: Chuck McCann at June 20, 2025 11:41 AM (Y9UJs)

167 I like Shea Moisture African Black Soap

Posted by: (There Can Be Only One) Elric Blade at June 20, 2025 11:41 AM (iFTx/)

168 15 Zest was made by by one of the biggies for years. And they dropped it. The brand was picked up by some boutique soap maker in Utah, as I understand it. I buy it because it works well in hard water. Most soaps don't.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at June 20, 2025 11:05 AM (MFYQF)

One of my closest friends in CT ran the company that makes Zest and Coast (and other mature brands) when it was acquired by a PE firm, and has stayed there through two more changes in ownership. It's now run by an Italian multinational. As soon as PE gets their hooks in a company, the rush to squeeze all the margin they can to prep for the next sale.

Posted by: Darrell Harris at June 20, 2025 11:41 AM (7KTzQ)

169 Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2025 11:38 AM (VofaG)

Viva cloth. Accept no substitutes. Even the other Viva.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at June 20, 2025 11:41 AM (bss/y)

170 Best shampoo / soap on the market. Orvus livestock shampoo. Does not strip natural oils but deep cleansing. 20 bucks for a 4 lb tub that last forever

Posted by: Ben Had at June 20, 2025 11:41 AM (ZIggv)

171 Regard to household goods, non food items I usually just by the store brand. Lot less expensive.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2025 11:41 AM (VofaG)

172 I have used Mitchum deodorant for decades. Sorry to hear about your roll-on issues. I haven't had any problems, but then I use their gel, which I recommend.

Posted by: Rusty Nail at June 20, 2025 11:41 AM (TdCYS)

173 To me its a value added thing. Generics have gotten really good, so if the brand is not completely known for better products and service, I'm not paying extra money for it.
Posted by: From about That Time

Pop Tarts vs ANY store brand. PT hands down.

Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 11:41 AM (5WDkb)

174 Duke Cannon Big Ass Brick of Soap. Good soap, good scents, pricey but good as an occasional hygienic indulgence.

Posted by: Smells like victory at June 20, 2025 11:41 AM (TbWk/)

175 The latest thing seems to be the smash burger. You get a patty that's very thin with a cool name. Looking at you, Sonic.
Posted by: bill in arkansas
__________

But the slightly burnt edges do have an appealing taste and texture. Always have to get a double, and sometimes triple.

I dig.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at June 20, 2025 11:42 AM (ITkJX)

176
Because the locusts that are in management today are simply out to get what they can while pleasing the investment fund managers. It is somewhat archaic to describe 'shareholders' as at fault because for the most part, massive fund managers like State Street, Vanguard, etc are the effective owners that company executives answer to.
Posted by: whig at June 20, 2025 11:40 AM (

Look at how SWA has changed for the worse and is turning into something that would have repulsed Herb Kelleher. Largely thanks to shareholders indifferent to what made that airline work.

Posted by: Cow Demon at June 20, 2025 11:42 AM (vm8sq)

177 They have Shea at Dollar Tree. No Flick.

Posted by: Boss Moss at June 20, 2025 11:42 AM (1IUvn)

178 One of my closest friends in CT ran the company that makes Zest and Coast (and other mature brands) when it was acquired by a PE firm

What is a PE firm?

Posted by: Archimedes at June 20, 2025 11:42 AM (Riz8t)

179 I boycott many companies and tried to boycott Dove soap. I just couldn't find anything that worked the same without kicking up myriad skin issues. To compensate I haven't purchased anything from Target is years.

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at June 20, 2025 11:42 AM (2NHgQ)

180 Never mind. Private equity.

Posted by: Archimedes at June 20, 2025 11:42 AM (Riz8t)

181 Soap is more tough. Think I am using an Irish Spring Moisturize or something.

Liked Lever 2000 for a long time.

Dove Men's was not bad until they had to take positions.

I do not like body wash.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at June 20, 2025 11:43 AM (bss/y)

182 And the corporations are failing to learn another important lesson:

They are not the only game any more. One of the few good things about the internet is that other companies can and will take your customers from you by offering them what they want.

Posted by: NR Pax at June 20, 2025 11:43 AM (7xrfc)

183 I was a Verizon customer for nearly 20 years. Until, they totally hosed me during the period when I had my phone number stolen. Their fraud service was abysmal and it didn't seem to matter that I was a long time customer. I dumped them.

Well don't you know I've been getting the 'please come back, we miss you' mailings for three years now. Bastids.

Posted by: Tonypete at June 20, 2025 11:43 AM (cYBz/)

184 Best shampoo / soap on the market. Orvus livestock shampoo. Does not strip natural oils but deep cleansing. 20 bucks for a 4 lb tub that last forever
Posted by: Ben Had at
-

This isn't just the best comment of this thread but maybe of the week.

I love this place and everyone here.

Posted by: Boron Quidquid - Men are the romantic sex, with no concern for a mate's income or potential at June 20, 2025 11:43 AM (I57y9)

185 One of my closest friends in CT ran the company that makes Zest and Coast (and other mature brands) when it was acquired by a PE firm

What is a PE firm?
Posted by: Archimedes at June 20, 2025 11:42 AM (Riz8t)

Phys Ed. They get you all sweaty and gross, then make you buy their soap.

Posted by: It's a racket I tells ya! at June 20, 2025 11:43 AM (TbWk/)

186 Regard to household goods, non food items I usually just by the store brand. Lot less expensive.
Posted by: polynikes

Fabuloso es increible!

Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 11:43 AM (5WDkb)

187 43 As a corarallery, I have been drinking Tropicana OJ pretty much every day for the last... oh... 60 years, there is literally no reason for them to change there packaging or advertising.

I'm switching to any other brand and I don't really know anyone that promiscuously switches brands.
Posted by: Thomas Bender
=======
Brand loyalty is more important to older consumers for a variety of reasons and corporations often take advantage of that.

Posted by: whig at June 20, 2025 11:43 AM (ctrM5)

188 Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2025 11:38 AM (VofaG)

Viva cloth. Accept no substitutes. Even the other Viva.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at June 20, 2025 11:41 AM (bss/y)

I agree it’s the best per cost but I use so much that the durability of Viva is wasted on me.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2025 11:44 AM (VofaG)

189 The Connect the Dots channel on YouTube has a video up about judgement day for GM in 2027. They basically let their Chinese partner SAIC take over the global market of GM cars. The 30 year agreement ends in 2027 and GM is going to get crushed because basically all they have is the domestic market. What’s worse is they handed off a lot of the engineering to the Chinese.

The guy doing the report thinks that GM will either go bankrupt or end up just selling Chinese cars with GM nameplates (which they already do).

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at June 20, 2025 11:44 AM (kR/iT)

190 Liked Lever 2000 for a long time.

Dove Men's was not bad until they had to take positions.

I do not like body wash.

You're never to old to learn something new. I have refused to use any kind of intermediate medium between the soap and my skin. However, it turns out that a washcloth applies and scrubs far more efficiently than the old "move the soap around your bod".

Posted by: Archimedes at June 20, 2025 11:44 AM (Riz8t)

191 Gee, your hair smells terrific.

Posted by: Dr. Varno at June 20, 2025 11:44 AM (Y9UJs)

192 164 Hey, GM. Here's an idea. You can save bucks with this metric transmission. Now, the Vega was doing OK until word got around, so let's kick things up a notch. Have you considered the Cadillac Cimmaron?

Some DC advisor in front of GM BODs

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at June 20, 2025 11:44 AM (gm9Sb)

193 The curse is awards.

Some small restaurant wants to increase business, so they go looking for a marketing firm. They find one whose webpage is loaded with awards. "They must be pretty good!" So they hire them.

Marketers want them to hire Megan Rapinoe. "Isn't she that athlete who hates America?" "Trust me--this is a winning plan."

So they run the campaign and business plummets. The marketing firm adds another award--a "Pride" award of course--to their webpage. "Told you this was a winning plan" they tell themselves.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at June 20, 2025 11:44 AM (WPL6O)

194 I watched from another department, the smoldering trash dump fire in the English Department during my entire academic career as a professor.

[snip]

Posted by: whig at June 20, 2025 11:27 AM (ctrM5)
--------------

In the 90's I had the misfortune of living on the bleeding edge of P.C. (and the Seeds of #Wokeness -- cue Simon & Garfunkel) in the NoCal Bay Area.

I was disillusioned & disgusted with Corporate America (even then) and IT in particular (nearly every project a "Death March" one) -- and seriously considered getting a credential to teach & coach high school, as those individuals had great influence on me (particularly the males) having grown up without a father.

