# Consumer items you would really hate/be screwed if they discontinued? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 13, 2026, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629 "2026-01-13T03:13:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2026, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/161 "2026-02-06T13:31:33Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Apparently wiping paper was originally sold in sheets, but it was the invention of the perforated roll that made the concept a success. When I was first in Japan in the early 80s, toilet paper was often sold in sheets. Also, for some cultural reasons I could never fathom, some schools don’t provide toilet paper and the students (and sometimes even the teachers) are expected to bring their own toilet paper. They still sell packages of sheets toilet paper. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2026, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/162 "2026-02-06T14:53:31Z")
And most of us don’t have ready access to corn cobs. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2026, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/163 "2026-02-06T19:22:01Z")
I just bought cotton swabs with paper rods. I don’t like cotton swabs with wood or plastic, and I usually can’t find them here, so I bring back Q-tips from the U.S. Don’t know if the local brand will be as good, but it’s the first time I’ve seen them with paper rods here. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2026, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/164 "2026-02-06T20:47:26Z")
I’m slowly coming to realize that it is more difficult now to find a robot vacuum that does not mop. For a few years, I’ve used a Eufy robot vacuum that is simply a vacuum. We have a couple big dogs and the vac produces a big fist-sized ball of fur and litter every single night when we run it. It’s great! Plus, it parks and charges under a side table in our den, nicely tucked away. Unfortunately, a small plastic piece broke the other day and the dust collector filter is now taped in place. What do I want? Another one…or something very similar. But it seems that more and more people want a combination vac and mop. (I understand why. Not everybody likes carpet as much as we do in the US.) As you can imagine, the combination vac and mops don’t do either task as well as a dedicated unit. I don’t want the mopping. I don’t want the extra tall charging station that automatically empties the vac and services the mop function. Plus, my current unit is short and fits underneath all my furniture as it cleans. The combination units tend to be too tall to do this. (I’ve measured.) Yes, there are still some units out there that are just vacs, but even those will no longer fit under my side table. I expect that, eventually, those will disappear as well. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2026, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/165 "2026-02-06T21:08:20Z")
I am not sure the Op means generic widespread things like all toilet paper as opposed to a particular brand or style of TP. > [@Die\_Capacitrix](#): > > I just bought cotton swabs with paper rods. I don’t like cotton swabs with wood or plastic, and I usually can’t find them here, so I bring back Q-tips from the U.S. I like Qtips, but I keep finding the generic ones with a very flexible plastic rod- they dont do what I want. For me the item i would hate to see go is Oral-B mint flavored dental floss picks. The mint is kinda optional, but the style of the Oral B ones helps me to floss without hating it. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2026, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/166 "2026-02-07T03:20:21Z")
When I was into camping I would take the trouble beforehand to unwind a roll of toilet paper and fan-fold the sheets. This not only make it more compact to carry but also vastly easier to split my supply with anyone who ran out. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2026, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/167 "2026-02-09T15:20:16Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > I’m slowly coming to realize that it is more difficult now to find a robot vacuum I purchased my first robot vac about 2 years ago. With three dogs, one of them being a German shepherd, it was a godsend. It had the mopping feature, but I never used it. A few weeks ago, it started making weird noises. The poor thing has been run ragged. It was still vacuuming, but just with a loud noise. I decided to put it upstairs and just run it until it dies. I purchased a new one for the main floor from Amazon. I’m returning it today. It has to be programmed with an app on your phone, otherwise it doesn’t do a very good job. We have lots of rooms with thresholds, not an open-concept home. I’d have to program each room. It just seemed too complicated for a vacuum. The original one was easy-peasy. Simply set it on the floor and turn it on. There aren’t many robot vacs that don’t use apps anymore. I searched Amazon and finally found a cheap one ($80) that is not operated through an app. I received it yesterday, and it worked great. It doesn’t have the mop feature either. At that price, I don’t know how long it will last, but I’m happy with it now. It’s an ILIFE. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2026, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/168 "2026-02-09T15:44:08Z")
Mine uses the Eufy app and I actually found that it works easily for me. The most irritating part is that you have to let the vac wander the whole house first to map it with LIDAR. Then you can re-divide rooms, block off areas, etc. But it gripes me that it’s assumed that I want all of the excess baggage of a mop function, not to mention the extra height. In many places, an additional 0.5 inch means a new vac won’t fit under the chairs, tables, and other furniture where my current unit (3.7 inches) cleans effortlessly. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2026, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/169 "2026-02-09T17:16:15Z")
