# New! Improved! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 28, 2024, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-improved/1002175 "2024-05-28T11:27:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dgy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a587f6/32.png) [@dgy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dgy)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-improved/1002175/1 "2024-05-28T11:27:52Z")
Who are they kidding? Do people actually pick up products labeled as “New/Improved” and think the vendor has “done them a favor”? Or, do you groan, inwardly, and wonder “NOW what have they f\*cked up? And, what’s it going to COST me??” (It costs a bit of money to change a packaging line to alter the appearance, size, etc. of an existing product. Do you really think they take on this expense for YOUR benefit?) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-improved/1002175/2 "2024-05-28T11:53:25Z")
In my experience “new and improved” seldom is. Why do they have to keep fucking with toothpaste? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-improved/1002175/3 "2024-05-28T11:56:16Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > In my experience “new and improved” seldom is. Why do they have to keep fucking with toothpaste? - They ran out of K-Y? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-improved/1002175/4 "2024-05-28T12:00:24Z")
You’re a bad, bad person. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-improved/1002175/5 "2024-05-28T12:06:24Z")
Paint and batteries are two products that generally have kept improving in my lifetime. On a much faster projection has been LED lightbulbs. Cell/Smart Phones of course have improved dramatically, but they tend to have new model numbers and aren’t quite the same. Same for Computers and TVs of course. There has been at least 3 generations of Fire TV Sticks still sold as **Fire TV Stick**. Each generation has been an improvement. Do cars count? Many models have improved dramatically over the years. The F150 Truck, Accord, Civic, Prius, Corolla come to mind pretty quickly. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-improved/1002175/6 "2024-05-28T12:12:00Z")
They (whoever they are) recently came out with dish soap in a spray bottle. When I saw ads for it I laughed. Then my gf came home from grocery shopping with a bottle of it and it is pretty good. ---
**Author:** ![dgy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a587f6/32.png) [@dgy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dgy)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-improved/1002175/7 "2024-05-28T12:13:36Z")
Those are different uses of “new and improved”. Are those products ever PROMINENTLY LABELED as “New & Improved?” – as if you should be excited about the change? When you see a roll of paper towels labeled “new and improved”, what do you think? Or, a package of cereal? (who the f\*ck decided that Cheerios should be heart shaped? why do we need new “colors” of Trix?) ---
**Author:** ![dgy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a587f6/32.png) [@dgy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dgy)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-improved/1002175/8 "2024-05-28T12:16:05Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > In my experience “new and improved” seldom is. Why do they have to keep fucking with toothpaste? Agreed. If you look at the ingredients on toothpaste, the only ones that really matter (actives) are fluouride content and desensitizing agent(s). Beyond that, it’s flavor and MARKETING. [Sensodyne is hilarious in its different varieties – all with the same ingredients! Buy Aquafresh Sensitive for the same protection at 1/3 the cost.] ---
**Author:** ![dgy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a587f6/32.png) [@dgy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dgy)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-improved/1002175/9 "2024-05-28T12:20:56Z")
But is the product different? (just watered down to make it less viscous?) Is the “improvement” just a new pitch to get you to use the same old product in a different way? _E.g._, we put dishsoap in a small “pump” container on the sink. We thin it with water to make it flow easier (it’s going to be mixed with water, regardless, as soon as dispensed!). If you sold it to me packaged in this form, I wouldn’t just laugh but likely think you consider your customers to be idiots. Worse yet, sell it in a **refillable container** (um, isn’t that a cheap “pump container”?) arguing that it cuts down on waste… ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-improved/1002175/10 "2024-05-28T12:22:09Z")
I’ve been using Crest since I was a wee bairn, so over 70 years now. The latest one leaves a nasty taste and is too. . .foamy, I guess is the best descriptor. I don’t even know if they still make the basic product. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-improved/1002175/11 "2024-05-28T12:25:25Z")
> [@dgy](#): > > But is the product different? (just watered down to make it less viscous?) The spray nozzle produces a perfect amount and seems to add some air to it. I asked my gf if she’d be buying it again and she showed me she’d already grabbed a refill. [![](https://i.imgur.com/P3DqK7J.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/P3DqK7J.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![dgy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a587f6/32.png) [@dgy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dgy)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-improved/1002175/12 "2024-05-28T12:34:14Z")