Went first to a seminar @ JFK University in Orinda -- in which I was greeted by a room surrounded by posters of minorities and women authors, but not a single white male. Walked out halfway through the idiotic presentation.

Next went to one at SF State, where we were told that you could pass all objective requirements -- with top marks even -- but wouldn't be granted a credential until approved after a final exit interview with the program admin. I knew what that meant: NO WHITE MALES NEED APPLY!

Posted by: ShainS -- Busy Organizing 'Make Trump King' Protests at June 20, 2025 11:45 AM (nXhai)

195 Regard to household goods, non food items I usually just by the store brand. Lot less expensive.
Posted by: polynikes

Fabuloso es increible!
Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 11:43 AM (5WDkb)

I can't stand the smell of Fabuloso. Turns my stomach. Just something about it is sickly and nauseating.

Posted by: Fabubarfo at June 20, 2025 11:45 AM (TbWk/)

196
Pop Tarts vs ANY store brand. PT hands down.
Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 11:41 AM (5WDkb)

YES.

As much as I despise Kellogg’s, as you said, no store brand comes close to the magic of Pop Tarts.

Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon FTW.

(Not kidding about Kellogg’s either. A side panel of a box of Nutri Grain bars, which I used to buy in droves, had some thing on there last year which extolled the virtues of racial segregation. I was done with Nutri Grain bars.)

Posted by: Cow Demon at June 20, 2025 11:45 AM (vm8sq)

197 Yeah, but Subway's big mistake was not realizing Rapinoe doesn't like footlongs.

Posted by: Dr. Varno at June 20, 2025 11:46 AM (Y9UJs)

198 The Connect the Dots channel on YouTube has a video up about judgement day for GM in 2027. They basically let their Chinese partner SAIC take over the global market of GM cars. The 30 year agreement ends in 2027 and GM is going to get crushed because basically all they have is the domestic market. What’s worse is they handed off a lot of the engineering to the Chinese.

The guy doing the report thinks that GM will either go bankrupt or end up just selling Chinese cars with GM nameplates (which they already do).

There was a time that the demise of GM would have bothered me. That time is long past. F*** 'em.

Posted by: Archimedes at June 20, 2025 11:46 AM (Riz8t)

199 Also switched to Dollar Shave Club when P&G decided to become retarded. Then DSC became five dollar shave club and razor quality went downhill...when they were sold to Unilever.

So Merkur safety razor and Taylor of Old Bond St. soap it is. Kicker is the shave is so much better and far less expensive.

Posted by: The Wall at June 20, 2025 11:46 AM (GTqXr)

200 Because the locusts that are in management today are simply out to get what they can while pleasing the investment fund managers. It is somewhat archaic to describe 'shareholders' as at fault because for the most part, massive fund managers like State Street, Vanguard, etc are the effective owners that company executives answer to.
Posted by: whig at June 20, 2025 11:40 AM (

———

And most of those funds are tied up in 401ks.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at June 20, 2025 11:47 AM (kR/iT)

201 TMI

Posted by: Maj. Healey at June 20, 2025 11:47 AM (/U5Yz)

202 "Oh, thank Gaia, my mouthwash validates my sexual kinks!!

Obviously the mouthwash serves a real and vital purpose here.
Posted by: Chuck McCann at June 20, 2025 11:41 AM (Y9UJs)

What would you recommend for foot fetishists?

Posted by: Robert at June 20, 2025 11:47 AM (4jjip)

203 I ordered a bunch of Safeguard soap from AMZ

the worst

doesn't lather, I don't even feel clean. I went back to my bougie boutique type soaps or body wash.

Posted by: kallisto at June 20, 2025 11:47 AM (dCxaZ)

204 169 Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2025 11:38 AM (VofaG)

Viva cloth. Accept no substitutes. Even the other Viva.
Posted by: Aetius451AD
---------------------------------

Definitly different brands have different qualities.
There is a place for the cheap minimal function brand as well
as the better quality brand. I buy some of each. No reason to
blow you nose into expensive paper towel.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at June 20, 2025 11:48 AM (K9XnW)

205 Yeah, but Subway's big mistake was not realizing Rapinoe doesn't like footlongs.
Posted by: Dr. Varno

Subway should have hot into the taco business if they wanted to use her.

Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 11:48 AM (5WDkb)

206 151 The latest thing seems to be the smash burger. You get a patty that's very thin with a cool name. Looking at you, Sonic.
Posted by: bill in arkansas

Smash Burger hardest hit.
Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 11:33 AM (5WDkb)
_________

I don't get the "smash" thing. Seems gimmicky. I like nice fat juicy burgers.

Posted by: (There Can Be Only One) Elric Blade at June 20, 2025 11:38 AM (iFTx/)

--

I've had a burger from 'Smash Burgers' before.
It was OK, but I'm not sure what the big deal is.

It's flat and has crunchy edges.
Wow, I'm blown away.

Also tried one of Sonic's smash burgers.
Same reaction.

It's a hamburger, other than spices and toppings there's not much you can do to change something that's been around for a century.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at June 20, 2025 11:48 AM (6ydKt)

207 Change is harder for customers than anything else. Could be anything. Packaging. How store is laid out. Fragrance choices. Quantity. The politics is entirely unnecessary for most products - and even only relevant in certain markets. No one needs a razor company lecturing them about morality.

Posted by: H at June 20, 2025 11:48 AM (2gjbv)

208 Yes to all of this

Posted by: Drunken Yoda at June 20, 2025 11:48 AM (ilHZO)

209 130 Several years ago my car insurance agent called to give me the heads up over a price increase. It was large like >20% or so.
____

I wonder if the recent massive influx of illegals, plus states giving out driver's licenses to them like candy, have something to do with thia.

Posted by: Chuck Martel at June 20, 2025 11:48 AM (Dv3i1)

210 probably like most men over the age of 50 in that I stick with the same hygiene and toiletry brands out of familiarity and habit.

—

I buy what’s on sale. Brand loyalty? Whatevs.

Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at June 20, 2025 11:49 AM (/CkK4)

211 What is a PE firm?
Posted by: Archimedes at June 20, 2025 11:42 AM (Riz8t)

Sorry - Private equity. Carlyle and Blackstone, for instance, are.some of the biggest ones. For finance types these days, PE firms are the place to go for the best and brightest.

Posted by: Darrell Harris at June 20, 2025 11:49 AM (7KTzQ)

212 One very common corporate mistake is giving customers "features" they don't want.

I see it everywhere. I don't want your new version of X, give me your old version until I die.

And the real funny thing with software is often they'll include some sort of pop up to annoy you to keep notifying you they have a new feature you don't want.

Posted by: 18-1 at June 20, 2025 11:49 AM (t0Rmr)

213 Now, rainbows on suppository boxes I could see.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, And You're Not at June 20, 2025 11:49 AM (L/fGl)

214 I was disillusioned & disgusted with Corporate America (even then) and IT in particular (nearly every project a "Death March" one) -- and seriously considered getting a credential to teach & coach high school, as those individuals had great influence on me (particularly the males) having grown up without a father.

Went first to a seminar @ JFK University in Orinda -- in which I was greeted by a room surrounded by posters of minorities and women authors, but not a single white male. Walked out halfway through the idiotic presentation.

Next went to one at SF State, where we were told that you could pass all objective requirements -- with top marks even -- but wouldn't be granted a credential until approved after a final exit interview with the program admin. I knew what that meant: NO WHITE MALES NEED APPLY!
Posted by: ShainS -- Busy Organizing 'Make Trump King' Protests at June 20, 2025 11:45 AM (nXhai)

Interesting. When applying to teach, administrators will not shut up about how much they want male teachers.

BUT, to your point, and to my disgust, Dallas ISD has adverts on FB some years back asking (I paraphrase) “Are you a BLACK teacher? We are hiring!”

Posted by: Cow Demon at June 20, 2025 11:49 AM (vm8sq)

215 totaling almost $10 billion.

That's an expensive chicken.

Posted by: DaveA at June 20, 2025 11:49 AM (FhXTo)

216 It's a hamburger, other than spices and toppings there's not much you can do to change something that's been around for a century.

Challenge ACCEPTED!

Posted by: Levi's Jeans, now with even fewer belt loops at June 20, 2025 11:49 AM (Riz8t)

217 I see it everywhere. I don't want your new version of X, give me your old version until I die.

And the real funny thing with software is often they'll include some sort of pop up to annoy you to keep notifying you they have a new feature you don't want.
Posted by: 18-1 at June 20, 2025 11:49 AM (t0Rmr)

Like AI.

