Have you ever owned a product that lasted so long that by the time you finally needed to replace it…
they didn’t make it anymore?
That recently happened to me.
For years — and I mean years — I’ve had a Spray ‘n Wash Stain Stick sitting in my laundry room.
Whenever I spilled something on a shirt, I’d rub a little of the Stain Stick on it, toss it in the laundry, and the stain would disappear.
It worked great.
It was convenient.
It lasted forever.
Apparently, that last part may have been the problem.
Fifteen Years Later…
A few weeks ago, I finally reached the end of my Stain Stick.
No big deal.
I’d just buy another one.
So I went to the store.
No Stain Stick.
I checked another store.
Nothing.
Then I did what we all do when we discover the rest of the world isn’t cooperating with us.
I went online.
That’s when I discovered they don’t make it anymore.
They discontinued it.
How could they discontinue my Stain Stick?
Granted…
I hadn’t actually purchased one in more than 15 years.
So, looking back, I may have been part of the problem.
Not Exactly a Great Business Model
Imagine being the person responsible for Stain Stick sales.
“How are sales looking this quarter?”
“Not great.”
“Are customers unhappy with the product?”
“No. They love it.”
“Then why aren’t they buying more?”
“Because apparently one stick lasts until retirement.”
Ah.
There’s your problem.
Maybe Spray ‘n Wash made the ultimate consumer product.
It worked so well and lasted so long that nobody ever needed to buy another one.
Meanwhile, somewhere at corporate headquarters, somebody was staring at the sales numbers wondering why their incredibly loyal customers hadn’t bought anything since the Bush administration.
I Just Need One More
Here’s the frustrating part.
I don’t need a lifetime supply.
I don’t need a case.
I don’t even need a six-pack.
I just want one more Stain Stick.
Based on my previous purchasing history, one should be plenty.
If the last one lasted more than 15 years, the next one could probably carry me through the remainder of my stain-removal years.
The Products We Thought Would Always Be There
This whole experience got me thinking about all those products we buy without ever considering that someday they might disappear.
You find something you really like.
You use it for years.
You assume it’s going to be sitting on that store shelf forever.
Then one day you need another one and discover the company stopped making it in 2017.
2017?!
Where was the announcement?
Shouldn’t loyal customers receive some kind of warning?
“Dear valued customer: We noticed you haven’t purchased a Stain Stick since approximately 2010. We’re beginning to question whether you’re ever coming back.”
Had I known, I would have stocked up.
Of course, “stocking up” for me apparently would have meant buying two.
Maybe This Is Actually My Fault
The more I think about it, the harder it is to blame Spray ‘n Wash.
They made a product I loved.
It worked every time.
It lasted forever.
And my way of showing my appreciation was…
not giving them another dime for more than 15 years.
That’s not exactly how customer loyalty is supposed to work.
So Spray ‘n Wash, wherever you are…
I’m sorry.
I should have bought more Stain Sticks.
I didn’t know.
One Last Stain Stick
All I want now is one more.
Just one.
I promise I’ll treasure it.
I’ll use it sparingly.
I’ll keep it somewhere safe.
And based on how long the last one lasted, there’s a very good chance I’ll never need to buy another one.
Which, come to think of it…
is probably exactly why they stopped making them.
But that’s okay.
One more Stain Stick should last me the rest of my life.
Or at least until I’m old enough that I look down at the giant grease stain in the middle of my shirt and think…
“Eh. I don’t care anymore.”
.