I have an assortment of “teeth cleaning products” that I alternate between, regularly. I drink a **sh\*tload** of tea – about a gallon (10 12oz mugs) daily. My periodontist complains about the staining, even though I’ve switched to green tea (I used to drink pu erh – which is incredibly staining!). So, I use a highly abrasive toothpaste to scour the stain away (Crest 3D White Advanced Whitening – it seems to not be widely available). This is hard on the enamel and leads to sensitivity problems. So, a desensitizing toothpaste is necessary (the aforementioned Aquafresh product; Toms sells a paste that uses a different desensitizing agent but it truly tastes like crap!). Finally, a gelled flouride treatment to further help with sensitivity and enamel protection. For TASTE variety (why does all toothpaste taste roughly the same?), I will occasionally switch to something like Close Up for an occasional brushing. Then, of course, the mouthwashes/rinses, flossing, etc. ☹ Finally, a few weeks prior to a cleaning, I switch to a prescription toothpaste that has higher flouride and desensitizing agent concentrations. And, the cycle repeats… ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-improved/1002175/13 "2024-05-28T12:42:47Z")
The Dawn Power wash is the f\*\*\*king bomb(btw, @dgy you do not have to use the f- bomb in every paragraph to emphasize your point. I’m the board _"your Mom_", use your nice words occasionally) I love the Dawn products over. The platinum variety will actually clean the stove top with just a wet sponge. Good stuff. ETA: don’t know why this called out @Chefguy s post, sorry. ---
**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:** [May 28, 2024, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-improved/1002175/14 "2024-05-28T12:49:52Z")
I get into discussions about this subject every now and then. My go-to for this is Domino’s pizza. As unbelievable as it may sound to some people, Domino’s pizza crust used to be worse than it is now. They vigorously promoted a new crust recipe many years ago and the new crust was, in fact, much better. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-improved/1002175/15 "2024-05-28T12:54:29Z")
> [@dgy](#): > > When you see a roll of paper towels labeled “new and improved”, what do you think? Garfield: “Just think - all this time, I’ve been using ‘old and inferior.’” ---
**Author:** ![dgy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a587f6/32.png) [@dgy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dgy)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-improved/1002175/16 "2024-05-28T13:33:10Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > btw, @dgy you do not have to use the f- bomb in every paragraph to emphasize your point Cite. I use it when it expresses the emotion _one_ typically feels in those situations. E.g., “What wonderful change (that I undoubtedly will not appreciate) have they made to this product that I have been happily purchasing for years” is NOT what I think goes through folks’ heads when they encounter yet another “improved product”. It;s not, usually, something that folks are happy to see… ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-improved/1002175/17 "2024-05-28T14:07:25Z")
There’s a cereal I like. A year plus ago they “new and improved” it. Turned it into total garbage. But recently I discovered that the cheap, bagged knock off version is quite good. Better than the original. ---
**Author:** ![dgy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a587f6/32.png) [@dgy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dgy)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-improved/1002175/18 "2024-05-28T14:48:54Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > There’s a cereal I like. A year plus ago they “new and improved” it. Turned it into total garbage. I used to like Cheerios – for occasional binges. Then, bought a box and discovered some marketeer had changed them all to heart-shaped instead of circular. It put me off on them. Now, I hesitate to buy another box, wondering if this was just a temporary change (to try to emphasize "heart health – as if cereal would make the difference in your health!). Similarly, with Trix. Now they are molded shapes (instead of simple spheres) and new “colors”. Have either of these changes – which come at some nontrivial cost (which is ultimately paid by the consumer) – actually improved the products? Paper towels have been a particular (brand-specific?) size, since forever. Then, suddenly, we needed “half sheets”, as if this would be a real win to the consumer who could select-a-size that fits his need – after all, you could always tear off TWO sheets! Then, the half sheets got bigger so two sheets results in a _higher_ rate of consumption. “Improved?” ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-improved/1002175/19 "2024-05-28T15:16:43Z")
I know _why_ you’re using it. A cite? What? In M&P. I’m not gonna look at all your posts and count them. That’s the only proof there could be. Your OP just seemed a bit mouthy. Me, as _your mom_ might be off-put by that rather strong language over “new and improved” product descriptions. Your outrage over this might be better spent on other projects. Some people are always gonna fall for/believe advertising. In fact that’s why companies do it. To attract the consumer. I suppose it works. I don’t see it changing. The heart shaped Cheerios are cute. Doesn’t change the flavor and I do believe you can still get the round ones. Or just buy the store brand. I think Great Value has a “new and improved” version out.🤭 ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-improved/1002175/20 "2024-05-28T15:25:38Z")
Some products do improve. I can’t _think_ of any right now. Remember new coke? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-improved/1002175.md?page=2)