Posted by: Cow Demon at June 20, 2025 11:50 AM (vm8sq)

218 I’m not quite French and haven’t fully embraced Adam Carolla’s shower schedule but I do agree on a scientific basis that we probably shower/bath too much. At least with soap and shampoo.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2025 11:50 AM (VofaG)

219 I wonder if the recent massive influx of illegals, plus states giving out driver's licenses to them like candy, have something to do with thia.
Posted by: Chuck Martel

You almost have to think it had a huge impact.

Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 11:50 AM (5WDkb)

220 >>> Senior Iranian Official Says Tehran Open to Talks on Limiting Uranium Enrichment

OK, Lucy.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at June 20, 2025 11:50 AM (/lPRQ)

221 200 Because the locusts that are in management today are simply out to get what they can while pleasing the investment fund managers. It is somewhat archaic to describe 'shareholders' as at fault because for the most part, massive fund managers like State Street, Vanguard, etc are the effective owners that company executives answer to.
Posted by: whig at June 20, 2025 11:40 AM (

———

And most of those funds are tied up in 401ks.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at June 20, 2025 11:47 AM (kR/iT)

Yup. The hedge funds and PE firms own rather significant stakes in, well, just about every major corp you can think of. So instead of being about the business of their actual business, they're being Blackrock, State Street, Vanguard etc.'s bitch.

Posted by: The oligopolicization and shittification of everything runs apace at June 20, 2025 11:50 AM (TbWk/)

222 It's a hamburger, other than spices and toppings there's not much you can do to change something that's been around for a century.
_____

Higher ratio of protein exposed to maillard reaction in a smash burger is supposed to bring more flavor than the traditional fat patty.

Posted by: Chuck Martel at June 20, 2025 11:50 AM (Dv3i1)

223 Pop Tarts vs ANY store brand. PT hands down.
Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 11:41 AM (5WDkb)

YES.

As much as I despise Kellogg’s, as you said, no store brand comes close to the magic of Pop Tarts.

Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon FTW.

(Not kidding about Kellogg’s either. A side panel of a box of Nutri Grain bars, which I used to buy in droves, had some thing on there last year which extolled the virtues of racial segregation. I was done with Nutri Grain bars.)

Posted by: Cow Demon at June 20, 2025 11:45 AM (vm8sq)

--

I got a few boxes of Pop Tarts last year.
I hadn't had any in decades so I wanted to relive my youth or something.

They tasted the same, I think, but I do seem to remember them being a lot thicker (x2 at least) when I was a kid.

Maybe it's because my hands were smaller back then?

Posted by: SpeakingOf at June 20, 2025 11:50 AM (6ydKt)

224 BUT, to your point, and to my disgust, Dallas ISD has adverts on FB some years back asking (I paraphrase) “Are you a BLACK teacher? We are hiring!”

You should have called them up and said "The concept of black seems to be a pretty easy one to grasp, but yes, I can do that".

Posted by: Archimedes at June 20, 2025 11:51 AM (Riz8t)

225 I try the Reacher approach to personal hygeine sometimes.

Posted by: Boss Moss at June 20, 2025 11:51 AM (1IUvn)

226 It's funny how this ties into the article yesterday about the CEO figurehead taking a $15M or so pay cut

I miss the days when I actually believed things were real and carefully considered and deliberately and meaningfully thought out, and that CEOs played a crucial role in the direction of the companies. 2001 or so, I guess.

I can still sort of remember defending what we thought and now pretend (mainly for old times sake) was capitalism.

Posted by: Boron Quidquid - Men are the romantic sex, with no concern for a mate's income or potential at June 20, 2025 11:51 AM (I57y9)

227 205 Yeah, but Subway's big mistake was not realizing Rapinoe doesn't like footlongs.
Posted by: Dr. Varno

Subway should have hot into the taco business if they wanted to use her.
Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 11:48 AM (5WDkb)

No, no, no. Megan Rapinoe needed to be hired as a spokes-it by top scissor manufacturers.

Posted by: Cow Demon at June 20, 2025 11:51 AM (vm8sq)

228 Best shampoo / soap on the market. Orvus livestock shampoo. Does not strip natural oils but deep cleansing. 20 bucks for a 4 lb tub that last forever

Posted by: Ben Had

----------

You could have a lot of fun marketing that product to humans.

/Is that a typo of "40 lb tub" or "4 lb tube?"

Posted by: ShainS -- Busy Organizing 'Make Trump King' Protests at June 20, 2025 11:51 AM (nXhai)

229 Granny's lye soap will clean you up.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at June 20, 2025 11:25 AM (63Dwl)

My gramma used to make her own lye soap. I've used it. The first two rubs takes the dirt off. Anything after that takes the skin off.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at June 20, 2025 11:51 AM (g8Ew8)

230 Pop Tarts vs ANY store brand. PT hands down.
Posted by: rickb223

The only non-frosted flavors now are strawberry and blueberry. They got rid of my non-frosted cherry. F*ckers.

Posted by: Maj. Healey at June 20, 2025 11:51 AM (/U5Yz)

231 I’m not quite French and haven’t fully embraced Adam Carolla’s shower schedule but I do agree on a scientific basis that we probably shower/bath too much. At least with soap and shampoo.
Posted by: polynikes

According to THIS fat boy in Texas in summer, sometimes 2x a day isn't.

Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 11:51 AM (5WDkb)

232 209 130 Several years ago my car insurance agent called to give me the heads up over a price increase. It was large like >20% or so.
____

I wonder if the recent massive influx of illegals, plus states giving out driver's licenses to them like candy, have something to do with thia.
Posted by: Chuck Martel at June 20, 2025 11:48 AM (Dv3i1)

It probably has some impact but not a 20% YOY increase impact. Inflation affected car repair like everything else. Shit an oil change used to be $25-30 not that long ago. Now Walmart charges $60.

Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at June 20, 2025 11:52 AM (/CkK4)

233 The Chinese played GM like a fiddle. That video goes in-depth on how GM management made extremely poor decision after decision.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at June 20, 2025 11:52 AM (kR/iT)

234 The Connect the Dots channel on YouTube has a video up about judgement day for GM in 2027. They basically let their Chinese partner SAIC take over the global market of GM cars. The 30 year agreement ends in 2027 and GM is going to get crushed because basically all they have is the domestic market. What’s worse is they handed off a lot of the engineering to the Chinese.

The guy doing the report thinks that GM will either go bankrupt or end up just selling Chinese cars with GM nameplates (which they already do).
Posted by: MAGA_Ken at June 20, 2025 11:44 AM (kR/iT)
_____

GM is probably better off without that agreement, though. It was mainly for smaller and EV vehicles for the Chinese market, which GM isn't making money on. GM will likely go the Ford route and get rid of all cars, and sell only trucks and SUVs.

Posted by: (There Can Be Only One) Elric Blade at June 20, 2025 11:52 AM (iFTx/)

235 Pop Tarts vs ANY store brand. PT hands down.
-

Pop tarts, toilet paper, and peanut butter are my never generics.

Posted by: Boron Quidquid - Men are the romantic sex, with no concern for a mate's income or potential at June 20, 2025 11:53 AM (I57y9)

236 I’m not quite French and haven’t fully embraced Adam Carolla’s shower schedule but I do agree on a scientific basis that we probably shower/bath too much. At least with soap and shampoo.

Sweden has solved that problem. They have enough for their own needs, but they're obligated to share with the rest of the EU, especially Germany, who got rid of all their reliable energy sources, so a shower in Sweden now costs $5.

Posted by: Archimedes at June 20, 2025 11:53 AM (Riz8t)

237 I see it everywhere. I don't want your new version of X, give me your old version until I die.

And the real funny thing with software is often they'll include some sort of pop up to annoy you to keep notifying you they have a new feature you don't want.
Posted by: 18-1 at June 20, 2025 11:49 AM (t0Rmr)

Windows is a great example. It peaked with Windows 7 in terms of ease of use, interface, functionality. Then it started making changes that nobody asked for and turned itself into bloatware, meanwhile forcing the new versions onto unwilling users because they didn't want to throw their computers out.

Posted by: The live action Snow White of tech at June 20, 2025 11:53 AM (TbWk/)

238 220 >>> Senior Iranian Official Says Tehran Open to Talks on Limiting Uranium Enrichment

OK, Lucy.
Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at June 20, 2025 11:50 AM (/lPRQ)

That’s nice. They can’t be bothered following the Vienna Convention of 1961. If they can’t master the basics they are not to be trusted. Ever.