As coincidence would have it, while I was reading the updates to this thread my brother asked me to add “plain unscented Lysol” to the shopping list. I told him I had not seen such a thing in years, and asked him to show me what he’s been using that he just ran out of. Turned out to be “fresh linen” scent, which he said that or lemon was okay. As I have remarked in other threads, I heartily believe that in the 21st century we have entered the era of what I term “Consumer Serfdom”: you can’t buy what you actually want any more, only what the powers that be care to sell you, take it or leave it. A business model pioneered by cable TV, enthusiastically adopted by the smartphone industry, and now damn near ubiquitous for everything everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2026, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/170 "2026-02-11T09:54:30Z")
I just had to use a loaner car while mine was getting the annual inspection done. It didn’t have a backup camera. I’ve gotten so dependent on ours that I was stopping well short of where I needed to. They back into parking spaces here so it’s really needed. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2026, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/171 "2026-02-11T10:54:32Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Stouffer’s used to make reasonably good frozen convenience foods and I guess they still do, but in their wisdom the Nestle company decided to stop distributing them in Canada. So now for a quick emergency meal I rely on Swanson TV dinners, but only a few types – fried chicken, salisbury steak, and sometimes turkey with stuffing. And for when I have beans, I’d be screwed without Bush’s Homestyle along with Bullseye hickory smoke barbecue sauce. It’s the same here, pretty much. No idea why Nestle decided to kill Stouffer’s frozen foods in Canada. They were so easy for a single person, like me: “Jeez, what’s for dinner? Aw, hell, it’ll be a Stouffer’s frozen meatloaf and mashed potatoes.” Swanson frozen dinners are kinda-sorta an acceptable substitute, but I’d prefer no veg and more mashed potatoes. The brownie is nice, though. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2026, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/172 "2026-02-12T02:14:36Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > I just had to use a loaner car while mine was getting the annual inspection done. > > It didn’t have a backup camera. They have been required in the US since 2018 & most cars had them before the deadline. I had one in a 2010 Mazda. What kind of low budget loaner doesn’t have one? ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2026, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/173 "2026-02-12T02:20:44Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > What kind of low budget loaner doesn’t have one? It’s a low budget car, specifically a Kei car. Kei cars are cheap for a reason. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2026, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/174 "2026-02-12T02:26:47Z")
Aaah, makes sense. The can only be imported to the US if they are at least 25 years old so any you see here are more collectibles than rentals just due to their age, effort to bring in & scarcity here. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2026, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/175 "2026-02-12T02:38:17Z")
We are looking at getting a Kei car as our second vehicle because they are cheaper, the taxes are less, much better fuel consumption (just cuz I can’t say “mileage” in good conscience), inspection costs are lower (more expensive here in Japan) maintenance costs are less and they are easier for my wife to drive. But some don’t have features such as backup cameras as standard so that’s something to look at. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2026, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/176 "2026-02-12T03:00:25Z")
The rear visibility in my 2012 Kia Soul is so poor that I now suspect that they thought everyone would buy the backup camera option, and that no one was ever supposed to be able to back it up without a camera. ---
**Author:** ![TekirKedi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tekirkedi/32/19028_2.png) [@TekirKedi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TekirKedi)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/177 "2026-02-18T02:22:17Z")
Apparently the absence/discontinuation is due to some court case, where they couldn’t use the name “Stoned Wheat Thins” because the name implied that they were made with stone-ground wheat. When I first heard the name of the product (something my DH wanted me to pick up with the groceries for him because he particularly liked them) it sounded like something that one would eat when high…and I always did wonder about the name, but never associated it with stone-ground grains. We’ve been trying to find a substitute cracker for the DH for a few years now. We live in Western Canada, so if anyone has found a good substitute, maybe he will stop eating my gluten-free crackers…😕 ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2026, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/178 "2026-02-25T02:33:30Z")
But it’s a HELL of a mess when the inevitable blockage causes your gut to explode. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2026, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/179 "2026-02-25T02:45:32Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > But it’s a HELL of a mess when the inevitable blockage causes your gut to explode That just means not enough duct tape was used. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2026, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/180 "2026-02-25T15:17:31Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Levi’s jeans (particularly the 527 model) Oh say, have you seen these locally in a while? I’ve been looking and the 527s aren’t in the big displays at Macy’s\* or Kohl’s etc and I’ve dug through countless heaps at Marshalls and TJs. There _are_ some new? 537 ‘Western bootcut.’ I guess I should try some on but research indicates they’re pretty different pants and I just want my faves. And 27 is a perfect cube. \*I even went to Macy’s Woodfield a week and a half ago, it was packed well beyond my expectation. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629.md?page=10)