Posted by: Cow Demon at June 20, 2025 11:53 AM (vm8sq)

239
So they run the campaign and business plummets. The marketing firm adds another award--a "Pride" award of course--to their webpage. "Told you this was a winning plan" they tell themselves.

At the individual level marketers and the like see benefits from embracing woke crap even if it harms their company or clients.

And people respond to incentives. If Jane Marketer gets more pay, status, or a better job for work that costs her clients money she will keep doing it. And continue doing it until we align incentives and the value of her work...

Posted by: 18-1 at June 20, 2025 11:53 AM (t0Rmr)

240 The only non-frosted flavors now are strawberry and blueberry. They got rid of my non-frosted cherry. F*ckers.
Posted by: Maj. Healey at June 20, 2025 11:51 AM (/

Where the hell is my frosted apple cinnamon???

Posted by: Cow Demon at June 20, 2025 11:54 AM (vm8sq)

241 According to THIS fat boy in Texas in summer, sometimes 2x a day isn't.
Posted by: rickb223

LOL

Posted by: H at June 20, 2025 11:54 AM (2gjbv)

242 Shain, 4 lb tub. They do make a smaller size but I use it for everything. Quilt makers recommend it for washing their quilts

Posted by: Ben Had at June 20, 2025 11:55 AM (ZIggv)

243 GM will likely go the Ford route and get rid of all cars, and sell only trucks and SUVs.

It's a well known fact that getting rid of most of your product line is the path to profit.

Posted by: Archimedes at June 20, 2025 11:55 AM (Riz8t)

244 BTW, wifey buys her injectable Ivermectin (horse paste!) from a local C-A-L Ranch store (and correctly dilutes it for human consumption based upon weight).

Posted by: ShainS -- Busy Organizing 'Make Trump King' Protests at June 20, 2025 11:55 AM (nXhai)

245 My gramma used to make her own lye soap. I've used it. The first two rubs takes the dirt off. Anything after that takes the skin off.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons

If saponification is complete, there is no caustic soda left. If not, you have the reason why you weren't supposed to use soap on cast iron.

Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 11:55 AM (5WDkb)

246 Also tried one of Sonic's smash burgers.
Same reaction.

It's a hamburger, other than spices and toppings there's not much you can do to change something that's been around for a century.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at June
___________

It works really well with a fried egg on top, which you can get at some of the joints. Better than on a fat burger.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at June 20, 2025 11:55 AM (ITkJX)

247 Any Unilever product is right from Da Debul.

Posted by: Maj. Healey at June 20, 2025 11:55 AM (/U5Yz)

248 I can still sort of remember defending what we thought and now pretend (mainly for old times sake) was capitalism.
Posted by: Boron Quidquid - Men are the romantic sex, with no concern for a mate's income or potential at June 20, 2025 11:51 AM (I57y9)

———

Hey man, all those rich people are rich because they are so much smarter and better than everyone else. That’s what the Cato Institute says anyway. I still get a LOL when some morons hear repeat that crap.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at June 20, 2025 11:55 AM (kR/iT)

249 “Are you a BLACK teacher? We are hiring!”

-
DYN-O-MITE!

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, And You're Not at June 20, 2025 11:55 AM (L/fGl)

250 Pop tarts are about the least healthy thing you can eat.

Well, outside of a genuine Mexican food truck in LA or SD...

Posted by: 18-1 at June 20, 2025 11:55 AM (t0Rmr)

251 The only non-frosted flavors now are strawberry and blueberry. They got rid of my non-frosted cherry. F*ckers.

Posted by: Maj. Healey at June 20, 2025 11:51 AM (/U5Yz)

this is sad news, seriously

non-frosted superior to the frosted IMO

maybe we can start a change.org petition to bring back the NO FROSTING POP TARTS PLZ

Posted by: kallisto at June 20, 2025 11:55 AM (dCxaZ)

252 If'n ya switch to safety razors you can get them for about $0.10 per blade.

Now there's a misnamed product if ever there was.

1. Don't push, let the weight of the razor cut.
2. Plan on multiple passes, don't expect to have a perfect shave with only one pass & try to push down to get closer, that's where the nicks come from. It takes less than one minute to reapply soap & do another pass, the first one is what takes the longest.

Rockwell 6s razor (adjustable plates) that will last decades, Astra double edge blades that are about a dime & that last 3-4 weeks of daily shaves. Stirling Soap or Razorock soap lasts 12-18 months.

Witch hazel immediately after shaving (nature's astringent) then after shave.

When I switched to that routine versus cartridge blades, I went from uncomfortable razor burns & trying to get more shaves out of dull blades to MUCH cheaper shaves & a face that looks and feels like a million bucks.

Posted by: Cam Winston at June 20, 2025 11:55 AM (AHpRo)

253

If someone says they don't want me as a customer, I take them at their word and honor their request.

Posted by: imp at June 20, 2025 11:55 AM (g6TN6)

254 Shain, 4 lb tub. They do make a smaller size but I use it for everything. Quilt makers recommend it for washing their quilts

Posted by: Ben Had at June 20, 2025 11:55 AM (ZIggv)

------------

Very cool.

Posted by: ShainS -- Busy Organizing 'Make Trump King' Protests at June 20, 2025 11:56 AM (nXhai)

255 For an additional sort-of endorsement, Albert Einstein used the same bar of soap for washing and shaving because he thought having two kinds of soap was inefficient and complicated.

Posted by: Pennsyltucky at June 20, 2025 11:31 AM (QdGJh)

What did he know?

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at June 20, 2025 11:56 AM (i24o9)

256 It's the SUVs and Trucks that make the profits.

Posted by: Boss Moss at June 20, 2025 11:56 AM (1IUvn)

257 40
‘ Painstakingly filed down from old Morris Minor leaf springs.’

I see you buy Tetanus brand razor blades as well.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at June 20, 2025 11:56 AM (jbnUc)

258 224 BUT, to your point, and to my disgust, Dallas ISD has adverts on FB some years back asking (I paraphrase) “Are you a BLACK teacher? We are hiring!”

You should have called them up and said "The concept of black seems to be a pretty easy one to grasp, but yes, I can do that".
Posted by: Archimedes at June 20, 2025 11:51 AM (Riz8t)

Also they had ads that said (paraphrasing) “Are you a LATINO teacher?”

I felt like calling the state AG.

Posted by: Cow Demon at June 20, 2025 11:56 AM (vm8sq)

259 211 Sorry - Private equity. Carlyle and Blackstone, for instance, are.some of the biggest ones. For finance types these days, PE firms are the place to go for the best and brightest.
Posted by: Darrell Harris at June 20, 2025 11:49 AM (7KTzQ)
-----------------

Carlyle is the worst. Back around 2001-2002 I worked for a company that got picked up by Carlyle, and it went from a decent place to work to an absolute hellscape within just a few months. They did a pump-and-dump, and what came after was even more awful. Company no longer exists, but they squeezed their dime out of it.

Posted by: Pennsyltucky at June 20, 2025 11:56 AM (QdGJh)

260 Wasn't Kellogg's founded by some crazy dude obsessed with butt stuff?

Posted by: Reforger at June 20, 2025 11:56 AM (LgDgc)

261 189 The Connect the Dots channel on YouTube has a video up about judgement day for GM in 2027. They basically let their Chinese partner SAIC take over the global market of GM cars. The 30 year agreement ends in 2027 and GM is going to get crushed because basically all they have is the domestic market. What’s worse is they handed off a lot of the engineering to the Chinese.

The guy doing the report thinks that GM will either go bankrupt or end up just selling Chinese cars with GM nameplates (which they already do).

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at June 20, 2025 11:44 AM (kR/iT)

---

I'm going to watch that when I get a chance.

https://youtu.be/guAxFDafF1o
(for anybody else who wants to check it out)

Posted by: SpeakingOf at June 20, 2025 11:56 AM (6ydKt)

262 240 The only non-frosted flavors now are strawberry and blueberry. They got rid of my non-frosted cherry. F*ckers.
Posted by: Maj. Healey

Unfrosted cherry was my favorite too.

Posted by: Tuna at June 20, 2025 11:56 AM (lJ0H4)

263 What irks me is when a product I like and have purchased repeatedly, just disappears from the store.

Posted by: Don Black at June 20, 2025 11:57 AM (AOsQT)

264 So they run the campaign and business plummets. The marketing firm adds another award--a "Pride" award of course--to their webpage. "Told you this was a winning plan" they tell themselves.

-

Don't forget what was disclosed back around 2020.

Corporations don't get day to day and week to week loans if they don't agree to what Blackrock, Vanguard, etc demand.

That's where the big corporate gay and tranny push originated. It was all tied to operational costs. The companies knew their customers didn't want it, but it didn't matter. They had to have the loans.

Posted by: Boron Quidquid - Men are the romantic sex, with no concern for a mate's income or potential at June 20, 2025 11:57 AM (I57y9)

265 I've noticed a lot of products are suffering from poor QA. A more concerning issue, to me, is the poor quality of food stuffs, even packaged goods. I've yet to bring home fresh produce that isn't rotting by the next day, or on first glance looked fine. And bread that has an expiration date a week later, yet molds in two days. Or, a package of lunchmeat with a date far in the future, but is slimy and smells weird.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at June 20, 2025 11:57 AM (Q4IgG)

266 At some point a product reaches...perfection. It is the right thing at the right price for the right market.

So what happens?

A ne exec gets hired. Rather than be a steward of the brand, he wants to make a name for himself. Expand its market slice or cheapen the product. Something to goose profits so he can put that on his resume for the next job. Thye didn't get in this biz just to...sit there.

But once a product is perfected, there is no direction but down. Everything you do makes the product worse.

Bud Light - most popular beer in the U.S. But people are just drinking less beer. What to do? Hire a marketing person who says that getting more trans people to drink bud light is going to goose sales. Chasing a demographic that is never going to buy your shit.

Posted by: El Mariachi - Attorney at Law at June 20, 2025 11:57 AM (D1vbu)

267 243 GM will likely go the Ford route and get rid of all cars, and sell only trucks and SUVs.

It's a well known fact that getting rid of most of your product line is the path to profit.
Posted by: Archimedes at June 20, 2025 11:55 AM (Riz8t)

———

They use a dot chart. No reason to make a vehicle that nets you only $500 profit when other vehicles make $10,000 profit.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at June 20, 2025 11:57 AM (kR/iT)

268 Thx Buck. I'm sure woke business schools are teaching "How Dylan Mulvaney Should have Done It 101". They won't learn

Posted by: Smell the Glove at June 20, 2025 11:58 AM (IG2sK)

269 Pop Tarts are fucking vile. I'm shocked anyone can eat them, let alone be a fan. They taste like effluent from an East German chemical plant.

Posted by: far cry at June 20, 2025 11:58 AM (icg0u)

270 Best shampoo / soap on the market. Orvus livestock shampoo. Does not strip natural oils but deep cleansing. 20 bucks for a 4 lb tub that last forever

Posted by: Ben Had

What about Mane & Tail? I've heard some people love it.

Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 11:58 AM (5WDkb)

271 I miss the days when I actually believed things were real and carefully considered and deliberately and meaningfully thought out, and that CEOs played a crucial role in the direction of the companies. 2001 or so, I guess.

I can still sort of remember defending what we thought and now pretend (mainly for old times sake) was capitalism.
Posted by: Boron Quidquid - Men are the romantic sex, with no concern for a mate's income or potential at June 20, 2025 11:51 AM (I57y9)

Like so many other red-blooded 'Muricans I believed the same bullshit because that's what we got drilled into our heads and were brainwashed to believe that anyone who thought differently was a godless Commie son of a bitch. Turns out that, like so many other things, it was bullshit.

Posted by: We have an oligopolic quasi-fascist economy at June 20, 2025 11:58 AM (TbWk/)

272 Wasn't Kellogg's founded by some crazy dude obsessed with butt stuff?
Posted by: Reforger at June 20, 2025 11:56 AM (LgDgc)

That was his brother who founded the cereal company. They had a little falling out.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2025 11:58 AM (VofaG)

273 GM will likely go the Ford route and get rid of all cars, and sell only trucks and SUVs.

It's a well known fact that getting rid of most of your product line is the path to profit.
Posted by: Archimedes at June 20, 2025 11:55 AM (Riz8t)
______

The market for regular cars is shrinking. There are few models that reliably sell, and they are all Japanese or German. The only vehicles that GM or Ford can sell and make money on are trucks and SUVs. Ford already got rid of all its regular cars other than the Mustang.

I think they're all yugely fucked -- and fucked themselves -- with the EV fad. Tens of billions down the shitter. The fallout from that could be catastrophic.

Posted by: (There Can Be Only One) Elric Blade at June 20, 2025 11:59 AM (iFTx/)

274 “Are you a BLACK teacher? We are hiring!”

-
Why J'ohn'n'y Can't Read.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, And You're Not at June 20, 2025 11:59 AM (L/fGl)

275 this is sad news, seriously

non-frosted superior to the frosted IMO

maybe we can start a change.org petition to bring back the NO FROSTING POP TARTS PLZ
Posted by: kallisto

Just looking at a frosted will give you immediate diabetes.

www.StopTheFrosting.org

Posted by: Maj. Healey at June 20, 2025 11:59 AM (/U5Yz)

276 It's the SUVs and Trucks that make the profits.

Understood. But here's the thing; if you can't be profitable and competitive making cars, there's something wrong. Perhaps your wage structure is out of whack. Perhaps you don't have good quality. Regardless, if you can't make a competitive car, sooner or later you'll be unable to make a competitive SUV or truck. I argue they're already there, and since they refuse to address the problems, they'll soon be OOB.

Posted by: Archimedes at June 20, 2025 12:00 PM (Riz8t)

277 They taste like effluent from an East German chemical plant.

Posted by: far cry at June 20, 2025 11:58 AM (icg0u)

lol
guilty pleasure

any port in a storm

Posted by: kallisto at June 20, 2025 12:00 PM (dCxaZ)

278 Pop Tarts are fucking vile. I'm shocked anyone can eat them, let alone be a fan. They taste like effluent from an East German chemical plant.
Posted by: far cry at June 20, 2025 11:58 AM (icg0u)

Same people who eat Hot Pockets😀

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2025 12:00 PM (VofaG)

279 If someone says they don't want me as a customer, I take them at their word and honor their request.
Posted by: imp at June 20, 2025 11:55 AM (g6TN6)

"I don't want you at my concerts!"

"OK, no sweat. Who the hell are you, again?"

Posted by: Warai-otoko at June 20, 2025 12:00 PM (BjH5D)

280 I have had to switch brands because modern corporate business practices demand that products be altered, shrunk, or cheapened to goose short term profits...

I'll say! Have you seen the size of a Baby Ruth bar lately?

Posted by: Paco at June 20, 2025 12:00 PM (mADJX)

281 Windows is a great example. It peaked with Windows 7 in terms of ease of use, interface, functionality. Then it started making changes that nobody asked for and turned itself into bloatware, meanwhile forcing the new versions onto unwilling users because they didn't want to throw their computers out.
Posted by: The live action Snow White of tech
========
MS scrapping Win 7 for Windows 8 is why I went to Linux for home computing. I still keep a current Windows machine on a boot partition via Grub for a few tasks like tax and accounting software that do not have a good counterpart in Linux and would be a PITA to run under WINE.

Posted by: whig at June 20, 2025 12:00 PM (ctrM5)

282 My gramma used to make her own lye soap. I've used it. The first two rubs takes the dirt off. Anything after that takes the skin off.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons

When we got into the poison ivy gramma would haul our naked butts down to the creek and scrub us with handfuls of sand and her lye soap.

She had arm muscles like a blacksmith and no amount of fighting or wiggling would set you free. I swear that cleansing took off most of your skin.

Posted by: Tonypete at June 20, 2025 12:00 PM (cYBz/)

283 Frosted poptarts....

Let's put more sugar on our sugar bars.

But no one tell Wilford Brimley

Posted by: 18-1 at June 20, 2025 12:00 PM (t0Rmr)

284 It's a hamburger, other than spices and toppings there's not much you can do to change something that's been around for a century.
_____

Higher ratio of protein exposed to maillard reaction in a smash burger is supposed to bring more flavor than the traditional fat patty.

Posted by: Chuck Martel at June 20, 2025 11:50 AM (Dv3i1)

I had one recently, a double cheese, made on a Blackstone. Gotta say, I am a convert. But I was pretty hungry, too, having not eaten all day, so I had two doubles.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at June 20, 2025 12:00 PM (i24o9)

285 Raw Pop Tart >> Toasted

Posted by: Maj. Healey at June 20, 2025 12:01 PM (/U5Yz)

286 The whole woke advertising - don't for one minute think these corporations give a shit. Thye saw it as a bandwagon to jump on. A potential way to get more to of brands that have plateaued.

Posted by: El Mariachi - Attorney at Law at June 20, 2025 12:01 PM (D1vbu)

287 218 I’m not quite French and haven’t fully embraced Adam Carolla’s shower schedule but I do agree on a scientific basis that we probably shower/bath too much. At least with soap and shampoo.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2025 11:50 AM (VofaG)

--

I don't feel right if I haven't had a shower.

Like I'm doing something wrong.

It also helps to wake me up.

And I don't want to smell myself when it's 95F and 80% humidity outside, so there's that.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at June 20, 2025 12:01 PM (6ydKt)

288 BUT, to your point, and to my disgust, Dallas ISD has adverts on FB some years back asking (I paraphrase) “Are you a BLACK teacher? We are hiring!”

You should have called them up and said "The concept of black seems to be a pretty easy one to grasp, but yes, I can do that".
Posted by: Archimedes

Just like Talcum X, "My lily white ass identifies as black".

Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 12:01 PM (5WDkb)

289 GM will likely go the Ford route and get rid of all cars, and sell only trucks and SUVs.

-

Haven't they already done this minus the Camaro (same as Ford with the mustang)?

I think the Malibu was killed off last year. I don't think they have any other cars.

Posted by: Boron Quidquid - Men are the romantic sex, with no concern for a mate's income or potential at June 20, 2025 12:01 PM (I57y9)

290 I'll say! Have you seen the size of a Baby Ruth bar lately?

Remember shrinkflation is both corporate greed and a reichwing conspiracy theory to harm Kamala Harris.

Posted by: 18-1 at June 20, 2025 12:01 PM (t0Rmr)

291 rickb223, I use Mane and tail on the horses tails. I have not had to use a conditioner since I started using Orvus.

Posted by: Ben Had at June 20, 2025 12:01 PM (ZIggv)

292 A ne exec gets hired. Rather than be a steward of the brand, he wants to make a name for himself. Expand its market slice or cheapen the product. Something to goose profits so he can put that on his resume for the next job. Thye didn't get in this biz just to...sit there.

But once a product is perfected, there is no direction but down. Everything you do makes the product worse.

Or herself. Case study Carly Fiorina. Handed the keys to a money-making machine. Called it Brad. Then totaled Brad.

Posted by: Still got her golden parachute at June 20, 2025 12:01 PM (TbWk/)

293 GM will likely go the Ford route and get rid of all cars, and sell only trucks and SUVs.

-

Haven't they already done this minus the Camaro (same as Ford with the mustang)?

I think the Malibu was killed off last year. I don't think they have any other cars.
Posted by: Boron Quidquid - Men are the romantic sex, with no concern for a mate's income or potential at June 20, 2025 12:01 PM (I57y9)
______

Camaro is already dead, my friend. GM still sells some sedans (Cadillac CT series, etc) and of course the Vette. But its overwhelming profit centers are trucks and SUVs.

Posted by: (There Can Be Only One) Elric Blade at June 20, 2025 12:03 PM (iFTx/)

294 If someone says they don't want me as a customer, I take them at their word and honor their request.
Posted by: imp

Bruce Springsteen Blasts Trump as a “Moron” on Same Day “Springsteen” Movie Trailer Drops

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, And You're Not at June 20, 2025 12:03 PM (L/fGl)

295 MS scrapping Win 7 for Windows 8 is why I went to Linux for home computing. I still keep a current Windows machine on a boot partition via Grub for a few tasks like tax and accounting software that do not have a good counterpart in Linux and would be a PITA to run under WINE.

Posted by: whig at June 20, 2025 12:00 PM (ctrM5)

Same here, except I had to buy Win11 to put on a VM when the firm went to MS's insane cloud PCs instead of the traditional VPN/Remote Desktop.

When I bought the kids new PCs, they went straight to Linux Mint (had Linux light on ten year old hardware). Best move ever.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at June 20, 2025 12:03 PM (i24o9)

296 Posted by: We have an oligopolic quasi-fascist economy at June 20, 2025 11:58 AM (TbWk/)

I definitely wasn’t brainwashed. Even my High School in the perceived back assward state of Louisiana taught us about Robber Barons, crony capitalism , stock market shenanigans ,etc.

It’s where I learned how the transcontinental RR was the biggest crony capitalism scam of the time.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2025 12:03 PM (VofaG)

297 I'll say! Have you seen the size of a Baby Ruth bar lately?
Posted by: Paco at June 20, 2025 12:00 PM (mADJX)

Don't even make for a suitable fake turd in a pool anymore.

Posted by: It's an outrage! at June 20, 2025 12:03 PM (TbWk/)

298 Understood. But here's the thing; if you can't be profitable and competitive making cars, there's something wrong. Perhaps your wage structure is out of whack. Perhaps you don't have good quality. Regardless, if you can't make a competitive car, sooner or later you'll be unable to make a competitive SUV or truck. I argue they're already there, and since they refuse to address the problems, they'll soon be OOB.
Posted by: Archimedes

Car - feels like sitting 3 inches off the pavement.
Truck - Feels like sitting 5 feet off the pavement.

I prefer to sit higher.

Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 12:03 PM (5WDkb)

299 They use a dot chart. No reason to make a vehicle that nets you only $500 profit when other vehicles make $10,000 profit.

I just bought a vehicle - a Honda Passport - a vehicle I didn't even know existed when I started shopping. I was originally looking for a sedan, but they're all hybrids now, and I don't want one of those.

I did not even consider GM, Ford, or Stellantis. Why? Because the last few cars I've bought from them were crap in terms of quality and durability. Thus, they are completely off my radar screen now.

This is not how you last in any business.

Posted by: Archimedes at June 20, 2025 12:03 PM (Riz8t)

300 Interesting. When applying to teach, administrators will not shut up about how much they want male teachers.

BUT, to your point, and to my disgust, Dallas ISD has adverts on FB some years back asking (I paraphrase) “Are you a BLACK teacher? We are hiring!”

Posted by: Cow Demon at June 20, 2025 11:49 AM (vm8sq)

--------------

Right, even back then (mid-90s) there was a notable shortage of Math and Science (now STEM) teachers -- especially males -- to the point where every couple of years the idea was floated of just letting such professionals teach without having to get the idiotic credential.

Posted by: ShainS -- Busy Organizing 'Make Trump King' Protests at June 20, 2025 12:04 PM (nXhai)

301 this is just one more example of how we have the most useless incompetent ruling class in history.

Posted by: Eeyore at June 20, 2025 12:04 PM (od0dV)

302 GM will likely go the Ford route and get rid of all cars, and sell only trucks and SUVs.
Posted by: (There Can Be Only One) Elric Blade at June 20, 2025 11:52
-------

Didn't Ford go that route because of CAFE standards. MPG requirements were lower for trucks/suvs than cars?

Posted by: olddog in mo at June 20, 2025 12:04 PM (ViCCR)

303 >>> Senior Iranian Official Says Tehran Open to Talks on Limiting Uranium Enrichment

OK, Lucy.
Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at June 20, 2025 11:50 AM (/lPRQ)

Kill that guy and his replacement. Repeat as necessary until you get someone who says they'll bend over to every Israeli demand no matter how unreasonable.

Posted by: Robert at June 20, 2025 12:05 PM (4jjip)

304 It works really well with a fried egg on top, which you can get at some of the joints. Better than on a fat burger.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at June 20, 2025 11:55 AM (ITkJX)

---

Never tried a egg-hamburger sandwich before.
It sounds interesting, I'll try it if I ever come across one.

I've noticed a lot of places around here are putting pimento cheese on hamburgers in the last few years.

I tried one of those and it wasn't bad at all.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at June 20, 2025 12:05 PM (6ydKt)

305 Pop Tarts are fucking vile. I'm shocked anyone can eat them, let alone be a fan. They taste like effluent from an East German chemical plant.
Posted by: far cry

You haven't lived until you've broken the seal on a boxcar full of blueberry poptarts that have been sitting out in a summer sun for a day or two. The cloud of nastiness that rolls out truly takes your breath away. We'd have to let them air out for 10 minutes or so before we could unload the car. Honestly, it would suffocate you.

Posted by: Tonypete at June 20, 2025 12:05 PM (cYBz/)

306 (Not kidding about Kellogg’s either. A side panel of a box of Nutri Grain bars, which I used to buy in droves, had some thing on there last year which extolled the virtues of racial segregation. I was done with Nutri Grain bars.)
Posted by: Cow Demon

Let's not be reactionary - did they at least list a few 'cons' with all the 'virtues'?

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at June 20, 2025 12:05 PM (/lPRQ)

307 301 this is just one more example of how we have the most useless incompetent ruling class in history.
Posted by: Eeyore at June 20, 2025 12:04 PM (od0dV)

I dunno man. Check the ruling class in the run up to WWI. They may be the gold standard.

Posted by: Inbreds running the show at June 20, 2025 12:05 PM (TbWk/)

308 rickb223, I use Mane and tail on the horses tails. I have not had to use a conditioner since I started using Orvus.
Posted by: Ben Had

👍🏻👍🏻 I've known more than one who swears by it. I don't have enough mane to worry about.

Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 12:05 PM (5WDkb)

309 Kill that guy and his replacement. Repeat as necessary until you get someone who says they'll bend over to every Israeli demand no matter how unreasonable.

Posted by: Robert at June 20, 2025 12:05 PM (4jjip)

We want . . . a shrubbery!

Posted by: Israel at June 20, 2025 12:05 PM (i24o9)

310 Why doesn’t the fellow who needs to vent here
repeatedly TBWK/ And never say anything positive that I can recall , use an actual handle instead of people having to read in the nic line whaever his additional comments are?

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at June 20, 2025 12:06 PM (2GCMq)

311 It’s where I learned how the transcontinental RR was the biggest crony capitalism scam of the time.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2025 12:03 PM (VofaG)

-------------

I learned that by watching the "Hell On Wheels" television series.

/only half-joking

Posted by: ShainS -- Busy Organizing 'Make Trump King' Protests at June 20, 2025 12:06 PM (nXhai)

312 GM will likely go the Ford route and get rid of all cars, and sell only trucks and SUVs.
Posted by: (There Can Be Only One) Elric Blade at June 20, 2025 11:52
-------

Didn't Ford go that route because of CAFE standards. MPG requirements were lower for trucks/suvs than cars?
Posted by: olddog in mo at June 20, 2025 12:04 PM (ViCCR)_______

A little of everything. CAFE was a factor. So was terrible mismanagement, mediocre cars, and very heavy competition from foreign brands.

Posted by: (There Can Be Only One) Elric Blade at June 20, 2025 12:06 PM (iFTx/)

313 Yes, yes, let's all do that thing where we talk about all the rotten crooked shit that gets done through collusion between the State and State sanctioned oligopolies, call it "Capitalism" so it magically becomes Capitalism, and then say "Capitalism Bad".

Didn't even have to wade through a bunch of dry poorly translated dreck from Engels to get there like people used to have to, either. Well done.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at June 20, 2025 12:06 PM (BjH5D)

314 I don't feel right if I haven't had a shower.

Like I'm doing something wrong.

It also helps to wake me up.

And I don't want to smell myself when it's 95F and 80% humidity outside, so there's that.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at June 20, 2025 12:01 PM (6ydKt)

I understand the psychological benefits and I’m still a prisoner of it but scrubbing off the good bacteria from your skin everyday and washing away the oils out of your hair everyday has a negative effect.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2025 12:06 PM (VofaG)

315 👍🏻👍🏻 I've known more than one who swears by it. I don't have enough mane to worry about.
Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 12:05 PM (5WDkb)

And nowhere near enough tail.

Posted by: As is the fate of most men these days at June 20, 2025 12:06 PM (TbWk/)

316 Understood. But here's the thing; if you can't be profitable and competitive making cars, there's something wrong.
-

It's partly tied to Obamas wrong-headed "footprint" EPA mpg standard. It's why everything is huge. Even his staff admited they caused vehicles to grow enormous.

The big part is more interesting.

Pedestrian safety standards require a certain shape of the hood and space between the engine and the metal. It's nearly impossible design a smooth line with those requirements, which is why you see Japanese cars with the weird ridge ahead of the mirror. Look at a new car the next time you drive and you'll see the design requirement.

SUVs avoid it completely since they're high three box designs. No need to try to blend a hood into a low passenger compartment.

Posted by: Boron Quidquid - Men are the romantic sex, with no concern for a mate's income or potential at June 20, 2025 12:06 PM (I57y9)

317 220 >>> Senior Iranian Official Says Tehran Open to Talks on Limiting Uranium Enrichment

Excellent! Meet us Monday at the Parsian Esteghlal Meeting Room 1 at 7:00 am sharp! Bring your friends and don't be late!

--Israeli Minister of Espionage and Large Kabooms

Posted by: Polka will never die at June 20, 2025 12:07 PM (NZ3mj)

318 Fidelity and Schwab do private equity. Fidelity has a chunk of money in one of Musk's ventures. XOVR has 13% in SpaceX. There's another one that's got 13% in SpaceX.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at June 20, 2025 12:07 PM (K9XnW)

319 Those Mandarins weren't exactly the epitome of utility.

Posted by: Boss Moss at June 20, 2025 12:08 PM (1IUvn)

320 Yes, yes, let's all do that thing where we talk about all the rotten crooked shit that gets done through collusion between the State and State sanctioned oligopolies, call it "Capitalism" so it magically becomes Capitalism, and then say "Capitalism Bad".

Didn't even have to wade through a bunch of dry poorly translated dreck from Engels to get there like people used to have to, either. Well done.
Posted by: Warai-otoko
-

If I was in any way unclear, I was saying that I was successfully fooled into thinking what we have WAS capitalism.

Posted by: Boron Quidquid - Men are the romantic sex, with no concern for a mate's income or potential at June 20, 2025 12:09 PM (I57y9)

321 225 I try the Reacher approach to personal hygeine sometimes.
Posted by: Boss Moss at June 20, 2025 11:51 AM (1IUvn)

Lot of steroids?

Posted by: Aetius451AD at June 20, 2025 12:09 PM (bss/y)

322 Nood.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at June 20, 2025 12:09 PM (bss/y)

323 Understood. But here's the thing; if you can't be profitable and competitive making cars, there's something wrong.
-

It's partly tied to Obamas wrong-headed "footprint" EPA mpg standard. It's why everything is huge. Even his staff admited they caused vehicles to grow enormous.

And yet, Japanese and Korean car companies manage it. Why can't we? Perhaps because our managers are focused on the next quarter, and we pay lazy, fat-ass illiterates absurd amounts of money to do jobs a chimp could do. There's a reason none of the transplants located in Detroit.

Posted by: Archimedes at June 20, 2025 12:09 PM (Riz8t)

324 I learned that by watching the "Hell On Wheels" television series.

/only half-joking
Posted by: ShainS

Pulls out Uberti Remington 1858 New Army Black Powder pistol and spins the cylinder a couple of times.

Posted by: rickb223 at June 20, 2025 12:09 PM (5WDkb)

325 Gillette drove me off too, and then I discovered that old fashioned safety razors are not only better, they are much much cheaper.

Posted by: fozzy at June 20, 2025 12:10 PM (zH2yS)

326 313 Yes, yes, let's all do that thing where we talk about all the rotten crooked shit that gets done through collusion between the State and State sanctioned oligopolies, call it "Capitalism" so it magically becomes Capitalism, and then say "Capitalism Bad".

Didn't even have to wade through a bunch of dry poorly translated dreck from Engels to get there like people used to have to, either. Well done.
Posted by: Warai-otoko at June 20, 2025 12:06 PM (BjH5D)

I didn't call it Capitalism. I don't even really like that term at this point, for some of the reasons you mention. I would prefer referring to a free market economy as the ideal, as opposed to the bastardized term of "Capitalism" which has Marxist roots and a warped modern meaning.

Posted by: I agree, language is important at June 20, 2025 12:10 PM (TbWk/)

327 Not bathing every day.

Posted by: Boss Moss at June 20, 2025 12:10 PM (1IUvn)

328 If I was in any way unclear, I was saying that I was successfully fooled into thinking what we have WAS capitalism.
Posted by: Boron Quidquid - Men are the romantic sex, with no concern for a mate's income or potential at June 20, 2025 12:09 PM (I57y9)

^This.

Posted by: v That. at June 20, 2025 12:11 PM (TbWk/)

329 Now, Twinkies, that's food.

Posted by: Tallahassee /u] at June 20, 2025 12:11 PM (L/fGl)

330 I think Ford's in pretty bad shape, as compared to the other manufacturers. They sunk a shit ton of money into EV infrastructure, billions of dollars, that is now mostly a write-off or unused... like those huge battery plants they built in TN and KY. I get recall notices about every 3 months for my wife's Explorer. It's 5 years old and has been in for a dozen recalls. Not every one of those is mechanical... a lot are electrical/computer related.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at June 20, 2025 12:11 PM (Q4IgG)

331 new thread up reprobates

Posted by: kallisto at June 20, 2025 12:11 PM (dCxaZ)

332 I just went and looked at an Accord. The hood is 3 or 4 inches above where the natural line of the body blending into the passenger compartment should be.

Look next time you're driving. That's why cars are being phased out.

Posted by: Boron Quidquid - Men are the romantic sex, with no concern for a mate's income or potential at June 20, 2025 12:11 PM (I57y9)

333 Pop Tarts are fucking vile. I'm shocked anyone can eat them, let alone be a fan. They taste like effluent from an East German chemical plant.
Posted by: far cry at June 20, 2025 11:58 AM (icg0u)

Is this like the cilantro thing where people who lack a certain gene all say it tastes like soap?

Liking/disliking Poptarts may be evidence of having certain genes.

We need $50,000,000 in govt grants to do a study.

Posted by: Robert at June 20, 2025 12:11 PM (4jjip)

334 I would prefer referring to a free market economy as the ideal, as opposed to the bastardized term of "Capitalism" which has Marxist roots and a warped modern meaning.
Posted by: I agree, language is important at June 20, 2025 12:10 PM (TbWk/)

here hear. I mean hear here. I mean yeah, that.

I'm fond of the line that says "Capitalism isn't an '-ism', it's just what naturally happens spontaneously when you stop screwing with people and trying to fleece them or leash them."

I paraphrase.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at June 20, 2025 12:12 PM (BjH5D)

335 Wal-Mart heiress' lead funder of No Kings means the chain is dead to me. I always thought hating Wal-Mart, like hating Big Pharmacy was silly -- they provide needed products, no?

No. Evil monopolies in the clutches of the CCP.

Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at June 20, 2025 12:12 PM (wBaIH)

336 Yes, yes, let's all do that thing where we talk about all the rotten crooked shit that gets done through collusion between the State and State sanctioned oligopolies, call it "Capitalism" so it magically becomes Capitalism, and then say "Capitalism Bad".

Didn't even have to wade through a bunch of dry poorly translated dreck from Engels to get there like people used to have to, either. Well done.
Posted by: Warai-otoko

Capitalism ain’t bad but people are when their only focus is pursuing money. The thing capitalism has going for it is it’s by far the best system of all the economic systems.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2025 12:13 PM (VofaG)

337 I understand the psychological benefits and I’m still a prisoner of it but scrubbing off the good bacteria from your skin everyday and washing away the oils out of your hair everyday has a negative effect.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2025 12:06 PM (VofaG)

I've heard the same and maybe there's something to that.
But my fuzzy, wavy-like-a-duck's-back, hair would not agree with a shower twice a week policy.

I can hardly get it to stay brushed now after it's wet, I'd drive myself crazy trying to keep this hair in check especially when it's humid out.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at June 20, 2025 12:13 PM (6ydKt)

338 And yet, Japanese and Korean car companies manage it.
-

I suspect the chicken tax somehow plays a role, but I'm not versed enough in that aspect.

Regardless it's the safety standard that is key, not the mpg. The mpg just allows easier embrace of the easy safety standard solution.

Posted by: Boron Quidquid - Men are the romantic sex, with no concern for a mate's income or potential at June 20, 2025 12:13 PM (I57y9)

339 Wal-Mart heiress' lead funder of No Kings means the chain is dead to me. I always thought hating Wal-Mart, like hating Big Pharmacy was silly -- they provide needed products, no?

No. Evil monopolies in the clutches of the CCP.

TBF, Walmart immediately disavowed her comments. She and the company have nothing to do with each other.

Posted by: Archimedes at June 20, 2025 12:13 PM (Riz8t)

340 Same here, except I had to buy Win11 to put on a VM when the firm went to MS's insane cloud PCs instead of the traditional VPN/Remote Desktop.

When I bought the kids new PCs, they went straight to Linux Mint (had Linux light on ten year old hardware). Best move ever.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder
=======
At work, I moved to a Mac notebook but frankly did most of my work on Linux at home because Safari sux as a browser.

Still do the obsolete dual boot because I simply do not need to run VMs or containers because I am not a code developer. I usually stay about 1-2 generations of hardware behind but maximize RAM memory nowadays as the premium for cutting edge power is simply too high for my computer builds.

Since retired, I am now in the process of decommissioning old computer builds back to the 90's.

Posted by: whig at June 20, 2025 12:14 PM (ctrM5)

341 By shaving $0.01 from each of the product units in their save-cost but not quality business model, they lose the business of customers such as our blogger. But for every customer they lose, there are 10,000 customers who stayed with them.

Unless every cycle of the product use/replacement brings in $100 each time, they actually save money by that $0.01 cost savings - it just isn't ALL savings, but it's enough to offset the lost customer base.

Posted by: LCMS Rulz! at June 20, 2025 12:15 PM (bufu1)

342 It works really well with a fried egg on top, which you can get at some of the joints. Better than on a fat burger.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at June 20, 2025 11:55 AM (ITkJX)

---

Never tried a egg-hamburger sandwich before.
It sounds interesting, I'll try it if I ever come across one.

I've noticed a lot of places around here are putting pimento cheese on hamburgers in the last few years.

I tried one of those and it wasn't bad at all.
Posted by: SpeakingOf
===

Olive Burgers !!!

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at June 20, 2025 12:20 PM (/lPRQ)

343 330 I think Ford's in pretty bad shape, as compared to the other manufacturers. They sunk a shit ton of money into EV infrastructure, billions of dollars, that is now mostly a write-off or unused... like those huge battery plants they built in TN and KY. I get recall notices about every 3 months for my wife's Explorer. It's 5 years old and has been in for a dozen recalls. Not every one of those is mechanical... a lot are electrical/computer related.
Posted by: Martini Farmer
======
I can see Ford having to merge with another auto maker in the near future.

Posted by: whig at June 20, 2025 12:20 PM (ctrM5)

344 Publius uses Mitchum solid and so far they haven't fucked that up.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at June 20, 2025 12:23 PM (w6EFb)

345 I can see Ford having to merge with another auto maker in the near future.

Chevy and Ford - Cherd.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at June 20, 2025 12:29 PM (WPL6O)

346 Regarding soap scents--there's some new-ish soap seller online that gives their options "manly" names like Naval Diplomacy (can't remember the brand and I'm not looking it up). What the hell does "Naval Diplomacy" smell like, and how am I supposed to figure that out online?

Posted by: Octochicken at June 20, 2025 12:41 PM (oCS0o)

347 >The product was shrinkflated a few years ago, which probably looked like a great idea on some spreadsheet – higher gross profit per ounce!

Oh FFS, that is not why shrinkflation exists. It exists because inflation has been driving up the cost of everything, including the entire supply chain that goes into making your soap. If those costs were factored in to the retail cost, you'd be paying three times what you used to and the sticker shock would crater sales. So they reduce the size of the package or unit to keep the cost per item increase down to something that won't panic the customers.

There's a few markets that are truly oligopolies, where the sellers raise prices simply because they can. Soap isn't one of them. Learn how to do math and compare the cost per weight of your soap brand and all the competitors and you'll see what's actually happening.

Posted by: Daniel Ream at June 20, 2025 12:44 PM (xBngO)

348 Mitchum stick still works great.

Posted by: Its the pits at June 20, 2025 01:04 PM (cvJQ+)

349 The nice thing about our U.S. is that we have a plethora of product opportunities to choose from. When a producer goes woke and insults us, we just switch our loyalty to another equally competative producer product.
Advertising wokeness (insulting their customers) is one of the best advertising for their competitors!
I could name some of those woke producers, but you already know them.

Posted by: john at June 20, 2025 02:29 PM (nEWxZ)

350 "Corporate boards need to start policing the destructors they have hired to run their companies."

--Get real! Howdy Doody the puppet had more backbone than almost any public company corporate board member. Members are there for the wine, cocktails, trips and pony rides--not to police the CEOs or any other destructor.

Posted by: Puppet Master 16 Crapification of the CEO at June 20, 2025 03:46 PM (cvJQ+)

351 Woke Corporate-Board Demagogues do not care about the product but rather see Intellectual Property as a vehicle for which can be used to proselytize their religion.

Posted by: mossomo at June 20, 2025 04:27 PM (pky95)

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